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MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



c 



VOL. I.— No. 1 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



We Are"Lobbyists ' 



—BUT NOT INSIDIOUS 



We aim to iufiuence the attitude and inform 
the intelligence of the American public on 
matters pertaining to the Latin republics. This 
country is united with these "other Americans" 
in bonds that are more than geographical and 
commercial. There is also a communitj' of 
interest and national ideals, in the increasing 
and difficult work of adapting the principles of 
democracy to constantly arising new condi- 
tions. Destiny has made us peculiarly close 
in our relations as neighbors. The opening of 
the Panama Canal, one of the most stupendous 
achievements in history, will, it is hoped, not 
only increase our trade relations with Latin- 
.■Xnierica. but it should inevitably bring to all 
the Americas a deeper and finer friendship and 
a reaHzation of the value of common helpful- 
ness and the peril of prejudicial misunderstand- 
ings, ghosts of an unenlightened past. If this 
conies true the Latin will lose his mistrust of 
the "Yankee," the North American will not 
assume a superior, patronizing air in dealing 
with people of a different culture and tempera- 
ment. The press of the United States will 
find that there is news of more vital importance 
and more representative of progress to the 
south of us than the stories of uprisings and 
revolutions, which have been featured so ex- 
clusively as to convey the impression that 
Latin-America is nothing save a hotbed of 
revolution. The newspapers of the other re- 
publics will furnish news more representative 



of civilization than the accounts of lynchings, 
strikes, clan fights and murdering gangsters 
from which the average reader forms his opin- 
ion of the people of the Xorth. We simply 
must know each other better, and there is no 
reason why we shouldn't in this age of 
education, investigation and swift communica- 
tion. 

Our closest neighbor, our next-door nation, 
Mexico, on whose border the United States 
hangs for a distance of more than two 
thousand miles, is at the present time in dire 
trouble. We believe that much of that trouble 
would have been avoidable if there had been 
a general understanding in this country of 
Me.xico's problems, motives and ideals, and 
an intelligent conception of the conditions 
which have unfortunately been the cause of 
nearly three years of internecine strife in that 
country. We can't help Mexico nor help our- 
selves in our vital relations with Mexico by 
assuming or maintaining an attitude of criti- 
cism, annoyance, or tutelage while she is work- 
ing out her problems. To influence a change 
in that attitude, to inform public opinion gen- 
erally on Mexico's position and point of view, 
is one of our purposes and in the light of 
recent events the most timely. 

In that sense we are lobbyists, lobbyists for 
Mexico, for all Latin-America and, we earn- 
estly believe, for the people of the United 
States. 



Shoulder to Shoulder — Elpasograms 
^^ Cessation of Hostilities and Elections'^ 



r fx^>^ 



MEXICO 



Saturdcni. August 2S. 1913 




Shoulder to Shoulder 

When it comes right down to cases it goes 
without saying that in any international crisis 
even,' red-blooded American citizen would 
stand back of any attitude the President might 
take, an\' move that he might make, and every 
American deserving of the name would be 
confident that the President was right accord- 
ing to his lights and his conscience. The 
President and his advisers might have made 
one or rnany mistakes in handling a situation, 
but the mistakes made, be the consequences 
whatsoever, it would not then be a matter for 
discussion or criticism, but for whole-hearted, 
patriotic action. 

But until such a crux arrives it is the right 
and it is the duty of every American citizen to 
inform himself on pending disputes, gathering 
his information from all sides, and to express 
his opinion candidl.v, for the force of public 
opinion is the strongest force in the country, 
the rock on which the nation is built. 

Justice toward another nation is not incon- 
sistent with loyalty to our own. Quite the 
contrary. No real loyalty would deliberately 
provoke or countenance injustice. Nobody 
with an atom of intelHgence believes for a 
moment that the Administration's attitude 
toward Mexico has reflected any but the most 
friendly and patriotic purposes. It is possible, 
however, that those purposes with the best 
intentions have been shaped along the wrong 
lines. It is possible that a mass of private 
and public misinformation has had considerable 
to do with determining those lines, and it is 
more than possible that actual injustice has 
liccn done to Mexico. It is a fact. 

If only the truth is brought out and the un- 
truths nailed before it is too late, the cries of 
tlie jingoes for war will be stilled and -the 
intrigues of self-seeking Mexican politicians 
and American financial interests to use the 
L'nitcd States as a weapon against the present 
Government of Mexico will be foiled. 



John Lind 

The only redeeming feature in the Mexican 
muddle is John Lind. 

It must have been accident, but there is no 
doubt that the selection of John Lind was a 
fortunate one. If his mission is what it has 
been represented by the press, he will fail, but 
it will not be his fault. John Lind has been 
splendidly received by the Mexicans, who have 
thus demonstrated that they are tnore civil- 
ized than those prejudiced or malicious per- 
sons in this country who assumed tli^t Lind 
would be murdered or badly treated. 

John Lind has besides captivated the good 
will and the friendship of all Mexicans who 
have shown their ability to distinguish the 
grain from the chaff. 

Whatever the results of John Lind's mission 
he will leave friends in Mexico and he will 
have earned the eternal gratitude of the 
Wasliington administration. 



The Madero Sobbists 

Sympathy for human suffering, a sympathy 
that is spontaneous and heartfelt, is charac- 
teristic of the American people. The public 
was naturally inclined to sympathize with the 
personal loss and bereavement of the imme- 
diate members of Francisco Madero's family 
when the news was flashed from Mexico of 
his fall and his death. Who would not feel 
sympathy for a wife bereft of her husband, 
children of their father, whatever the faults 
or the malfeasances of the man? His rise 
was dramatic, his career in power was pitiful, 
and his fall tragic. 

Quick to catch on to this friendly sympathy 
of the American people, the followers of the 
Madero fortunes at once began to use it for 
political purposes. A widow's grief and tears, 
the cries of orphans, were sordidh', cold- 
bloodedly exploited by the rebel juntas and 
their press agents. Through pathetic inter- 
views and lugubrious stories in the news- 
papers, the sacred grief of a family was ad- 
vertised broadcast week after week, month 
after month ad nauseam, until what was at 
first a real feeling was perverted irito an arti- 
ficial, maudlin sentiment by a squad of hired 
''sob" writers. No occasion was lost by Cap- 
tain Hopkins and his clever colleagues to 
parade in the public press and magazines the 
black-veiled figure of Madero's widow, and it 
was even suggested by these precious poli- 
ticians that she appear and tell her story be- 
fore the Senate for the effect it would create. 
This sobbing publicity has gone too far, and 
there is evidence that the American public 
is not only sick of it but inclined to resent the 
abuse of their natural sympathy, given freeh- 
and fully. 

It is a curious fact, at the same time, that 
no such feeling of sympathy hai^ existed or 
does exist among the Mexicans themselves. 
For some reason they can remember only the 
hundred thousand lives already lost in the 
three years' continuous strife that had its be- 
ginning in the entry of the powerful Madero 
family into Mexican political life. They can 
hardly be expected to forget that the well- 
filled treasury and stable credit of the country 
under Diaz departed with the Maderos. Per- 
haps they think only of the score of young 
cadets of the Military School, all under age, 
and of as good families as the Maderos, who 
in the beginning of the famous ten days' 
fight were shot down by orders of Madero 
and his brother in the patio of tlte National 
Palace, tvilhout even the semblance of a trial. 
.Mso of General Ruiz, 72 years old, who was 
shot down also without trial, and forty other 
Mexicans of good fainilies summarily exe- 
cuted without trial. Perhaps their grief at 
the death of Madero has been somewhat as- 
suaged by the thought that they have thrown 
off the incubus of a family for whom the 
country was a plaything of ambition. At any 
rate, they are shedding no tears of maudlin .sen- 
timent. In fact, they are quite convinced lliat 
the Maderos got exactly what they gave. 



A Barbarous Suggestion 

The suggestion made by some public men 
in Washington, and so oft repeated by news- 
paper correspondents, that the Mexican rebels 
and bandits be allowed to buy arms and am- 
munition freely in the United States is not 
only barbarous but criminal and vicious. 

It is evident from all press reports, includ- 
ing even Elpasograms, that whatever injury 
has been suffered by Americans in Mexico 
has been at the hands of bandits calling them- 
selves rebels. Yet men like Senator Fall are 
advocating the free selling by this country 
of arms and ammunition to these bandits so 
that they can more efficiently use them 
against American citizens and more easil)' 
■ destroy American property. 

The granting of permission to Mexican 
bandits to buy arms would brand this 
country as unworthy to call itself a civilized 
nation. Anyhow, it's superfluous. We affirm 
this because it is a well-known fact that with 
the connivance of Americans themselves — un- 
fortunately for the good name of Americans 
— rebels and bandits have succeeded in buy- 
ing nearly all the arms and ammunition they 
have wanted. 

We do not know if the gentlemen that are 
advocating such an astomiding plan are 
directly or indirectly interested with any 
manufacturer of arms or filibustering com- 
pany, but \ve do know that the carrying out 
of such a plan would convince all Latin- 
Americans — from the Rio Grande to Cape 
Horn — that their suspicions as to the real 
policy of the Lhiited States toward them- 
selves are well founded. 

Tlie idea which prevails in all. Latin- Amer- 
ican countries ' that the true meaning of the 
Monroe doctrine, "America for Americans." 
is "America for North Americans," and 
more particularlj' "for the United States." 
would receive irreparable confirmation by the 
granting on the part of this Government of 
such permission. For this would show the 
intention of this country to foster internecine 
strife in Mexico until I\Iexico should be so 
debilitated by a fratricidal war as to make it 
an easy task for this country to take posses- 
sion of the southern republic. Nothing that 
this government would say in justification of 
this barbaric policy could shake the convic- 
tion of all Latin-Americans in that respect. 
The sentiment of insecurity and mistrust in 
regard to the United States which, if not ap- 
parent everywhere, is certainly latent in all 
Latin America, would crystallize. 

The recent forming of a close alliance by 
the three strongest powers of South America, 
Argentina, Brazil and Chile — known as the 
A. B. C. Alliance — has almost escaped public 
observation in this country, and it is doubt- 
ful if its significance is understood by more 
than a few men. The alliance, brought about 
through the initiative of the present Ar- 
gentine Government and the able diplomatic 
maneuvering of the Foreign Offices at Buenos 
.'\yres and Rio Janeiro, at a time when the 



Satunhifi, Aitgud 23, 1013 



MEXICO 



friendly relations between Argentines and 
Brazilians seemed to have been broken, is the 
most patent proof of the suspicions whicli 
the actions of the United States have aroused 
in the minds of Latin-Americans. And this 
in spite of the efforts made by the Pan- 
American Union and American business or- 
ganizations to promote better feeling and un- 
derstanding between Americans of the North 
and Americans of the South. For let there 
be no mistake, the A. B. C. Alliance— all 
official declarations to the contrary — is an 
alliance of defense against the aggressive — 
and what is thought by many prominent 
Latin-Americans — hypocritical policy of the 
United States. 



"CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND ELECTIONS 
IN MEXICO" 



Blundering Good 

Senator Bacon, of the Senate Committee 
on Foreign Relations, begged for patience with 
President Wilson because "he is confronted 
with one of the gravest problems a President 
of the I'nited States has ever faced." 

Has not the "problem" arisen from the 
refusal of President Wilson to recognize the 
Provisional Government of Mexico? If he 
had recognized that government as all the 
other great powers of the world have, where 
would have been the opportunity for the vio- 
lent speeches in Congress and the irresponsible 
articles in the press demanding intervention ? 
The financial interests, the jingo press, the 
.'\merican landholders in Mexico and the seek- 
ers for concessions have seized on the in- 
activity and the reported antipathy of the Wil- 
son administration for Huerta as an oppor- 
tunity for jingo propaganda. The juntas of 
the so-called revolutionists have likewise 
jumped at the chance for a campaign of mis- 
statements to help and dignify their political 
intrigues. There is a grave situation. The 
President is reported determined that inter- 
vention shall be only a last resort. We trust 
he is sincere in this announcement, but when 
he refuses to take advantage of the first and 
most obvious resort to bring about peace, what 
are we to think? If it were not for his de- 
termined refusal to grant recognition to the 
Provisional Government there would probably 
be no grave situation, no chance for the jingoes 
to project their inflammatory utterances, no 
danger to be apprehended from the sensitive- 
ness, the suspicion and the aroused feeling of 
nationality in the Mexicans themselves. If 
there is a grave problem the Washington ad- 
ministration has made it for itself, is responsi- 
ble for it in a large measure, and if either 
war with Mexico or chaos in that unfortunate 
country should result it will be largely to 
blame, and in the light of history its mistake, 
its blunder, its truculent inactivity will stand 
out more clearly than its good intentions. 



Mexican Stocks Gain on] 
Bourse 

Special Cable Dcsp.idh to Ihc Sun. 
P.-KRi.s, Aug. 20. — Mexican securities re- 
covered on the Bourse to-day. Shares of the 
Banco Nacional gained 13. Central Railroad 
.^ and Peninsular 4. Mexico City Street Car 
Company shares lost H, 



According to an Associated Press despatch 
from Mexico City, the proposals of the Wash- 
ington Government which Provisional Presi- 
dent Huerta has rejected in toto were : 

First — Complete cessation of hostilities. 

Second— That President Huerta resign in 
favor of a President ad interim. 

Third— The fixing of an early date for the 
Presidential elections. 

Fourth— That General Huerta shoul'l not be 
a candidate for the Presidency. 

We camiot believe that the foregoing is cor- 
rect. The second and fourth proposals refer 
personally to General Huerta and wc shall 
consider but slijghtly. We doubt if there could 
be found any authority in international law 
to sustain the right of our or any other gov- 
ernment to meddle in the politics of a friendly 
nation whose sovereignty has been recognized 
by treaties with all civilized powers of the 
world. 

In other words, the proposals as stated 
amount to saying to the Huerta government 
this : "We do not like you, so to please us you 
must help us to bring about your own destruc- 
tion." 

.\s preposterous as this sounds, there would 
be a justification if the destruction of the 
Huerta government at this juncture would 
mean an immediate and permanent solution 
of the difficulties under which the Mexican 
nation has been suffering for the past three 
years. 

But it is inconceivable that any one con- 
versant even in the slightest degree with the 
present situation in Mexico could for a 
moment bcHere that the elimination of the 
Huerta government would dissipate as by 
magic the ills that affect Mexico. 

Even the Mexico City correspondents of the 
American newspapers have repeatedly de- 
clared of late that the best elements of the 
Mexican population look to the Huerta gov- 
ernment for the restoration of peace, this 
government having demonstrated not only its 
ability to do, but also its honesty of purpose. 
How can any one in all justice agree to a 
policy which proposes to go against the will 
of the Mexicans themselves? 

If, as in the case of our Civil War, two 
armies were fighting for supremacy, each 
backed by strong public opinion of two dis- 
tinct factions, each determined to enforce a 
definite principle on the other, then this pro- 
posal may have a leg to stand on, although 
it can never be admitted that this country 
has any right to interfere with the internal 
affairs of another nation, any more than it 
was admitted by this country at the time of 
the Civil War that England had a right to 
interfere in that struggle, although much suf- 
fering was caused to British interests and Brit- 
ish lives were lost. 

But this is not the case. There is in Mex- 
ico a Federal provisional government declared 
as such by the Mexican Congress and by the 
Mexican Supreme Court. It is exercising all 
the functions of government and has been 



recognized dc facto and dc jure by all the 
great powers of the world with the single ex- 
ception of the United States. 

This provisional government is engaged in 
putting down rebellion and brigandage, making 
remarkable progress in spite of the attitude of 
the United States. It has declared that as 
.soon as peace is re-established throughout the 
country presidential elections will be held. 
Congress, at the request of the Executive, has 
set October 26 as the date for holding these 
elections, hoping that by that time peace 
would be an accomplished fact. 

Even in the history of Mexico it is the first 
time in which a so-called rebellion is taking 
place against a provisional government that 
has called the people to elections. What is 
the explanation of this anomalous circum- 
stance? 

That there is no revolutionary movement 
on foot backed by public sentiment as was 
the Madero movement, but there are sporadic 
rebellions independent one from the other, 
and, above all, that the provisional govern- 
ment is not engaged in fighting a revolution 
but brigandage, which has been allowed tiy 
the previous administration to spread through- 
out the country. 

The leaders of the rebellions in the north are 
many and each claims to be the only original 
leader. Pesqueira, Maytorena, Obregon, Al- 
varado, Juan Dozal, Bauch Alcalde, all are 
leaders in Sonora and in the last few weeks 
they have been fighting among themselves. 

Obregon, at a recent meeting in Nogales, 
accused Pesqueira of having robbed the public 
funds, and even went to the extent of draw- 
ing his gun against his erstwhile companion. 

We do not wish to doubt the good inten- 
tions of the Washington administration and 
are convinced that its actions are not prompted 
by a desire to play into the hands of those 
interests that are seeking the continuance of 
trouble in Mexico in order to further their 
own selfish ends. We are convinced of this 
because the Washington administration is bas- 
ing its whole success on the fight which it has 
undertaken against special, predacious in- 
terests. 

But if the proposals above should prove to 
be correct then we should be forced to con- 
clude that a dangerous and inexplicable igno- 
rance exists in our official circles. 

The first and third proposals suggest the 
complete cessation of hostilities and the hold- 
ing of elections at an early date. These, 
which to the casual observer may sound 
plausible and feasible, must be analyzed. 

Carranza has proclaimed himself the leader 
of all "constitutionalists," but Pesqueira re- 
fu,ses to recognize him as such and declares 
that the Sonora rebels have nothing to do 
with Carranza. 

The rebels declare that there cannot be 
elections until they win and take possession 
of the machinery of government in Mexico 
City. Meanwhile, Villa in Chihuahua and 
Zapata in Morelos have declared little but 



MEXICO 



Saturday, August 23, 1913 



have sacked and plundered much until scat- 
tered and beaten by one of the most brilliant 
military campaigns that Mexico has wit- 
nessed. 

What would be the result of an immediate 
cessation of hostilities on the part of the fed- 
eral government? That brigandage which is 
just being suppressed would at once upsurge 
again everywhere like a terrible Hydra, and 
anarchy would ensue. If the promise of an 
election should be sufficient to re-establish 
peace in Mexico, why have not all Mexicans 
deposed arms and made such an election pos- 
sible? Even if they were afraid that elec- 
tions would be administration-made they could 
at least have waited to revolt until that had 
been an accomplished fact. 

But no promise of an election will induce 
the Mexican bandits, or any other bandits, to 
give up their trade. Many of them do not 
even know what election means. 

As for the rebel leaders, they would only 
give up if each one individually were assured 
that he was going to manage the elections. 

No hostilities can cease while the respect 
for some authority has not been restored, and 
likewise, no elections can be held before then 
because there is no guarantee at present that 
tlic results of any elections would be accepted 
and that the people would abide by those 
results. 

In connection with the much published de- 
sire of the Washington administration that 
"fair elections" be held in Mexico, it is per- 
tinent to recall certain facts: Madero, after 
leading a practically bloodless revolution, be- 
came the candidate for the Presidency of 
Mexico. His elections were held while the 
machinery of government was in the hands of 
members of his family and close friends. He 
was the only candidate in the field, General 
Reyes having been previously eliminated by 
forcible methods. Madero received an actual 
total vote of 22,000 to 23,000 out of four mil- 
lion voters computed by the last census. His 
followers declared that he had been unan- 
imously elected. Yet at the time he ascended 
to the Presidency there were more armed men 
in the field than upon the resignation of Gen- 
eral Diaz. Madero had not been in power 
three months when he was confronted by a 
formidable rebellion in the north led by 
Orozco, and by rebellious movements in four- 
teen different states, and by brigandage over- 
running the whole country. 

He had not been in power six months be- 
fore the revolution led by Orozco had full 
possession of the whole State of Chihuahua, 
conducting an actual separate government, a 
condition much worse than the one now con- 
fronting the provisional government. Because 
at present the most important city in the 
State of Sonora, Guaymas, is in the hands of 
the Federals, and rebels in other States do 
not hold a single city of importance outside 
of Durango and have been repeatedly, de- 
feated and scattered in small bands. 

This does not mean that elections cannot 
be held in Mexico, but it does mean that they 
must be held only after complete peace has 
been restored and tliat a government must 
be installed strong enough to compel all 
Mexicans to abide by the results of those 
cleclions. 




Much of the difficulty confronting the 
administration arises from the financial en- 
tanglements into which Huerta has been 
led in his efforts to raise money. James 
Speyer, a supporter of President Wilson, 
who was made financial agent of the 
United States abroad a short time ago, 
is said to have advanced the money by 
which Huerta was able to pay his army 
and maintain himself soon after the over- 
throw of Madero. It is believed that the 
rate of interest on the Speyer loan was 
very large, as the security Huerta could 
give at the time was slender. 

Huerta obtained money later from 
French bankers, for which he pledged the 
entire customs revenue of Mexico. Part 
of this money was used to pay off the 
Speyer loan. Even if the President were 
inclined to recognize Huerta, either before 
or after an election, it would be disad- 
vantageous to this government by so doing 
to validate the Huerta pledges, which give 
the French bankers priority of claim on 
the customs revenues of Mexico and leave 
no apparent source of income from which 
the claims of American citizens, which 
aggregate many millions of dollars, could 
be paid. — Neiv York Tribune, August 19. 

We should like to know if it is absolutely 
necessary for a man to be totally ignorant of 
Mexican affairs to be appointed Washington 
correspondent of a big metropolitan news- 
paper. 

It is not the purpose of these comments to 
correct every false statement published by 
the newspapers of this country in regard to 
Latin America and especially to Mexico, be- 
cause we fully realize that the magnitude of 
such a task is beyond our forces, but we are 
interested in showing to our readers how 
history is written. . 

James Speyer — a supporter of President 
Wilson, says the Tribune, and this is of great 
interest to Mexicans — did not advance the 
money "by which Huerta has been able to pay 
his army," etc. 

He did, however, lend the money which 
enabled the Madero family to maintain itself 
in power for more than a year. 

The loans obtained by the Maderos from 
James Speyer were guaranteed by 67 per cent, 
of the customs revenues. 

The Huerta government negotiated a loan 
with French bankers and gave as guarantee 
the remaining 33 per cent, of the customs 
revenues. 

It is evident from this that there is no 
priority of claim for the French bankers, and 
that, therefore, there is no financial reason 
why President Wilson should not recognize 
tlie Ilucrta government. 



Mr. Lind is making no effort to sound 
the constitutionalists, with a view to in- 
ducing them to become a party to the 
negotiations for. a settlement of the dis- 
turbances such 3s must be reached before 
any regime can be firmly established. 
Tlie editorial writer of the JVashingtnn Post 
is very unkind to Mr. Lind. Whatever the 
instructions given to Mr. Lind by the Wash- 
in.gton administration, it cannot be' supposed 
that they include Mr. Lind's rimning after 



J\Ir. Vcnustiano Carranza through the deserts 
of Northern Mexico and into the moimtains 
of the Sierra Madre. Mr. Lind would hardly 
have had time to travel the increasing dis- 
tance of fifteen hundred miles or so which 
separate the Mexican capital from the fleeing 
Carranza. 



The surprising disclosure that Huerta is 
\yrtually hemmed in by the rebels and that 
Carranza has set up a provisional govern- 
ment at Durango apparently safe from 
molestation may fail to shake official con- 
fidence in Huerta's invincibility in a mili- 
tary sense, but the downfall of Diaz and 
Madero teaches a different lesson to the 
mind of the independent observer. — Wash- 
ington Post. 

Tills disclosure is surprising indeed and has 
undoubtedly been made by the Post alone, for 
no one has heard from Mr. Carranza since he 
was crushingly defeated at Torreon, where hi 
made his last stand after having been driven 
from his strongholds in Coahuila .across tlie 
desert. 

As to the mind of the "independent ob- 
server," it must be somewhat befogged when 
he speaks of the downfall of Diaz and Madero 
and their supposed invincibility in a military 
sense. Porfirio Diaz resigned from office be- 
fore any real fighting had takeii place and 
because he believed the Madero movement to 
have popular support. He refused in his old 
age to be responsible for a prolonged fratri- 
cidal struggle. ' ' ' . 

As to Madero, long before his fall he had 
alienated the loyalty of the army by his own 
acts in trying to corrupt the sirmy, and causing 
a general discontent in its ranks by the ap- 
pointment of revolutionary leaders to high 
places over the heads of officers who had 
graduated from the Military Academy and de- 
voted all their lives to military service. 



* * * It was declared to the Herald, 
to-day that should President Wilson's proc- 
lamation of last March prohibiting the .im- 
portation of munitions of war be withdrawn 
it undoubtedly would serve to immensely, 
improve credit. * * * — N. Y. Herald, 
August 20. 

Is the Mexico City correspondent of the 
Herald up to his old tricks as exemplified in- 
the "news" he sent some time ago that a 
receiver had been appointed for the National- 
Railways of Mexico? Or was the above a 
slip of the tongue of the editor who passed 
upon the story? 

For how can any one imagine- for a 
moment that the withdrawal of the Presi- 
dent's proclamation prohibiting the importa- 
tion of munitions of war into Mexico would 
"immensely improve credit?" When and 
where in the history of any nation has the 
recrudescence of civil war improved credit? 
The fact that upon the news of Federal 
victories Mexican securities advanced several 
points in Paris on August 18 is .sufficient 
argument against the preposterous stalenifnt 
made by the Herald correspondent. 



Saiurdni/, A v gust 23, 1913 



M E X I c:o 



NAILING THEM— Continued 



Ihat I hicrta announce tliat lie will not 
he a candidate in the election which he 
promised shall be held Oct. 25. This 
would be equivalent to Huerta making the 
declaration that he was Provisional Presi- 
dent of Mexico only, just as the United 
States and Great Britain recognize him. 
lie has declared that he is the constitu- 
tional President and pointed to the action 
lit the General Assembly of Mexico in 
voting him President following the assas- 
sination of President Madero and Vice- 
President Suarez. 

It is hard to tell at first glance in what 
proportion malice and ignorance prompted the 
writing of the foregoing paragraph by tiie 
Washington correspondent of the A'«y York 
IVorld. Whatever was the proportion of 
such ingredients of this concoction, hoping 
that ignorance was the dominant factor, we 
shall call the attention of the writer to the 
fact that General Huerta never inade any 
other declaration than that of being Provi- 
sional President. Also that Great Britain 
rccogiu'zed him as such de facto and de jure, 
hxtt- the United States did not recognize him 
di' jure. 

General Iluerta is the constitutional Provi- 
sional President of Mexico because he was 
declared such by the Congress and the 
Supreme Court of that Republic, the only two 
b'idies that had the power of doing so. 

The World's correspondent repeats a mali- 
. i.ius lie which, unfortunately, has been spread 
tliroughout the United States and that is 
"that the Mexican Assembly voted him (Gen- 
eral Huerta) President foUoiving the assas- 
sination of Madero and Pino Suarez." 
, The resignations of Madero and Pino 
Suarez were presented to the Mexican Con- 
gress on the night of February the seven- 
teenth, and on that same night Huerta was 
constitutionally appointed Provisional Presi- 
dent of Mexico by that same Congress. The 
killing of Madero and Pino Suarez did not 
take, place until Sunday the twenty-second; 
that is, five days after Huerta had taken pos- 
session of office and Madero had become a 
private citizen. 



The press dispatches indicated that Senor 
Urrutia, a man of Indian extraction, who 
would succeed Provisional President Huer- 
ta iinder_the constitution if the latter should 
resign his office, was the source of this in- 
far ination. 

In view of that remark about Aureliano 
Urrutia being of Indian extraction, which 
seems to have been made in order to convey 
an idea of inferiority, it may be well to state 
thai Urrutia has been known for many years 
as the foremost Mexican surgeon. It has 
often been declared by American doctors that 
llrrutia would be a credit to any nation. He 
is at present the Minister of the Interior, 
and therefore he would not succeed Provi- 
sional President Huerta if the latter should 
resign his office, because under the Mexican 
Constitution the Minister of Foreign AfTairs, 
at present Mr. Federico Gamboa, would be 
the successor. 



.\nothcr peculiar twist was given the 
Mexican situation. It is this: 

British capitalists, headed by Lord Cow- 
dray, who is better known in Mexico as Sir 
Wectman Pearson, have obtained from 
President Huerta giant railroad conces- 
sions. The principal concession is for the 
construction of a railroad which will rival 
that of the American-owned concession and 
which operates across the Isthmus of Te- 
huantepec. The American company is 
known as the American-Hawaiian Steam- 
ship Company, and it has fleets of big 
steamers plying on the Atlantic and Pacific 
between ports in the United States and 
Salina Cruz on the Pacific and Puerto Mex- 
ico on the Atlantic coast of Mexico. — A'. Y. 
World, August 19. 

Here, again, we have a statement by the 
World's correspondent that is as far from the 
truth and as muddled as his previous declara- 
tions. 

The Huerta government could not give any 
concession to the Pearson Construction Com- . 
pany for the building of a new railroad across 
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec because the rail- 
road which operates there now is not owned 
by an American company but is owned by the 
Mexican Government itself, the Pearson in- 
terests which built the railroad being partners 
in the enterprise. 

The American-Hawaiian Steamship Com- 
pany has a contract with the railroad for the 
transportation across the isthmus of the 
freight carried by its steamers plying on the 
.Atlantic and Pacific. 



As the Mexican Constitution prohibits 
the holding of a general election in a 
I)eriod of insurrection, to comply with 
President Wilson's desire for a free and 
fair election, something must be done to 
induce the Constitutionalists to consent to 
a' truce.— A'. Y. Times, Monday, August 18. 

We would advise the correspondent of the 
Times not to worry too inuch about this. 
Something is being done to induce the so- 
called constitutionalists to consent to a truce. 
The Government forces have' taken every 
stronghold of the rebels in northern Mexico, 
and their leader, Mr. Carranza, after failing 
in his supreme effort to take Torreon, is now 
fleeing toward the .American border while 
those rebels who have not surrendered or 
been killed have been broken up into small 
bands. The truce has already been declared. 



Straws 

Customs Receipts 

The Mexican Customs receipts for last 
month, July, amounted to 3,352,827 pesos, 
against 3.388,698 pesos for the same month 
last year, showing a decrease of only one 
per cent. This in spite of the fact that a 
few minor ports of entry, are held by the 
rebels in the north. 

There could be no more eloquent testi- 
monial of Mexico's great vitality than these 
figures, which constitute a strong denial of 
the assertion made in recent sensational re- 
ports that Mexico's trade has greatly suf- 
fered since the fall of the past administration. 



The Jewel of Inconsistency 

If President Wilson's object in refusing to 
recognize President Huerta is to discourage 
armed revolutions in Latin America, to incul- 
cate the idea of peaceful settlement of the in- 
ternal affairs of southern countries, no one 
can dispute the sincerity of his purpose or 
the beauty of his ideals. But there is another 
side of the matter to be considered, and a 
thorough grasp of the actual facts of this side 
will convince any reasonable mind that ideals 
as to what other peoples should do must at 
times give way before conditions as they 
really are. 

The Washington administration virtually 
says : "Our thought, our sincere object, our 
high purpose is that the Mexican nation, as 
well as all Latin-American countries, should 
cease armed strife and settle their internal 
difficulties at peaceful constitutional elections, 
and we will not recognize the government of 
any country which does not conform to our 
ideals."' 

But this is an untenable attitude when in 
practice it operates to defeat itself and forc- 
.stalls the very results it seeks to accomplish. 
Such is the case in Mexican affairs. The 
actual conditions are such that President Wil- 
son's highly ideal attitude has not only mate- 
rially thwarted the efforts of the only gov- 
ernment in Mexico to pacify a country that 
has been turbulent for several years, but it 
has actually lent strength to the revolutionary 
movements financed and fostered in the 
United States to overthrow the actual govern- 
ment of Mexico. "We will not recognize a 
revolutionary government, but we will en- 
courage new revolutions." That's what it 
conies to. 

They are going to have elections in Mexico 
just as soon as the country is pacified.- One 
man has loomed large as the nation's hope 
for peace, President Huerta. The responsible 
people of Mexico look to him as the man of 
force and ability to preserve the integrity and 
restore the tranquillity of Mexico. First the 
lawless banditry and brigandage that infest 
the country in the name of revolutions must 
be stamped out with an iron-shod heel. The 
majority of Mexicans who are opposing law 
and order are not doing so because they are 
actuated by the high ideals which so become 
the American President. "Loot and no work" 
is their motto. Fire and dynamite and black- 
mail are their methods. 

Now the point is this : By refusing on high- 
minded theory to recognize the Mexican 
Government President Wilson is actually giv- 
ing aid to the very forces he professes to hold 
in such abhorrence. Is it any wonder that 
the class of Mexicans who thoroughly under- 
stand their country and are striving to pull it 
out of the fire of disaster resent the theo- 
retical attitude of President Wilson? They 
are on the firing line. They are doing the 
fighting. They know the forces they must 
meet and how to meet them. And the friend- 
ship and moral support of their great neigh- 
bor, the United States, are denied them because 
a President must work out his theories. Is it 
not reasonable to misunderstand the man who 
when your house is burning, instead of run- 
ning to your assistance, runs to his library 
and pulls out a volume on "Fire Prevention" 
and reads it while your house is in flames? 



MEXICO 



Saiurday, August 23, 1913 




GEN. VICTORIANO HUERTA 
Provisional President of Mexico 



WOBBLING AND BLOODSHED 



That the '^lexicans should know more about 
diplomatic etiquette than our defunct State 
Department is not strange, but that they 
should know more than the President is 
amazing, for he is supposed to know every- 
thing. He thought that he could find an easy 
job for a free-silver Bryan disciple by send- 
ing him on a battleship to mediate between 
President Huerta and the Mexican insurrec- 
tionists, and he is surprised and hurt because 
President Huerta calls his attention to the 
fact that an unaccredited envoy will be un- 
ilesirable and cannot be received. Suppose 
that Mr. Lind should persist in forcing him- 
self where he is not wanted and should be 
accidentally shot — such accidents happen in 
Mexico? Would that necessitate a declara- 
tion of war? Docs the President want a war 
to add some gilt to his shabby administra- 
tion? I cannot think so, because his refusal 
to recognize the accomplished fact of the 
Huerta presidency is based on his horror of 
bloodshed. In the course of his wide and 
deep studies has he ever happened upon any 
nation whose history is bloodless? Are there 
no blood stains upon the throne of England? 
Was the Republic of Prance baptized with 
milk and water? Why not refuse to recog- 
nize England and France and send them un- 



accredited Bryan heelers as Diplomatic Ad- 
visers? Why pick upon poor Mexico? Is it 
because Mexico is presumed to have no 
friends? This is another mistake, for Eng- 
land, France, .Germany and Japan are as much 
interested in Mexico as we are. What could 
we say should President Huerta retaliate by 
pointing to the blood stains of three assas- 
sinated Presidents in our White House? The 
Mexican folly of the Administration has gone 
too far. The President and Congress — which 
had been ignored in the tomfool transactions 
up to last Saturday — have two sane, safe, 
wise courses to pursue. One is the grand 
Democratic policy of repairing the Republican 
blunder by offering to reinstate Diaz, the legal 
President of Mexico, duly elected by the 
Mexican people and exiled by the corrupt 
ring in the State Department. The other is 
to promptly recognize President Huerta, 
chosen by Mexican law and usage, so thar he 
may obtain the f-inids required to pacify the 
country and establish a permanent govern- 
ment. The President's squeamishness about 
blriod should not prevent his adoption of one 
or the other of these courses. His wc)bl)!inK 
has already caused more bloodshe<l than 
llucrla's salvation of Mexico. — Town Tnt<ics. 



LOBBYGRAMS 

Friends of Senator Fall, of New Mexico, 
emphatically denied last week in Washington 
the rumor current that Mr. Fall had been 
elected to the Senate' through the influence of 
certain interests that had previously received a 
pledge from Mr. Fall that he would bring about 
intervention in Mexico. These friends say 
that this rumor was started by political ene- 
mies of Senator Fall who are envious of Mr. 
Fall's reputation for integrity and love of 
the people whom he represents. In fact, these 
friends say Mr. Fall was elected to the Senate 
owing to the enormous pressure brought to 
bear on the Legislature of New Mexico unani- 
mously by the people of that State. 



It was reported in Washington that Sen- 
ator Fall had given out that he would 
seek out the enemies that had started this 
rumor and demand a personal satisfaction. 
It was said that at this announcement all his 
enemies had scrambled for cover, for it is 
iaid the Senator from New Mexico has a 
reputation for bravery unequalled in the 
Southwest, and that he is heedless of conse- 
quences when his wrath is aroused. In this 
connection it was recalled that on the floor 
of the Senate only a short time ago. as calmly 
as if he had been receiving a check for divi- 
dends from his Mexican enterprises, and in 
spite of the fact tliat only three thousand 
miles separated him from Mexico City, he 
took his life in his hands and called General 
Huerta a traitor and an assassin. Just like 
that. 



The enmity of Senator Fall for General 
Huerta is said to date back to the time in 
which the latter inflicted a crushing defeat 
on Orozco, who for several months had held 
the whole state of Chihuahua. Senator Fall 
had publicly declared his friendship and ad- 
miration for the then rebel leader, and had 
made a plea in his behalf asking that the em- 
bargo of arms dictated by President Taft 
against the northern rebels be lifted and 
Orozco allowed to o'otain from this country 
the necessary means to overthrow the Madero 
government. The eloquent plea had stirred 
to its innermost depth the soul of the Amer- 
ican people but President Taft had stood firm. 



It has not been made quite clear why the 
warm friendship of Senator Fall has sud- 
denly shifted from Orozco to the rebels whom 
he — Orozco — is now fighting, having consist- 
ently declared his allegiance to the present 
Mexican Government following the fall of 
Madero. The rebels of to-<lay whom Senator 
Fall so warmly befriends are led by the same 
men who formed the inner Madero circle 
whom Senator Fall so bitterly attacked a little 
more than a year ago. Of course the Senator 
from Mexico is a brave man and he does 
not hesitate to acknowledge a change in his 
opinions and likings, and to have the world 
know that be is a representative of the free 
people of New Mexico, and therefore at lib- 
erty to change his mind whenever he feels 
convinced there is a good reason to do so. 



Soiurday, August 23, 1913 



MEXICO 



ELPASOGRAMS 



Hale in Mexico 



Some time ago the Los Angeles 'limes, wliicli 
publishes more Mexican news than any olhcr 
newspaper in the United States, had a corre- 
spondent in El Paso who about once a week 
sent in a thrilling story of Mexican outrages 
against Americans in the States of Chihuahua 
and Sonora. The stories were typical K\ Paso 
stories and were usually found to be ground- 
less a few days after their publication. I ho 
Los Angeles Times decided one day to send 
into Mexico a reliable member of its staff. 
an ex-officer of the United States Army, and 
a man of long journalistic experience. 

This man. whom we shall call Phillips, spent 
several weeks in the war zone sending in reports 
that conflicted with those sent by the El Paso 
correspondent. His reports were published un- 
der bis own name and gave the true state of 
atifairs. which was far from being as bad as 
the El Paso correspondent had represented. 

On his way back to Los Angeles Phillips 
stopped in El Paso and investigated the cor- 
respondent. He found that this man repre- 
sented various Eastern and Middle West news- 
papers besides the Los Angeles Times. That 
he indulged in copious libations once a week 
and the effects therefrom lasted about seven 
days, during which all the money he had at 
bis disposal was exchanged for liquids. Every 
time he came to himself the correspondent 
would find himself minus all the cash he pos- 
sessed at the beginning of the week and bis 
credit exhausted. He would then sit at his 
desk, ponder a few minutes and then send 
out to all the newspapers he represented a 
"query" couched in the most attractive terms, 
usually like this : 

".\merican family of five attacked by Mexi- 
can rebels. Two daughters assaulted, a broth- 
er killed, the rest fleeing. How many words 
do you want?" 

The answer would soon come from all parts 
of the United States, and by that time he 
would have a red-hot story ready for every 
one of his newspapers. He would then go 
out and begin again to exchange the proceeds 
from the work of his fervid imagination for 
inspiring spirits. 

Phillips returned to Los .\ngeles, and on 
the first night of his return one of the edi- 
tors having been taken ill, be was asked to take 
charge of the telegraph desk, .\bout midnight 
he received the following "query" from the 
El Paso correspondent : 

".American family kidnapped by rebels in 
Sonora after desperate struggle in which man 
lost life. Women being dragged into the 
mountains. How many words do you want? 
This is hot stuff. None of your Phillips 
dope." 

Of course this is funny, but not to Mexico, 
for it illustrates how misinformation of Mexi- 
can conditions is spread throughout this coun- 
try. Misinformation which is capitalized by 
all the jingoes and self-seeking politicians. 

Phillips passed the "query" around the office 
and the staff had a good laugh. The Mexicans, 
however, have not our sense of humor and. 



>trange as it may seem, they cannot see the 
fun in this sending out from El Paso of the 
"hot stuff" that ne.xt morning is read in every 
nook and corner of the United States and in 
which they are always pictured as blood- 
thirsty villains attacking defenseless .American 
women. Likewise they do not ai)preciate the 
humor of the correspondents in other border 
towns, particularly Eagle Pass and Douglas, 
who with an admirable and never-failing en- 
ergy either through the .Associated Press or 
other news agencies, spread daily reports of 
countless atrocities, usually the product of 
their fertile brains. 

.•\nd we doubt whether it would be possible 
to instill into a whole nation this sense of 
humor which they now lack. Meanwhile they 
are helpless before the work that fans daily 
the flame of hostility of .\mericans against 
them. 



.\ despatch to the New York llerahl. d;ited 
El Paso. .August 17. informs the Herald of a 
supposed raid by Zapatistas in view of the 
Mexico Country Club near Mexico City. By 
what miraculous process did El Paso get news 
from Mexico City — two thousand miles soutli — 
before the Herald correspondent in that capi- 
tal ? The answer to this would be the ex- 
planation of two-thirds of the Mexican news 
pubHshed in this country. But then El Paso 
newspaper men are all well known for their 
wonderful feats of wireless, long-distance news 
gathering. In this they are only surpassed by 
the .Associated Press correspondents in Doug- 
las and Nogales. 



Another special El Pasograni to the Herald 
of August 19 announces that "General" Villa 
has broken camp at .Ascension and has moved 
to attack a troop train moving from Juarez 
to Chihuahua. 

This is the sixty-ninth time since June the 
fifteenth that Villa has broken camp at .As- 
cension — according to El Pasograms — and each 
time he has done it to attack something or 
somebody. Fifty-nine times it was to attack 
Juarez and the remainder to itop trains to or 
from the south. The remarkable part of 
this is that newspapers continue to publish 
the news of Villa's attacks in all seriousness 
and to add the prefix "General" to his name! 
Even Villa, whose fame as a brigand dates 
back to the early Diaz days, smiles when some 
one tells him that in our newspapers he is re- 
spectfully called General ! 

President Wilson's explanation of the Amer- 
ican point of view in regard to Mexico and the 
mission of John Lind to the capital of that 
country reached M. Pichon, the Minister of 
Foreign Affairs, two days ago. It does not call 
for an immediate reply. 

Mexican securities were firm on the Bourse 
to-day. Shares of the Banco Nacional rose 5 
points. Central Railroad shares 4 and Mexican 
Tramway Company shares 10. — Special cable 
despatch to AVii' York Sun. 



Sn Lo.vt; .\s 11k Is There the Midiu.e Will 
Continue 

Letter published in Neti' )'ork Tribune, 
.August 19. 
To the Editor of The I'ribune. 

Sir: Senator Penrose's resolution calling on 
the President and the State Department for 
information as to the status of William Bay- 
ard Male in Mexico is timely — not only timely, 
but necessary — if there is to be a clearing up 
of the Mexican muddle. 

Many Americans have asked themselves 
long before this why Hale was sent to Mexico, 
what are his powers and why he was given 
a copy of the State Department secret code — 
a most important document, that should un- 
der no circumstances be placed in the hands 
of a man who has taken no oath of office, who 
has no official responsibility. 

Mexicans have marvelled at the sending of 
a man to their country who assumed a 
superior, patronizing air to a proud, sensitive 
people and on the first day of his arrival ex- 
pressed himself fully and concisely as to how 
Mex'co should be run. When the cat is let 
out of the bag it will be no surprise to many 
to learn that William Bayard Hale, the Presi- 
dent's personal representative, is the deus ex 
machina of the muddled Mexican situation, 
and that his biassed reports have caused the 
misunderstandings and strained relations be- 
tween two friendly governments. 

In order to believe this it is not necessary 
to recall the personal history of Hale's career 
in .Ardmore, Penn., some years ago, to which 
Senator* Penrose referred, nor the unfortunate 
incident of a later date, when "McClure's 
Magazine" published an alleged Hale inter- 
view with the Emperor of Germany. 

It is more vitally bearing on the present 
affair to recall 'that last year Hale wrote for 
"The World's Work" a series of articles in 
connection with Secretary Knox's visit to 
Central .American republics, in which articles 
he showed utter lack of sympathy with or 
understanding of the Latin-American races. 

These articles found their way to Central 
America and aroused considerable resentment 
there, undoing much that was the object of 
Senator Kno.x's visit. Was this the kind of 
man to send to Mexico to "check up" on the 
Mexican government and the able and ex- 
perienced Ambassador Wilson? Was the fact 
that Hale has written in the magazines ful- 
some biographies and appreciations of Presi- 
dent Wilson suflicient reason for intrustifig 
him with so much irresponsible power? He 
went down there with preconceived ideas, and 
it is quite obvious that he did not let any evi- 
dence against his preconceptions bother him 
in the least. 

Perhaps this is why the President retained 
him, even to the extent of making him con- 
fidential adviser of John Lind. The Presi- 
dent's preconceptions and theories on Mexico 
are precisely the same as William Bayard 
Hale's, and neither seems minded to change 
them in the light of evidence, international 
law or common sense. Perhaps John Lind 
may see a light and save the day. 

OLIVER HERBERT THOMAS. 



M E X I C^O 



Saturday, Aiigust 23, WIS 






^'"^^ 



^^«^^---%& • 




DR. AURELIANO URRUTIA 

Minister of the Interior 



PATRIOTISM AND POLITICS 



When tlic question is of incurring or avoid- 
ing war witli Mexico; when one sees the 
Administration rushing violently down . a 
steep place in the country of the Gadarenes, 
and headed for the Sea of Galilee, is it not 
the time for remonstrance and expostulation? 
If not, at what point should public opinion 
intervene? 

Mr. Henry Lane Wilson has been telling 
the President and the Foreign Committee of 
the Senate, and incidentally the country, of 
the settlement that he would recommend. 
His long service in Mexico and the protec- 
tion which he succeeded in procuring there 
for Americans and American interests 
throughout a very trying time made him a 
most valuable witness and counsellor, and at 
least entitled him to a respectful hearing, 
which he received from the Senate com- 
mittee, if he can scarcely be saicl to have re- 
ceived it from the President. In fact, the ini- 
]iression which he made upon the Senate com- 
millec was so favorable and so connncnded 



to that body his plan of pacification by the 
recognition of the Government of Huerta 
that the President induced the Foreign Com- 
mittee of the House to withdraw the invita- 
tion it had given to the Ambassador to ap- 
pear before it. The natural inference was 
promptly drawn that the President feared 
that the Ambassador's plan of pacification 
would discredit his own private plan, and 
accordingly took steps to muzzle the formid- 
able witness. This has not exactly the air 
of taking the country into the confidence of 
the Administration. 

The President's private plan of pacification 
has not even yet been publicly promulgated. 
But it is known by ambiguous givings out to 
include a scheme of "mediation" among the 
contending factions with the consent of their 
leaders. If the Governor of Pennsylvania, 
at what seemed a critical time in the history 
of this municipality, had "tendered his good 
offices" to Mayor Gaynor, District Attorney 
Whitman, Commissioner Waldo, Lieutenant 



Becker and Big Jack Zclig in the elTurt td 
bring about a peaceful and amicable solutionj 
of which the first step should be the retire-; 
ment of the Mayor, that proposal would 
doubtless have commended itself to some ofj 
the parties concerned, .but hardly to the 
Mayor. The retirement of President Huerta, 
it is at least understood, is the ultimatum, of 
President Wilson. And this though a 
stronger case for the recognition of a dc facto 
government than exists for our recognition 
of the Government of Huerta has seldom 
been presented. He has been for months in 
the undisturbed and unchallenged control of 
the capital, of the army, of the ports and of 
all the machinery of government. His posi- 
tion is so strong that almost every power 
having relations with Mexico or interests in 
it has already recognized it, excepting only 
tlie United States, the recognition of which is 
more important to him by reason of its prox- 
imity than that of all the others togethgi:. 
With the recognition of the United States,, it; 
is plausibly alleged, he would find it feasible 
to negotiate loans that would give him the 
resources he needs to complete the pacification- 
of the disturbed districts. It is as much to 
our interest as to that of Mexico, that there 
should be some government there which we 
can hold accountable for disorders that en^ 
danger American persons or property, and 
which we can and must recognize for • tbgit 
purpose. The only obstacle that appefirs -Jg 
the recognition which the interests of this 
country and of Mexico alike demand is . -the 
unquestionable fact that Huerta is the .jjpij.e-i 
ficiary of assassination, and perhaps the. .Pr?si-; 
dent's personal suspicion that he was himself 
accessory to the assassination by which he 
profited. But these are not "the arguments 
of states and kingdoms." The question 
for us is merely whether the Government of 
Huerta is in fact the Government of Mexico, 
not how it came to be so, and it is no more ■ 
to be settled by the President's pergonal 
scruples about Huerta's "record" than, by the 
authenticity of doubts about his marriage. Cer- 
tificate, if he has them. , , ■. 
In these recent Presidential performances it 
is doubtful whether ignorance of human nature 
or of international usage is the more jconafticu.- 
ous. It was a fond imagination' that Huc^'ta 
would give up power before h.e;rwas;iif0reed 
to do so, still fonder that he would hurst 
into tears and abdicate when the President's 
personal scheme was proposed to him, enfoJted 
by the unintelligible eloquence of Mr. ..LiaiU 
It was perfectly within the President's. .rigkl; 
if, he distrusted his official reports from Mesfii- 
co, to supplement them by despatching per.sont 
al representatives to examine and repoct ® 
him upon the situation. John Hay .. pM);sued 
that course in the case of the Boxer rehij)JJQp 
in China in 1900 when he sent ovit Mr..RQc!';' 
hill to supplement the reports of the residenf 
IMinistcr. It is true that the resident Min' 
ister was one of the old-fashioned and i)ewj. 
fashioned political spoilsmen who had been 
appointed without the least question of hi? 
fitness for the place, and that Mr. ' Rp'ckhtf) 
was one of the qualified diplomatists whom 
Mr. Hay took such pains to attract and.'r.e: 
tain in our diplomatic service, and whom tlie 
present President and the present Secretary 
of State are taking equal pains to weed out. 



Solm-dan, AvunM 23, 1913 



MEXICO 



PRESS COMMENTS 



Huerta Rejects Mediation 

; G.cneral Hucita has done exactly what was 
tQ;he expected in rejecting the suggestion of 
the United States Government for mediation. 

The exact form in which this rejection 
conies to Washington is not as yet disclosed 
aiUlioritatively to the public. Late dispatches 
from Mexico City hint at an impression pre- 
vailing there that it was accompanied by 
something in the nature of a harsh demand 
fur recognition of the Huerta government 
within a specified time. We can only await 
llic details. Confirmation of any such step 
by Mexico, if is certain, would come hand in 
liand with an announcement by Mr. Wilson's 
.idniinistration of a policy for instant adop- 
tion that would leave no doubt as to where 
the United States stood. 

The errand of former Gov. Lind was a 
needless one, if the only plan he had to offer 
was tliat of mediation. The United States 
was infprmed before Lind sailed that media- 
tion would not be accepted. There was every 
reason to believe that Huerta meant what he 
said. 

Huerta has been making headway lately. 
Carranza, on the other hand, is rapidly losing 
ground. If he is not actually in flight, he is 
at least preparing for it. Somehow, either 
lJjr,qugU- domestic or foreign sources, Huerta 
is scraping money enough together to carry 
oil,, .the. war with aggressiveness. He has 
practically destroyed Zapata, and he has Car- 
ranza on the run. The Sonora rebels are con- 



fined to a comparatively small fu-ld, and with 
Carranza out of the way they could not long 
resist Huerta. * * * 

With every day's increase of strength on 
the part of Huerta, together with continued 
murder and robbery of Americans and other 
foreigners, the position of the United States 
grows more untenable. H Huerta should be- 
come strong enough to suppress brigandage 
as well as revolution, and would make the 
lives of Americans safe, the danger of inter- 
vention would be avoided, Init the necessity 
of recognizing Huerta would become ap- 
parent. H Huerta should fail to develop such 
strength, or if, having the strength, he should 
fail to protect foreigners, the necessity for in- 
tervention would be clear. Evidently the 
Washington administration, sooner or later, 
must face the alternative of recognition or 
intervention, just as Ambassador Wilson sug- 
gested. — JVashington Post, August 19. 



The Mexican Danger a Direct 

Result of a Muddling 

Policy 

The Mexican entanglement was perfectly 
sure to become worse and worse as the result 
of the administration's weak, faltering and 
muddling course. The present situation, with 
a story about an "ultimatum"- from General 
Huerta to President Wilson, is as hopelessly 
mixed as anything can be. 

It is also a very dangerous situation. Any 



bandit ur fool may at any moniciit light a 
train that leads to llie powder magazine. 

Of course, General Huerta is not in a posi- 
tion to deliver "ultimatums" to the United 
States Government. The only intelligent in- 
tention that could be attributed to him, if he 
has sent or ventures to send any kind of a 
coercive message to Washington, would be 
to make things worse in the hope tliat they 
might become better. 

But such a course must be infinitely dan- 
gerous to him as well as to the United States. 

If President Wilson and Mr. Bryan cannot 
or will not settle this mischievous controversy, 
American public sentiment should rise up, in 
good wholesome wrath, and compel iheni to 
do so. 

Rccogiiitiun of Hucrta's Government, at the 
time when that government was recognized 
by certain European powers, would have obvi- 
ated all this trouble. It w-ould have left the 
United States Government not a whit less free 
to exercise its proper influence in establishing 
peace and justice in Mexico on as permanent 
and equitable a basis as is attainable. 

It is a very bad symptom when so pro- 
nounced and consistent an advocate of peace 
on all occasions as Senator Burton is able 
to say that intervention in Mexico now ap- 
pears to be inevitable. We earnestly hope that 
Senator Burton is mistaken. But if interven- 
tion is forced, it w-ill be the legitimate result 
of the feeble policy that the Wilson administra- 
tion has pursued from the beginning. — Evening 
Mail, August 19. 



(Patriotism and Politics — Continued from Page 8.) 

The spoils Juggernaut has just now rolled 
at Constantinople over Mr. Rockhill, perhaps 
the most accomplished diplomatic officer in 
our service, with no more compunction than 
if he had been a Pittsburg Republican million- 
aire. Still, it was within the President's right 
to choose his own emissaries to Mexico, one 
of them the most ecstatic of his eulogists in 
the magazines, and to send them about the 
country equipped each with a copy of the 
State Department's secret cipher code, to tell 
him about the condition of Mexico. The Gov- 
ernment of Huerta could ignore these emissa- 
ries and permit them to go about as tourists. 
But after the President had rejected the ad- 
vice of our Ambassador to Mexico to recog- 
nize the Huerta Government, and removed the 
Ambassador for giving it, and had announced 
that his personal representative was going to 
Mexico in a man-of-war to propound a plan 
which, whatever else it included, included the 
retirement of Huerta, the Mexican Govern- 
ment could no longer ignore the incident. 

It took the perfectly correct and unexcep- 
tionable course of notifying our Government 
that unless Mr. Lind brought credentials in 
due form recognizing the actual Government 
of Mexico, lie would not be received by the 
executive head of that (iovcrnnient nor by 
any department of it, and that his presence 



would not be regarded as desirable. As if 
our course thus far had not been sufficiently 
irregular and tactless, the Secretary of State 
took upon himself to issue a reproof to the 
Mexican Government, declaring that it "should 
have waited" to hear what Mr. Lind was 
prepared to propose before declining to re- 
ceive him. Mr. Brj'an was, of course, far from 
foreseeing the infuriating effect on the Mexi- 
can mind that would be produced by the un- 
conscious insolence of his admonition, an ad- 
monition that not even he would dream of 
addressing to a nation that he regarded as the 
equal of his own. But the effect was produced 
all the same. Mexican politics also cease at 
the water's edge, as Mr. de la Barra has just 
been reminding us in language of which the 
studied moderation does not conceal his amaze- 
ment at our diplomatic procedures. Mexicans 
without regard to party are rallying to the 
support of a government which they regard as 
having vindicated the dignity of the nation. 
If the administration had been trying to 
strengthen the Government of Huerta it could 
not possibly have effected so much toward 
that end as it has done by this last phase of 
its effort to weaken that Government. The 
feeling of all Mexico is doubtless expressed 
by the Mexican journal which has declared 
that it was the assumption of Anglo-Saxon 
superiority in the mission of Mr. Lind and 



in the official explanations of that mission 
that "pained and shamed and angered" the 
people of Mexico. 

It is no wonder tliat the diplomatic body 
at the Mexican capital is reported to be de- 
riving amusement from our predicament. It 
must appear to that body that there is nobody 
in our State Department who knows how 
things are done internationally, and partic- 
ularly what is "not done." Americans know 
that not to be the case. To be sure, Mr. 
Bryan has got rid of all such persons as he 
could. But there is no better authority on 
international usage than the counsellor of the 
Department, whose counsel was evidently not 
sought upon this occasion. Mr. O'Shaugh- 
iicssy, the Charge d'Affaires at Mexico City, 
also presumably knows what is done in 
diplomatic usage, having been for ten years 
or more engaged in learning it. although it 
might be as much as his place is worth for 
him to advise his superiors that what they 
are doing is "not done." * * * 

Is it not the part of "patriotism" ratlicr 
tn facilitate the retreat of the Administration 
from a perfectly untenable and ridiculous 
position than to encourage its persistence in 
a project which imminently threatens to turn 
from a farce to a terrible tragedy? — Letter in 
Nezv York Sun, August 12. 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Aufjust 23, WIS 



PRESS COMMENTS-..Continued. 



SENATORS DEMAND WILSON MODIFY 
HIS MEXICAN POLICY 

John Bassett Moore of the State Department Said to Hold 
American Position Untenable in International Law — 
Leaders Fear Political Effect if Americans Suffer in Mexico. 

Llv Herbert Corey in Nczv York Globe. 



Sunie of the bell Democrats of the House 
and Senate are getting mighty restive about 
President Wilson's Mexican policy. They say 
it may be gilt edged ethics. But it's poor 
politics. 

John Bassett Moore — that same Moore 
picked out by the President himself to do the 
heavy thinking for the Department of State — 
thinks that the President's policy may be Gali- 
leean. But it isn't good law. 

So that some of the statesmen — the very ones 
depended on by President Wilson to pull true 
and even in the congressional collar — have been 
knocking at his office door at' all hours lately. 

"Either take some decisive step to end this 
Mexican mess," they have warned him, "or 
look out for an area of high pressure. There's 
an inquiry gathering on the floor of the House 
— and if it comes it will come hard." 

Some of these Democrats are members of 
the House and Senate committees on foreign 
affairs. They admit they do not know much 
about the Mexican situation. No one ever 
told them. But they know a. lot about the 
situation in the 'Steenth district, back home. 

"An inquiry from the floor would show that 
the Department of State has at all times been 
informed of every vital fact in the situation," 
they say. "Not all the Democrats in the House 
and Senate follow President Wilson because 
tlicy love him. Some of them would break 

A Disturbing Factor 

H, as Dr. William Bayard Hale in an in- 
terview with the Mexican newspaper men de- 
clares, he has no mission private or public to 
the sister republic, it would appear to be time 
for him to withdraw his presence from the 
scene where he is a disturbing factor. His 
shadow looms up every once in a while and 
his common accrediting as private agent of 
President Wilson has not been a furtherance 
of the good-will of the two countries. 

So far as may be ascertained. Dr. Hale has 
been of no service to either country, and the 
attack made u])0n him by Senator Penrose 
hinted significantly at the undesirability of 
Dr. Hale. The Mexican press is now bent 
upon making his further stay in Mexico un- 
pleasant by playing up criticisms of him. If 
he has no mission there and is simply a 
traveling American he might keep himself 
more in the background and^not feature as 
the man with the car of Governor Lind. This 
knid of irresponsil)lc observalifin of Mexican 
affairs is not apt to be of intelligent service 
to anyone. — Baltimore American, August 19. 



with him tlie moment they felt their course 
would be supported by their people. And re- 
member that the tariff and currency bills may 
be great moral issues — but the murder of 
Americans is a greater moral issue — with a 
good deal of sentiment mixed in." 

One of these Democrats is said to have 
stated the situation plainly to Secretary Bryan. 

"It's about time that we forgot about the 
murder of Madero," said he. "He was a fine 
young rnan, but — strictly speaking — it wasn't 
any of our national business. It's time we 
got down to brass tacks, and recognize that 
it is up to us to protect Americans in Mexico, 
and not waste our time splitting moral hairs. 
It will be no defense at voting time to say : 

" 'We really couldn't recognize Huerta, you 
know. He was a perfectly horrid man. He 
had Madero killed.' " 

Because the other folks might take the John 
Bassett Moore side of the argument : 

"Perhaps Huerta did have Madero killed," 
is a rude way of phrasing his perfect diplo- 
matic thought. "But when Madero was killed 
he wasn't president of Mexico — and Huerta 
was, in law and in fact. And if we are going 
to refuse to protect our own folks from mur- 
der and robbery because the perfectly private 
citizen of another republic was killed early one 
morning 

"What an elegant way of insuring themselves 
against annoyance is thereby pointed out to the 
active politicians of the small black-and-tan 
republics south of the line." 

Moore did not revolt against the do-nothing 
plan of the President. He wasn't in sympathy 
with it from the start. He held that we were 
sticking our national nose into a pot that did 
not concern us when we undertook to refuse 
recognition to the administration of a sister 
republic because of some squeams about blood ■ 
on the doorstep. But he confined himself to 
stating the international law and revealing the 
diplomatic precedents to President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan when they were called for. 

That Moore's job, anyhow. President Wil- 
son appointed him as special counsellor to the 
Department of Slate because, he is admittedly 
the chief authority on that sort of law and 
precedent in the United States. His publica- 
tions on such dry subjects have been translated 
into a score of languages, and about fill a 
shelf in New York's new library — which is 
considerable shelf. He was secretary tn the 
Paris commission, whicli cloanod up the 
Spanish war sinuilion, by .•ippninlmenl of 
President McKinley. 

"■you gentlemen can handle the politics of 



llie situation," he told the commissioners, "but 
when it is a matter of law, listen to Moore." 

Two or three other presidents have asked 
him to ride herd on our loose diplomacy, be- 
cause he is never carried away by anything 
liut cold facts and hard logic and brass- 
mounted precedent. Sentiment and emotion 
don't move him. He never budges from the 
law. In his private capacity he might drop 
a tear on Madero's grave, but as the State 
Department's counsellor he would move that 
it be ruled out as immaterial and irrelevant. 
When he was asked about Huerta's title he 
rendered an opinion and went away. He 
wasn't called back until after Ambassador 
Henry Lane Wilson had been called hither 
from Mexico City — landing on these shores 
with a can of oil in one hand and a match in 
the other. Henry Lane set fire to the straw 
stack at once. 

"Wilson," ruled Moore, dispassionately, "has 
broken the first eight rules of diplomatic serv- 
ice. But he's right about Huerta. Huerta is 
legally president of Mexico." 

So that no more advice was asked from 
Moore until John Lind had been named as a 
sort of wild fowl envoy to fly down to Mexico 
and utter certain warning honks near the 
palace. Lind had orders not to talk to any 
one in Mexico except newspaper corre- 
spondents. Huerta fully coincides in these 
orders. A conversation which may have oc- 
curred between Moore and Bryan is gleefully 
reported by those who hang around : 

"What," asked Mr. Bryan, "do yon think 
Mr. Lind can accomplish down there, Mr. 
Moore ?" 

"He," said Mr. Moore, briefly, "can get his 
picture in the papers." 

The Democrats who feel that the Wilson 
policy is not good politics have been greatly 
encouraged by the Moore belief that it is not 
good law. They are urging upon President 
Wilson that his objection to the Huerta title 
seems somewhat finicky, in view of the urgent 
need for some sort of action to put an end 
to a dangerous situation. They are to a man 
opposed to intervention — or almost to a man — 
and for the most part favor a recognition of 
Huerta. They are confident that Huerta can 
kill his own snakes as_ soon as he gets the 
chance. But they have made their position 
quite clear to the President. 

"Take what action you please,'' they have 
said, "only take some action, and end this 
trouble. Because if you do not there is certain 
to be an inquiry from the floor, that will be 
backed by Democrats." 



Read "MEXICO" Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



Saturday, August 23, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 




GENERAL AURELIANO BLANQUET 
Minister of War 



Pacification of Mexico 

Bv M. CervaxVtes. 

Revolution and even brigandage would have 
stopped in Mexico if arms and munitions of 
war had not been so freely furnished in the 
United States against a government that has 
received recognition by the great powers of 
the world, even though the White House has 
not extended him official greetings, and this 
has caused the Mexican people to think that 
the United States must have some special 
interest in the continuation of the disorders in 
Mexico, which, day by day, are undermining 
all authority, sapping the very life blood of the 
country and arousing every sort of hatred, 
envy and evil ambition among the lawless ele- 
ments. 

I firmly believe that this '"special interest" 
must be centered entirely in governmental 
circles by pressure brought to bear in Washing- 
ton, and I likewise believe that it is, indeed, 
the result of "special interest" and not the 
desire of the American people at large, who 
are more desirous ot developing the relations 
of their country by the path of friendship ; 
but, unfortunately, there undoubtedly exists a 
small group of unscrupulous persons who use 
every means in their reach to agitate and fo- 
ment the rebellion in Mexico. 

It is well known that in 1910 Francisco Ma- 
dero had aid on this side of the Rio Grande to 
enable him to rise to be President of Mexico. 
' He secured from the "powers behind the 
throne" at that time in Washington power, 
also in American territory arms in abundance, 
soldiers and even general officers, which he 
transported from this side of the border, and 
it was in this country that he established his 
principal revolutionary base. 



Aeroplane for the Rebels 

Smuggled in at Nogales 

with the help of a U. S. 

Marshall 



With the fall of Madero the "Madcrisls." 
converted into "Carranzisls."" appealed once 
more to the American interests who had sup- 
ported the Madero government. Venustiano 
Carranza's first step was to establish a base 
of operation in Eagle Pass and San .Antonio. 
Tex. Carranza and his party are making every 
effort in order to have their belligerent rights 
recognized by the American Government, and 
for that purpose they maintain numerous com- 
missions in Washington, and in the meanwhile 
it is reported that the Madero family is look- 
ing out for the financial end of the new po- 
litical unheaval in New York. 

In Sonora we have the clearest view of how 
matters stand. The Pesqueira party is dedi- 
cated to war, bloodshed and the destruction of 
property, and. like the Carranza movement, has 
established bases of operation on American 
territory, notably in New Orleans. El Paso. 
Tex., and Douglas, Tucson and Nogales in 
.Arizona. In these places the revolutionists 
have their juntas.and they buy arms and muni- 
tions of war, and carry them across the border 
to the Mexican side. The revolutionists come 
and go as they please, vx'ithout- interference 
by the authorities, because it is reported that 
the vigilance exercised is for various reasons 
quite inadequate. 

. A new modification of the Monroe Doctrine, 
as propounded by Mr. Roosevelt, declared that 
"chronic disorder" in any of the countries of 
this hemisphere would justify intervention by 
the United States, and the grave danger of 




this new doctrine is at once apparent, for who 
shall determine when a state of "chronic dis- 
order" exists? What if the "chronic disorder" 
be fomented from within the territory of the 
United States ? When a situation which might 
demand intervention according to the above 
doctrine is of such easy production, who shall 
blame the countries that lie to the south if 
they continue suspicious of their powerful 
neighbor of the north? 

Fortunately, the government of President 
Wilson is the most resolute antagonist of the 
Monroe Doctrine. 



On August 11, Venustiano Carranza and 
Julio Madero reached Durango with only 
about 150 men in a demoralized condition out 
of the seven thousand led by Carranza to the 
attack of Torreon. The two vanquished rebel 
leaders declared with a picturesque Spanish 
phrase. "Los Federales nos pegaron hasta 
debajo la lengua." — "The Federals beat us 
even under the tongue." Carranza has since 
left Durango and he is reported in the Sierra 
Madre heading either for Sonora or the 
United States. 



Haven't Heard From Masson 
Lately 

On August 11. Didier Masson, the aviator, 
and Joaquin Bauche .-Mcalde. while flying 
over Guayraas, were shot by the Federals and 
nothing has been heard of them since. 



12 



MEXICO 



Saiurday, August 23, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 

Single Copies, 5c. By the Year, $2.00 

TO ADVERTISERS: 

We offer a distinctive medium going to the 
best class of buyers in the United States and 
Latin-American countries. 

Send for rates to 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 

Oil on Troubled Waters-Pierce 

Frederick L'pham Adams makes his home 
in Kingston, ' X'. Y., where Mr. Henry Gay 
Pierce has his favorite country place. 

Mr. .-Vdams is a clever writer and is said to 
have had personal charge of the most important 
publicity campaigns waged by the Waters- 
Pierce Oil Company. 

His most remarkable work in this respect 
has been in connection with the now famous 
Me.xican oil war initiated and still waged by 
Henry Clay Pierce, first to retain and then to 
regain the monopoly of the oil industry in 
Mexico. 

Mr. Adams is one of the few men who 
could relate the true inside story of the in- 
cipiency and continuance of the Mexican 
turmoil, but it is not likely that he will. 

The Aguila Oil Company was organized 
about six years ago with British and Mexican 
capital under Mexican laws. It obtained con- 
cessions for the exploitation of oil fields 
in Mexico which in a few years have become 
the greatest fields in the world. 

The Waters-Pierce Oil Company, then a 
subsidiary of Standard Oil, for many years 
had wielded absolute control of the Mexican 
market, and when the Aguila Oil Companj% 
not content with being merely a producer, en- 
tered the field as a seller of oil and by-prod- 
ucts, it broke into what had come to be re- 
garded by the Waters-Pierce Company as its 
exclusive and perpetual property. 

Immediately the powerful resources of the 
Waters-Pierce and its parent company, the 
Standard, were brought into activity to squash 
the rival infant. 

The usual methods of price-cutting were 
employed and terrific pressure was brought to 
bear on the Diaz government and financial in- 
terests in Mexico to have the concessions to 
the Aguila Oil Company revoked, and to ob- 
tain on the other hand such facilities as would 
render it impossible for the British company 
to prosper or break the Pierce monopoly. 

The Diaz government stood firm against 
pressure and thereby hangs the tale of late 
Mexican revolutions. 

For a few years Mexico profited by a great 
reduction in the price of oil and gasoline, but 
it has since paid dearly for that temporary 
gain. 

Adams spent several "months in Mexico in 
1909 directing the publicity campaign for the 
Waters-Pierce in this oil warfare. He made 



advertising contracts with ail of the leading 
newspapers and periodicals of the republic 
and many of the smaller publications. 

These contracts were unusually large. The 
Waters-Pierce had until this time advertised 
but sparingly, merely to cultivate the good- 
will of the press, and this no more than was 
absolutely necessary to lull opposition to their 
possession of the whole trough. 

Frederick U. Adams first tried to obtain 
from every publication the exclusive rights 
for advertising oil and gasoline. With few ex- 
ceptions the publications were unwilling to 
exclude from their columns other oil concerns. 

By the offer of good rates and large yearly 
contracts Adams succeeded, however, in stipu- 
lating that advertising of other oil companies 
should be published in display forfn only and 
reserved the exclusive right for the Waters- 
Pierce Oil Company to make use of reading 
notices and articles. For this privilege a spe- 
cial rate was agreed upon and willingly paid 
by the Waters-Pierce Oil Company. 

After that .Adams went to London and wrote 
a series of articles in the Standard concern- 
ing the struggle going on in Mexico, publishing 
also a pamphlet entitled "The Oil War in 
Mexico." 

Several of his articles on Mexico have been 
published in this country in the guise of con- 
tributions by an independent writer. 

The last one was pubHshed in the New York 
American of last Sunday (August 17) and 
it tells how "Mexico is a republic where graft 
is the only ruler"' and how "the few educated 
out of the ignorant millions keep the country 
in turmoil!" 

In what purports to be a sociological and 
political study of the Mexican population, Mr. 
Adams, who poses as an expert on Latin- 
American affairs, says first : 

"It is doubtful if one-half of the qualified 
voters of Mexico know or ever will know 
that Madero was elected. There are millions 
of Indians divided into probably one hundred 
tribes, speaking as many tongues and dialects, 
none of whom speak a word of Spanish, and 
none of whom are Mexicans save in name. 
These natives are Indians pure and simple, 
and they are no more concerned with the 
fate of Mexico and the plotting of its mer- 
cenary factions than were the aborigines of 
Xew England over the religious disputes be- 
tween its early white settlers. There are 
probably about one million male Mexicans of 
voting and fighting age who are fitted by 
education and position to participate in self- 
government. This is the responsible Mex- 
ican million, and it constitutes the class which 
nuist be induced or forced to exercise its re- 
sponsibility or to surrender it. The funda- 
mental defect with this responsible million is 
that most of its members either do not know 
the rules which prevail in a democracy, or 
decline to abide by them," 

.^nd then, almost in the same breath : 

".\t last the people of Mexico had carried out 
an actual experiment in self-governments They 
knew Madero to be a humane man and a true 
lover of democracy. 

"They had actually elected, for the first time 
in the history of Mexico, the members of 
both houses of their congress, and had chosen 
by votes the governors and other elective of- 
ficers in the respective States. After all of 



the centuries of despotism it was announced 
to a delighted world that democracy had been 
born in Mexico." 

We leave the comments to the readers and 
only call their attention to the fact that while 
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company enjoyed un- 
hampered and absolute monopoly, Mexicans 
were no grafters in its opinion ! They only 
became so when they attempted to shake the 
yoke imposed by the American oil concern. 
But, really, that the Waters-Pierce Oil Com- 
pany should call Mexicans grafters ! ! ! 

If this did not entail such a tragedy for 
poor ^Mexico, it would be a side-splitting 
joke ; one that even the Mexicans themselves 
could not fail to appreciate. 

Undoubtedly it must have drawn a broad 
smile from the increasing number of those 
familiar with the intimate relations which 
have existed between the Madero family and 
the Pierce interests. 

The most peculiar phase of this incident, 
however, consists in the fact that the article 
was published by the New York American, 
owned by W. R. Hearst. 

Mr, Hearst more than any other man is re- 
sponsible for the public's knowledge of 
Standard Oil methods and has been styled by 
Mr. Henry Clay Pierce as "one of the great- 
est calamities that have affected the United 
States." 

Has Mr. Hearst changed his mind about 
Standard Oil, or has he become unknowingly 
a collaborator of Mr. Pierce's press agent? 



MEXICAN EVENTS 

Jesus yi. Rabago was appointed Subsecre- 
tary of the Interior August 12th. Mr. Rabago 
is a brilliant lawyer who made a great repu- 
tation as a clever journalist during the Ma- 
dero regime. He was the editor and pub- 
lisher of the Manana, which consistently op- 
posed the Madero administration. He ter- 
minated publication of this periodical the day 
after Madero's fall. 

On the same date two other lawyers of 
note, :Mir. Leopoldo Rebollar and Mr. J. 
Tamariz, the latter prominent in the Catholic 
party,' were appointed respectively Subsecre- 
tary of Foreign Relations and Subsecretary 
of Public Instruction. 



Not since the famous Centennial festivities 
in September, 1910, had Mexico City wit- 
nessed so brilliant an ofiicial function as the 
banquet given by President Huerta to the 
departing British Minister, Mr. Francis 
Stronge, on the night of August 16. 

Chapultepec Castle was reopened for the 
first time since the fall of Madero, and the 
most prominent men in political, financial and 
intellectual circles attended the banquet, 
which took on added significance in view of 
the refusal of the L^nited States to recognize 
dc jure the Huerta government and of the 
presence of Mr. Lind in Mexico City. 

President Huerta in significant terms 
toasted the departing Minister and his sover- 
eign, whose friendsliip for Mexico has been 
clearly demonstrated. The Brtish Minister 
responded with a toast to President Huerta, 
whose admirer he declared himself to be. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. I.- No. 2 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



Why is "Mexico"? 

The success of our first number and the 
many congratulations received from many 
quarters greatly encourage us to continue with 
added vigor in the publication of this review 
of Mexican affairs. 

We beg to reply to two of our readers who 
ask, ''Why is Mexico?" and "Do you not 
think that Mexico presents too strongly the 
side of the Mexican Government?" 

We decided on the publication of .Mexico 
because we became convinced that there ex- 
isted a lield for a weekly review that would 
devote its space to Mexican affairs, and espe- 
cially to commercial and social relations be- 
tween the people of Mexico and those of the 
United States. We are now concerning our- 
selves with the political relations because the 
Mexican question, as it is called, is at present 
in the foreground. 

Mexico is not interested in the discussion of 
personalities except when it finds it absolutely 
necessary in order to correct false impressions 
caused by the publication of distorted facts. 
We believe that shortly the Mexican question 
will be disposed of to the satisfaction of both 
the United States and Mexico and that upon 
the re-estabJishment of complete peace in 
the Southern Republic, the increase of com- 
merce and the strengthening of friendly rela- 
tions between the two countries will , be such 
as to make our venture a highly profitable one. 

To the second question we wish to reply 
frankly that in efifect our policy is decidedly 
in favor of the present Mexican Government 
and that we are anxious to present its case 
as we see it and to the best of our ability. 
We do not think it necessary to present the 
case of rebels and bandits because we believe 
that the;- have had a full hearing in the daily 
press, while we feel that no proper hearing 
has been given to that overwhelming majority 
of Mexicans who are anxious for peace and, 
irrespective of political creed, have rallied to 
the support of the present Mexican Provi- 
sional Government in spite of all the birth- 
faults which it may have. 

We firmly believe that a great injustice has 
been done to Mexico in the press of the 
United States. 

We firmly believe that a great injustice has 
been done to Mexico by the Washington ad- 
ministration. We aim to help the .American 
people to sense this injustice, and if we can 
even in a small degree attain our aim we shall 
have earned the support of both Mexicans and 
Americans. 



FRIENDLY THOUGHTS 
FRIENDLY WORDS 



We do not reproduce here the Presi- 
dential message on Mexico or the reply 
made by Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Gamboa to the proposals presented by Mr. 
Lind because we assume that our readers 
are by this time fully acquainted with both 
documents. 

We reproduce, however, Mr. Gamboa's 
answer to the supplementary suggestions 
made by Mr. Lind the same day on which 
President Wilson read his message ■ to 
Congress. 

This we do because it clearly emphasizes 
our contention that the policy of the 
Washington Administration toward Mexico 
is the result of ignorance of conditions, 
people and laws as they exist in Mexico. 
This, we believe, is the most charitable 
construction which can be put on that 
policy. 

The reply of Mr. Gamboa to the first 
proposal is forceful and convincing. It 
shows, besides, in our estimation, a dignity 
born of consciousness of right, an admir- 
able self-restraint in the face of a gratuitous 
and unprecedented action on the part of a 
friendly nation. 

It is one of the clearest and most 
courteous diplomatic notes ever written 
under such delicate circumstances. 

The remarks made by some newspapers 
that Mr. Gamboa's note was ironical in 
its tone because it repeated the words "Mr. 
Confidential Agent" and never used the 
name of Mr. John Lind, only serves to ac- 
centuate the lamentable ignorance which 
prevails in certain quarters. It is the usage 
in all diplomatic communications never to 
use the name of the person to whom com- 
munications are addressed, but only the 
title, and this occurs with marked frequency 
in all diplomatic notes. 

It is, besides, clear to any one having 
some knowledge of Spanish that the trans- 
lation of the note is not accurate and that 
certain terms and phrases have been 
rendered into English in such a way as to 



make them sound ironical, perhaps, when 
they are simply forceful and statements of 
facts. 

The President's message has been ap- 
proved by the majority of Congress and 
of the newspapers. This was to be ex- 
pected. For the same reason that even 
political and personal enemies of Provi- 
sional President Huerta have rallied behind 
him in this controversy with the United 
States, so even the political enemies of 
President Wilson have deemed it proper 
and patriotic to approve the President's 
message. 

We must express deep regret, however, 
that an appeal should have been made to 
the patriotism of the American people in 
order to force them to endorse a policy 
which has been based on prejudice and 
misinformation and which to the eyes of 
the world must appear as unwarranted and 
unjust. 

We wish to call the attention of our readers 
to the fact that most of the points con- 
tained in the President's message were 
forecasted several days ago and with 
marked insistence by the press of this 
country, accompanied usually by the state- 
ment that they had been revealed by some 
"high Government official." 

On the other hand, no inkling was given 
in Mexico by the Government of what the 
exchanged notes contained. The Mexican 
Government in this case gave an excellent 
proof of its self-restraint, even though it 
might have been to its political advantage 
to have given out by piecemeal and "un- 
officially" information as to the negotiations 
that were being carried on, as was done by 
the "high officials" in Washington in order 
to create favorable public opinion and have 
it crystallized by the reading of the Presi- 
dential message. 

As this publication has for a fundamental 
purpose the bringing about of a better 
common understanding between the Ameri- 



MEXICO 



Saturday, August 30, 1913 



can and the Mexican people, we do not 
hesitate even in the face of this general 
approval to express our belief that the ma- 
jority of the American people while rallying 
loyally to the support of President Wil- 
son's policy and believing as we do that it 
has been dictated by the loftiest ideals, are 
not convinced that in practical effect such 
a policy is either just or expedient. 

We do not hesitate to express this be- 
lief, because we are anxious to convince the 
Mexican people that there are many Ameri- 
cans, a host more than they now believe, 
who ARE their friends. 

In discussion of the President's message 
we shall confine ourselves in this number 
to considerations of a few points, reserving 
a full analysis and discussion for follow- 
ing numbers. 

The President's message is consistent — 
as it must have been — with the attitude 
heretofore assumed by the Washington Ad- 
ministration. It reveals a sincere desire to 
help and undisputable good intentions. It 
is the most striking example of model 
thought coupled with a most unfortunate 
lack of knowledge and grasp of condi- 
tions evidently due to misinformation re- 
ceived through persons whose opinions 
were preconceived. Opinions and misin- 
formation which found peculiarly receptive 
minds, in which definite thoughts had 
been moulded by first impressions and be- 
liefs and, once moulded, could not be 
recast. 

The Mexican situation presents so many 
complex phases that no one can grasp it 
who has not made it an. object of care- 
ful and long study. The mere gossip 
heard at the capital is not sufficient and 
should not form the basis for an inter- 
national policy. 

The President's message says: 

■'TIk- present circumstances of the re- 
public. 1 deeply regret to say, do not seem 
to promise even the foundations of such a 
Ijcace. We have waited many months, 
niontlis full of peril and anxiety, for the 
conditions there to improve, and they have 
nnt improved. They have grown worse. 
rather. 

"The territory in some sort controlled 
by the provisional authorities at Mexico 
City has grown smaller, not larger. The 
prospect of the pacification of the country, 
even by arms, has seemed to grow more 
rind more remote ; and its pacification by 
the authorities at tlie capital is evidently 
impossible by any other means than force. 

"Diflicultics more and more entangle 
those wlio claim to constitute the legitimate 
government of the republic. They have not 
made pood their claim in fact. Their suc- 
' cesses in the field have proved only tem- 
porary. War and disorder, devastation anrl 
confusion seem to threaten to become thi 
>ettk'd fortune of the distracted country." 

What better proof than this that the 
whole attitude of the administration has 
been based on misinformation? .For is 
it not a fact that according to all reports, 
official and extra-official, conditions in 
Mexico HAVE greatly improved, especially 
from a military standpoint? 

This is convincingly demonstrated in the 
Gamboa note, but even if we should not 
wish to take into consideration that diplo- 
matic document, have not all dispatches 



received of late from Mexico confirmed it? 
Is it not to be deeply regretted, very 
deeply indeed, by all good Americans that 
such misinformation should have been em- 
bodied in a Presidential message? And 
is it not a fact that none of the assertions 
made in this message are supported by 
proof and definite statement of facts? We 
intend to prove with facts and to the full 
satisfaction of all our readers in our next 
issues that conditions in Mexico as they 
refer to the reestablishment of peace HAVE 
improved. 

Moreover, we affirm now, knowing that 
we cannot be contradicted, that if the 
United States had recognized the Pro- 
visional Government of Mexico and had 
enforced a strict observance of the neutral- 
ity laws conditions in Mexico would be far 
better than they are now. Also that no 
sufficient time or moral support has been 
given to the Mexican Government to ac- 
complish the task which it has set for 
itself. For we do not know of any country 
in which order has been restored in a few 
weeks or months after brigandage and 
rebellions had held sway for more than 
two years. 

All Europe was clamoring for peace and 
order in the United States and was crying 
out for a settlement at the time of our 
Civil War. But it took five years to de- 
cide that war and many years more to re- 
establish peace and order in the South. 
Ten years elapsed after the finish of the 
Civil War before the last vestige of ir- 
responsible banditry disappeared from our 
country. And the Washington Govern- 
ment then did not even dream of propos- 
ing an armistice to Jessie James. 

No country, no people has ever or will 
ever pass suddenly from a dictatorship 
into the full enjoyment of democracy. A 
country has, as a rule, the government 
which it deserves to have and is capable 
of having. The political evolution of a 
people even though it be favored by geo- 
graphical and ethnological conditions as 
in the case of the United States, is in all 
cases necessarily a slow one. France broke 
the yoke of autocracy, plunged into a de- 
bauch of so-called democracy and reeled 
back into Napoleonic despotism. Then 
slowly advanced again toward democracy. 
Greece of all ancient nations was the one 
that most rapidly changed from autocracy 
to democracy and it took Greece one 
hundred and forty years to do so. 

The United States to-day is still fight- 
ing for pure democracy, for free, honest 
plections, for a truly representative gov- 
ernment, and yet the United States has led 
the world in the application of democratic 
principles for more than a century. 

How, in the name of common sense, can 
Mexico be expected suddenly to emerge 
from a dictatorship and three years of 
.-narchy into a full-fledged smiling, happy, 
smoothly running democracy? 

How can Mexico be expected all at once 
to "set up a universally acknowledged 
political authority," when under Porfirio 
Dipz's peaceful rule there were Mexicans 
thet still lived in a tribal state and did 
not even know of the existence of a cen- 



tral government that had been in power for 
more than thirty years? 

Democratic Government in Mexico, as 
in all other countries in a greater degree, 
can be onl^? relative. 

In regard to the proposals mentioned in 
the message we have no comments to make 
in this number, but we wish to know if 
any of our readers can tell us of an in- 
stance in the history of any 'country in 
which the sovereignty of a friendly nation 
was more boldly attacked and so gratu- 
itous an affront offered to the head of 
another government. 

As to the earnest urging of all Americans 
to leave Mexico, we can only point out to 
the cry of protest which has been raised by 
all Americans living in Mexico. They will 
not leave the homes they have made and 
abandon the fruit of their toil. All they 
ask is that the support of this country be 
given to a government that is able to re- 
store order and has the honesty of purpose 
to do so. 

The reply of Mr. Gamboa to the sup- 
plementary suggestions of Mr. Lind is re- 
produced in another column. As we have 
said, it emphasizes the ignorance of Mexi- 
can affairs prevailing in the Wash- 
ington administration. The Mexican Con- 
stitution forbids a Provisional Presi- 
dent from being a candidate to suc- 
ceed himself, therefore the showing of 
personal animus against General Huerta in 
the American proposals was not only un- 
called for but tactless, to say the least. 
But then we are teaching the world a new 
kind of diplomacy. 

Of this note we transcribe the following 
paragraph: 

YoH add furthermore, Mr. Confidential 
Agent, that the President of the United 
States of America has authorized you to 
say that, if my Government "acts immeiii- 
ately and favorably upon the foregoing 
suggestions," that same President will ex- 
press to American bankers and their asso- 
ciates assurances that the Government of 
the United States of America will then 
look with favor upon the extension of an 
immediate loan sufficient in amount to meet 
the temporary requirements of the present 
Mexican administration. 

This, charitably called a "suggestion," was 
indignantly rejected by Mexico, of course, 
as susceptible of being construed by a 
self-respecting government as an attempt 
to bribe. 

Verily our stupendous tact must astonish 
the world! But what of this marked 
change in the President's policies in re- 
gard to American financial activities abroad 
as announced at the time in which the 
Chinese loan came under discussion and 
which policies forced the American bankers 
to withdraw from any participation in that 
loan? 



Read "MEXICO" Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



Saturday, A iigitsi 30, 1913 



MEXICO 



LOYALTY OR JUSTICE, OR BOTH? 



We have read with' interest the Washing- 
ton report to the effect that members of Con- 
gress, irrespective of party or affiliations, have 
declared their intention of "standing by" 
President Wilson in his attitude toward Mex- 
ico. We have also observed that many of the 
newspapers have expressed editorially the 
same intention of supporting the Washington 
administration in its "Mexican policy." This 
even in those newspapers that in the past 
have held that a prompt recognition of the 
Mexican government would have been the 
best solution of the so-called Mexican 
problem. 

We find all this quite natural and easy to 
explain. When the Washington administra- 
tion, reahzing the false position in which 
it has placed itself in regard to Mexico, makes 
a national issue of a question which in other 
hands would have been simply a matter of 
negotiations between the State Department 
and the Mexican Foreign Office, it is to be 
expected that the people of the United States, 
whether they agree or not with the Presi- 
dent's policy, would rally to its support. 
When President Wilson, perceiving that his 
stand of non-recognition is untenalile in the 
face of international law and customs, makes 
an appeal for the loyalty of the American 
people, it is quite natural that a large portion 
of the people, whether they believe him right 
or wrong, should respond loyally to the ap- 
peal. 

Between the Mexican government right and 
the .American government wrong the Ameri- 
can people will select the latter, if an appeal 
is made to them on the grounds of national 
pride. 

This loyalty, admirable as it may be, does 
not constitute justice. 

The methods of the Wasliington administra- 
tinn to rjblain popular support may be good 
politics, but wi- doubt il iu the end they will 
give fruitful results. 

National pride and loyalty are admirable, 
bm national justice is still more admirable. 

Nil if the people of this country prefer ■ 
li>y.tlty In the Washington administration to 
iu>li(c tr> their neighbor, they should at least 
be honest almut it and divest themselves of 
llial cloak which they so proudly wear, the 
cloak of suiieiiority in dealing with other 
pci>plc. 

If the people of this country wish to put 
might before right, well and good, but then 
they should not say : "We are better than the 
people of European nations. We are dif- 
ferent. We are fpirer. We are more civil- 
ised !" They should throw the cloak to the 
winds and say: "We do not care whether we 
arc right or wrong, we are doing what we are 
doing because we have the power to do it, and 
that ends the whole question." 

From a political point of view it is interest- 
ing to look under the surface of this loyalty, 
especially as it refers to the support given 
President Wilson by the Republican members 
of Congress. 



The finqjle fact that a man like Senator 
Fall is an apparently enthusiastic supporter 
of President Wilson's policy in regard to the 
Mexican government should be sufficient to 
make President Wilson suspicious and to put 
him on his guard. 

It has been often repeated of late in political 
circles in Washington that the Republican sup- 
port was due to the belief among Republican 
representatives that President Wilson had put 
himself in a very embarrassing position and 
that no attempt would be made on their part 
to make him change his policy toward Mexico, 
as IMexico may prove just the right sort of 
a rope — and of the right length — that they 
have been hoping President Wilson would 
take hold of. 

This is good politics, too. 

However this may be, we must acknowledge 
that the Washington administration has dem- 
onstrated a past master's ability in playing the 
publicity game and we believe that it should 
congratulate itself on the immediate results, 
although in the long run truth will out. 

It having become evident that in order to 
save itself from foreign criticism and com- 
ment, the Washington administration was 
making an appeal to the patriotism of .Ameri- 
cans in general, the Washington correspond- 
ents of newspapers and news agencies have 
become in regard to the Mexican question the 
official mouthpieces of the government. 

We cannot help but believe that the delay 
of the President in taking the public into his 
confidence was largely due to his desire that 
the "news" and supposed facts should have 
sufficient time through the able work of the 
press to permeate the public mind so that at 
the right moment it should be receptive to his 
own ideas and suggestions. 

Unfortunately for the administration and in 
spite of the loyal support of the press, many 
facts have cropped out which at least in part 
destroy the effect of the publicity work so 
cleverly initiated. There are a .great many 
thinking Americans who will not allow blind 
patriotism to obfuscate their judgment. 

The principal points which, upon the in- 
formation received by "high Govermncnt offi- 
cials," according to its own statements, the 
press tried to impress on the people's mind 
have been : 

That the proposals made to the Mexican 
government were mediation or peace pro- 
posals, which, if accepted by the Mexican 
government, would insure an immediate re- 
establishment of order throughout the Mexi- 
can Republic. 

That the United States was trying to brin.g 
about an agreement between "the two fac- 
tions" in Mexico. 

That foreign powers, including those 'if 
Latin-America, and especially France and 
Japan, were backing the policy of the United 
States. 

That Provisional President Huerta in his 
answer to the American note had stated that 
the President of the United States was not 



supported in his policy of non-recognition by 
the majority of the people of the United 
States. 

That the note of the Mexican government 
was couched in flowery and' sneering terms, 
constituting an insult to the United States. 

Day after day, sometime changing in form 
but not in substance, these points have been 
repeated in most of the Washington messages 
published throughout the country, reinforced 
by even stronger headlines. 

"Peajce proposals rejected," "lluerta (de- 
fiant and sneering," "Europe backs the United 
States" are some the mildest titles th'at have 
come under our observation. 

Dissecting these statements we fail to find 
any evidence that they are borne out by any 
facts. And as after all a large number of 
.American newspapers are fair it has not been 
difficult to find in the same columns the rc- 
futal of the statements mentioned above. 

Can any one familiar with Mexican condi- 
tions as they exist to-day and as they have 
existed affirm that the proposals presented by 
John Lind to the Mexican government were 
peace proposals? The most that can be said 
for tlieni is that they were made with the 
INTENTION and HOPE on the part of 
President Wilson that they should bring about 
peace. 

But facts and the opinion not only of the 
majority of thinking Mexicans, but also of 
almost ALL Americans and other foreigners 
living in Mexico make it clear that such pro- 
posals were not peace proposals, but simply 
proposals for the elimination of General 
Huerta from the Mexican political field. 
Moreover, that the elimination of General 
lluerta at this juncture instead of having as 
an effect immediate peace would mean an- 
archy. We reproduce in another column an 
interview with Mr. Dobson, an American resi- 
dent of Mexico for twenty-two years, a man 
without political connections with any othei' 
parties and groups in Mexico. We could fill 
these cohuims and many more with similar 
opinions, but our space is limiferl an'd this 
I)articular statement serves to exemplify the 
opinion which prevails in Mexico. 

Yet in the face of this almost unanimous 
opinion. President Wilson, probably owing to 
a persona! dislike of a man whom he believes 
guilty of evil deeds, judgment of which after 
all pertains strictly and only to the Mexican 
themselves, has insisted on a policy of non- 
reco.gnition and elimination, and. of course, 
the administration has called them peace 
proposals. 

The second statement we have read for 
days: That the Washington administration 
will allow "both factions" to buy arms. That 
it will forbid the importation to "both fac- 
tions" from the L'nited States, etc. 

Both factions? Does not this statement 
form part of a preconceived plan to misrepre- 
sent conditions in Mexico? Can anyone truth- 
fully assert that there are two factions in 
Mexico fighting for power? 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Axigust SO, 1913 



WE CONTEND 



That as far as the United States is con- 
cerned there is no Mexican trouble or problem 
except through the existence of lawless con- 
ditions in various sections of the republic 
and the failure of the United States to recog- 
nize the constitutional government of Mexico 
and so lend its aid to the efforts that govern- 
ment is making to stamp out such conditions. 

That President Wilson's attitude toward the 
present Mexican government has been based 
on mental and temperamental prejudices 
rather than on a straightforward, practical 
and effective understanding of conditions. 

That if maintained President Wilson's atti- 
tude will force this country into warfare with 
Mexico neither called for by conditions in that 
country nor desired by the American people. 

That President Wilson made up his mind 
as to Mexico before he knew all the facts, and 
has consistently held to his prejudgments irre- 
spective of facts. 

That President Wilson by his attitude is in 
effect fomenting rebellion in Mexico. 

That President Wilson, whether he knows 



it or not, is acting toward Mexico exactly as 
American oil and land interests want him to 
act. 

That President Wilson is interfering with 
the internal affairs and politics of a neigh- 
boring nation in a manner that is prejudicial 
to our friendly relations with the countries of 
Central and South America. 

That President Wilson has made up his 
mind that he will not recognize the present 
provisional government of Mexico and be- 
cause he does not like to back down from 
that position he is shaping his policy on a 
prejudice. 

That the people of the United States are 
more or less uninformed as to Mexican his- 
tory and present conditions and many of them 
will follow blindly the path of the President. 

That in calling upon this natural, unquestion- 
ing loyalty to support him President Wilson, 
as head of a powerful nation, is acting un- 
justly toward a weaker neighbor. 

That President Wilson has consistently 
given undue weight to private sources of in- 



formation that agreed with his poiift of view 
and as consistently ignored all sources of in- 
formation that might legitimately change it. 

That the attitude of the President, toward 
Mexico is fraught with grave possibilities for 
the people, the future and the destiny of the 
United States and should not be assumed or 
undertaken without an open, unbiased, un- 
prejudiced mind. 

That President Wilson's mind is prejudiced, 
for the simple reason that he has determined 
from the beginning of his administration not 
to recognize the present government of Mex- 
ico and has let it be understood without de- 
nial that he never will, no matter what 
changing circumstances might dictate or the 
best interests of his country demand or the 
peace of Mexico require. 

That President Wilson is keeping this whole 
Mexican question alive to the detriment of his 
own administration and of the United States, 
because in the beginning, without full knowl- 
edge, he took his stand and heaven nor hell 
can move him. 



LOYALTY OR JUSTICE, OR BOTH ?— Continued 



On one hand, there is a Mexican govern- 
ment, provisional, but a government, de- 
clared and recognized as such by the Mexican 
Congress and the Mexican Supreme Court, 
which, good or bad, has the support of all 
those Mexicans who wish to see peace 
promptly re-established in their country. And 
they constitute the majority of Mexicans. 
There is a government that has been recog- 
nized as such by all foreign powers except 
the United States. There is a government 
that is exercising all the functions of govern- 
ment, supported by the army and navy, and 
having possession of all the country with the 
exception of the State of Sonora, where, how- 
ever, it holds the principal city and port, 
Guaynias. 

There is a government that has demon- 
strated "its ability to safeguard foreign inter- 
ests and lives wherever its forces are in com- 
mand. 

On the other side there are many factions 
and hands. There are the Sonora rebels, 
lighting, they say, for State rights, whatever 
that may be. There are the Carranza rebels, 
fighting for "constitutionalism" and employing 
bandits like Villa and Ortega and Pereyra 
and Contreras, who pillage and loot. There 
arc Zapatistas, De la Oistas, and many other 
"istas," bands of marauders and brigands. 
Yet wc read of "both factions" and "cessa- 
tion of hostilities" and "early, fair elections," 
etc., etc. 

The third statement, emanating from Wash- 
ington, has been to the effect that foreign 
powers, including those of Latin-America, 
have backed the UnitcJ States and brought 
pressure to bear on General Ilucrta to accede 
to the American demands. 

To this it was added that France would not 



receive Mr. de la Barra as Mexican Minister. 
But here and there — sometimes in obscure 
corners it is true — we read a message from 
Paris stating that de la Barra will be re- 
ceived, that the French Foreign Office never 
thought of even addressing a note to the Mex- 
ican government, a denial of the French Min- 
ister in Mexico City to the same effect, a 
message from Berlin that the German govern- 
ment's relations with Mexico continue very 
friendly, and on August 27th, in the N. Y. 
Times, one of the best informed and fairest 
newspapers in this country, we read the fol- 
lowing: 

It was made plain prior to the confer- 
ence that the Government here had been 
led to hope that Mr. Lind's mission would 
be successful through the friendly senti- 
ments expressed to him by diplomatic 
representatives of foreign countries in 
Mexico City. But it has now been learned 
that no government had instructed its 
agent in the Mexican capital to bring 
pressure to bear upon President Huerta 
to concede the propositions made by the 
United States. At the White House the 
statement was made that all the informa- 
tion the Government possessed as to active 
efforts by Great Britain, France, Japan 
and other countries to bring Huerta to 
look favorably upon President Wilson's 
peace plan had been obtained from newspa- 
pers. Mr. Lind. it was said by officials, 
liad not given in his dispatches the name 
of any nation that had been showing this 
friendly attitude toward the United 
States. 

Finally in the (iamlioa reply wc read: 

Second, because certain European and 
American governments, with which Mex- 
ico cultivates the closest relations of inter- 
national amity, having in a most delicate, 
respectful way, highly gratifying to us, 
made one of their good offices to the end 
that Mexico should accord you a hearing. 



inasmuch as you were the bearer of a pri- 
vate mission from ■ the President of the 
United States. 

That Mexico should accord Mr. Lind a 
hearing — not that Mexico should accept the 
proposals of Mr. Wilson. A slight difference. 
The two assertions mentioned last we have 
seen repeated for several days in most of the 
messages from Washington— except in the 
New York Times — both purporting to cast a 
slur on President Huerta and on the Mexicans 
in general, aiming to carry the impression that 
they had no knowledge of how to deal diplo- 
matically with this country and trying to 
bring out the supposed superiority of Ameri- 
can diplomatic ways. We read all this until 
President Wilson reads his message to the 
Committees of Foreign Relations and then the 
next day we see the following: 

This reply, which was handed to Envoy 
Lind, js addressed to "Mr. Confidential 
Agent," and is characterized by those who 
saw it as one of the most admirable and 
finished State documents ever drawn. — 
A^. Y. American. 

At to-night's conference the President 
read to the committees not only the full 
text of his own message, but the" notes ex- 
changed between John Lind and Huerta. 
One of the connnitteemen said afterward 
the Huerta note, written by Foreign Min- 
ister Gamboa, was one of the finest State 
papers he ever had seen.— iV. Y. Sun. 
But the Gamboa reply published in all news- 
papers is the best refutal of the statement 
that Mexico was "sneering." 

The game of publicity has been well played 
from Washington, but we wish to ask of all 
fair-minded readers: Where does fairness 
come into this? 

Will the ultimate results be the ones sought 
by the Washington administration? 



Saturday, Avgust SO, 191S 



MEXICO 



AMERICAN OPINION IN MEXICO 



New York livcniitg Sun, Augu-'t Zi. 



With tvvonty-two years of practical business 
experience in Mexico adding weight to opin- 
ions that were manifestly free from bias. Alver 
R. Dobson, President of the American Book 
and Printing Company of Mexico City, ana- 
lyzed to-day for The Evening Sun a sequence 
of vital problems affecting the disturbed pres- 
ent and dubious future of the Mexican republic. 

Mr. Dobson"s. opinions had the double value 
of being free from the puzzled patriotism of 
those Americans who fail to understand the 
lack of protection from this Government to 
our interests in the republic to tlie south as 
well as froin the doubtful counsel of those who 
have mixed up in Mexican politics long enough 
to have an axe to grind. 

Some of Mr. Dobson's conclusions were 
startling. All of them were interesting. They 
covered conditions before and subsequent to 
the arrival of John Lind in Mexico City, Mr. 
Dobson having left there a week ago Wednes- 
day. He arrived in this city yesterday on the 
Ward liner Mexico. 

A brief resume of the points made in the 
interview follows : 

Predicts Reign of Anarchy. 

If the United States withholds recognition 
of the Huerta Government for six months 
longer that Government seems destined to 
fail through financial weakness, and a reign of 
anarchy will probably follow. 

William Bayard Hale, a diplomatic sleuth, is 
responsible both for the retirement of Ani- 
bassadnr Henry Lane Wilson and the failure 
of the Wilson .\dministration to recognize 
Huerta. 

Whatever the faults of President Huerta, 
he is 1000 per cent, .stronger than any other 
leader in sight. 

John Lind can do nothing to relieve the 
situation unless he is accredited to Mexico 
in an official capacity with an official title. 

The Americans in Mexico are, almost to a 
unit, behind the Huerta regime. 

Through the present chaos American indus- 
tries in Mexico are losing approximately $1,- 
000,000 a week. 

Both among native Mexicans and the for- 
eign residents of the country, Henry Lane 
Wilson was the most popular Ambassador of 
any nation assigned to Mexico in the last two 
decades. 

Contrary to general opinion, the assumption 
of the Presidency by Gen. Victoriano Huerta 
was made constitutionally. 

A movement is on foot to expel William 
Bayard Hale from Mexican territory under 
.\rticle 33 of the Constitution, relating to the 
activities of "pernicious foreigners." 

Intervention D.^ngerous. 

American intervention will only throw upon 
the United States the very work which Presi- 
dent Huerta is now carrying on. 

On account of the slipshod method of this 
country in dealing with the situation the more 
intelligent people in Mexico feel American in- 



tervention to be almost a certainty, and they 
look forward to it as the only means of 
restoring business stability, the impression be- 
ing that it is probably too late now even if 
the Huerta regime were recognized, for stabil- 
ity to come out of chaos. 

Huerta will never voluntarily resign from 
the Presidency. 

"There is plenty of money in Mexico." said 
Mr. Dobson, "but it is tied up in the banks. 
The continued refusal of the United Slates 
to recognize Huerta has bred an uncertainty 
that has almost paralyzed business. The last 
two months have been the worst since the 
low ebb of the Madero regime. 

"The continued financial stability of Mexico 
is dependent on immediate recognition of 
Huerta by this country. Only two instalments 
of the French-British loan of 20,000.000 poun<Is 
have been paid, and it is understood that no 
more payments will be made this year if the 
United States holds up recognition. 

"li Huerta fails to get this money he will 
be unable to pay his soldiers ; in that event 
they will revolt ; anarchy will reign supreme. 
Huerta is now paying the soldiers uiuler him 
more money than was ever before paid to the 
Mexican military forces. 

"Victoriano Huerta may not be an ideal 
ruler, but he is so much stronger than any 
other man in Mexico that no comparison can 
be established. If he cannot quell the revolu- 
tions in the north no man can. Carranza is a 
much overrated man. As a leader Maytorena, 
who is conducting the revolt in Sonora, is 
stronger than he. 

"Carranza has fooled the Washin.gton offi- 
cials by placing himself at the head of a so- 
called 'Constitutional' party. The name sounds 
fine, but, as a matter of fact, Carranza was 
plotting a revolution before the downfall of 
Madero. The only trouble was that Huerta 
was first." 

Huerta More Democratic. 

Mr. Dobson explained that, althougli Presi- 
dent Huerta assumes certain autocratic powers 
in handling affairs of the army and the treas- 
ury, the Government is really more democratic 
than it ever was under Madero or Diaz. Reg- 
ular elections are held and the Congress and 
Senate perform their normal functions. . . . 

"There seems to be a misconception about 
the manner in which Huerta assumed the 
Presidency," said Mr. Dobson. "However 
much one may object to certain features of 
his programme, one must admit that the thing 
was done legally. After President Madero 
and Vice-President Suarez were thrown into 
prison they signed papers of resignation from 
office. Of course, we cannot tell what pressure 
was brought to bear on them, but the fact re- 
mains that their resignations were placed be- 
fore the Mexican legislative bodies. 

"As a result of these resignations Pedro 
Lascurain, Minister of Foreign Affairs, au- 
tomatically, under the Constitution, became 



News of the Week. 

Specials to the Universal Publishing Service. 

Mexico City, August 23. — Reliable informa- 
tion was received here to-day from rebel 
sources that dissension among the chiefs of 
the Carranza forces after their defeat at Tor- 
reon had culminated in the killing of Calixto 
Contreras and Oreste Percyra, the two fore- 
most leaders in the unsuccessful attack on the 
city. Whether the killing of the two leaders 
was ordered by Carranza himself or was the 
result of a squabble among his followers it 
is not clear. Venustiano Carranza has not 
been heard of since he left Monclova, driven 
by the advancing Federals. 

San Antonio, Texas, August 24. — There is a 
persistent rumor here that Venustiano Car- 
ranza, the rebel leader has been dead these 
four weeks. It has been proven that the 
telegraphic answer sent to two New York 
newspapers some time ago stating that Car- 
ranza would not accept mediation was in fact 
sent by the rebel junta at Eagle Pass. At 
that time Carranza was reported at Cuatro 
Cienegas and he could neither have received 
the messages of the newspapers nor replied to 
them. Later he has been reported as lead- 
ing the attack on Torreon and afterward re- 
treating to Durango. But as a matter of fact 
no one has seen Venustiano Carranza sin:e 
the fight af Monclova. The departure of his 
brother jesus is ascribed to his desire to find 
and recover the body of the leader. 

Mexico City, August 24. — Matamoros de la 
Laguna (Coahuila). Gomez Palacio, an im- 
portant industrial centre near Torreon, and 
Ojinaga. a port of entry on the American 
border, have been occupied by Federals. These 
are strategic points and their falling into the 
possession of the govermnent forces means 
an early cleaning out of rebel bands from 
the State of Coahuila. 

To-morrow direct rail communication be- 
tween Mexico City and Laredo will be re- 
established. Two Cubans were arrested here 
to-day upon evidence having been obtained 
that they had been commissioned to kill Pro- 
visional President Huerta. Documents were 
found in their possession showing the com- 
plicity of two congressmen belonging to the 
"renovadores" group. This group is formed 
of former Madero adherents. 
^^^^^^^^^^^^■■■■■■■■■■■•^■^"^■■^^^^«^^^^" 

President. He remained in office for fifteen 
minutes — long enough to name Huerta as his 
Minister of Foreign .Affairs. Then he resigned 
and Huerta automatically became President. 
The whole matter was passed on by the Mexi- 
can Congress. 

Huerta Making Good. 

"The general impression in Mexico is that 
Huerta is making good, but he had frightful 
odds to meet. Madero found $68,000,000 in the 
national treasury. He left it bankrupt. In 
his brief rule Huerta has brought about some 
degree of financial stability and has increased 
the army from 15,000 to 80,000 men." 

Mr. Dobson said that when William Bayard 
Hale arrived in Mexico he freely admitted 
that he had three purposes : To have Ambassa- 
dor Wilson recalled ; to prevent recognition of 
the Huerta Government ; to forestall inter- 
vention by the United States. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, August SO, 1913 



GAMBOA^S REPLY 

TO SUPPLEMENTARY SUGGESTIONS OF JOHN LIND 



Yesterday I had the honor of receiving from 
your hands a note in which you are pleased 
to state that, although you have no instructions 
from the President of the United States of 
America, -from the scope of your instructions 
you reply to the note of this Government, 
given to you through me, of the 16th inst. 
You are pleased to repeat from those same 
instructions the paragraph which, translated, 
says literally:. 

Lind's Instructions. 
]Ve ■zi'ish to act in the t>rcscnt circum- 
stances under the insj'inition of the most 
lively and disinterested friendship. We pro- 
pose, in all that we do or say by reason of 
this serious and intricate situation, not only 
to maintain the most scrupulous respect for 
the sovereignty and independence of Mexico, 
and we consider ourselves obligated to that 
respect by all the considerations of honor and 
right, but as well to give all- possible proofs 
that ive are ivorking only in the interests of 
Mexico and not for any person or group of 
persons zijho might have claims, relating to 
themselves or to their properties in this coun- 
try and who might consider themselves with 
a right to demand their settlement. 

What we intoid is to counsel Mexico for 
her own good and in the interest of her own 
peace and zvith no other object of any kind. 
The Goz'crnment of the United States zvould 
consider itself discredited, if it had in mind 
any selfish or ulterior motive, considering that 
the negotiations in hand concern the peace, 
zuelfare and prosperity of a zvlwle people. 

We are zoorking, not zcith selfish interest, 
but in accordance Ziiith the dictates of our 
friendship tozvard Mexico. 

Charges Inconsistencies. 

In spite of the fact that, at the beginning of 
the note which I now answer, you state that 
you lack instructions from the President of 
the United States of America, after the state- 
ment which I have reproduced above you 
state in the name of that same President that 
the method indicated in my note of the* 16th 
inst., in so far as it concerns the recognition 
of the present Government (which I may 
say in pas.sing is far more than a de facto 
government, as you have chosen to qualify 
it) or of any other future Government 
of Mexico — this you add — is something which 
only the United States of America may 
decide, which, iji the exercise of its sov- 
ereign rights in this respect, will not hesitate, 
especially in time of serious domestic troubles, 
to consummate in the manner which, in the 
judgment of the United States of America and 
not in that of Mexico, may be best for this 
latter. 

You add that the President of the United 
States of America sincerely and ardently be- 
lieves that my Government will sec in the 
suggestion of his excellency, Mr. Woodrow 
Wilson, the most feasiWe plan for serving 
our vital interests and for insuring the speedy 
re-establishment of our domestic tranquillity. 



Proposition Repeated. 
And always in the name of the President 
of the United States you submit to the con- 
sideration of my Government the three fol- 
lowing propositions: 

1. That the election called for the 16th of 
October of the present year (the note sent 
to the foreign office by Mr. Lind stated October 
26 and not 16) shall be held in accordance 
zvith the constitutional laws of Mexico. 

2. That President Thierta, in the manner 
originally indicated by the President of the 
United States of America, give the assurance 
called for in paragrapli C of the original in- 
structions, a paragraph zvhich says literally 
"The consent of General Huerta to 'agree not 
to be a candidate in the coming election for 
President of the republic." 

3. That the remaining propositions con- 
tained in your original instructions shall be 
taken up later, but speedily, and resolved as 
circumstances permit and in the spirit of their 
proposal. 

Aid from Bankers. 

You add, furthermore, Mr. Confidential 
Agent, that the President of the United States 
of America has authorized you to say that, if 
my Government "acts immediately and favor- 
ably upon the foregoing suggestions," that 
same President will express to American 
bankers and their associates assurances that 
the Government of the United States of Amer- 
ica will then look with favor upOn the ex- 
tension of an immediate loan sufficient in 
amount to meet the temporary requirements 
of the present Mexican administration. 

At the end of your note, Mr. Confidential 
Agent, you express the hope of your Govern- 
ment that my Government will judge it con- 
sistent with the best and highest interests 
of Mexico immediately to accept such proposi- 
tions, stating that they are submitted in the 
same spirit and to the same end as the original 
proposition, but in a more restricted form, to 
the end that my Government may act within 
its faculties without the co-operation or aid 
of any other outside factor. 

It appears at once, Mr. Confidential Agent, 
that in this case the proposal of his Excellency, 
Mr. Woodrow Wilson, is not to remove him- 
self an iota from the position originally as- 
sumed by him, for, notwithstanding the time 
consumed since the 16th, the date of my reply, 
to the 25th, in which you delivered to me 
your second note, which I am here answering, 
the essence and even the form of his original 
instructions are the same with the aggravat- 
ing feature well qualified by you as "more re- 
stricted." 

For my part it would have been sufftcient 
to answer this note in its totality by reproduc- 
ing the whole of my note of the 16th inst., 
as negative, as categorical, as I have the honor 
to reproduce it in this present note. 

But the president ad inlerini wishes to carry 
his forbearance to the last point, and to the 



cud that Mexican public opinion, which is so 
justly disturbed by the present tension in 
the diplomatic relations between the two coun- 
tries, and also to the end that the various for- 
eign governments which have offered their good 
offices in the most delicate possible manner — 
I am glad to repeat that this has been their 
attitude, and not less pleased to express grate- 
ful acknowledgment thereof — may be duly in- 
formed, has authorized me to reply to yon in 
the following terms : 

I will begin by taking notice of a highly 
significant fact. Between the night of the 
14th instant, when I received the sheets con- 
taining your instruction — not directed to any 
one and calling the present administration "the 
persons who at the present time have authority 
or exercise influence in Mexico" — and yester- 
da3', some progress has been; made, in that 
now the constitutional president ad interim 
(see paragraph 2 of the new propositions) is 
called "President Huerta," and in the whole 
course of the note the personnel of his ad- 
ministration is referred to as the de facto 
government. 

But inasmuch as this or that qualification 
is of no importance, upon the ground that 
all the representations of your Government 
have not been initiated except with ourselves, 
which gives us, upon the supposition that we 
have not been dispossessed of it, a perfect 
political and moral responsibility to clear up the 
present divergence, I intentionally limit my- 
self solely to point out the facts. 

li your original proposals were not to be 
admitted, they are now, in the more re- 
stricted form in which they are reproduced, 
even more inadmissible, and one's attention 
is called to the fact that they are insistent 
upon, if it be noticed, that which the first 
proposals had already defined. 

Precisely because we comprehend the im- 
mense value which is possessed by the principle 
of severeignty which the Government of the 
United States so opportunely invokes in the 
question of our recognition or non-recognition, 
precisely for this reason we believed that it 
would never be proposed to us that we should 
forget our own sovereignty by permitting that 
a foreign Government should modify the line 
of conduct which we have to follow in our 
public and independent life. 

If even once we were to permit the counsels 
and advice (let us call them thus) of the 
United States of America, not only would we, 
as I say above, forego our sovereignty, but 
we would as well compromise for an indefinite 
future our destinies as a sovereign entity, and 
all the future elections for president would be 
submitted to the veto of any President of the 
United States of America. 

And such an enormity, Mr. Confidential 
Agent, no Government will ever attempt to 
perpetrate, and this I am sure of, unless some 
monstrous and almost impossible cataclysm 
should occur in the conscience of the Mexican 
people. 



Saturday, A ugusfSO'lOlS 



xM E X I C O 



COMBING THE 

NEWS 



■7 Jo iiol think a stronger government ought 
to do anything which will imperil the sover- 
eignty of a weaker one." 



"1 never had such a warm reception as; 
tlie people of Mexico, particularly the 
ranchmen, the middle class and even the 
upper class, have shown me," Mr. Lind 
said. He paid a compliment to the courtesy 
and kindness of the Mexican people, and 
talked with his callers about American 
farming and its methods, which are new to 
tltis countrv. — Jolin Lind at Vera Cnic. 



"Strong Should Not Impose 
Upon Weak" 

Xcw York IVortd. 

The Hague, Holland, Aug. 22. — Congress- 
man James L. Slayden of Texas, a delegate to 
the International Peace Congress now in ses- 
sion here, discussing the Mexican situation, 
said to The World correspondent : 

"I am not sufficiently well advised of the 
current conditions in Mexico to express any 
view as to what policy President Wilson should 
adopt, but I am sincerely anxious that some 
plan should be adopted, which will be mutually 
s;Uisfactory to both governments. 



Whatever the President's disposition 
might be toward the other proposals he 
made it plain, it was said, that he stood 
firmly and would continue so to stand on 
his insistence that Huerta should resign 
and that he should not be a candidate for 
re-election. It has been the opinion of 
many Senators and Representatives in 
Congress that the negotiations would have 
had a better chance of success if these 
terms had not been included in the peace 
programme. A large number of Congress- 
men believe that the President made a 
mistake in giving greater weight to moral 
than to practical considerations in his effort 
to bring about a restoration of normal 
relations in Mexico. In their opinion 
the Lind mission would have gone for- 
ward with considerable hope of success 
had President Wilson accorded formal 
recognition to the Huerta Government. 
But the President, evidently believing that 
Huerta was responsible in a large measure, 
for tfie death of his predecessor, Francisco 
I. Madero, has declined to consider the so- 
called practical aspect of the matter, hold- 
ing that the United States Government 
would have cause to be ashamed should it 
recognize Huerta's right to the office of 
President of Mexico. — A^ Y. Times, Au- 
gust 27. 

In the foregoing lines is to be found the 
cause of all the Mexican trouble: the per- 
sonal beliefs, likes and dislikes of President 
Wilson, strengthened by the biased informa- 
tion received from his personal representative, 
tlic ex-reverend. 



Mexican Rates Restored 

Through Freight Now Accepted Under the 
Old Tariff 

The through frciglit rates between New 
York City and points in the Mexican in- 
terior will be restored this week by the 
resumption of the Railway Association of 
Mexico tariff 3-C, which was cancelled 
several weeks ago by the National Rail- 
ways of Mexico. The Ward Line will ac- 
cept shipments under the 3-C rate again, 
beginning with their steamer leaving here 
on Thursday for Tampico and Vera Cruz. 
Under this tariff the Ward Line accepts 
freight allowing the charges to be collected 
from the consignee. 

.'\ storm of protest came from shippers 
to Mexico when the i-C rate was can- 
celled about the middle of last month. 
Since* that time shipping to the points in 
the Mexican interior has been practically 
at a standstill. At that time the Mexican 
Government ordered the railroads to pub- 
lish rates in Spanish and to quote in Mex- 
ican currency per 1000 kilograms, irre- 
spective of the fluctuations in exchange. 

It was impossible for American lines, 
whose settlements must be made in gold, 
to undertake to maintain a uniform rate 
when the Mexican currency was gradually- 
depreciating. All rates were at once can- 
celled, which meant that goods for ship- 
ment to Mexico would be set down by the 
steamship line at the Mexican port if the 
freight was paid in advance. The liability 
of the steamship company would cease 
there and the vendee would be obliged to 
arrange for the transportation inland. — 
Nezv York Sun, August 26. 



"We entertained the belief, in view of the 
extraordinary interest which the President of 
the United States of America has shown in 
our internal affairs, that both he and his gov- 
ernment would be apprised of the precepts of 
our constitution in electoral matters. Un- 
fortunately, we are compelled to recognise that 
we were laboring under an error. 

"In effect, the amendment of Articles 78 and 
109 of the constitution, pronuilgated Novem- 
ber 7, 1911, contain, among other provisions, 
the following, viz., that a cabinet minister act- 
ing as provisional President cannot be elected 
either President or Vice-President for an en- 
suing term. This precept, which I permit 
myself to transcribe for the information of 
the Government of the United States of Amer- 
ica, incapacitates the present constitutional 
ad interim President from figuring in the 
forthcoming elections, and if it had been 
taken into consideration by his excellency, 
President Wilson, before undertaking to im- 
pose on us the conditions in question, and 
which we cannot admit, the present state of 
affairs between us would have been obviated 
without detriment to our dignity or to the 
amour propre of the President of the United 
States, ill engaged in this groundless con- 
troversy. 

"Let it be understood that the ad interim 
constitutional President cannot be elected 
either President or Vice-President at the elec- 
tions already called for October 26, because 
he is forbidden by our own laws, which are 
the sole arbiters of our destinies, but never 
because of the indication, however friendly or 
disinterested, of the President of the United 



GAMBOA'S REPLY (Continued) 

States or of any other ruler, however power- 
ful or however weak, all being equally re- 
spectable in our estimation. 

"Allow me to say that, so far, at any rate, 
the President of the United States is the only 
person who has spoken of the candidature 
of the ad interim constitutional President at 
the forthcoming elections. Neither the solemn 
declarations of the said high functionary nor 
the smallest of his acts, all of which have 
been directed to bringing about complete 
pacification of the republic, which is the 
supreme national aspiration and which he 
is resolved to achieve at all costs, w.ir- 
rants the suspicion that such are his pur- 
poses or intentions. 

"It is matter of notoriety that there does 
not exist in the country a single newspaper, a 
single club, a single corporation or a single 
group of private persons that have launched 
such candidature on the tapis of discussion. 
What, then, is the ground for the gratuitous 
suspicion of the President of the United 
States and for his demand that the constitu- 
tional ad interim President, in view of such 
suspicion, shall contract obligations never im- 
posed up to the present on the Government of 
any sovereign nation ?" 

The question having been set forth, as I 
have had the honor of doing in this reply, 
his excellency, Mr. Wilson, will have to with- 
draw definitely from his present attitude at 
the risk that his motives, which I take pleasure 
in acknowledging, are, as he himself quotes 
them, friendly and disinterested, altruistic and 
without ulterior ends — at the risk, I repeat, 
that they may be wrongly and differently in- 



terpreted by all the other nations which look 
upon our present internal conllict with more 
or less interest. 

And although the President of the United 
States of America should take an altogether 
different stand from the universal viewpoint, 
which considers differently an administration 
under the conditions in which our own is at 
present (the best proof of my assertion is 
the unconditional recognition of the foremost 
Powers of the world, among which the United 
States of America occupies such a prominent 
and legitimately conquered rank), he will have 
to cease to call us a de facto Government, and 
will give us the title of ad interim constitu- 
tional Government, which is the only one to 
which we are rightly entitled. 

Refus.\l of Offer of Funds. 

Permit me, Mr. Confidential Agent, not to 
reply for the time being 'to the significant offer 
in which the Government of the United 
States of America insinuates that it will recom- 
mend to American bankers the immediate ex- 
tension of a loan which will permit us, among 
other things, to cover the innumerable urgent 
expenses required bj' the progressive pacifica- 
tion of the country ; for in the terras in which 
it is couched it appears more to be an at- 
tractive antecedent proposal to the end that, 
moved by petty interests, we should renounce 
a right which incontrovertibly upholds us at 
a period when the dignity of the nation is at 
stake, n 

I believe that there are not loans enough 
to induce those charged by the law to main- 
tain that dignity to permit it to be lessened. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, August SO, 1913 



COMBING THE NEWS 



Freight Traffic Resumed. 

Special Cable Despatch to The Suit. 
London, Aug. 25. — The general Euro- 
pean agent of the National Railways of 
Mexico announces that the issuance of 
through bills of lading to interior destina- 
tions of Mexico via Vera Cruz and the 
Interoceanic Railway has been resumed. 
The above arguments in favor of returning 
stability and peace in Mexico are unanswerable. 
They show what the provisional government 
ha? accomplished in the short space of six 
months, despite the antagonistic attitude of 
Washington. Of course, Washington may de- 
ceive itself into thinking it is not antagonistic, 
but facts of unfriendliness speak louder than 
the well-modulated voice of fine-sounding 
platitudes. 

(By Telegraph to Tlic New York Tribune.) 

Mexico City, Aug. 23. — Washington's 
attitude continues to cause concern and per- 
plexity here, both among Mexicans and 
foreigners. 

The announcement in to-day's dispatches 
that the United States will continue to in- 
sist on the resignation of General Huerta, 
or a statement of his intention to resign, 
as well as on his elimination from the 
Presidential race, comes as a distinct dis- 
appointment to all who believe that Huerta 
is the one man capable now of restoring 
peace and putting the country on its feet 
again and giving it another chance to re- 
cover. 

The general conviction is tliat the re- 
placement of Huerta at the present time, so 
far from remedying the country's evils, 
would plunge it into ivorse disorders and 
render the situation desperate. In particu- 
lar it is held tliat any substitute for Huerta 
who might be regarded as owing his posi- 
tion to outside pressure or the dictation of 
the rebels would be viewed with intense 
animosity and would be quite incapable of 
controlling the situation. 

Mexican newspapers point out that move- 
ments against the government, except in 
Sonora and partly in Coahuila, represent 
lawlessness pure and siniple, which any ad- 
ministration would have to deal with, and 
assert that an overwhelming majority of. 
Mexicans and foreigners at the capital con- 
sider Huerta better fitted for this task than 
anybody else. 

El Imparcial, speaking of the dinner 
which the French Minister, Paul Lefaivre, 
will give on Monday night at the French 
Legation to Huerta and his Cabinet, says: 
"This banquet is considered significant, ow- 
ing to the proofs of extreme cordiality 
which France has lately given to our re- 
public." 

Mexico City, August 25. — Minister of Fi- 
nance Gorrostieta denied emphatically to-dav 
the rumor that the government was making 
use of the reserves of the Mexican Banks. 
He affirmed that on the contrary tlie govern- 
ment was taking steps to furtlicr guarantee 
these reserves. Signor Gorrostieta besides 
branded absolutely false and unfounded th" 
rumor published in the United States that the 
army had not been paid regularly. He stated 
that not only was the army fully paid up to 
date but would continue to be paid regularly 
and tliat not a single case of discontent or in- 
dication of disloyality had ibcan irepoi^tcd. 
Likewise he said that employees in nil 
branches of the government would continue to 
receive their usual salaries. 



LOBBYGRAMS 



Senator Fall bought a copy of Mexico in 
tlie New Willard on Tuesday and greatly en- 
joyed the reference to himself. In showing 
it to his friends he expressed especial de- 
light at the fact that at last there was one 
publication which rendered him justice, which, 
without bias, testified to his reputation for 
bravery, integrity and to the great love felt 
for him by the people of New Mexico. He 
expressed also the intention of addressing 
himself to the American people through the 
columns of Mexico, taking them into his confi- 
dence as to the exact reasons why he is the 
friend and apologist of every man in Mexico 
• who bears arms against the government. 

Mexico will welcome the Senator's explicit 
declarations in this respect. 



Arms Question up Again. 

The vexing question whether the LInited 
States should or should not raise its em- 
bargo against the sale of arms to the "con- 
stitutionalists" and other bands of revolu- 
tionisfs came to the front again to-day 
through the receipt by Senator Fall of a tel- 
egram of inquiry from the Shelton Payne 
Arms Company, at El Paso. This despatch 
said that the Shelton Payne Company had 
just shipped to federalists at Juarez 130 
rifles and 97,000 rounds of ammunition, 
this being the initial shipment of an order 
for 1,000 rifles and one million rounds of 
ammunition, the shipment being authorized 
by a permit of the LTnited States govern- 
ment. The Shelton Payne Company asked 
Senator Fall if it could fill an order for 
five carloads of arms and ammunition 
which "constitutionalists" desire to pur- 
chase. — N. Y. Herald, August 25. 

Senator Fall, we understand, will soon ex- 
plain why the Shelton Payne Company, dealer 
in arms and ammunition, has sent him the 
foregoing telegram of inquiry. The explana- 
tion will contain a statement that Senator 
Fall has no direct or indirect participation in 
the profits of any company manufacturing 
arms and ammunition. 



Colonel E. M. Flouse, who has been called 
the Cardinal Richelieu of the Washington ad- 
ministration, is said to have been very in- 
dignant when upon his arrival in Boston sev- 
eral weeks ago, he was shown a clipping of 
the Boston American purporting to relate the 
true significance of his journey to Europe. 

Colonel House while in Europe was accom- 
panied by Mr. Hugh Wallace, at various times 
associated with the Rockefeller and Pierce in- 
terests, and the news item intimated that 
Colonel House's mission to Europe was to 
break up the negotiations carried on by the 
Mexican Government with European bankers 
for the obtaining of a loan. Mr. Hugh Wal- 
lace did not return with Coloiiel House and he 
is reported to be. still in Europe. It also re- 
ported that strong influence is being brought 
to bear on French and English bankers to the 
end that no further loans be made to Mexico. 



Official Washington is said to have been 
puzzled by reported unusual movements in the 
last few days in the offices of Senator Fall 
and Senator Penrose. It has been explained, 
however, by friends of these two Senators 
that they were arranging their personal affairs 
so as to be able to abandon at an early date 
their useful activities in the Senate and pro- 
ceed to the Mexican border to lead an invad- 
ing army into the Southern Republic. This, the 
friends explained, was due to the fact that 
Fall and Penrose wished to demonstrate their 
sincerity of purpose in advocating intervention 
and show to their constituents that they would 
be the first ones to give up their lives in 
order to protect American interests in Mexico,. 
Moreover, Senator Penrose was about to sever 
his connections with Standard Oil and Sena- 
tor Fall about to dispose of his Mexican mines 
so that no one could intimate that they were 
actuated by personal reasons, but were giving 
up their lives simply for love of the American 
people. It was stated on good authority that 
the greatest regret was felt in the Senate at 
the probable losing of Senator Fall. This re- 
gret was especially felt by members of the 
Foreign Relations Committee ' to whom the 
impartial and disinterested work of Senator 
Fall has been of great assistance. 

A great send-off^ will be tendered Senator 
Fall by the people of New Mexico — it is re- 
ported — before he goes to fight those wicked 
Mexicans and preparations will begin at once 
to give him an adequate reception on his re- 
turn — when, it is assured, he will carry the 
scalp of his arch enemy General Huerta. 

Senator Fall's friends state, however, that 
the people of New Mexico will have to change 
the reception into a funeral, as the Senator 
is determined to offer his life as a holocaust 
to the people whom he is so faithfully and 
consistently serving. 



Was He Killed? 

Special to Tlie IVashinglon Post. 

Denver, Colo., Aug. 20. — "I never expect 
to see my cousin alive again," says John Lind, 
cousin of President Wilson's personal envoy 
to Mexico. Lind is in Denver, stopping on 
his way to Los Angeles. 

"John Lind is a man of fearless character, 
and takes chances that no ordinary man wouUl 
take. I have heard of his taking early morn- 
ing walks in Mexico where Americans hesi- 
tate to go at midday. 

"I have not heard directly from my cousin 
since he went to Mexico, and I expect that 
he will be killed by Mexicans any moment. 
We arc of the same name, and as boys were 
companions. John Lind is a one-armed man, 
but even at that would not hesitate to go into 
any dangerous gathering of Mexicans or any 
one else and resent per.sonal attack at the 
risk of life." 



Satunlnji, A ugusl 30, 1913 



MEXICO 



Nailing Them 



Coincident with the departure from Mexi- 
co City of Mr. Lind was the general exodus 
from the Mexican capital of Americans. 
The report received by the State Depart- 
ment was to the effect that the train bear- 
ing Mr. Lind to Vera Cruz was fdled with 
Americans who were leaving hurriedly for 
the United States.— N. Y. IVorlil. 
The best answer to this is contained in the 
following despatches : 

Mexico City. — The departure of Mr. Lind 
is the only subject of discussion aniong 
Americans here. The general opinion 
among them seems to be : "The American 
Government be hanged, we will not get out. 
We have our business obligations to attend 
to, our contracts to carry out and our prop- 
erties to protect. It cannot be possible that 
the American Congress will stand for such 
a proposition as this." — N. Y. Sun. 



Mexico City.^The leaving of Mr. Lind 
failed to cause the expected alarm in the 
American colony and none will leave on 
the steamship leaving Vera Cruz Thurs- 
day. The bail given by the American Club 
Saturday night showed an unexpectedly 
large nundier of American families here. 
A few of the business men have sent their 
wives and children out of Mexico, but from 
the present indications the colony is re- 
duced to the size at which it probably will 
remain until the situation becomes more 
acute. — N. Y. Herald. 



Paul Lefaivre, the French Minister, de- 
nies receiving a cable from the French 
Government instructing hitn to make rep- 
resentations to the Mexican Government 
upholding the attitude of the LInilcd 
States, lie .said he had received only the 
same instructions as other legations here 
got regarding the Mexican situation. 

Lefaivre was plainly exasperated at the 
publication of the aimouncement regard- 
ing the stand of the French Government. — 
,V. Y. Sun, August 27. 

Instructions received by all legations in 
Mexico City were to the effect that the Min- 
isters should inform the Mexican Government 
that their respective governments would view 
with satisfaction the granting of a hearing 
to John Lind by the Mexican Govcrmneni, 
even though Mr. Lind carried no proper cre- 
dentials, and was simply a personal repre- 
sentative of the American President. These 
instructions did not refer to the Mexican 
Government's acceptance of the Lfnited States 
proposals. 

Reports of dissatisfaction aniong the 
Federal soldiers at the delay of the 
Huerta Government in paying them off 
have strengthened the belief that Huerta's 
position is growing weaker. According to 
these reports, two Federal garrisons near 
Vera Cruz have revolted. Soldiers are 
said to be growling in many sections of 
the republic. Huerta. it is said, has not 
now in his treasury enough money to [lay 
his army three weeks ahead. 

There has been absolutely no confirniatiim 
of this report. On the contrary the Federal 
Army continues loyal to a man. It is one 
of the many reports spread daily in order to 
give weight to President Wilson's declaration 
that "the conditions of the Southern Republic 
are growing worse." 



Merniosillo, Sonora, .Xugnst 25. — .X Fed- 
eral cavalry detachment which moved oiit 
of Guaymas yesterday attacked the Consti- 
tutionalist outpost to-day. It was repulsed 
in a sharp fight. 

The rebel commanders regard the attack 
as a feint to cover the real movement of 
h^deral troops out of Guaymas by sea and 
land to Mazatlan, the seaport city of Sina- 
loa. The rebels are strongly fortifying 
their positions around Mazatlan. 

The above Associated Press message is 
typical of all others sent out from the Sonora 
border. In the first place the rebels do not 
hold Mazatlan, which is in possession of the 
Federals and is far aw^ay south from the seal 
of disturbances. The I'Vdcrals have iiol 
ab;indoned Guaymas, bul have advanced in- 
stead toward llennosilln, after inllicliii« .i 
severe defeat upon the rel)els north of tint 
port. 



The London Times Says Edi- 
torially 

"The world will read with a ctrl.iin be- 
wilderment the President's statement that 'if 
Mexico can suggest any better way in which 
the United States can show its friendship we 
are more than willing to consider the sug- 
gestion.' Not only Mexico, but all the for- 
eign residents of Mexico and every Govern- 
ment whose nationals possess interests in that 
country have already pointed out a 'better way.' 
It is a simple and, we believe, an effective way, 
and it consists in America's following the ex- 
ample already set by other powers and recog- 
nizing Huerta. 

"As to America's insistence upon a general 
election as a means of regularizing the status 
of the Mexican President, Mr. Wilson can 
hardly be unaware that there has never yet 
been a -genuine poll of the people of Mexico, 
that elections there are automatically 'made' by 
the party or ruler in control, and that to hold 
one now with the idea of testing the real 
. sentiments of the people would be little less 
tlian a farce. Huerta vvnuM no rliuiljt be 
willing to go through with the farce if it 
were not for the American stipulation that 
he is not to play the principal role in it. Tli;it 
is a demand with which President Wilson 
can hardly expect him to comply. It is dil'ti- 
cult, indeed, to resist the suspicion that in thus 
emphasizing its purely personal objections to 
Huerta the L'nited States Government may be 
jeopardizing .its best chance of assisting the 
country of which, for the first time, at all 
events, he is the etfective ruler."' 



"We are glad to call i.urselws the friends 
of Mexico, and we shall, I hope, have many 
an occasion, in happier times as well as in 
these days of trouble and confusion, to 
show that our friendship is genuine and dis- 
interested, capable of sacrifice and every 
generous manifestation." — President Wil- 
son's message 

MEXICO'S REPLY. 
I can defend myself from my enemies, 
but God preserve me from my friends. 



The Present Government is 
the Constitutional Gov- 
ernment of Mexico 

There cannot be any legal grcjund for 
withholding recognition, for the lluert.i 
government is in every respect a constitu- 
tional government. Upon their arrest 
Madero and Pino Suarcz resigned from 
the offices of President and Vice-President 
respectively. Their resignations were ac- 
crpled by Congress sitting in extraor- 
(liu.iry session. By virtue of article 83 of 
the Mexican Constitution, Pedro Lascurain, 
Minister of Foreign Affairs automatically 
became President ad interim. In the ex- 
ercise of his executive power he inime- 
di.itely appointed Gen. Victoriano Huerta. 
Minister of the Interior, filling the vacancy 
left liy the resignation of Rafael Hernandez. 
Subsequently Pedro Lascurain formally re- 
signed his office and his resignation was 
accepted by Congress. Thus automatically 
and in accordance with the Constitution 
the executive power devolved upon Gen. 
Ilucrta, Minister of the Interior, as the 
oflicc of Minister of Foreign Relations had 
been left vacant. All this was in strict 
conipliance with the letter and spirit of 
the Mexican Constitution and with the 
common agreement of Lascurain, chief of 
the Madero Cabinet, the Chamber of Dep- 
uties, the Senate and the Supreme Court 
aided by the best legal talent of Mexico, 
all keen and conscientious in maintaining 
unbroken the constitutionality of the Mex- 
ican government. 

It may be contended by those denyin.g 
the constitutionality of the Huerta gov- 
ernment that the foregoing proceedings 
took place under revolutionary coercion. 
Of course, neither Porfirio Diaz nor Ma- 
dero resigned until forced by a successful 
revolution, but both their resignations were 
cr|ually eflFective and the succeeding gov- 
ernments equally constitutional. 

There was not the slightest question ;is 
to the constitutionality of dc la Rarra's 
government under similar circumstances. 

Moreover, Madero's resignation was 
taken to Congress by Lascurain, Madero's 
friend and chief of Cabinet, and was ac- 
cepted by a Congress in which the Mader- 
ists held the balance of power. 

Later, on April 1st last, at the formal 
opening of the ordinary session of Con- 
gress, this body with almost all of its 
members present, formally recognized the 
constitutionality of Huerta as provisional 
President. In other words, the legislative 
and judicial powers of the previous ad- 
ministration have declared the constitu- 
tionality of the present one. — Los Angeles 
Times, July 20. 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Aiigust 30, 1913 



PRESS COMMENTS 



The Mexican Danger 

The change in the attitude of President 
Wilson toward the Mexican problem is not 
encouraging. The promise of a message on 
the subject to Congress at this time, to be de- 
layed three or four days, indicates a desire 
to get an expression of public opinion, to shift, 
in some measure, the burden of responsibility 
which hitherto he has insisted upon bearing 
without help. The intimation that the forth- 
coming message will suggest a "show of force" 
by the United States in Mexico is, we hope, 
made without authority. Already the inter- 
national situation is so involved that only wis- 
dom and prudence in every succeeding action 
of our Government can avert trouble. A 
"show of force" in the sister republic at this 
time would have perilous results. Huerta's 
followers would then have the support of 
Zapatistas, Carranzistas, Vasquistas, of the 
Church Part3', and the remnant of the Cienti- 
ficos against any outside interference. 

The President's action in sending a personal 
envoy on a secret mission to Mexico has been 
generally approved, or at least not harshly 
condemned, because of the common belief that 
the President's information regarding the 
Mexican situation was more complete , and 
sounder than the people's; in short, that he 
knew what he was doing. Somewhat disturb- 
ing reports as to the plans of the mission have 
been ignored. But it seems that the reports 
were well founded. Mr. Lind has made pro- 
posals to the Mexican Executive which have 
been rejected, and the negotiations are pos- 
sibly at an end. It is obvious that in the 
present critical situation no proposal which 
could be thus rejected should have been made. 
The mission is a failure, and our relations 
with Mexico are more delicate than ever. 

In the circumstances a full report of the~ 
conditions in Mexico, as Mr. Lind sees them, 
seems to be called for. He is believed to be a 
man of clear vision and practical common 
.sense. If his report should indicate that the 
Government of Gen. Huerta is strongly sup- 
ported, that his control of affairs is reasonably 
firm, the duty of our Government is obvious. 
The niist.-ike that has been made should be 
rectified. Pride should not influence President 
Wilson longer to withhold recognition. The 
acknowledgment of his error would be more 
manly than to persist in a wrong course. If, 
on the other hand Mr. Lind could show that 
Huerta's power is waning, that fact should 
be made known to the American public. 

Inevitably the promised message to Con- 
gress recalls Mr. McKinley's message before 
the outbreak of the Spanish war, just as Mr. 
Lind's visit to Mexico is a reminder of tlie 
visit to Cuba of Senator Redficld Proctor of 
Vermont, whose report on his return was S3 
enlightening to the Senate and the people. 
The two cases, however,' are not otherwise 
similar. No humane reason could justify our 
interference in Mexico as matters now stand, 
yet our present course is tending toward more 
or less interference, if not positive interven- 



tion. Whatever the President's intention may 
have been, and we have no doubt that he was 
assured that his efforts as a mediator were 
well advised, the action of our Government 
thus far has increased Mexican hostiUty to 
us. We must reckon in all our dealings with 
Latin America with the bad intluence of the 
ill-judged acts of previous Administrations. 
That our proffer of good offices should be 
subject to suspicion is inevitable. It is surely 
not our business to dictate to the Mexican peo- 
ple who should govern them, or to take sides 
against an established Government, whatever 
opinion we may entertain of the means of its 
establishment. The opponents of the Govern- 
ment at the Mexican capital are split up into 
many factions without community of interest. 
They have no coherence, and the sole object 
of some of them is plunder. 

Continued interference with Mexican affairs 
must tend to a rupture of all international re- 
lations, if not to war. If war is precipitated, 
the Administration will have a difficult, an 
impossible, task to justify itself before the peo- 
ple, and the political party it represents will 
need many years to live down the evil repute 
thus fastened upon it. It is a part of good 
statesmanship to recognize frankly its own 
errors, if errors have been committed, and 
rectify them in the most generous manner. — 
A>a' York Times. 



The Mexican Muddle 

If it is true, as indicated in some of the 
Washington dispatches, that the reason to be 
set forth by President Wilson, in his mes- 
sage which is to announce to Congress the 
failure of his mediation mission, for the con- 
tinued withholding of recognition from 
Huerta's Government will be the obvious 
fact that it is "dictatoral" and in the hands of 
few men, it seems that the gravity of the 
situation will be greatly increased. The sam^e 
argument might have been made against 
Madero's Government, which was hotly oj)- 
posed in various States and in the Federal 
Congress of Mexico from first to last. The 
same argument, also, might have been urged 
against the long successful Government of 
Porfirio Diaz by Presidents Garfield, Arthur, 
Cleveland, Harrison, McKinley, Roosevelt, and 
Taft. ' . 

Mexico in the long run will have the kind 
of Government that best suits it. If it amounts 
to a dictatorship, that is Mexico's affair. We 
cannot govern Mexico. The only essential 
fact to be ascertained concerning Huerta's 
Government is whether it is a Government 
that can govern. Mr. Lind by this time ought 
to be able to enlighten the President on -this 
point. But we must infer that the Washing- 
ton correspondents who are anticipating the 
message are only guessing and that President 
Wil.son will have a stronger argument to ad- 
vance in support of his policy of non-recogni- 
tion than one which would apply equally well 
to other nations of the world whose Govern- 
ments we cheerfully recognize. — N. Y. Times. 



The Mexican Situation 

The defeat of the forces of Vcnustiano 
Carranza at Torreon seems to have been a 
decisive one for that body of the insurgents, 
and his retreat to Durango to join Thamas 
Urbina will surely cause the federals to fol- 
low his trail to that city, and to endeavor 
to drive his forces still farther west or destroy 
them. 

The battle at Rodriguez, about 100 miles 
south of Eagle Pass, resulted in another vic- 
tory for the federal troops, while the clearing 
of the Mexican Central line from Chihuahua 
to Juarez cannot fail to give important advan- 
tages to the federals of that section. 

The military operations for the past three 
weeks have been exceedingly favorable to 
the troops of the Huerta administration, and 
the insurgents have not scored a single notable 
'victory since they drove back Ojeda's column 
into Guaymas about one month ago. 

The federal troops have been able to secure 
these advantages largely by reason of the diffi- 
culties experienced by their opponents in pro- 
curing arms, ammunition and military supplies 
from foreign countries. 

The Huerta administration holds every port 
of Mexico, and such supplies as reach the 
insurgents are brought across the United 
States boundary line into Mexico, a boundary 
line patrolled by United States troops to pre- 
vent such materials being sent into a country 
with which we still preserve friendly relations 
while not according recognition to its gov- 
ernment. 

The administration of the United States can- 
not well recognize Carranza under these con- 
ditions, nor Zapata, nor Urbina, nor Pesquiera, 
so it has made no mistake in endeavoring to 
open up negotiations with Huerta, as the head 
of a de facto government, negotiation looking 
to the restoration of such peaceful and orderly 
conditions in Mexico as that country enjoyed 
under President Diaz. 

It would seem that our duty to Mexico does 
not go so far as to permit us to say who shall 
be or shall not be president, nor does it call 
for an intervention as between the Mexican 
Government and those in insurrection against 
it, nor is it incumbent in any way upon the 
part of the Government of the United States 
to provide a constitution for Mexico; but our 
duty to our own citizens resident in Me.xico 
and those who have interests injured or en- 
dangered by the chaotic conditions existing 
there does require that this government shall 
give full protection to them in life, person and 
property. 

Huerta was elected provisional president by 
the Mexican Congress ; he is acknowledged as 
such by the courts of Me.xico, is obeyed as 
such by the federal army, supported as such 
by large numbers of the Mexican people, rec- 
ognized as such by several foreign nations, 
and seems to be in position to protect Ameri- 
can citizens to a fuller extent and through- 
out a greater area than any other of the Mexi- 
can leaders. 



Saturday, August SO, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



PRESS COMMENTS-Continued. 



If it is peace we desire in Mexico it can 
oiilv- be obtained by sustaining those in au- 
thority in that nation or by intervention which 
will enable the United States, through war, to 
arrive at peace. 

Peace will never come to Mexico so long 
as revolutionary armies, squads of insurrection- 
ists, bands of bandits, or insurgent sympa- 
thizers are able to obtain supplies of war ma- 
terials from other countries. 

Porfirio Diaz was overthrown by Madero 
through the latter's arming of his followers 
with foreign supplies. 

Orozco, Zapata and the other insurrection- 
ists against Madero kept up the strife through 
these means, and from the same sources. 

The antagonists of Huerta are dependent 
to-day upon military supplies from our country 
to continue the struggle. 

The administration of President Wilson will 
not be able to find more than two ways of 
maintaining peace in Mexico, one by a power- 
ful Mexican army under a vigorous and in- 
fluential president of Mexico, the other by the 
army of the United States, directed by the 
President of the United States. — il'aslii>igion 
Post. 



U. S. Morally Responsible 

In the United States a legend has been pop- 
ularized to the effect that the Mexican Revo- 
lutionists are restorers of law and order, 
champions of justice and martyrs of a blind 
and brutal system, maintained solely for the 
gratification of tjrants. This belief has been 
spread both by the sentimental and e.xagger- 
ated literature of revolutionists themselves and 
also by the false reports of those dishonorable 
spirits who see in a continued state of disorder 
in Mexico an opportunity to benefit them- 
selves. 

Perhaps it was owing to the wide accept- 
ance of this false idea that the Foreign Rela- 
tions Committee of the Senate received and 
heard a statement from the person of a revo- 
lutionary adventurer, Eduardo Hay, who, as a 
soldier of fortune in 1910, together with 
others of his ilk, was recruited on American 
territory by Francisco I. Madero, equipped 
on .American territory and carried to Mexico 
to effect an uprising against a country friendly 
to the United States — a country where both 
natives and foreigners were enjoying the tran- 
quillity afforded them by the peace and pro- 
gress of the government of General Porfirio 
Diaz. 

Mr. Penrose openly demanded recently m 
the Senate protection for the lives . and in- 
terests of some Americans in Mexico, and I 
would call attention to the fact that the neces- 
sity for this demand is due entirely to the pro- 
tection accorded on American soil to the so- 
oallcd "political refugees" who. in fact, have 
licen tools in the hands of certain American 
interests dedicated to encouraging revolution 
in Mexico since 1910. 

Which party in Mexico. Senator Penrose. 



has received from j'our compatriots every aid 
and comfort on both sides of the Rio Grande? 
On close inspection these men of the revolu- 
tion do not shine as heroes, but appear in their 
true character of ordinary bandits. Carranza, 
whose dream is to become a sort of oriental 
despot, makes all haste toward the border line 
whenever he sees afar the flash of the federal 
guns, but at the same time does not hesitate 
to permit his barbarous mob to sack unde- 
fended towns, and in their drunken revels to 
ravish the helpless women. On top of all 
Carranza and Maytorena secure funds on this 
side of the frontier at usury to carry out 
their plans and are allowed the use of the rays 
of the searchlights of the American cruisers to 
enable them to slay, from the cowardly se- 
curity of the darkness, the government soldiers 
who represent law and order. 

Can we believe that a revolution which re- 
spects neither property nor Hves, nor any kind 
of honor, really fights for the standard of the 
constitution ? 

How is it possible to expect that a re- 
bellion marked by blood and ignorance can 
ever give the Mexican tranquility under the 
serene rule of justice? 

If it is noble, Mr. Penrose, to demand pro- 
tection for the lives and interests of some 
of your countrymen in Mexico w'ould it not 
be still nobler to use your powerful influence 
in the Congress and through your gift of 
oratory seek to prevent the fomenting of revo- 
lutions along the frontier .of a friendly 
country? Tel! the Senate that it is neither 
just nor honorable nor humane to allow this 
mixed mob of American and Me.xican bandits 
who style themselves "constitutionaHsts" to 
secure arms and munitions in the United 
States with which to destroy the lives and 
property of your compatriots and other 
foreigners in Mexico, thus making the United 
States morally responsible in part for these 
outrages. — Letter in Baltimore American, 
August 25. 



Henry Lane Wilson Right 

When Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson came 
to Washington recently to report on condi- 
tions in Mexico his statements produced great 
surprise in this countrj'. This surprise will 
be heightened as time passes, and as his 
declarations are more fully appreciated it will 
be seen that this eminent diplomat has given 
an entirely truthful statement as to conditions, 
without any beating about the bush. 

Ambassador Wilson has said that the rev- 
olutionists have not secured complete control 
of any state in Mexico, and this is a proven 
fact. For example, it has been stated that the 
Maytorena party controls the State of Sonora ; 
nevertheless they have neither been able to 
take the important part of Guaymas nor over- 
power the loyal forces which have their head- 
quarters in that city, so that it is quite evident 
that ^laytorena does not control the whole 
state; and, furthermore, he cannot be sure 



how long he will be able to hold Hermosillo 
and other places of importance. 

In the other states of Mexico the rebels 
only hold the ground that they tread, and 
they must be constantly on the move to avoid 
the advance of the government forces, yet the 
American press continues to publish maps pur- 
porting to show that the rebels are in control 
of almost the entire republic, representing 
small isolated spots which they declare are 
the last strongholds of the government. 

The statements of Ainbassador Wilson 
bring out the situation in its true light and do 
justice to Mexico, in spite of the pernicious 
activities of those interests along the border 
who look with longing eyes on the mineral 
wealth of Northern Mexico; in spite of the 
tissue of lies propagated by agents of the 
Madero family; in spite of the peevish fum- 
ings of senators or of those partisan Ameri- 
can newspapers who would make the public 
believe that Ambassador Wilson is a solemn 
liar and influenced by the Mexican Govern- 
ment, when, in fact, he is an apostle and a 
martyr to the truth. — Letter in Baltiinorc 
American, August 23. 



Tut, tut I The President, in a moment of 
senseless anger, has apologized abjectly t") 
Great Britain for an offense that was not com- 
mitted. He reminds me of my dear friend, 
the late Girardus P. Hiltinan. of the Loto- 
Club, who used to get entangled in his lar 
guage and exclaim. "You tell him that if 1- 
doesn't apologize to me I'll apologize to him' 
Renter's Agency published the foolish story 
that the Powers of Europe had based thei- 
recognition of Huerta upon the speech of the 
American Ambassador. So soon as th'- 
canard reached W'ashington our AmbassaJ 
Wilson said that he did not believe that an 
such statement had been made by the Briti> 
Foreign Office, and that, if it were made, i' 
was untrue, as the speech referred to wa- 
written by the Spanish Ambassador and ap- 
proved by all the other diplomatic representn- 
tives in Mexico. Thereupon the President 
hastily cabled an apology to the British For- 
eign Minister, who had not the slightest idea 
what it iTieant, and he sternly rebuked Am- 
bassador Wilson by sending him a copy of 
the apologetic cablegram, which was equiva- 
lent to a tap on the wrist. All the chancel- 
leries of Europe and South America are nov 
roaring with laughter at our State Depart- 
ment, and this is not pleasant. The reason 
w-hy the President lost his professorial pose is 
that he has become aware that the true polic; 
of the United States is to recognize Huert; 
as Provisional President, and that the un- 
official, uncredentialed mission of Bryan's 
agent, Mr. Lind, is a mistake, ^^'hy not rec- 
tify the mistake at once? The only practical 
thing that Mr. Lind can recommend is the 
provisional recognition of Huerta, and this 
Ambassador Wilson has urged already. — 
TtKcn Tolyics. 



12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, August SO, 191 S 



"MEXICO" 

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Maligning Dr. Tupper 

From Los Angeles comes the news that 
Henry Allen Tupper, D. D., at a banquet 
given in his honor by General Jesus Carranza, 
brother of Venustiano Carranza, declared that 
he was convinced that the United States 
should allow the Carranzistas to obtain "all 
needed arms." Dr. Tupper is special peace 
delegate of the International Peace Forum 
with headquarters in New York ! And he 
pleads for arms for the rebels of North 
Mexico ! ! 

There must have been something more pot- 
ent than grape juice passed around at the 
banquet board to have brought so astounding 
a statement from the peaceful doctor. Arms 
for the bandit bands of beleaguered rebels that 
they may continue their slaughter of the in- 
nocent, their rapine, pillage and blackmail ! 
Surely the doctor is misquoted. Arms for the 
lawless elements whose motto is "Loot and 
No Work!" And the Reverend Tupper is a 
delegate of peace ! 

No more barbarous suggestion could pos- 
sibly be made by the worst enemy of Mexico. 
It is an encouragement of all the unbridled 
and licentious passions of the roving bands 
of outlaws whose ignorance and restlessness 
have made them the tools of ambitious and 
corrupt pohticians. Perhaps Dr. Tupper will 
next suggest to Germany that it would be 
desirable to furnish arms and ammunition to 
the I. W. W. in the United States. There 
would be nothing more wild, barbarous or 
irresponsible in the latter suggestion than in 
the first. 

Let us in charity hope that Dr. Tupper has 
been maligned by his rebel hosts. 



Selfish Americans 

Mexico City. — Further expressions of 
protest against the mediation plan sub- 
mitted by the United States Government 
are frequently heard among Americans 
here.— A^ Y. Sun, August 27. 

But of course Americans in Mexico think 
of their selfish interests only, have no high 
purposes and are ignorant of Mexican condi- 
tions. 

Fortunately for them knowledge will be 
supplied to them by the shining lights of the 
W;t ^bine-ton Adiiiini>-tration. 



What Do We Get? 

Of course, it is not considered good form 
nowadays to consider the administration's 
policies from the standpoint of practicality. 
If the theories behind them are rhetorically 
convincing it is not expected that any further 
proof of value is necessary or desirable. Nev- 
ertheless many sensible people who manage 
somehow to retain a practical point of view 
have been sordidly selfish enough to ask them- 
selves what possible good can accrue to the 
United States from a continuation of our 
truculent opposition to the present Mexican 
government. 

If the purpose of the United States were 
to promote further difficulties in Mexico with 
the idea of making intervention inevitable and 
assuring to this country more territory, then 
our attitude would be readily understandable. 
But we profess not to have the slightest in- 
tention to do any such thing. 

If the United States wants to meddle in 
Mexican politics with the object of putting 
in power there a party or group that would 
assure privileges and concessions to Ameri- 
can interests, that attitude also would be un- 
derstood at least. But a Democratic adminis- 
tration wouldn't dare countenance such a 
program and the people of the country would 
have none of it. 

If our idea is merely to show Mexico how 
strong and powerful we are, that is simply 
puerile, dangerous and pernicious and gets us 
nowhere. 

If we aim simply to teach all Latin-Ameri- 
can countries a lesson in democracy we are 
doing so at the expense of prestige, friendship 
and commercial relations. 

What are we to get out of this whole Mexi- 
can muddle ? Nothing, save unnecessary 
trouble and tension, international misunder- 
standings, a reputation for meddling and bull- 
dozing in Latin-American countries and the 
ever-present possibility of being forced by our 
own actions into a war we do not want. 



Root 

"I am entirely in accord with President 
Wilson," said Senator Root, "in his policy 
of non-intervention in Mexico. As to the 
proposition that has been put forward by 
some that the United States should per- 
mit the free exportation of arms and 
ammunition into Mexico for the use of 
both sides in the present civil strife, I am 
opposed to any such thing. I am against 
making the United States a basis of opera- 
tions in a civil war in any of our neigh- 
boring countries. 

"It began when Madero accomplished the 
overthrow of Diaz. Madero was an idealist, 
a theorist, and a dreamer and tried to ap- 
ply principles in the governing of Mexico 
for which the Mexican people were not 
ready or prepared." — Interview in the New 
York Times, .'\ugust 24. 

Senator Root has done more than any other, 
living .\mcrican, with the exception, perhaps, 
of John Barrett, to bring closer the people of 
the United States and those of Latin-America 
and to create a common understanding. Senator 
Root is one of the few men in this country 
that have a thorough knowledge of Latin- 
.•\merican aflfairs and of the Latin-American 
people. 



Fairness 

John Lind goes to Mexico and the jingo 
press publishes "inside information" that Lind 
will be murdered, that Lind will be attacked 
by the Mexican mob, that Lind will be treated 
without consideration, that he has gone in the 
midst of savages, etc., etc. Even his cousin 
in an interview says: "John Lind has only 
one arm, but he is a brave man. He knew 
he was taking his life into his hands going 
to Mexico, but he went unflinchingly." 

John Lind is received with courtesy, is 
treated royally by all classes of Mexicans. 
He finds that he is much safer in Mexico 
than he would be in New York. Then we 
read in that same press: "Huerta has weak- 
ened. The Mexicans are afraid of us. The 
mere presence of John Lind has overawed 
them," etc., etc. 

John Lind at the eleventh hour made addi- 
tional proposals to the Mexican government, 
which asked twenty-four hours to answer. 
John Lind and Minister of Foreign Affairs 
Gamboa jointly asked President Wilson to 
postpone the reading of his message, to give 
the government sufficient time to frame its 
answer. These are the facts. But we read 
here: "Huerta asks for one day's grace. The 
tottering Mexican government adopts maiiana 
tactics," etc. 

And yet we love to tell the whole world a = 
often as it will listen to us that we are the 
fairest people on earth. 



Under No Circumstances! 

No matter what the context of the news 
despatches from Washington, no matter how 
hopeful or optimistic they may seem, some- 
where in them you will find the statement 
daily repeated, that the administration will not 
under any circumstances recognize the pro- 
visional government of Mexico. Not under 
any circumstances! If it is wise? Never. 
Wisdom is the argument of fools. If it is 
politic? "No, sir, our business is not to be 
politic; it's to carry out our program," If 
it's the best thing for Mexico? "What do we 
care about Mexico? We must preserve a 
single-track mind." If it's the best thing for 
the United States? "What? We are the 
United States." 

The average citizen doesn't care much 
whether President Wilson recognizes Huerta 
or not as long as the even course of business 
is not impeded with Mexican Crises, Mexican 
Ultimatums and War with Mexico. Not so 
with President Wilson. He cares. If he 
gives in now, if he changes his attitude every- 
body will k-now that he made a mistake from 
the start. And a man who makes one vital 
mistake may make another. Who then 
would have faith that he has not been mis- 
taken about the currency and the tariff and 
the trusts, about Sulzer in the State of New 
York and Mitchel for the mayoralty, Bryan 
as Secretary of State, Mc.'Vdoo and Mc- 
Reynolds? President Wilson will not make 
a mistake. He will not. Therefore he can't. 
But 



A SILVER LINING 

HALE LEAVES MEXICO 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. I.-No. 3 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



THE SHAME 

OF FLIGHT 



It is difficult for any red-blooded citizen to 
consider calmly the import of the Administra- 
tion's "advice" that all Americans in Mexico 
leave that cotmtry, particularly when the 
motives that dictated that "advice" are fully 
understood. 

Part of the press of this country may have 
deemed it proper to show its loyalty to the 
Government by approving its course in this 
respect, but it is hardly conceivable that it 
should fail to realize the loyalty which it 
owes also to the thousands' of American citi- 
zens who live in Mexico. 

-And it is absolutely inconceivable that it 
should fail to realize the disastrous conse- 
quences which will be suffered by those heed- 
ing the advice of the Administration. These 
consequences can hardly be overestimated. 

First, Americans leaving Mexico of their 
own volition will not have any right, ac- 
cording to international law, to claim damages 
for the losses which they will suffer by the 
simple fact of their absence. 

.\ wage-earner, an employee or the owner 
of a business or of a ranch cannot claim 
from any Mexican Government, present or 
future, indemnity for the losses which he 
will suffer by abandoning his employment or 
his property for causes entirely foreign to the 
will of that Government. 

Second, the Government of the United 
States has declared its determination to con- 
sider the Government of ^lexico as a faction 
and to interpret the neutrality laws as apply- 
ing equally to the Mexican Government and 
to the rebels. 

This is tantamount to extending a tacit 
recognition of belligerency to the rebels. In 
this case it cannot hold the Mexican Govern- 
ment responsible for any damage which the 
property of American citizens might suffer 
after their departure from Mexico. In fact, 
it is doubtful, according to international law, 
if after such a declaration it could legally 
enforce the payment of claims whether .\mcr- 
icans remain in Mexico or not. 

Yet this Mexican Government controls 
nine-tenths of Mexico and is extending rapidly 
its authority, bidding fair to obtain full con- 
trol within a short time. 

To this the Washington .Administration may 
retort that it is doing its utmost to prevent 



Appoint John Lind Ambassador 

Continue Friendly Negotiations 

Enforce Neutrality Laws 

Demand Protection for American Lives 
and Property 

Here is a positive program, a practical policy, one that 
will commend itself to every fair-minded American. It is 
a policy that will get results. It will not signify any retreat 
from the Washington Administration's friendly efforts to 
bring about peace and better conditions in Mexico. It will 
mean simply that the Administration wants to place itself 
in a position where it can without unnecessary tension and 
misunderstanding further those efforts. In a position where 
it can demand the fullest protection for American lives and 
property in Mexico and press the just claims of American 
citizens for settlement. It will silence the cries of the 
jingoes for armed intervention by removing the slightest 
necessity for it. It will squelch the intrigues of self-seeking 
Mexican politicians and American financial interests who 
foment disorder in Mexico and supply across the border 
the weapons and ammunition for the bandits. 

THIS IS A BIG MANLY AMERICAN POLICY. 
IS IT GOING TO BE THE PRESIDENT'S? 



this obtaining of the full control by the 
Huerta Government and that its "advice" to 
-American citizens to leave Mexico is the 
lever with which it expects to overturn the 
hated Huerta. 

Thus the meaning of the mysterious w-ords 
in the President's message : 

***** 
The rejection of our friendship makes 
them new and will inevitably bring its own 
alterations in the whole aspect of affairs. 
The actual situation of the authorities at 
Jlexico City will presently be revealed. 

The steady pressure of moral force will 
before many days break the barrier* of 
. pride and prejudice down. 

is now made clear. 

The Washington .-Vdministration, baffled by 
a firm and logical rejection of its impossible 



proposals, in order to carry its point and 
make the Mexican Government yield, decided 
upon forcing an exodus of Americans from 
Mexico. 

As it is not to be supposed by any one con- 
versant with Mexican condftions that Presi- 
dent Wilson's proposals if accepted would 
have brought about peace and order in Mexi- 
co, it must be concluded that the proposals 
were merely intended to eliminate President 
Huerta from the political field. 

.Americans must fling to the winds the fruit 
of many years of labor. They must abandon 
their property. With their wives and chil- 
dren they must rush out of the country and 
become unwilling refugees. 

"Why," they ask, "when we are contented 
here, why must we become paupers? Is 
there going to be a war, invasion, interven- 
tion ?" 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 6, 1913 



"No, we are firm against intervention, but 
we do not Hl<e General Huerta and want hira 
to step out of office, so you must be willing to 
ruin yourself to please us !" 

"But we have never been treated as well 
as we are now, and we who live here and 
knozi' feel sure he can bring about peace if 
he is given a fair chance. Those of us who 
have suffered have suffered at the hands of 
rebels and bandits. Why don't j'ou recognize 
and lend your support to- the only government 
that since the days of Porfirio Diaz has 
shown the ability to re-establish order?" 

"Oh. we cannot do that because we have 
said we would not. We believe that General 
Huerta was responsible for the killing of JNIa- 
dero and we cannot recognize him !" 

Thus the Washington administration, in 
order to satisfy the personal animus which it 
obstinately holds against General Huerta, does 
not hesitate to resort to the forcing of thou- 
sands of Americans out of Mexico, unmindful 
of the irremedial ruination which the exodus 
would bring upon thousands of American 
citizens. 

Such a policy is not difficult to qualify. It 
could be justifiable in the eyes of the world 
only in the case of its being the immediate 
forerunner of a declaration of war — and such 
a war could never be justifiable. 

Fortunately for justice and humanity Amer- 
icans in i^Iexico with few exceptions, and 
these are confined almost entirely to those who 
have nothing to lose, refuse to leave and to be 
ruined. 

They are undoubtedly loyal to their Govern- 
ment, but they require a more potent motive 
for the President's wish that they should 
abandon everything they Jiave than his per- 
sonal dislike of General Huerta and his re- 
fusal to recognize the Huerta government. 

These men have toiled in Mexico, have made 
their homes and their friends in Mexico, and 
have a better understanding of Mexican con- 
ditions than the Administration. 

A few may have personal motives for ac- 
ceding to the President's request and prais- 
ing his action, but in general they refuse to 
be instruments and victims of a policy for 
which they cannot see any justification. One 
of them, interpreting the sentiment of their 
great majority, declares emphatically in the 
Mexican Herald: 

Charles E. Cummings, superintendent of 
the Mexican Telegraph Company, wired 
from Mexico City yesterday to the com- 
pany's headquarters in New York, No. 68 
Broad Street: 

There is a strong reaction here from the 
first scare caused by President Wilson's 
command to leave Mexico. I think a very 
small proportion of the American colony 
here will go. To-day's Mexican Herald 
publishes an interview with several .-Vmer- 
icans. including myself. I stated that dur- 
ing thirty-two years' residence in Mexico I 
never received better treatment than now. 
and that if it comes to the worst between 
the two countries I am willing to trust the 
safety of myself and family to the hospital- 
ity and protection of the Mexican people. 
I am in a better position than any one a 
thousand miles away to judge as to the 
safety of myself and family. We are living 
in a civilized community, not in darkest 
Africa. I and my fainfiy will stay here 
even in case of open hostilities. 

Tf the consideration of all that the "advice" 
means to Americans in Mexico were not suf- 



ficient to arouse the indignation of patriotic 
Americans, the knowledge of how the e.xodus 
plan is being carried out will bring them to 
the boiling point. Let our readers consider 
carefully the following from the press: 

[by MEXICAN CABLE TO THE HERALD.] 

Mexico City, Mexico, via Galveston, 
Texas, Monday. — The need of transports 
to take American refugees home is ex- 
pressed in urgent telegrams received here 
to-day from refugees now in Vera Cruz. 
Persons in good circumstances who were 
unable to realize quickly on their busi- 
nesses, and therefore were compelled to 
accept assistance, protest indignantly 
against the fact that Washington is offer- 
ing only steerage accommodations. They 
declare they will refuse to leave. 

The most conservative estimates place 
the Mexico City American colony at two 
thousand. 

Those Americans who are remaining are 
indignant at the treatment accorded ref- 
ugees and comment bitterly on the condi- 
tions which would have prevailed at gulf 
ports had all the Americans here followed 
to the letter the Washington warning. The 
attempt to place American refugees in the 
steerage of already overcrowded merchant 
vessels is regarded by the colony here as an 
insult to everv American in JMexico. 



Department of State through Senators and 
Representatives. Many of the communica- 
tions received from Americans in lilexico 
strongly criticize the administration policy 
as being unnecessary and calculated greatly 
to embarrass American interests. 

There is a disposition at the Capitol to 
question whether Americans who suft'er 
from a strict interpretation of the Presi- 
dent's recommendation may not have a 
good claim for damages against the Gov- 
ernment of the United States. 



"It is clearh' evident," commented iSIr. 
Scryniser, "that Seiior Camacho cannot un- 
derstand why a stampede from Mexico 
should be wanted. It is a most cruel order 
and it has ruined the credit of Americans 
in Mexico. Those men could not buy a 
thousand dollars' worth of goods in New 
York City now. We can only wait and 
hope that conditions will calm down. My 
company has fifty men in Mexico, but none 
of them is coming out." — N. Y. Sun. 



Herald Bureau, 

No. 1,502 H Street, N. W., 

Washingtox, D. C. Monday. 

William Jennings Bryan, Secretary of 
State, finds himself confronted with sev- 
eral complications growing out of the 
President's insistence that all Americans 
should leave Mexico. To-day Representa- 
tive Flood, chairman of the House Com- 
mittee on Foreign Affairs, submitted to 
Mr. Bryan letters from a large American 
sugar company in Vera Cruz, asking to 
whom its propertj' should be intrusted if 
President Wilson's policy to have Amer- 
icans leave the country is to be followed 
literally. 

This is but one of several representations 
of the same character that have reached the 



The .A.niericans affected have stated so 
forcefully what it means to them to obey 
literally the President's warning that the 
Administration is about convinced that they 
are entitled to something more specific than 
the President's rather general statement in 
his message to Congress. 

Large numbers of Americans in manj' 
parts of Mexico, are unable to see in the 
immediate situation in their vicinity any 
reason why they should abandon all their 
properties and business enterprises and 
come to the United States, where they have ' 
no means of self-support. 

JNIany Americans declare that they stand 
to lose much or all that they possess by 
leaving now and are inquiring what their 
Government is prepared to do to enable 
them to preserve their property rights in 
Mexico in case of quitting the country. Ac- 
cording to reports received here many 
American colonies have elected to remain 
where they are until the Washington Ad- 
ministration throws more light on the situ- 
ation, as it is viewed from afar. — N. Y. 
Sun. 



Who Are the "Constitutionalists"? 



The New York Herald published a few days 
ago an interview with Mr. Francisco Escu- 
dero, e.x-Speaker — one of the manj' — of the 
Mexican Chamber of Deputies and at pres- 
ent member of the Maderist junta in Wash- 
ington. 

Mr. Escudero stated that: 

"In reality the present struggle is but a 
continuation of the revolution of 1910. The 
ends for which the constitutionalists, repre- 
senting the masses, are now fighting, repre- 
sent merely a desperate effort of a domestic 
people to obtain emancipation from social 
and political bondage under the domina- 
tion of the classes, personified in the Huerta 
government of to-day." 



"Wc only aspire to see the national honor 
vindicated, the as.sassins and corrupt poli- 
ticians of Mexico City punished according 
to law and the people permitted to select 
their President free from military pressure 
or baleful influence of any sort. With 
Huerta ousted from power an absolute 
state of peace would follow within forty- 
eight hours and a new era begin." 



"If Seiior Huerta should retire and some 
good man be named to succeed him, pend- 
ing the elections, what would be the con- 
stitutionalist attitude?" 

"I might quote Mr. Bryan," replied Senor 
Escudero, "and say that we will not cross 
any bridges until we come to them. But I 
can add this — that under no circumstances 
win we enter into any compromise that 
will admit of the machinery of government 
remaining under cientifico or reactionary 
control even for a brief period. An election 
would be a farce under such circum- 
stances." 

"Have you any one in mind for Pro\i- 
sional President who would be acceptabL- 
to the constitutionalists?" 

Senor Escudero hesitated and, after a 
moment's reflection, gave this rather cryptic 
answer : 

"If that question were put to me officially, 

I would not hesitate to communicate by 

telegraph with Governor Carranza asking 

instructions." 

• Mexico is thoroughly in sympathy with 

those Mexicans who seek to better the lot of 

the Mexican masses and believes that many 

social and political reforms are necessary .to 



Satunhu, Scptonber 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



COLQUITT! 



Governor Colquitt's blood boils at 22." 
Fahrenheit. He cannot help it — he was born 
that way, and he will die that way. This 
is only a forecast, a logical one considering 
the belligerent character of the Napoleonic 
governor of the Lone Star State, because 
Colquitt is Napoleonic in appearance and in 
drcam.s. 

He does not agree with that part of the 
Administration's policy which oppo.ses inter- 
vention in Mexico. The only redeeming 
feature, by the way, in our humble opinion, of 
that policy. How could he? It deprives him 
of all the Napoleonic glory to which he was 
born. 

Governor Colquitt wants to lead an army 
into Mexico. He would rather be an invader 
than a governor. 

Rut Colquitt knows how to wait. Tliey 
know that on the border, and some sheriffs 
and deputy sheriffs are trying to help the 
governor along by accelerating the passage 
of arms and ammunition across that border. 



at the points where the few United States 
troops are conspicuous by their absence. And 
they make a little money on the side! And 
the governor dreams of future profits and 
glory ! 

Colquitt the conqueror ! 

Even the alliteration is perfect. How those 
words jingo — jingle, we mean. Poor Co'lquitt, 
he is getting a little obese for a conqueror, 
but he still dreams ! 

And that meeting at Colorado Springs ! 
What an opportunity ! "Andacem fortuna ad- 
juvat" — fate is certainly good to the brave! 
Women were there, men were there, reporters 
were there ! One hand behind his back, the 
other in front sunk deep in his low-cut vest — 
he wore one that night — stooping a little, 
chin on his breast, eyes gleaming from under 
the protruding brow, the high, pale forehead 
casting back the rays of a thousand lights, he 
stood — "Napoleon at Austerlitz !" gasped an 
admiring beauty. In the awe-full silence the 
divining words reached his ears ! At last 



there was a woman who liad sensed his hid- 
den greatness, his true role. 

"I would lead" (the reporters made a mis- 
take and wrote send) "an army into Mexico," 
he roared, and the big hall shook, the women 
shivered. 

"I know I am treading on dangerous 
ground, but the United States should not 
stand by while American women are subject 
to atrocities !" 

How Napoleon would have envied him, and 
he did, because he is reincarnated in Colquitt, 
and Colquitt envied himself that night. 

Some day Colquitt, the conqueror, will set- 
tle his score with all the Presidents of the 
United States who have held him in check 
so long. Meanwhile there on the ramparts 
of Austin at dawn and at sunset he treads 
up and down, unmindful of the dangerous 
ground, his conquering gaze turned to the 
south where fame impatiently awaits and 
calls! 



WHO ARE THE "CONSTITUTIONALISTS" ?— Continued 



tlic future welfare of the Soutlicru Republic. 
That these reforms cannot be brought about 
by revolutions and that the evolution of the 
Mexican masses will not be sudden and to be 
effective must be entrusted to an honest and 
strong government like the present, we will 
demonstrate in other articles. 

Meanwhile the statements made by Mr. 
Escudero must be analyzed because of the 
prominence given them by the Herald and 
their apparent plausibility. 

We purposely use the word apparent because 
on close examination these statements reveal 
the true attitude of the Carranza group. 

They say in effect : 

"We do not accept any compromise or medi- 
ation. Only in the event of the leaders now 
in power and all their adherents being "pun- 
ished" and driven out of the country and of 
our getting hold of the reins of government 
shall we consent to an election. 

"The elections under the present govern- 
nient would be a farce. IVe must manage 
those elections. One of our men must be the 
President. 

"Mexico must be saved, but we must be the 
ones to save it." 

It is the same old story. They are out and 
they want to get in. There is no man accept- 
able to them if he is acceptable to the others. 
It must be a man of their exclusive make. 

But in the event of their "getting in," those 
who arc now supporting the present Govern- 
ment, and they seem to be in a majority, 
would be out. And then they would have just 
as much reason for rebelling and wishing to 
get in as their present opponents. 

But the greatest flaw in the so-called con- 
stitutionalist cause is not so much in the at- 
titude of its leaders as in their personality. 

Without discussing here the sincerity of 
their purpose, we wish to bring home to our 



readers the following incontrovertible facts : 

The principal leaders of the Northern rebel- 
lion, either in the field or at the head of juntas 
in this country, are : 

Venustiano Carranza, Governor of Coahuila 
imder the Madero regime, counselor and in- 
timate friend of Francisco Madero, from 
whom he received during seven months 
$200,000 per month for the supposed main- 
tenance of a State militia. 

Maytorena, Governor of Sonora under Ma- 
dero. 

Pesqueira, the power behind the throne in 
Sonora during the Madero regime. 

Sanchez Azcona, private secretary to Fran- 
cisco Madero and general right-hand man 
of Gustavo Madero. 

Felix Sommerfield, chief of Madcro's secret 
service. 

Romero, brother of Mrs. Francisco Madero. 

Francisco Escudero and Isidor FabilM. Gus- 
tavo Madero-made Congressmen and his 
spokesmen in Congress. 

Julio and Raoul Madero, brothers of Fran- 
cisco Madero. 

These men, who claim to be fighting for po- 
litical and social reforms, were all directing 
heads of the Madero revolution and of the 
Madero administration. Not one among the 
leaders who did not form part of the Madero's 
intimate political family. 

These men have all been tried and found 
wanting. They were responsible for Madcro's 
failure. They had their chance and they 
threw it away, and brought their country to 
the brink of complete ruination. 

And they had the greatest opportunity that 
any, Mexican administration ever had or will 
have for a long time. 

Because Francisco Madero was rolled into 
power on top of a popular wave. 

Because, besides enjoying an enormous per- 



sonal fortune, he found a splendid national 
credit well established and abundant reserve 
funds in the national treasury. 

The men who arc now leading the Carranza 
rebellion are the same men who led the Ma- 
dero administration ; the same men who failed 
to make good the promises made before the 
triumph of the Madero revolution. The same 
men who, instead of putting into effect the 
reforms needed by the masses, and on the 
promise of which jNIexico was plunged into 
turmoil after thirty years of peace, governed 
for their own exclusive benefit and impover- 
ished the country. 

The same men who sent Francisco Madero 
to his doom. 

Can the statements of these men be ac- 
cepted as sincere, or in any case can it be be- 
lieved that these men coidd "come back" and 
make good? 

Even supposing these men were sincere, how 
could they be expected to accomplish in the 
future what they failed utterly to accomplish 
in the past when the circumstances were all 
in their favor? 

A restoration of the Madero regime would 
have no popular support of any kind. There 
is no "come back" after such a failure. 

The mismanagement — to use a charitable 
word — and the continued rebellion of these 
men have drained the national treasury. 

No ; the fight of these men to regain the 
power lost is a losing fight. 



Read "MEXICO" Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



MEXICO 



Sahirdayj Sepiemher 6j 1913 




President Huerta and a Group of Ami 



TEXANS AND TEXANS 



There are Texaiis and Texans. While the 
first are still helping rebellions, honestly earn- 
ing a few cents by smuggling arms and am- 
munition, and rejoice in the troubles of the 
Southern neighbors, the latter are prey to 
sober thoughts. 

For these Texans have come to realize that 
the troubles which so willingly and enthusi- 
astically they fostered and nursed are fraught 
with serious consequences. 

Take for instance San Antonio and El 
Paso, the two gateways to Mexico. It will 
require some time for San Antonio to arise 
from the slumber into which it was plunged 
by that powerful narcotic, the interruption of 
free traffic with Mexico. 

In the peaceful days, when the hated despot 
Diaz guided Mexico's destiny, an average of 
one hundred and fifty persons a day — fifty 
thousand persons a year — for one reason or 
other stopped off in San Antonio for one or 
more days on their way to or from Mexico. 
Ten thousand dollars a day — as an average — 
were spent by Mexicans in dry goods alone 
bought from the San Antonio stores. 

Then San Antonio became the cradle of 
the Madcro revolution. How fondly, how en- 
thusiastically the Texans nursed that infant! 
The Madero revolutiou- was successful and 
died, others were born and all were guided 
and assisted in their first step by the ever- 
ready Texans. 



The Mexican visitors began to dwindle, 
traffic on the Laredo route was still open but 
light, no longer the Mexicans from northern 
Mexico went to San Antonio to replenish 
their empty wardrobes. They had Madero, 
but they had no money. Finally the Laredo 
route was closed and San Antonio went to 
sleep. 

El Paso competed with San Antonio in ex- 
tending tender care to the infant Madcro 
revolution and in raising a few more of its 
own. El Paso became a regular incubator 
of revolution and a few persons made money 
(they are still making it, vide Senator Fall's 
correspondents, the Shelton Payne Arms Co.) ; 
but with the closing of the Chihuahuan route, 
El Paso lost an average of thirty thousand 
dollars per diem. 

When a community loses a million every 
month, that community begins to sit up and 
ponder. 

Both San Antonio and El Paso have come 
to the conclusion that revolutions in Mexico 
only benefit a few Texans but in the end 
are not very profitable ventures for the two 
cities. 

And as in Texas there are men who think 
even though they are lovers of liberty — in 
Mexico — and all that sort of tiling, they realize 
that what San Antonio and El Paso and other 
bordering communities have suffered on ac- 
count of the Mexican trouble which they so 



generously fed, is nothing compared to what 
all southern Texas would suffer if the trouble 
continued to grow. These men know that if 
the rebellion continues to degenerate into 
anarchy, intervention by the United States 
will be sure to follow. Intervention would 
mean conquest of Mexico, of territory to the 
south of Texas. 

This, which may appeal to the belligerent 
impulses of some "libertj'-loving' Texans 
does not appeal to these men who think. Be- 
cause they know that within two years of 
the conquest of Mexico one half of the 
population of Texas would have moved south 
into Mexico. There lands are cheaper and 
better. There the farmer can raise fruit and 
vegetables from two to three weeks earlier 
than in Texas and, .the barrier of the border 
destroyed, the farmer from Mexico would be 
able to ship its cheaper products to the 
northern markets far ahead of the Texan 
farmer. 

Of course, the Texas farmer would go into 
Mexico if he found it convenient and profit- 
able, as the farmer in the northwest is going 
into Canada. 

And yet there is nothing that Texas needs 
as much as population ! Nothing. 

Intervention in Mexico would set Texas 
back a hundred years at least. It would mean 
its ruination in loss of population, loss of 
production, loss of real estate values, loss of 
general business. 

These men who think knoiv it and to those 
who bewail the losses they have suffered on 
account of the Mexican revolution they are 
the first ones to say: 

"You got what you deserved, for you nursed 
the trouble, but for God's sake, stop it while" 
there is still time." 



An American Version 

F. W. Page, an American resident of the 
State of Jalisco, Mexico, is visiting Wash- 
ington, and staying at the Occidental. He 
made the following statement without quali- 
fications to solicitous friends inquiring as to 
conditions in Mexico : 

"Your American newspapers arc foolish. 
They talk about Americans being in danger. 
Why, I could go to any Mexican and tell him 
I wanted protection and I would get it. That 
talk is all rot and I think that the newspapers 
should be prosecuted for sending out such 
news." 



The Final Court 

It is well within the prerogatives of Presi- 
dent Wilson to refuse to recognize any gov- 
ernment of any nation. Nobody disputes this 
fact. But the court of universal public opinion 
is the final arbiter of the right and justice of 
such refusal. 



Can You? 

In his latest note to Secretary Bryan, press- 
ing the solution of the California Land ques- 
tion, Japanese Ambassador Chinda insists that 
it be settled, not in the courts, but "by diplo- 
macy." Can you blame him? 



Saturday, Sepiemher 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



FALUS FALSE STATEMENT 



To support the declaration of President 
Wilson that in regard to Mexico the United 
States and other great Powers do not stand 
on the same footing, the New York Herald 
pnblished editorially on September 3d a tabu- 
lar statement compiled by Senator Fall. 

The purpose of this is to demonstrate that 
the value of American interests in Mexico 
is one-third greater than the Mexican in- 
terests, more than three times greater than 
the value of British interests and almost eight 
times greater than the value of French in- 
terests. 

That Senator Fall should resort to a mis- 
representation of facts we are not surprised. 
No one is surprised. Senator Fall is well 
known. 

But it is greatly to be regretted by all 
friends of the "other Americans" that the 
Herald, a newspaper which until lately has 
enjoyed the esteem and respect 'of all Latin 
America, should either become unwittingly 
a blind tool of Senator Fall, as Leslie's 
Weekly fell, or should purposely use false 
and captious statements to pursue the jingo 
policy which evidently it has set for itself. 

The game which is being played with the 
help of certain newspapers by all the worst 
enemies of President Wilson and his Ad- 
nn'nistration is obvious even to the casual 
observer. The wonder is that the Admin- 
istration should be blind to it. Its spokesman 
in Congress, Senator Bacon, exclaims : "We 
arc delighted at the support which we have 
received from all quarters irrespective of party 
lines." How naive! 

The fact is that all those who are op- 
posed to the carrying out of the reforms which 
the Wilson Administration has undertaken 
have welcomed the President's attitude in re- 
gard to Mexico because they have realized 
that it is a pitfall of perilous possibilities for 
him. Nothing would better please these 
political opponents than to see the present 
Administration involved in an international 
difficulty that would prevent or delay the 
passage of the tariff, currency and other bills. 

For that reason they have placed themselves 
on record as being in favor of the President's 
attitude toward Mexico. The pity is that the 
personal sentiments of President Wilson 
should make him an easy mark for his op- 
ponents and that poor Mexico should simply 
serve as an instrument in a game of internal 
politics. 

The effect calculated to be produced by 
publication of the misguiding tabular state- 
ment of Senator Fall is that the people of 
this country upon reading it should say: 
"Why, if we own more property in Mexico 
than the Mexicans themselves, shouldn't we 
take Mexico?" 

We reproduce here the tabular statement 
of Senator Fall as published by the Herald. 
We shall call the attention of our readers to 
the most glaring and deliberate misrepre- 
sentation of facts in this statement : 



Class 

Railway stocks $235,464,000 

Railway bonds 408,926.000 

Bank stocks 7.850.000 

Bank deposits 22,700,000 

Mines 223.000,000 

Smelters 26.500.000 

National bonds 52,0011.000 

Timberlands 8.100,000 

Ranches 3,1.")0,000 

Farms OOoiooO 

Live stock 9.00U.(KIO 

Houses and personal 4,500.000 

Cotton mills 

Soap factories i,200.6o6 

Tobacco factories 

Breweries 600.000 

Factories 9,600.000 

Public utilities 760.000 

Stores, wholesale 2,700,000 

Stores, retail 1,680,000 

Oil business 15,000.000 

Rubber industry I5.0O0.0OO 

Professional 3,600,000 

Insurance 4,000,000 

Theatres 20,000 

Hotels 260,000 

Institutions 1,200,000 

Total Jl,057,770,0OO 



English 

881.237.800 

87,680.000 

5,000,000 



67.000,000 

10,300,000 

2,71X1.000 

760,000 



5,000,000 

66,000,666 



2,780.000 

8,000.000 

110.000 

30.000 

10,000,000 



850,000 



Mexican 


All Other 


$125,440,000 


$75,000 


12,275,000 


3S.535.380 


31.950.000 


3.250,000 


101 963.042 


18,560,000 


7,500.0t)0 


7,830,000 


7.200.000 


3,000,000 


21.000.000 




5,600.000 


750,000 


14,000.000 




47,000,000 


1.250,000 


47.4.50,000 


3.800.000 


127.020,000 


2.760.000 


6,000,000 


4,750.000 


2,780,000 


3,600,000 


4,712,000 


895.000 


2,822,000 


1,250,000 


3,270,200 


3.000,000 


5,155.000 


275,000 


2.800,000 


14.270.000 


71,235.000 


2.175.000 


650.000 




4,500,000 


2.500,000 


1,560,000 


1,100,000 


2,000,000 


3.500.000 


1.575,000 


500.000 


1,730.000 


710.000 


74,000,000 


200.000 


$792,187,242 


$118,535,380 



Railroad stocks. — The figures given above 
represent the value of the control owned by 
the Mexican Government in the National Rail- 
ways of Mexico. As the Government con- 
trols nearly 14,000 kilometers of railways out 
of a total of 20,447 kilometers, and one-third 
of the remaining 6,447 kilometers is owned 
by British companies, how can Americans own 
235 millions or nearly double the stocks owned 
by the Mexicans themselves? 

Railroad bonds. — Nearly one-half of Ameri- 
can interests, more than four hundred mil- 
lions according to the above statement, are 
represented by railway bonds. 

Now, even Senator Fall must know that 
very few Mexican railway bonds are held in 
this country, although largely placed through 
American brokers, and that the great majority 
of Mexican railway securities, about three 
hundred and fifty millions out of the total, 
are held in Paris and London. The quota- 
tions of Mexican railway securities are al- 
ways reported from these two European ex- 
changes. This cuts off more than one-third 
of the supposed American holdings. 

Bank stocks. — The total capital stock of 
banks from the above statement would ap- 
pear to be $79,050,000, of which Senator Fall 
asserts $7,850,000 belongs to Americans. Ac- 
cepting for the present this last amount as 
correct, the total capital stock of Mexican 
banks — ^PAID UP — was on the first of June, 
1912, $175,894,800, besides an emergency fund 
of $65,325,069.12, making a grand total of 
$241,219,869.12. What became of the other 
hundred and seventy millions or so? Why 
is it excluded from Senator Fall's carefully 
compiled statement? And mind you, this 
"small" difference belongs all to Mexicans 
or Europeans. 

Mines. — Senator Fall states that the value 
of American mining interests in Mexico is 
$223,000,000 while that of Mexican mining 
interests is only $7,500,000. For the present 
we shall remark that the value attributed by 
Senator Fall to American mining interests 
may be the nominal value of mining stocks 



$321,302,800 $143,446,000 

owned by Americans, but is about five times 
as large .as the actual value and many more 
times as large as the actual investment made. 
The most preposterous statement of all, how- 
ever is that which attributes to Mexican 
mining interests a value of only $7,500,000. 
The mining interests of Don Pedro de Al- 
varado alone in the State of Chihuahua rep- 
resent more than twenty millions. Don Pedro 
de Alvarado is the man who some years ago 
offered to pay off the national debt of Mexico. 

The mining interests of Luis Requena are 
estimated at more than five millions. The 
interest of the Landa y Escandon family in 
one mine alone, the Dos Estrellas, is more 
than seven millions. Those of Jose Limantour 
and of the Limantour estate in the same com- 
pany amount to several millions. Besides, 
there are hundreds of mining companies owned 
exclusively by Mexicans. 

National bonds. — Supposing that the figure 
given by Senator Fall as to the amount owned 
by Americans is correct, and we doubt it, be- 
cause most Mexican bonds held in this 
country have been unloaded on Europe, what 
has become of the total national debt which 
on June 30, 1912, amounted to $454,627,294.68? 
We shall tell Senator Fall. The bonds of 
this national debt are held almost entirely in 
France. In France where most of the rail- 
way bonds are also held. Not in the United 
States. 

Ranches and farms. — This is another 
startler! According to the Senator the value 
of ranches and farms owned by Americans in 
Mexico is $4,140,000, while the total value 
of the remaining ranches and farms owned 
by Mexicans is $61,000,000! In other words, 
the total value of farming lands in the Re- 
public of Mexico with the exception of those 
owned by Americans is sixty-one millions. 
Yet the area of the Republic of Mexico is 
764,000 square miles and there are individual 
land owners whose separate property is valued 
at ten millions and more! 

Houses and personat.^What has been said 
before can be applied to this item. Accord- 



6 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 6, WIS 



ing to the Senator that compiled the statistics 
all the city real estate of the Republic of 
ilexico is worth $127,000,000. As a matter 
of fact, the real estate value in the City of 
Mexico alone is many times this amount. 

Professional. — The professional value ac- 
cording to the Senator is $3,600,000 for 
Americans and less than half that amount 
for Mexicans, when the proportion of pro- 
fessionals is at the most one American to one 
thousand Mexicans. 

But why continue in the examination of 
this statement? The above is sufficient for 
the present to demonstrate the gross attempt 
to deceive the public. 

The fact remains that in recent statistics 
compiled in France it was shown that French 
interests in Mexico have a value of between 
six and seven hundred million dollars. If the 
actual value of American investments were 
calculated it would be found to be less than 
five hundred millions. 

But the grossest and most malicious state- 
ment is that which purports to show that the 
interests of Americans have a greater value 
than those of the Mexicans themselves. 

As to foreign colonies in Me.xico, it must 
be noted here that the Spanish colony is by 
far the largest, the Spaniards in the City of 
Mexico alone numbering nearly 20,000, while 
even in the last days of the Diaz rule the 
American colony in that city never numbered 
more than six thousand. 




Minister Gamboa on the 

American Exodus 

"I consider the action premature and incon- 
gruous, as Americans here are not in danger. 
This is not a country of Boxers. There is 
no evidence that Mexicans are preparing to 
massacre Americans. I have not heard of 
any demonstrations against Americans, nor 
even insults. 

"Mexico has 400,000 citizens in the United 
States, yet we are making no move to re- 
move them, as we have no fear that they 
will be lynched.' 

"Furthermore, the action of the United 
States in sending merchant vessels to remove 
Americans from Mexico is incongruous. If 
Americans can be removed in merchant ships, 
that is a sign that they are not being massa- 
cred, as then the ships would carry away 
only corpses. If they are being massacred, 
then send warships, not merchant vessels. 

"There arc many instances, even when 
nations are at war, of foreigners remaining 
in the country which is at war with their 
nation. Many Frenchmen remained here 
through French intervention and continued 
to live here to ripe old age. 

"I am inclined to believe that the Wash- 
ington Administration is attempting to force 
Mexico's hand by sensational measures. The 
removal of Americans is calculated to cause 
unwarranted excitement here and in the 
United States." 



FAIR PLAY 

FOR MEXICO 



Improved Conditions 

Conditions in Me.xico have improved. The 
territory controlled by the provisional Gov- 
ernment has grown larger, not smaller. This 
despite the moral support given rebels and 
bandits by the United States, owing to the 
continued policy of non-recognition, and to 
the material support received by opponents of 
the Government in the form of arms, ammuni- 
tion and money. 
In fact : 

Early in the month of March the traffic be- 
tween Laredo and Mexico City was interrupted 
by bands of rebels who roamed the territory 
between Laredo and Monterey and between 
Saltillo and San Luis Potosi. The railroad 
was out of business for a stretch of about 
five hundred miles. Venustiano Carranza held 
Saltillo, capital of Coahuila, and Monclova, 
the third largest city of that State. 

The railroad between Laredo and Mexico 
City is now in operation, the adjacent terri- 
tory having been entirely cleaned of rebels 
and bandits. 

Saltillo and Monclova are in possession of 
the federal forces, as well as Torreon and 
other cities of importance. Although the 
mountainous part of Coahuila is infested by 
rebel bands, they do not hold a single city 
with the exception of Piedras Negras on the 
border. The rebels have also been driven 
from the State of Nuevo Leon and in the 
State of Tamaulipas they hold only Matamoros 
and are still infesting the Huasteca, a small 
mountainous region to the west of Tampico, 
while in the month of April they had cut 
the railroad between Ciudad Victoria and 
Monterey and between Tampico and San Luis 
Potosi. 

In the State of Zacatecas the rebels have 
been driven to the mountainous part, and the 
capital, the city of Zacatecas, which they held 
in April, is now in possession of the Govern- 
ment forces. 

In the State of Chihuahua communication 
between Chihuahua and Juarez on the border 
was cut for three months, the rebels holding 
the northwestern part of the State. Com- 
munication has been reopened between Chihua- 
hua and Juarez, the Northwestern railroad 
is being repaired and trains are running on 
nearly half its length. The rebels in the 
State of Chihuahua have been broken into 
small bands and the entire State is con- 
trolled by the Government forces. 

The States of Durango and Sonora remain 
almost entirely in the hands of the rebels, but 
the States of Morelos, Tabasco and Campeche 
have been entirely pacified with the exception 
of the district of Jonatepec in Morelos._ 

Guerrero has also been entirely pacified and 
in the State of Michoacan, where in .April 
the rebels held almost absolute control, they 
have now been scattered and the remaining 
bands driven to the mountainous district of 
Tacambaro. 

The State of Puebla as well as that of 
Morelos has been cleaned of Zapalist hordes 



and Zapata with a few followers is making 
a last stand in the mountains of the State of 
Mexico, after three years' successful con- 
trol by his bands of the , entire States of 
Morelos and Guerrero and part of the States 
of Puebla and Mexico. 



How Huerta Works 

Special Cable to The Nczu York Times. 

Mexico City, Aug. 31.— President Huerta 
is not showing the results of the recent strain. 
He continues in good health and spirits, de- 
spite his six months of continual work, aver- 
aging sixteen hours daily, and the terrible 
mental strain. He is keeping in close touch 
with the situation, although refusing to ex- 
press opinions regarding its developments. 

He is not often seen in public, although 
he drops in at a small tea room in the Avenida 
San Francisco at 6 o'clock every afternoon. 
On such occasions he is accompanied by two 
aids in civilian dress, and occasionally by 
some visiting Governor or high army officer. 

When the President is seated the aid in- 
variably telephones some member of the Cabi- 
net, requesting his presence, whereupon 
President Huerta drinks his tea and discusses 
affairs of state and the events of the day. 

The Presidential guards are not in evidence 
except on official occasions, or at the Palace 
or the President's residence. 

The President's desk resembles that of a 
war minister rather than of a president. 
There is a war map under a glass and every 
military move is recorded. 

Huerta personally watches and frequently 
directs military operations. He keeps a 
close watch on the officers and commanders, 
many of whom he knows personally. Prac- 
tically no officer above a captain comes to 
the capital without calling on the President. 
All state that he is always acquainted with 
the recent campaigns and the deportment of 
his officers and has a word of commendatidn, 
advice and occasional censure for them. 

Members of the official family say that 
they are unable to keep pace with Huerta, 
as he frequently works thirty-six hours with- 
out-resting. Cabinet Ministers are frequently 
called to his residence in the small hours of 
the morning for consultations or execution of 
orders and the drafting of decrees. 

Despite his many occupations, he generally 
finds time to drop in at some barracks, ad- 
dress the recruits, and occasionally review 
them, personally giving orders. Asked why 
he did this, he said : 

"This is my recreation. I am a soldier, and 
I enjoy it." 

It was learned to-day that the Government 
was intentionally withholding news. It does 
not desire to force the action of the United 
States and possibly complicate or increase the 
tension caused by the Wilson exodus order. 

Officials say: "It is the United States' 
next move. Let it make it unhindered." 



Saturday, Septemhcr 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



NAILING THEM! 



Oh, Munsey! S ^^^ 

This paper has expressed heretofore, and 
still entertains, the belief that the wiser 
course would have been to lift entirely the 
embargo on arms and let both sides in 
Mexico get arms if they could. We have 
believed, and still believe, that the more 
effective course would have been to give 
all factions a fair chance. — N. Y. Press, 
August 31. 



.\ great ray of light, it seems, was let 
into the black shadows down in Mexico 
by a little glitter of gold. 

In the American horror of treason and 
assassination there was no moral force. 
There was no mental appeal in the offer 
of a friendly nation to restore physical 
order and to insure human safety. There 
was no diplomatic power in the warning 
of the Chief Magistrate of a hundred mil- 
lion people in this country that he might 
be compelled to strike Mexico a heavy 
blow. 

]n all that there was nothing for the 
sensitive and proud Huerta to concede or 
to consider. Dignity and honor could tol- 
erate none of it. It must all be rejected, 
promptly, rudely, insultingly. 

But a slight hint of a loan ! Money ! 
With exchange at 250, 260, 275 — perhaps 
after President Wilson's message, even 
higher — with exchange like that, gold ! 

It's for that "principle" that pretty nearly 
all of them play the political game down 
there. They hold the government for it, 
they let go of the government for it, they 
start revolutions for it, they become bandits 
for it. All the politics down there is gold- 
greedy. Somebody buying his way into 
power for what more can be got out of it. 
Somebody else trying to buy one or the 
other off. or somebody else trying to buy 
both of them off. 

When, therefore, in the American nego- 
tiations there was a mention of a loan — 
money — gold — the Huerta Government sud- 
denly sat up and took notice of our friendly 
interest in a neighboring nation ; everybody 
else sat up and took notice. 

Such a thing to those in Mexican politics 
looked like real business. And so, in the 
Mexican way, spurning the very sugges- 
tion of a price — the insinuation of a bribe 
— the uncompromising hands down there 
clutched eagerly for it, the harsh voices 
appealed softly to Lind to come back, the 
blood-smeared arms opened aft'ectionately 
to embrace him. Oh, Mexico ! — N. Y. 
Press, August 29. 

The indignant rejection by the Mexican 
Government of the proffered gold is the best 
denial of the malicious lie contained in the 
foregoing editorial, which is typical of those 
published by the Munsey newspapers against 
Mexico, but : 

A great ray of light it seems was let into 
the black shadows down in the Munsey news- 
papers by a little glitter of gold. 

In the troubles of a friendly neighbor, in 
the appeal for fair play to a powerful people, 
there was no moral force for the Munsey 
newspapers. 

There was no mental appeal in the plea of 
a great majority of Mexicans that they be al- 
lowed to restore peace and prosperity in their 
own country. In all that there was nothing 
for the generous and high-minded Munsey to 



consider. His horror for evil deeds, his love 
for freedom could tolerate none of it. It 
must all be rejected. 

After all, Mexico in peace under a Mexican 
Government offers no field for the sale of 
arms, or groceries, or for the establishment 
of Trust Companies. 

But a slight hint of probable profits by some 
of the companies in which Munsey is inter- 
ested ! Profits ! With trouble keeping up, 
railroad tracks destroyed, and later, after in- 
tervention, large orders for rails placed with 
the Steel Trust. Steel and profits ! 

It is for "principle" that Munsey plays the 
political game. He publishes jiewspapers for 
it ; he gives a fortune to the Progressive 
Party; he advises fusion with Republicans; 
he helps the trouble along in Mexico so as to 
force intervention and prevent the Wilson ad- 
ministration from carrying out the proposed 
reform of the tariff and currency revision. All 
for principle ! • 

His chief arminger, Judson Welliver, in 
Washington has frequent and secret confer- 
ences in the office of Hopkins, the self- 
acknowledged representative of rebels and 
bandits, and then writes editorials that all the 
Munsey papers reproduce, and of which the 
.foregoing, for the truth which it contains, is a 
fair e.xample. All the politics of Munsey arc 
Ijprinciple-greedy. 

When, therefore, in the American negotia- 

jtions a probability of further trouble was evi- 

jljdent, and therefore the probability of a real- 

|jjization of the Munsey aspirations — the Mun- 

w'y ■ ' 

jiUfrie 

Such a thing to those in the Munsey politics 



ey newspapers sat up and took notice of our 
-ijjjiriendly interest in a neighboring nation. 



!i! 



looked like real business. And so in the 

ilMunsey way, spurning the very suggestion of 

;; a selfish interest, just for the love of fair play 

, and for patriotism, the uncompromising hands 

of the Munsey coterie clutched eagerly for the 

opportunity, the harsh voices softly praised 

Wilson's policy, the money-smeared arms 

opened affectionately to embrace him. Oh, 

Munsey ! 



Italy Praises Wilson's Policy 

Rome, Italy. Friday. — The energetic but 
courteous attitude of the United States 
toward Mexico is favorably judged in 
Italy, according to the Giornalc d'ltulia, in 
an article to-day commenting on the Mexi- 
can situation. 

It says that President Wilson has given 
proof of political and diplomatic capacity 
of the first order. — New York Herald. 

The Herald combed the press of Europe 
and finally found the Giornale d'ltalia, which 
approved Wilson's "policy." 

If at least it had been La Tribuna, which 
is recognized as the Italian authoritative 
newspaper on international matters and 
usually the mouthpiece of the Italian Govern- 
ment 



The Legal Status 

President Wilson will yield nothing on 
this question, as it involves the very prin- 
ciple of the contentions of the United 
States Government that Huerta is not the 
Constitutional President of Mexico. If 
Huerta was acknowledged Provisional 
President by Wa.shington, he would be 
prevented under the Mexican Constitu- 
tion from being a candidate for Presi- 
dent at the elections. — New York Sun. 



The big rock ahead in connection with 
a renewal of negotiations lies in Gamboa's 
demand that Huerta's Government be 
recognized as the ad interim constitutional 
government. Huerta wants this as a 
vindication in the eyes of the Mexican 
people and the civilized world. 

If the United States grants his govern- 
ment recognition in the fashion desired by 
Senor Gambo, Huerta feels that his ac- 
cession and his subsequent acts will be 
legalized. — New York Evening Mail. 

Recognition or non-recognition by the 
United States will not change the legal 
status of General Huerta. 

His acts are legalized by the declarations 
of the Mexican Congress and the Mexican 
Supreme Court. No one else has any right 
or power to legalize the acts of President 
Huerta. The recognition or non-recognition 
of Washington cannot affect the Mexican 
Constitution. Besides, President Huerta has 
been recognized as such de facto and de jure 
by all other great Powers. 



Vultures 

(Special to The New York World.) 

W.ASHINGTON, Aug. 31. — Secretary of 
State Bryan has directed Charge d'Affaircs 
O'Shaughnessy at Mexico City to innne- 
diately inquire into the report, not credited 
here, that the Huerta Administration has 
been promised or received financial aid 
from Mexican banks and foreign finan- 
ciers. Mr. O'Shaughnessy is expected to 
report to-morrow or Tuesday. 

The condition of the Huerta treasury 
has been of the utmost interest to Presi- 
dent Wilson, as it is understood here that 
the financial fabric is about to break down 
and that the fiat notes issued by Mexican 
banks are likely to greatly depreciate in 
such an event. 

Whether or not the above report really 
reflects the true attitude of the Washington 
.Administration, it has been repeated so fre- 
quently that we are forced unwillingly to give 
it some credence. It can hardly be said to 
enhance our national dignity and prestige in 
the eyes of the world, when each day the 
Washington Administration is represented as 
watching the financial condition of the Huer- 
ta Government like a vulture watching a 
struggling man dying of thirst as he tries 
to make his way to an oasis in the desert. 
Watching and wishing that he will never 
reach the waterhole! It is the nature of 
a vulture to feel that way, but, no, we cannot 
believe that it is the mind or the wish of 
anybody in power at Washington. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Septemher 6, 191S 




The oldest man in the Senate is Augustus 
Octavius Bacon, Chairman of the Foreign 
Relations Committee. He holds the chair- 
manship by virtue of the seniority rule of 
the Senate, "the most deliberative body in 
the world." This is a superlative well earned 
by the Senate through its custom of letting 
every man talk until he drops from exhaus- 
tion on any important proposition intended 
to be held up or side-tracked. Senator Bacon 
sees the President frequently on the Mexican 
situation and then reports to his committee 
that everything is "fine," from the standpoint 
of the White House. There are Senators 
who think the Foreign Relations Committee 
could conduct its business with more benefit 
to the country and less friction with for- 
eign governments, if there were a little less 
"optimism at all costs." 



Senator Penrose, he of Pennsylvania, took 
to Secretary Bryan some days ago an alarm- 
ist wire from Americans said to be in bad 
shape in Durango. Penrose, after vainly 
trying to see Secretary Bryan in the State 
Department, finally caught up with him at 
luncheon. Senator Penrose tried to read to 
the Secretary his cable message telling' of 
the desperate straits of Pennsylvanians in 
Durango. He read one line and the Secre- 
tarj' of State called his confidential messenger. 

"Tell Mrs. Bryan to be sure to have my 
clawhammer suit and not my Tu.xedo for the 
dinner to-night," he ordered. 

"Many persons have been killed," read the 
enthusiastic Penrose. . 

"Get John Purroy Mitchel on the long dis- 
tance," said Secretary Bryan to his messen- 
ger, without apparent interest in what the 
rotund Senator from • Pennsylvania was read- 
ing to him. 

Penrose recited the names of men who 
were supposed then to have been killed in 
Durango, all Pennsylvanians. It might be 
said that the persons all have been accounted 
for since. 

Secretary Bryan broke in on the reading of 
the all-important message again to direct his 
messenger to be sure to tell Mrs. Bryan to 
have his "clawhammer" and not his "Tuxedo" 
suit laid out for him for the dinner that eve- 
ning. 

Senator Penrose became so disgusted that 
he left, feeling resentment, and the next day 
made his terrifying speech in the Senate in 
which he urged that the rebels and bandits 
be rccogni/.ed as belligerents, and that the 
embargo on selling them arms and anununi- 
tion be lifted. 



It is quite obvious by this time to all in- 
telligent observers that it is possible to apply 
professorial methods and the birch rod with 
good effect in dealing with New Jersey legis- 
lators, with anything but failure in shaping 
the acts of a Democratic caucus and the Demo- 



cratic majority in Congress, although some 
wise men are beginning to have their doubts 
about this, but when it is a matter of laying 
down rules and threatening dire punishment, 
like dunce caps and corner isolation in a 
schoolroom, for the sovereign government 
and people of another though weaker nation, 
Bryn Mawr and Princeton methods must be 
discarded. 



President Wilson fondly thought that his 
head-master speech to the classroom of the 
world would turn the nice boys and girls of 
the class against the naughty Huerta who had 
put a tack in the professorial chair, and that 
he would then place the unruly Huerta face 
to the wall in the corner of the room, "sin- 
gularly isolated." But all the world's a stage, 
not a schoolroom, and good school teachers 
are not necessarily good players. 



Huerta Tells "The World" 
Americans Need Not Leave 

Special to The JJ'oiid. 

Mexico City, Aug. 29. — President Huerta 
receiygd the correspondent of The World 
this morning at his residence. After listen- 
ing attentively to the full text of President 
Wilson's declaration, which in complete form 
was first published here to-day, and request- 
ing that the portions urging Americans to 
withdraw be repeated, he said : 

"Let The World say that I do not find it 
convenient to add anything at the present 
time in comment upon your honorable Presi- 
dent's words above what has already been 
expressed on the part of this Government by 
its Foreign Minister in his notes, excepting 
this : I respectfully declare that, in my be- 
lief, his warning for his compatriots to 
abandon Mexican soil is not needed. This I 
leave to the judgment of the Americans in 
Mexico, who are the best witnesses. I am 
convinced of the good intentions and offices 
extended to them by this Government. 

"Our determination to safeguard the lives 
not only of Americans but all other foreign- 
ers has always been so plainly and un- 
equivocally expressed and adhered to that it 
is not open to doubt or debate. 

"Should the creation of circumstances, which 
can be depended upon not to arise with this 
Government, render it advisable, in their opin- 
ion, for Americans to go from Mexico, that 
protection which in this moment we are giv- 
ing shall continue to be extended until those 
who flee are under their own flags. And 
protection shall continue with them so long 
as, by . inclination or the demands of busi- 
ness responsibilities, they choose to continue 
on Mexican territory, where the authority 
of the ad inlerim constitutional Government 
of Mexico is effective. 

"I am saying nothing which every fair- 
minded American in Mexico will not now 
ndniit to himself to be true." 



Americans must be puzzled at the reference 
made in the newspapers to many members of 
Madcrist juntas in this country as ex-Speakers 
of the Mexican Congress. The fact is that 
every ninnlh, according to the Mexican parlia- 




The El Paso Liar has reaped a harvest this 
week and we regret that we have no space to 
reprint the latest El Pasograms. However, 
here are a few of his exploits : 

Carranza and hi? forces are attacking 
Chihuahua. 

The troop and provision trains from Juarez 
to Chihuahua have been seized by the rebels 
at Gallego near Montezuma. 

American music is no longer permitted to 
be played by Mexican military bands. 

General Bravo shot si.x Americans at 
Torreon. 

The late Edward Hayes was the president 
of a lumber company. 

John J. George, an associate of John Hays 
Hammond, has been captured in Sonora. 

Torreon is in the grip of famine and 
disease. 

Later we hear that : 

Chihuahua is not being attacked and Car- 
ranza is heading for Sonora. The troop and 
provision trains arrived safely at Chihuahua. 
Mexican bands don't care what music tliey 
play. No Americans were shot by General 
Bravo or any other general. Hayes was a 
bookkeeper twenty years old. George turned 
up safe and well. Torreon has plenty 
of food and medicine and conditions are not 
so bad. 



Provisional President Huerta, a graduate of 
the Chapultepec Military Academy, for fifteen 
years a general in the Mexican Regular Army, 
former chief of the Hydrographic Commis- 
sion, is often referred to in the New York 
Herald as Senor Huerta. 

Villa, a bandit well known from the Diaz 
days, in the Herald's "El Pasograms" is usu- 
ally styled General Villa. 



mentary practice, a new Speaker is selected 
by Congress, so that almost every member of 
Congress has at one time or other been a 
Speaker. 



Those Savage Mexicans! 

Huerta ordered special trains and other 
facilities placed at the disposal of Americans 
desirous of leaving the country. He stated 
that hearing that the funds of the United 
States had been exhausted, and that only 
steerage and third class passages were being 
offered, he had ordered that funds be given 
the refugees to enable them to travel in the 
comfort to which they had been accustomed, 
and to which they were entitled. 

A high Government official said : "Wc desire 
that the Americans who leave Mexico carry 
with them the remembrance of the comfort 
and safety which have characterized their stay 
in this country, rather than the possible penury 
and poverty of the place whither they are 
going." 



Sahirrla;/, Srptnnhcr 6, WIS 



MEXICO 



COMBING THE NEWS 



The Xciv York Sun of Si-i'timlK-r 1 piil)^ 
lislu'd ail iiitcr\icw with an Aimrican ri-si- 
(K-iit of TaiTal, Chihuahua, Mexico, whicii 
tlirows coiisidtrablc light on the fccHug of 
Mexicans toward Americans within their bor- 
ders. It appears that this American recently 
pcrsoiKilly conducted a wagon train with 
$.SOO,000 worth of silver bullion from Chihua- 
hua to El Paso over 340 miles of mountain 
defile, arroyo pierced mesa and waterless 
plains, and allliough he traveled through sec- 
tions that are scenes of disturbance he had 
no difficulty whatever in reaching his goal 
unharnicd with his treasure intact. 

William .\. Stewart is the man who did 
this. He explains in the interview that in 
all the years he has been in Mexico he has 
never had any difficulty with any individuals, 
parties or faction.s in the country for the 
simple reason that he minded his own busi- 
ness and did not take sides in the fights 
among Mexicans themselves. He tells how 
in case of internal strife Americans make the 
mistake of "taking sides, speaking their 
minds, waving the American flag, hinting of 
trouble if they are touched and announcing 
that they would do this or that." 

Stewart's attitude is well expressed in the 
following announcement he made to the Mex- 
icans r 

"I've got nothing to do with the politics 
of your country ; I don't care who is in 
power. I am going ahead obeying the 
law and living up to my contracts and I 
want this known : I am going to look to 
the offices and respect them, not the men. 
If I have any taxes to pay I am going to 
the tax office and pay them. I don't care 
who is there to take them. If I have any 
customs duties to pay, any clearances or 
entries to make I am going to the customs 
house and pay them. I don't care who is 
there to take the money nor how he got 
there. If I have to receive the O. K. of 
the Presidente Municipal on anything I'm 
going to the office and have the man in- 
stalled there do the work. I am going to 
present my bills for lighting the streets to 
the same old office in Parral and I want 
whoever is there to pay them. That is 
all : you can go on settling your own po- 
litical ditTcrences in your own way, I am 
not interested." 

As a consequence of living up to this sens- 
ible policy Mr. Stewart claims all Mexicans 
as his friends and they are equally happy to 
call him friend, and he is undisturbed in his 
business and his peace of mind. On the con- 
trary, those who get into difficulties with the 
.Mexicans and are the first to call for Ameri- 
can intervention are those who, thinking to 
advance their selfish schemes, meddle in Mex- 
ican politics and make enemies accordingly. 
There is a good lesson in the experience of 
Mr. Stewart for not only individual Ameri- 
cans engaged in business in Mexico, but for 
the large .American corporations, especially oil 
corporations, and also for the Washington 
Administration. Americans are welcome in 
Mexico, American capital is welcome in 
Mexico, the friendship of the United States 



(inverninent is wanted by Mexico, but not at 
the expense of Mexican nationality and not 
with officious meddling in Mexican politics. 



Heading for the Tall Timber 

Refugees who left Durango last Monday 
and who arrived here to-day say that the 
forces under the rebel commander Carranza 
were moving to make another attack on 
Torrcon that day. The rebels were rather 
cowed by their recent defeats around Torreon 
and were suffering from desertions and lack 
of ammunition, but there are about 8000 avail- 
able armed men. 

General Carranza has gone to Sonora via 
Parral to secure ammunition. — A'. Y. Sim, 
August 28. 



Straivs 

Securities of all companies having import- 
ant financial interests in Mexico were very 
strong again to-day. Mexican railway issues 
were actively in demand on all the foreign 
markets. Here, National of Mexico second 
preferred on small transactions ran up above 
16, a gain of 7 points from the low figure 
touched last month at the time of the re- 
ceivership rumor. In American Smelters, 
which sold ex-dividend, the rise was extremely 
rapid, being helped by an old outstanding short 
interest which has never had a chance to 
cover. — N. Y. Globe, August 29. 



Mexican Exchange Lower 

The fall of 20 points in the past two days 
in the rate of Mexican exchange may be 
taken as an evidence of an improvement in 
the general situation. Last week and during 
the forepart of the current week the rate 
was established around 2.75 to 2.80. Advices 
received from the Mexican offices of the In- 
ternational Banking Corporation report a 
drop to around 2.60. The National Railways 
of Mexico, through its offices here, announced 
to-day the restoration of daylight service on 
the line running from Mexico City to La- 
redo. This line for direct through service 
from Mexico City to the border has been 
tied up for a period of four months, with 
only partial operation on different stretches 
of the run. The restoration of the Laredo 
line service will materially increase the total 
mileage of the system now in operation- — 
Evening Sun, August 29. 



Read "MEXICO" Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



Recognition or War 

"War with Mexico is inevitable unless the 
I'nited Slates Government changes its policy 
with regard to that nation. The Administra- 
tion at Washington is just beginning to real- 
ize the full gravity of the situation confront- 
ing it." 

This statement was made to The Nciu York 
Sun by John W. De Kay of New York, who 
has lived in Mexico for fourteen years and 
founded a meat packing Ijusiness there which 
represents a capital of more than $14,(MM,000. 
i\Ir. De Kay has just returned from Paris, 
where he held a long conference with 
I'orfirio Diaz, former President of Mexico. 

"The United States is confronted with a 
crisis in its history not even second to that 
of the Civil War," he went on. "The Ad- 
ministration, not understanding the peculiar 
conditions in Mexico and the characteristics 
of the Latin people, had theorized in- the 
matter and attempted to apply the principles 
of this country, which are thoroughly repre- 
sentative, to a country which cannot under- 
stand them. Mexico never has had a repre- 
sentative Government and will not have one 
for a long time. 

"President Wilson has the best of inten- 
tions, I am sure, but he does not grasp the 
real situation. The best intentions which 
may actuate a man or Government will be 
mistaken by another nation and believed to 
be hypocritical if the intentions are the re.sult 
of a misapprehension, as is the case with 
President Wilson. 

"Mexican credit is becoming more and more 
restricted. Suspension of payment or the re- 
establishment of her borrowing facilities is 
now all that awaits her. The failure of the 
United States to recognize President Iluerta 
has meant that other nations will not lend 
money, because they realize that intervention 
is not only likely, but practically inevitable. 

"The United States has a billion dollars in- 
vested in Mexico. England, Germany and 
France another billion invested in the coun- 
try. What is going to happen? Will the 
United States continue to play the role of 
the Sunday school teacher and say: 'No in- 
tervention, come what may'? 

FicARS Europe's Intervention. 

"Suppose the United States does that — re- 
fuses to intervene despite the stand of Mexico 
as regards its debts. It is easy to sec what 
England, Germany and France will do. They 
will demand that the United Slates intervene, 
and if the United States refuses to do so 
they will take it upon themselves to intervene 
and collect the money due them. It is in- 
evitable. 

"Let us say that the United States should 
finally, in order to uphold the Monroe Doc- 
trine, intervene in Mexico. Have you any 
idea what that will mean? It will mean that 
an army of at least 250,000 men will be 
needed to subdue the country, because inter- 
vention by the United States will reunite the 
warring Mexican factions. But even after 
we have subdued the Mexicans the situation 
will be little improved. It will mean that 
we will have to keep a standing army there 
for twenty-five years to maintain peace. 

"That is the situation which confronts us 
and to which many citizens are trying to 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 6, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION 



Viva Mexico! She lias a heart of gold, lliat 
countrj', and a few kind words have melted 
it. At present she nearly bnrsts with joy 
and gratitude. For what said El Presidente 
Wilson? "VVc are your next friends." 

Happily, Christian Science has many ad- 
herents down yonder, and they are of the 
greatest service in interpreting those honeyed 
syllables. "Ne.xt friends ! Oh, sweetness ! 
Remember what her 'next friends' did to 
Senorita Eddy." 

All is now merry as a wedding bell in 
consequence, so the Americans are packing 
up. Into the big Saratoga trunk go their 
railroads, their banks, their trolley lines and 
their real estate, along with other knicknacks 
accumulated during their residence in Mexico. 
The\- arc in high spirits. At last some hope 
of protection ! Over and over again they read 
Mr. Bryan's letter. "Come home, and all 
will be forgiven." 

Thanks to their patriotic enthusiasm, they 
believe his every word, and have confidence 
that, once they get back to the States, the 
strong arm of the Administration will clasp 
them to its bosom. 

Doubtless! But who will protect the Ad- 
ministration? Which reminds us. — A'czu York 
Tribune. 



A Defender of Huerta 

May I crave a few slicks of space to ob- 
ject to your saying that "he (the President 
of the United States) has absolutely united 
the country behind him." For one, I want 
to be written out of the category in which 
the President has united the country. 

Early in the Administration of Woodrow 
Wilson, Gen. Huerta sent a personal, un- 
official emissary to this country to discuss 
the situation that is now coming to a crisis. 
Pie received not even the courtesy of a hear- 
ing. He was an accomplished scholar, a 
Cornell graduate, a friend of America and 
Americans, a Member of the' Mexican Con- 
gress, in every way the peer of John Lind 
and W. B; Hale, but he got short shrift and 
a snubbing. And then we, in our conceit, 
send men to demand a hearing where we 
refused to give one. What kind of people 
are we? No wonder we unite behind a man 
who is capable of leading us into such a quag- 
mire of bewildering diplomacy. If we must 
have an unjust and indefensible war, let us 
hope that the men on the firing-line will be 
the blundering leaders who have invited it. 

It is true, as you say, that Huerta waded 
through slaughter to the Presidency. So did 
George Washington. But the slaughter was 



nut of Mucrta's making. No more was the 
assassination. Whatever of slaughter and 
assassination there was was due to the 
"amiable" and insane Madcro, and the chief 
reason that Huerta has not been able to deal 
more successfully with the terrible situation 
that confronts him is the dogmatic and un- 
reasonable attitude of the United States 
Government. 

You say that Seiior Gamboa is "dealing 
with names and shado>vs" and that Huerta 
"waded to power through treachery and 
blood," and that "all the world knows what 
the actual process was." There is one little 
bit of the world writing this letter who has 
read every word that has come out of Mexico 
on the subject, who knows jiothing of the 
kind, and who does not yet know that "the 
shelling of the national palace and the as- 
sassination of Madero" were in any possible 
way due to the acts or the volition of Presi- 
dent Fluerta. — Letter in New York Evening 
Post, August 29. 



Dollar Diplomacy 

One of the first manifestations of the Wil- 
son Administration's foreign policy was the 
withdrawal of Government support of Amer- 
ican participation in the proposed sextuple 



RECOGNITION OR WAR— Continued 



close their eyes. It is not a theory but an 
actual fact which demands a solution — and a 
rapid solution. 

"I am in personal correspondence with 
President Huerta and I realize his position. 
I have just concluded a conference with form- 
er President Diaz in Paris. Here is what he 
said : 

" 'I will return to Mexico only should peace 
be restored or should the United States in- 
tervene.' 

"That is the attitude of all Mexicans. They 
may fight among themselves, but should any 
other nation step in they would present a 
solid front. The Mexican is proud. He does 
not fear death. They in Mexico do not de- 
ceive themselves. They know that the United 
States is powerful enough to conquer them. 
Still that docs not matter to them. They will 
fight to the last man to keep their inde- 
pendence. 

Mexico Behind Huerta. 

"Americans do not understand the situation 
in Mexico. The same can be said of the 
Administration. The Mexican people as a 
whole arc behind Huerta. Those who arc 
opposing him are only bandits. I received 
a letter yesterday from a personal friend in 
one of the disturbed states. He described 
vividly the atrocities perpetrated by the out- 
laws. He told of citizens being killed for 
their refusal to submit to exorbitant demands 
for money. 

"I am in a position to show absolutely 
when the proper time comes the exact nature 



of those who are heading the present revolu- 
tion in Mexico. I will show that the leaders 
of the rebels, instead of being actuated by 
lofty humanitarian motives, are corrupt and 
avaricious and fighting merely for personal 
aggrandizement. I have papers to prove that 
Madero during his lifetime paid large sums 
of money to leaders of the present revolu- 
tion, and that they have violated one after 
another every armistice they have formed. 

Septemeee is D.\y of Peril. 

"Before long wc shall see a great deal of 
trouble in Mexico which many have not ex- 
pected. The order to withdraw from Mexico 
is taken by the Mexicans as an indication that 
America is contemplating war. On Septem- 
ber IS Mexico celebrates her Independence 
Day. It is on that day that I fear there will 
be a move to attack Americans. The move 
will not be made by the Federalists, but by 
the rebels, who will try to place the blame on 
Huerta. 

"The United States has made demands of 
Mexico which no nation could consider. 
Neither the United States nor any other na- 
tion has the right to dictate to the Mexicans 
whom they should or should not have for 
their President. That is a question for them 
alone to settle. 

"The United States in its eflfort to solve 
the problem should give the Mexican Govern- 
ment this ultimatum : 

" 'We will recognize you provided that, on 
October 16, you will hold your national elec- 



tion and then elect a President fairly. Un- 
less you' abide by that election we will with- 
draw our recognition.' 

"In that way, and in that way only, can 
the United States preserve her dignity, give 
Mexicans a fair chance to solve their present 
trouble, prevent war and act the role of a dis- 
interested friend. To make such a proposal 
to Mexico would mean that Mexico would 
grasp the opportunity to show to the people 
of the United States and to the world that 
it is trying to end its present discord. It 
would mean that the people could elect their 
own President and that the nation, backed 
morally by the recognition of the United 
States, could put down the present reign of 
terror caused by the bandits and I am able 
to say authoritatively that the necessary re- 
sources are available. 

Need America's Aid. 

"So far Mexico has been hampered. It 
could subdue the rebels within sixty days, in 
my belief, provided the United States gave 
its moral backing. 

"President Wilson fails to understand that 
the revolt now going on is merely the work 
of bandits. The conditions in Mexico, the 
geography of the country, enable a few men 
to hold ofl a thousand. 

"Unless the United States takes this stand 
it will mean anarchy, chaos and war. 

"The United States is great enough to ad- 
mit it has made a mistake. A small nation 
cannot do that and preserve its dignity, but 
we can. I hope we will." 



Salurday, September 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 



loan to China. The President had no use for 
"dollar diplomacy" as exemplified in this 
loan, which was to be secured by revenues 
derived from antiquated and, in some in- 
stances, burdensome taxes. He announced 
on March 19: 

The representatives of the bankers 
through whom the Administration was 
approached declared that they would con- 
tinue to seek their share of the loan only 
if expressly requested to do so by the 
Government. The Administration has de- 
clined to make such request because it 
did not approve of the conditions of the 
loan or the implications of responsibility 
on its own part, which it was plainly told 
would be involved in the request. The 
responsibility on its part which would be 
implied in requesting the bankers to un- 
dertake the loan might conceivably go to 
lengths in some unhappy contingency of 
forcible interference in the financial and 
even the political affairs of that great 
Oriental state. The responsibility of our 
Government implied in the encourage- 
ment of a loan thus secured is plain 
enough and is obnoxious to the principles 
upon which the Government of our peo- 
ple rests. 

In one of Mr. John Lind's notes to the 
Mexican Government appears this passage, 
which Senor Gamboa diplomatically hints is 
in the nature of a bribe : 

The President of the United States of 
America further authorizes me to say that 
if the de facto Government of Mexico at 
once acts favorably upon the foregoing 
suggestions, then in that event the Presi- 
dent will express to American bankers 
and their associates assurances that the 
Government of the United States of 
America will look with favor upon the 
extension of an immediate loan sufficient 
in amount to meet the temporary require- 
ments of the de facto Government of 
Mexico. 

Of course, this wasn't intended as a bribe. 
But isn't it "dollar diplomacy"? — Washing- 
ton Post, August 30. 



The Censorship 

To the Editor : Judging from the newspaper 
reports it would appear that President Wilson 
has had some very poor advisers, and the re- 
sult is the present muddle in Mexico. The 
first mistake our President made was in not 
recognizing Huerta at the time that he was 
recognized by the various foreign govern- 
ments. That recognition would have given 
him force in his own country, enabled him to 
finance his operations, and by this time the 
so-called rebellion in Mexico would have been 
quelled. 

I do not see by what right we exercise a 
censorship over the morals of other countries. 
To my knowledge it has not been done by 
any other nation in international difficulties, 
and our attempt to bring it into play now 
has proved disastrous. 

Another mistake I am afraid our President 
has made is, if the press quotes him cor- 
rectly, exacting from Huerta the promise that 
he would not be a candidate for President in 



the coming elections. I fail to see what right 
any government or any individual has to make 
a demand of that character, and Huerta very 
justly declined to acquiesce. This request 
places President Wilson in rather an embar- 
rassing position. The very making of the re- 
quest itself will popularize Huerta among his 
own people, and will make him all the more 
determined to become a candidate. He will 
probably be elected, and then what will Mr. 
Wilson do? He will be compelled to recog- 
nize Huerta, whether he wishes to do so or 
not. If there is any reason that justifies our 
President in making what appears to be a 
most unjust demand on Huerta the American 
people are not aware of it. 

The situation at the present time is a very 
strained one, and, from the Mexican point of 
view, full of dramatic possibilities. I venture 
to make the prediction that Huerta will within 
a very short time resign' in favor of the 
younger Diaz and will appoint General Tre- 
vino or General Blanquet his Minister of 
War and bide his time tmtil October, become 
a candidate for election, and by thus martyriz- 
ing himself he will make himself the idol of 
the Mexican people. All this would have 
been avoided if Mr. Wilson had in the begin- 
ning recognized Huerta. — Letter in Baltimore 
AnicrJcati. August 30. 



Huerta's Strength 

Huerta's strength lies in four things : first, 
his personality, which is that of a strong man, 
seeking an end by direct methods ; second, 
the support of the Catholic party, which is 
the only party in Mexico with organization and 
dependable membership — it is very strong, 
but it is not in the majority, and for that and 
for no other reason its members are supporting 
Huerta, waiting for a chance to slip in some 
marv closer to their reactionary ideas ; third, 
the support of the Haciendados, or large 
landowners, who seek in Huerta the only man 
who stands between them and spoliation ; 
last but not least, Blanquet. Blanquet, now 
Minister of War, is one of the old Diaz type, 
absolutely fearless and absolutely merciless. 
— "An American Resident"' in Tl\e Outlook, 
August 30. 



The Wilson Style 

The address on the Huerta affair in its ex- 
pression is worthy of a sweet girl graduate. 
In its structure it reveals a mind which has 
never solved the final processes of orderly 
thought. The habitual use of the adjective 
"very" ; the long array of sentences and para- 
graphs which say almost nothing and reveal 
only a bewildered mind, afford a pitiable 
contrast to the points made by Senor Gamboa 
in reply to the absurd demands of "Mr. Con- 
fidential Agent" Lind. — Letter in New York 
Sun. September 1. 



"Given the moral support of the United 
States Government, General Huerta can put 
down the so-called revolutions in Mexico and 
ultimately restore the republic to such a state 
of pacification as existed when Porfirio Diaz 
was in his prime as ruler," declared F. W. 
Page, an American, owner of mining interests 
in Jalisco and other states, with headquarters 
at Guadalajara, who is at the Occidental. Mr. 
Page has spent the best part of fifteen years 
in Mexico, mingling much with the lower 
classes as well as the upper classes of Mex- 
icans. 

"I realize that whatever views I may have 
will not avail against the policy of the admin- 
istration," continued Mr. Page, "but I am 
nevertheless convinced that no man without 
long residence irt Mexico can hope to under- 
stand conditions in that country. Neither the 
President nor his advisers can acquire a cor- 
rect view of the situation by sending agents 
there. The Mexicans do not dislike Amer- 
icans personally, but as a nation we are 
despised and mistrusted. It is all very well to 
deny a government recognition on the ground 
that the government was acquired by brutal 
force and assassination. We are not dealing 
with the same conditions in Mexico nor the 
same kind of people that exist in the United 
States. No one can deny that Porfirio Diaz 
governed Mexico well and wrought a wonder- 
ful change from the condition when he took 
the reins of government until a few years be- 
fore he left the republic. Diaz came to the 
head of the Mexican nation much in the same 
manner as Huerta did. He forced his way 
by arms into the captal, was elected president, 
and maintained his rule with the sword. This 
government did not recognize Diaz, as I re- 
member, when he was provisional president, 
nor for some time after he had been elected. 

"Huerta, in my opinion, can restore order 
in Mexico if given a chance, and he can main- 
tain that order, but he will have to pursue the 
same iron methods that Diaz used. 

".American lives and property can be assured 
of greater protection with Huerta at the head 
of the government than they could under any 
other man, for whatever may be said about the 
manner of his accession, the truth is that 
Huerta to-day is far the strongest figure in 
Mexico. We are advised — Americans are ad- 
vised to leave Mexico. Years ago the United 
States Minister to Mexico, in one of his of- 
ficial documents, stated in unmistakable terms 
that Mexico offered greater opportunities for 
small and large American investors than could 
be had here in the United States. Many 
Americans went there, acquired and built up 
properties that are valuable, all they possess. 

"If the United States could by benevolent 
occupation restore peace, it would be a better 
way, perhaps, than any other, but such an un- 
dertaking would involve an army of 400,000 
men, the expenditure of many millions, and 
fifteen years of campaigning, and then it could 
be done only by educating the masses in Mex- 
ico." — Interview in IVashington Post. 



12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 6, 191S 



"MEXICO" 

Published everj- Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 

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Appoint Lind Ambassador 

The appointment of an American Ambas- 
sador to Mexico with instructions to cooperate 
elTectively with the Mexican Government in 
protecting American life and property and in 
bringing to justice the marauders who are 
responsible for any loss of either is the 
simplest solution of the Mexican problem as 
far as this country is concerned. 

This act would restore the friendly relations 
between the two countries and would certainly 
put this country in the best position to enforce 
its just claims. As it is now we have no 
diplomatic standing in Mexico except by the 
courtesy of the Mexican Government, and we 
have gone out of our way to antagonize that 
government by contemptuously referring to it 
as a faction claiming to exercise power. 

By all the unwritten laws of civilization we 
cannot enter into relations with the rebel bands 
and bandits who are pillaging, looting and 
blackmailing any more than we could with the 
outlaws and road agents of Wild West days. 

We insist that the Government of Mexico 
bring about peace and prevent destruction of 
property, and in the next breath we refuse to 
recognize that government as the constitu- 
tional government of Mexico, although the 
Mexican Congress and Supreme Court have 
declared it is and a vast majority of the people 
are agreed that it is. It's a preposterous, ridic- 
ulous attitude and cannot possibly be main- 
tained. 

The appointment of an American Ambas- 
sador, we repeat, is the simplest, most natural 
and reasonable way of not only showing our 
friendship for Mexico, but at the same time 
putting our country in a position from which 
it would have some right to make "demands." 
Henry Lane Wilson. 
Reginald Del Valle. 
William Bayard Hale. 
John Lind. 
Next ? 

What's the matter with John Lind as duly 
accredited Ambassador? They like his manli- 
ness down there, despite the impossible pro- 
posals he was ordered to present. Why brand 
John Lind with failure in the Mexican negotia- 
tions when by appointing him as Ambassador 



the Washington administration could assure 
his complete success? It's unjust to a man 
like John Lind not to give him a real chance. 
It's not just to Mexico and, above all, it is not 
just to the legitimate interests of the United 
States Government and people. 



The Failure of Hale 

It has been reported from ]\Iexico City that 
when the ex-Reverend William Bayard Hale 
entered the arena of Mexican politics he an- 
nounced that he had three noble and unselfish 
purposes : 

To have Ambassador Wilson removed. 

To prevent recognition of President Huerta. 

To forestall American intervention. 

The first part of his ambitious program he 
has carried out, although when all the truth 
is known we believe that American public 
opinion will react so strongly in Ambassador 
Wilson's favor that other and even greater 
nelds for usefulness will be found for him in 
the service 'of his country, that seems to need 
so obviously men of his experience and caliber. 

The second purpose of Hale's self-assumed 
program he has succeeded in so- far, but we 
cannot rid ourselves of the optimistic feeling 
that soon, very soon, the enlightened opinion 
of the world, the inherent sense of right and 
justice in the American people, the exposure 
of the narrowness, danger and perniciousness 
of the Hale point of view will prevail, and 
that the folly of forming an international 
policy on the say-so of a man whose only 
claim to distinction is that he can write the 
English language with more or less fluency 
will be so apparent that even the Washington 
administration will admit it. 

As to forestalling intervention, we leave it 
to our readers to judge whether the following 
of his advice has been conducive to anything 
but a continuation of misunderstandings and 
a hair-trigger tension in the relations between 
the United States and Mexico, in which peril- 
ous tension lurks all the possibilities of an in- 
tervention that has not been warranted and 
which is not wanted by the American people. 
If the necessity arises for armed interven- 
tion, with all that it means to our present and 
future, no single individual will be more re- 
sponsible for its appalling consequences, its 
cost in blood and treasure, than the ex- 
reverend doctor. 

We conclude, therefore, that William Bayard 
Hale, D.D., has failed ignominiously. 



Too Bad It Couldn't Be 

Mexico was to be "singularly isolated." On 
the fiat of the United States it was to be cut 
off from civilization, a pariah among the na- 
tions. Darkness would descend upon the land, 
the people would huddle in groups and talk 
with bated breath of the woe that was theirs, 
of the cataclysm of moral force that had be- 
numbed their minds and struck terror into 
their hearts. All who were not of their race 
would flee the country as from a plague. The 
wheels of industry would not turn and com- 
merce with the world would cease. There 
would be no strength in human ties ; human 
intercourse would be stricken dumb. There 



would be no marriages or giving in marriage, 
children would not know their parents, parents 
would hate their children. A pall of gloom 
would envelop the hills and spread its ebony 
wings over the valleys. Creation and evolu- 
tion would be forces of life no longer. Life 
itself would die and then in the void a well- 
modulated voice would intone : ''Let there be 
light." A new creation ! A new world 1 A 
new god of creation — Woodrow Wilson. 



Dignified Retreat 

One of our readers has written us a letter 
from which we quote the following : 

''Your arguments in favor of L'nited 
States recognition of the .Mexican Govern- 
ment are convincing. I must confess that 
they have converted me to your way of 
thinking. But for the life of me I can't 
see how President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan can take any other course than 
their present one without acknowledging 
to the world that they have made a grave 
blunder in dealing with the situation in 
Mexico. It seems to me that such an 
acknowledgment would be humiliating to 
them and to the United States and would 
seriously compromise the Democratic ad- 
ministration. Don't }'0U think it is in- 
cumbent upon the Mexican Government, 
and especially President Huerta, to give the 
Washington Administration a chance to 
show its friendship for Mexico and at 
the same time retire gracefully with dig- 
nity from its present, embarrassing posi- 
tion?" 

In reply to this letter, which we think rep- 
resents the thought of many Americans,, we 
can only say that, in our opinion, no indi- 
vidual, no nation, ever lost in reputation or 
dignity by honestly and openly acknowledg- 
ing a mistake. Further, that most of the 
wars that have retarded the progress of 
mankind have been, when not wars of con- 
quest or territorial aggrandizement, the re- 
sult of just such mistakes and misunderstand- 
ings persisted in. President Wilson in his 
message announced his friendship for Mexico 
and the Mexican people and asked Mexico to 
point out to him any future way in which he 
could manifest his friendship. If all factions 
in Mexico, with the exception of the lawless 
elements and the disgruntled politicians of 
the Madero regime, are united as they are 
to uphold the constitutional ad interim Gov- 
ernment of President Huerta, certainly they 
have indicated to Washington the way in 
which he can best show his disinterested 
friendship for their country. Seiior Gamboa 
has said that if President Wilson will re- 
ceive the Mexican Ambassador in Washing- 
ton all misunderstandings will cease, bygones 
will be bygones, and a new era of close and 
abiding friendship between the United States 
and Mexico will ensue, to the moral and 
material benefit of both. The United "States 
is bigger and more powerful by far than its 
southern neighbor, and certainly it is the 
part of strength and power to act with jus- 
tice, and by an act of justive its power and 
dignity are increased rather than hurt. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. 1.— No. 4 



NEW YORK. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 13. 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



Is Mexico Financially Blockaded? 

Is Control of National Railways to be 
Wrested from Mexican Government? 

What Mexico Could Say 



Mr. James Creelman, whose startling arti- 
cle on the financial situation in Mexico we 
reproduce in this number, is undoubtedly 
the best authority in this country on Mexi- 
can affairs. For this reason his statements 
at this time are of decided importance. 

We must say frankly that we are loath to 
believe that the President of the United 
States in order to succeed in his unwar- 
ranted attempt to eliminate at this juncture 
the Provisional President of Mexico should 
have resorted to any such means as those 
mentioned by Mr. Creelman. 

The process of "putting on the screws," 
in the employment of which our Trusts in 
their commercial and political pursuits are 
past masters, is precisely the Big Business 
method so often and so emphatically de- 
nounced by President Wilson and his ad- 
ministration. 

It is unconscionable to suppose that the 
friendship for Mexico expressed in such 
glowing terms by President Wilson should 
be revealed in an attempt to shut off from 
that country all sources of financial supply. 
Especially when this blockade would not re- 
sult in the establishment of peace, but in 
prolonged troubles for Mexico. 

What sentiment could prompt the Presi- 
dent of the United States to adopt such a 
course? Certainly not the desire to see 
order and general happiness return to the 
southern Republic. Could it be then the 
mere desire of GAINING A POINT, in the 
elimination of General Huerta, owing to 
personal dislike and personal prejudice 
which seem to have been injected into a 
question where they should have found no 
place? We hardly think so. 



IF IT SHOULD BE TRUE, HOW- 
EVER, THAT PRESIDENT WILSON 
HAS COMPLETELY SURROUNDED 
THE HUERTA GOVERNMENT WITH 
A FINANCIAL BLOCKADE, THEN WE 
SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO BE- 
LIEVE ALSO THE STATEMENTS 
MADE FROM TIME TO TIME IN 
WELL-INFORMED CIRCLES THAT 
THE MEXICAN TURMOIL HAS BEEN 
LARGELY DUE TO THE DESIRE OF 
CERTAIN INTERESTS TO REGAIN 
THE CONTROL OF THE NATIONAL 
RAILWAYS OF MEXICO. Also that 
these interests HAVE FOUND IN PRES- 
IDENT WILSON THEIR STAUNCH- 
EST ALLY, although we shall refuse to 
believe that President Wilson's support is 
knowingly and intentionally given. 

It has been frequently stated that there 
exists a financial conspiracy to wrest from 
the Mexican Government the control of the 
National Railways of Mexico. To this end, 
it has been alleged, the rebellions in Mexico 
have been encouraged and financed. 

As a consequence of rebellions and ra-n- 
pant brigandage and banditry the railways 
of Mexico have greatly suffered and their 
earnings have decreased in a corresponding 
proportion. The Mexican Government 
owns the control of the National Railways 
and has guaranteed the payment of interest 
on all the bonded debt of the Company, in 
case the Company should be unable to meet 
these fixed charges. 

It has been stated that while on the one 
hand the earnings of the National Railways 
of Mexico were decreasing and the Com- 
pany consequently becoming unable to 



meet the payment of fixed charges, on the 
other, EFFORTS WERE BEING MADE 
TO PREVENT THE MEXICAN GOV- 
ERNMENT FROM RECEIVING OUT- 
SIDE FINANCIAL HELP. 

In case the Company should be unable to 
pay the interest on its bonded debt and the 
Government should be unable to make good 
the guarantee of payment of the interest, 
THE BONDHOLDERS, it is alleged, 
WOULD ASK FOR A RECEIVER, WIPE 
OUT THE SHAREHOLDERS AND 
SEIZE THE WHOLE PROPERTY OF 
THE NATIONAL RAILWAYS OF 
MEXICO. 

In this way, if the plan ascribed by Mr. 
Creelman to President Wilson SHOULD 
BE TRUE, it WOULD FIT IN NICELY 
with the plan which it has been alleged is 
being carried out by those interests that 
are determined to obtain the propc } of 
the National Railway: without paying too 
much for it. 

WHETHER OR NOT ALL THIS IS 
TRUE WILL BE REVEALED AFTER 
THE MEETING OF BONDHOLDERS 
OF THE NATIONAL RAILWAYS OF 
MEXICO, WHICH IS TO TAKE PLACE 
WITHIN A FEW DAYS IN NEW YORK 
CITY. 

We do not believe in the possibility of 
such plans as exposed by Mr. Creelman, al- 
though he seems to know what he is writ- 
ing about, or in the alleged plans in regard 
to the National Railways of Mexico. But if 
they should be proved to exist and should 
be carried out to completion the only course 
open to Mexico would be that indicated by 
Mr. Creelman. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September ij, igi^ 



MEXICO COULD SAY TO THE 
WORLD: 

"We have done our best to maintain our 
credit intact and faithfully to respect all 
our financial obligations now as in the past. 
-EUROPEAN BANKERS, KNOWING 
THE STABILITY OF OUR CREDIT 
AND THE EXTENT OF OUR RE- 
SOURCES ARE READY TO GIVE US 
ALL THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE 
NEED TO RE-ESTABLISH PEACE 
AND DEVELOP OUR RESOURCES. 

"The President of the United States re- 
fuses to recognize our Constitutional Gov- 
ernment. MOREOVER, TO DEMON- 
STRATE THAT HE HAS THE POWER 
TO ENFORCE HIS WILL UPON US, 
he has brought to bear his potent influence 
on the bankers of Europe to surround us 
with a financial blockade. 

"WE PROTEST AT THIS UNFAIR 
TREATMENT, BUT WE ARE COM- 
PELLED TO DECLARE A MORATO- 
RIUM ON THE PAYMENT OF INTER- 
EST ON OUR NATIONAL DEBT. 

WE SHALL KEEP THE MONEY AT 
HOME, use it in the work which we have 
determined to carry on to a finish — that of 
restoring order and reopening all the 
sources of fruitful production. IT MAY 
TAKE US ONE, TWO OR THREE 
YEARS TO DO THIS. When this is done 
we shall begin again payment of interest on 
our national debt, compounding the amounts 
due for non-payment of interest during the 
time of suspension. MEXICO IN PEACE 
CAN EASILY ASSUME A MUCH LARG- 
ER NATIONAL DEBT THAN IT HAS 
NOW, as in proportion to territory, popula- 
tion and resources, it has one of the small- 
est national debts in the world. 

"As to the National Railways of Mexico, 
the Government finds it indispensable to 
requisition them and take full possession, 
holding them for such a length of time as it 
will deem convenient. This is a measure 
of national and public necessity. 

"THIS IS NOT OF OUR OWN VOLI- 
TION. We are forced to it by the unjusti- 
fied determination of the United States not 
to recognize a government which our own 
Congress and Supreme Court have declared 
to be the Constitutional Government of 
Mexico. 

"We are sorry, but now our creditors 
shall have to bide their time." 

If the alleged plans to shut off all finan- 
cial help and to wrest the control of the 
National Railways of Mexico existed and 
were carried out, Mexico could say all this 
to the world with clear conscience and clean 
hands. And the world would recognize the 
justice of Mexico's stand. 

But of course no necessity will arise for 
such a declaration on the part of Mexico. 



lu $1,500,000, will fall due. The payment 
of the interest on these bonds is guaranteed 
by the Mexican Government, and as the 
railways cannot pay the amount about to 
fall due on account of the losses suffered 
during the present revolt, the Government 
has assumed responsibility. The Govern- 
ment also has undertaken to pay $495,000 
interest falling due on the same date on 
consolidated bonds of the railways which 
were not surrendered at the time of the 
amalgamation. 

This statement is made on the authority 
of a high official of the National Bank of 
Mexico, who said that the payments will 
be made from funds standing to the credit 
of the Government in nine local banks, out 
of the loan, of which a part was floated in 
Paris and which will probably be raised to 
$7,500,000. The payments will be made 
through New York, London, Amsterdam 
and Berlin. The majority of the stockhold- 
ers are English and French. The Govern- 
ment, it is stated, has taken this step in 
order to retain control of the railways and 
forestall any foreclosure proceedings by the 
bondholders. 



Bond Interest to Be Paid 

Special Cable Dcspatclv^o New York Snn. 

Mexico City, September 10. — On October 
1st interest on the guaranteed bonds of the 
National Railways of Mexico, amounting 



Those Savage Mexicans 

Mexico City, September 10. — In order to in- 
sure tbe protection of foreigners during tbe In- 
dependence Day celebration on September 16 tbe 
Goyernment has sent the following telegram to 
the Governors of all States : ''By special or- 
der of the President of the Hepublic I beg you 
to dictate immediately tbe most appropriate 
and energetic measures in order to avoid dis- 
orders during the approaching patriotic fiestas. 
Especially is it desii-ed that nothing occur af» 
fecting persons or the interests of foreigners 
residing in the State which you govern. Tbe 
President is likewise desirous that solemn com- 
memoration of our independence be marked by 
discretion and good sense on the part of the 
people and that the latter comprehend patriot- 
ically tbe convenience of accentuating in these 
moments our culture and our respect for sub- 
jects of friendly nations and entertain tuward 
them tbe fraternal attitude which is demanded 
by reason and justice that always govern tbe 
acts of Mexicans and government of this Re- 
public. In transmitting to you this order 1 re- 
peat my recommendation that the greatest care 
and vigilance bo exercised in fulflUing the in- 
struction and I shall be grateful if you notify 
me telegraphically of receipt of this message. 

"Urrutia, Mhiistcr Interior." 

.•\n Associated Press despatch to morn- 
ing newspapers of the eleventh asserts that 
the foregoing recommendation was made 
Ijy Minister Urrutia: 

"Because of representations by tlie Amer- 
ican Charge d',A.ffaires, Nelson O'Shaugh- 
ncssy, to the Mexican Foreign Office, as 
a preventive measure and in line with the 
recent warning from Washington that the 
Mexican authorities would be held respon- 
sible for any injury done to Americans." 

Of course from now on everything that 
the Mexican Government does which is in 
keeping with the law, civilized customs, 
courtesy, etc., will be done "because of rep- 
resentations or warnings" by the American 
representative in Mexico! 

How old are we, anyway? 



Christian Science Diplomacy 

The secret is out. The Administration's 
policy toward Mexico is to "hold a good 
thought," refuse to admit material facts. 
"Mind" — the Administration's mind — "is all." 
There is no matter, or if there is, it doesn't 
matter. 

Here is Iiow this newfangled diplomacy 
works out : 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that European governments are supporting its 
course in regard to Mexico. Foreign chan- 
celleries and the foreign press emphatically, 
even indignanth% deny this. The Adminis- 
tration insists it has the backing of Europe 
and that ends it. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that John Lind's mission is a success. Lind 
drops two of his impossible proposals, is 
flouted diplomatically on the other two, and 
goes about sightseeing in Mexico. The Ad- 
ministration insists witli huge satisfaction 
that John Lind's mission is a success. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that its proposals are "peace proposals." The 
United States is not at war with Mexico. 
Furthermore, nobody understanding Mexican 
conditions believes for a moment that they 
are either practicable or conducive to the es- 
tablishment of peace. Yet the Administration 
insists they are "peace" proposals. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that all Americans must get out of Mexico. 
The American residents protest vigorously 
and assert tliat there is no necessity, and fur- 
ther that they won't. The Administration in- 
sists that they should, but tliat they may take 
their time about it. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that President Huerta will eliminate himself. 
The Mexican nation retorts that the status 
of President Huerta is a matter for Mexicans 
to decide. The Administration insists that 
President Huerta will retire. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that Senor Gamboa and Secretary O'Shaugh- 
nessy have received and conve3-ed assurances 
from Huerta that he will not be a candidate 
for President in the future. Senor Gamboa 
and Secretary O'Shaughnessy deny that any 
such assurances were given or conveyed. The 
Administration insists that President Huerta 
promised not to be a candidate. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that the present government of Mexico is not 
constitutional. The Mexican Congress and 
Supreme Court, who alone have the authority, 
have declared it constitutional. The Admin- 
istration insists. 

The Administration "holds the thought" 
that the present government of Mexico will 
not long survive his M. A. M. The govern- 
ment, according to all reports, is growing 
stronger every day. Still the Administration 
insists. 
The Administration "holds the thought" 
• that the Mexican Government cannot get 
money. Eighty thousand soldiers are paid 
regularly, and the bankers of Mexico promise 
all the money needed. Still the Administra- 
tion insists. 

.\nd so on and so on. 

Mrs. Eddy still lives and is incarnated in 
tlie Washington Administration. 



Saturday, September r ;, /g/j 



MEXICO 



In the Other Fellow's Boots 

The United States Situation 



(Mr. Goad,!. 



By FRANK GOODSENS 

prAiticaiy -o^rai ar,d ccof.omicai conditlcr.s of the Gr 



n-.ucalih. — Edim 



Netr. ) 



The Unitcil States situation at the time of 
tliis writing, September 11th, is at a standstill. 
It is generally understood that the President 
ol the Great Northern Commonwealth will not 
yield an inch in his policy of non-recognition 
of the United States Government. No state- 
ment has beeen given out at the Purple House 
or at the Foreign Otlice disclosing the actual 
reasons for the Great Northern President's 
policy. His intimate friends declare, however, 
that it is based on "moral grounds," and they 
are convinced that he is pursuing a course the 
moral eftect of which will be to end immedi- 
ately and for all time the political and social 
troubles of the United States. 

1 have made a thorough and extensive in- 
vestigation in both countries and 1 am now 
in a position to give the actual facts to the 
people of the United States. 

In the first place, I wish to state as emphat- 
ically as I can that the President of the Great 
Northern Commonwealth is not prompted in 
his polic3' by any ulterior motive or by con- 
nivance with the predaceous interests of the 
Great Northern Commonwealth that have fos- 
tered and fomented trouble in the United 
States. 

The President's attitude is based principally 
on ignorance as to conditions in the United 
States, personal dislike for President Wilson, 
and prejudice in regard to the manner in 
which he came into power. 

This dislike and prejudice are the result of 
information received through the Great North- 
ern press and through personal representa- 
tives, chief among whom is his own biogra- 
pher, a clever magazine writer. 

This man, an ex-clergyman, whose personal 
exploits are not such as to make him the 
proper judge of the morality of other people, 
has been in Washington for several months, 
and it is a well-known fact that he went there 
with preconceived ideas and actuated by a 
holy horror for other people's failings. 

It is, besides, a matter of general knowledge 
that while in Washington his associates were 
mainly personal enemies of President Wilson 
or representatives of those Great Northern in- 
terests that are opposed to President Wilson 
because of his unswerving refusal to be their 
tool. 

I know that the reports of this personal in- 
vestigator conflict with those of the Great 
Northern Ambassador to the United States 
and with those of the majority of consuls antt 
citizens of the Great Northern Commonwealth 
in the United States. But the Great Northern 
President believes that the Ambassador has 
been too friendly with the Wilson administra- 
tion, and he prefers to receive his information 
from unofficial sources and along lines with 
which he is prepared to agree. 

-A. great deal has been published in the Great 
Northern press about the situation in the 
United States, and many experts on American 



affairs have sprung up over night and given 
their opinions as to the causes of United States 
troubles. Of course, only the bad points of 
the situation have Ijeen brought out, and lit- 
tle if anything has been said about the con- 
structive work done by the Wilson adminis- 
tration and its purposes. 

The press of the Great Northern Common- 
wealtli, while claiming to be the most inde- 
pendent in the world and the fairest of all, is 
ever ready to publish all that may work to 
our discredit, without pointing out the fact 
that many United States national faults find 
their counterpart in the Commonwealth even 
though under a duTerent form. 

I must state, however, that there are a few 
Great Noithern newspapers that are trying to 
give the United States a square deal and that 
occasionally publish the truth about us. Un- 
frrtunately, these newspapers are few and ihc 
others are not always to blame, because they 
must rely on information received from biased 
sources and ignorant or corrupt correspond- 
ents. 

The private reports received by the Great 
Northern President and the majority of arti- 
cles published in the Great Northern press 
about the United States may be summed up as 
follows : 

President Wilson does not answer person- 
ally to the ideals of the Great Northern people 
and institutions. 

President Wilson was nominated by a con- 
vention of which the delegates did not repre- 
sent the people of the United States, but only 
the bosses of the different States. His nomi- 
nation was brought about by a clever trick of 
the Democratic leader, now his Secretary of 
State, who at the last moment forsook the 
Clark faction and forced Wilson's name on 
the ticket. 

The greatest support in the election was 
given him. by boss-owned, corrupt organiza- 
tions, among which the Great Northern press 
mentions especially Tammany of New York, 
and those organizations controlling some of 
the Southern States, in vi'hich the negro vote 
is in eiTect null and void. 

The Democratic campaign was conducted by 
means of contributions received largely from 
the Wall Street cientificos, and it is claimed 
that therefore the Wilson administration rep- 
resents in eitecc a restoration of the reaction- 
ary regime. 

President Wilson assumed the Presidency 
in spite of the fact that the vote he received 
was that of a minority, he having received 
only six million votes out of a total of four- 
teen million. 

That President Wilson, although pledged to 
guard .the constitutional forms, is in practical 
effect a dictator, who has assumed the func- 
tions of the legislative power. It is affirmed 
that he has shut ofT free debate in Congress by 
secret caucus methods, and the wielding of 



the heavy Club of Patronage over the heads 
of Senators and Congressmen. That he brooks 
no interference and that the disappearance of 
several statesmen from public life is expected 
to follow his iron-shod methods. 

Besides that, conditions throughout the 
United States are getting worse, and to sub- 
stantiate this the press frequently publishes 
elaborate stories of lynchings. Western hold- 
ups, deeds of terror-spreading gunmen. 

Also a number of articles depict in the 
blackest hues the evils of child labor, peonage 
in some Southern States and in the Philip- 
pines, prison contract labor, and the miserable 
conditions of underpaid mill hands and of the 
starvii.g thousands in the large cities. 

They state in the same breath that govern- 
ment officials and political bosses in the 
United States arc waxing fat, and that the 
United States national resources are all really 
owned by a few multi-millionaires. 

Our political conditions are described as the 
worst in the world, and it is stated that the 
Wall Street cientificos have a firm grip on the 
political machinery of the whole country. 

A great deal of sentiment has been created 
by the publication of these stories, to the ex- 
tent that many of the citizens of the Great 
Northern Commonwealth are beginning to 
think that perhaps it is their duty to invade the 
United States and right every wrong that 
exists here. 

The spoils system especially has horrified 
the Great Northern people. They cannot un- 
derstand how pul)lic orhces, the diplomatic 
service, etc., are made the dumping ground 
of political hacks. 

All this has convinced many Great North- 
erners that the government of the United 
States and its various State governments are 
governments of tlie grafters by the bosses for 
the corporations. 

Of course, this seems outrageous to the 
Great Northerners, who have a government of 
. ■(■ people, for the people, by the people. 

The Great Northern President in sending 
his envoy to Washington with the requests 
that have now become world-famous, really 
felt that he was doing a great favor to the 
United States by demanding: 

That President Wilson eliminate himself 
from the political field. 

That an election be held by the people, a 
fair election \vi;iiout the participation of boss- 
cor.f rolled organizations. 

That a candidate be selected acceptable to 
the Republican, Progressive and Democratic 
factions. 

That a government be set up w'hich will be 
representative of the great majority of the 
people of the United States. 

Of couise, President Wilson refused to ac 
cept the proposals of the Great Northern gov- 
ernment; first, because he could not brook 
interference from an outside government in 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September /?, /^/J 



matters which pertain purely to internal poli- 
tic5, and further because he and every one in 
the United States who is familiar with condi- 
tions know that his elimination from the polit- 
ical field would not mean the solution of 
United States pi-oblems. 

It has been pointed out to the Great North- 
ern President that the principles of his gov- 
ernment may not be applicable to the United 
States, where the people have had less oppor- 
tunity for political and social education. That 
it will take time before the people will be 
able to govern themselves according to the 
rules of pure democracy. That President Wil- 
son is undoubtedly the strongest man in sight, 
and that he is doing his best to bring about 
the reforms which in time will mean the com- 
plete happiness of the people. 

That such blessings as the Great Northern- 
ers enjoy, namely: nomination by primaries, 
elections by direct vote, elimination of cam- 
paign contributions, mdependence of the leg- 
islative and judicial powers, appointments by 
meiit, national ownership of all natural re- 
sources, common carriers and public utilities, 
co-operative ownership of all industrial and 
commercial enterprises, cannot be brought 
about in the United States in a day or a year. 

But the Great Northern President does not 
understand this, and remains immovable. 

"I cannot recognize such an immoral gov- 
ernment — they must have early and fair elec- 
tions and the condition — sine qua non — is the 
elimination of President Wilson." 

To carry out his point even in the face of 
world-wide criticism he is determined to use 
all means, even that of bringing tremendous 
financial pressure to bear on our government. 

The Great Northern President desires that 
it should be understood that once he takes 
a stand for a thing he does not seek a com- 
promise, neither will he agree to any com- 
promise. He is stubborn. He is extremely in- 
telligent and learned about affairs in his own 
country but ignorant of other people's charac- 
teristics and lacks sympathy with other races. 

He wants to impose his own will on the peo- 
ple of the United States and wants them, to 
adopt immediately the methods of the Great 
Northern people even though we may not l)e 
prepared yet for those methods or we may 
prefer other ways. 

The American people and the American 
leaders have a right to work out their own 
salvation. They wish to be given a fair chance. 
The whole world recognizes this right. 

It is true that meanwhile owing to the cir- 
cumstances inherent to a period of readust- 
ment Great Northern interests and all other 
foreign interests in the United States are suf- 
fering enormous losses but that does not give 
the Great Northern Government the right to 
interfere in our internal affairs and to offer 
an affront to our Government. 

It is now quite clear that if the Great North- 
ern Government had from the beginning ex- 
tended proper recognition to ours the solution 
of our troubles w^ould lie much nearer than 
it is now. 

Unfortunately the Gr<at Northern President 
and many others depend for their informa- 
tion on the so-called American constitutional- 
ist juntas established in the Great Northern 
Commonwealth. These juntas maintain active 



press bureaus and their glowing accounts of 
what they would do find an echo in some 
newspapers who do not realize whom the 
members of these juntas really represent. 

Of course we know that the leaders of the 
factions opposed to President Wilson are real- 
ly the same men who have been turned out 
of power and who, disguised under a new 
name, are anxious to regain control of the 
government despite the fact that they were 
the cause of all the evils that have befallen 
the United States. It is a well known fact 
that these leaders who accuse the Wilson ad- 
-ministration of being a Wall Street cientilico 
government were themselves instruments of 
the Money Power, 

It is only natural that the interference of 
the President of the Great Northern Com- 
monwealth in United States internal affairs 
should have awakened the indignation of all 
citizens of the United States. The Great 
Northern Government, owing to its great 
power, however, seems blind to the fact that 
the United States people have a right to settle 
their own differences even though they may 
have the misfortune of being many years be- 
hind the Great Northern Commonwealth in 
political and economical progress. Americans 
may be at a physical disadvantage against such 
a powerful neighbor as the Great Northern 
Commonwealth, but they know that in the con- 
troversy with the Great Northern Government 
justice is on their side. None but Ameri- 
cans have any right to question the "morality" 
of their government, or the manner in which 
it ascended to power. Since Congress has 
recognized President Wilson as the Constitu- 
tional President of the United States the Pres- 
ident of the Great Northern Commonwealth 
or any other foreign sovereign has no right to 
refuse recognition on the ground of "moral- 
ity." Besides, the United States has been rec- 
ognized by all great powers of the world. 

The real cause for concern in this muddle, 
however, lies in the fact that the President of 
the Great Northern Commonwealth, through 
his own personal prejudice, is acting just ex- 
actly in the manner that his worst enemies 
wish him to act and that the United States is 
the victim of deeply-laid schemes for the ac- 
complishment of which he is the blind instru- 
ment. 




Americans Thank Huerta 

He Pays Firsl-Class Passage of a Parly 
Quitting Mexico 

KiJcciiU CuIjIu to tliL' -Y. 1'. 'i'/»if.v. 

Mexico City, September 9. — Ten Amoricaus, 
including three women and two eliildrcn, left 
Vera Cruz on tbe steamer Tamaulipas tliis after- 
noon for Galveston, traveling flrst-class at tlic 
o.xpensc of Provisional President Ilncrta. Be- 
fore sailing tlie.v sen a telegram to Federico 
Oaniboa, Minister of Foreign Relations, saying: 

"We thank Gen. ITnerta for his attenjion and 
kindness in enabling us to return to our coun- 
try flrst-class." 

Eighty more Americans liave received trans- 
riortation froni the Jfexicau Oovernmcnt, as 
they were not willing or were unable to comply 
with the demands of the Consuls supplying 
passage. 

That "Hucrla faction" is giving every day 
new evidence of savagery! 



The members of the junta were downcast. 
Not even the solicitous inquiries of the ex- 
perienced waiter of the cafe in the Bellevue 
Hotel could rouse them from the despondency 
into which they had been plunged by the news 
that Don Venustiano Carranza had either died 
or was roaming the wilds of Durango. 

Everything had gone wrong of late. The 
usurper Huerta was evidently getting stronger 
every day and all hope that he would gently 
and quietly step out had departed. 

"I lighted a candle to Saint Woodrow in my 
room," whispered little Romero, his sad coun- 
tenance more sombre than ever, "but it has 
done no good. Those shameless ones in Mex- 
ico have not even the courtesy to let us take 
their places !" 

"Saint Woodrow is all right. He is our pat- 
ron saint," piped another "Constitutionalist," 
"but his intercession has no value for us these 
days, and then Saint Croesus has abandoned 
us." 

"Yes," a third Gloom interposed, "if it were 
not for Don Sherby where would we be? Ca- 
ramba! He is our true patron saint. Som- 
merfield could not have returned to San An- 
tonio if Don Sherby had not lent him the 
passage." 

"Ah, EI Colonel Sherby Hopkins that, j'es, is 
a great hombrc! Always he bring us good 
news, always is he ready for to offer us the 
sandwiches and the drinks !" 

"I wish he would come," said little Romero. 
"He is mjr friend, he, yes, knows how to make 
the periodicals publish all about our great 
cause — how does he say? — he knows how to 
get the stuff in !" 

"Ah, but already they do not believe us, the 
newspaper men," countered the third Gloom, 
"already is not so easy to get the stuff in, as 
Don Sherby says." 

"How, man," protested Romero, "it is not 
certain. Have you not read the beautiful 
speech our Minister, Escudero, had published 
in the Herald? and more, do we not have al- 
ways at our disposition the Evening Times:' 
But, hombrc. El Colonel Don Sherby has them 
amarrados — no, how does he say? Ah, yes, 
cinched !" 

"That, yes, but the other newspaper men 
give us the spacious bunk." 

"No, no," Romero assured them, "do not 
preoccupy yourselves. Don Sherby has good 
relations and knows the threads. I am sure 
that even to-day he has got the stuff' in. Here 
he comes. We shall see." 

The gloomy gathering sat up, stood up and 
greeted the round, debonnair, smiling counte- 
nance of Don Sherby as he entered the old 
stamping-ground. Don Sherby waved aloft a 
copy of the Times. The ex-speaker of the 
Mexican Congress and at present Minister 
of Finance in the ambulant Cabinet of Car- 
ranza, trailed behind. 

"Here it is, muchachos, this never fails us. 
I told you I would get it in !" 

"What is it, Don Sherby? Let us see," the 
junt;i chorused. 



Saturday, Sept em be)' IJ, igij) 



MEXICO 



"Wait a moment," begged Don Shcrby, siiik- 
iiiK into a chair. "I am warm and tired. 
Waiter, bring tlie usual round." 

"Viva, EI Colonel Don Sherby!" chorused 
tlie junta, already free from the weight of 
gloom. 

"Well, boys, I told you your Uncle Sherby 
could do it. Even the A. P. carried that story 
of mine that Huerta was changing his gen- 
erals around because he feared their treach- 
ery and now here comes our old standby, the 
Washington Times, boys, with an editorial on 
the subject. And it is a peach, too. Listen 
to this," and Don Sherby read the editorial 
amid religious silence. 

As soon as he had finished reading the jun- 
ta sprang to its collective feet and yelled : 
"Viva Don Sherby ! Viva the revolution ! 
Viva the patriots! Death to Huerta! Viva 
us!" 

The waiter was just entering the room, 
carrying aloft a well-laden tray. The sound 
of the clinking glasses infused new patriotic 
ardor into the representatives of Magna Char- 
ta. Electrified, they isurst into renewed yells ; 
"Viva Don Sherby! the friend of the Mexican 
people ! Viva the revolution ! May it la.st a 
long time!" 

"This is not all, muchachos," smiled Don 
Sherby, "the New York Press and all the Mun- 
sey papers will carry this same editorial. I 
tell you, Munsey is a great Mexican patriot, 
second only to myself. Let us drink to liis 
health. 

"Vva Munsey!" yelled tlie junta, anil tlien 
drank 







TRUE STORY OF DOCTOR TUPPER 
AMONG THE REBELS 



Related by an A 



Eye Witness 



MEIIBEKS OF THE SOCIAL DEFENSE MILITIA. 

THE "social defense" HAS BEEN ORGANIZED 
THROUGHOUT MEXICO FOR DEFENSE AGAINST 
DEPREDATIONS OF BANDITS. IT COUNTS AMONG 
ITS MEMBERS CITIZENS OF ALL CLASSES AND 
POLITICAL CREEDS. 



Tile Rev. Doctor Tupper, of the "Interna- 
tional Peace Forum," left San Antonio, Tex., 
for Eagle Pass August 18th, having been the 
guest of the International Club of San An- 
tonio, which has long been known for its 
Maderist partisanship. Before setting forth 
on his journey of investigation the reverend 
doctor wired the rebel junta at Eagle Pass 
apprising them of the date of his arrival and 
representing himself as a special "peace com- 
missioner" deputized by the United States 
Gi>vernment to investigate existing conditions 
in Mexico. 

Dr. Tupper was met with flare and blare 
by the rebel chief and his committee and was 
escorted in an automobile across the Inter- 
national Bridge. On the other side the doctor 
was met and given an ovation by the rebel 
garrison. Later he was feted and banqueted 
l)y the "elite" of the rebels. There was an 
extraordinary requisition on the imported 
stock of Senor Trueba, the Spanish commis- 
sion and wine merchant. 

Senor Don Enrique Tuppe after the pleas- 
ures of the banquet, rashly assured his gen- 
erous host and his fellow guests that he wa.-i 
in favor of tlie unrestricted shipment of arms 
and ammunition to the rebels, and would ad- 
vocate such on his return to Washington. Now 
this was very, very early in Don Enrique's 
sojourn in Mexico, before he had investigated 
other than the stock of Senor Truejja. 

"Where is Don Venustiano Carranza? I must 
see and speak with him." So urged the learned 
doctor. Thereupon there was much commo- 
tion, for the rebels knew not the whereabouts 
of their illustrious leader, but not to disap- 
point el Senor Don Henry Tupper, on the 
spur of the moment they stated that Don 
Venus was at Hermanes. The impatience of 
the doctor was so extreme that a special train 
was at once made up to convey him to the 
presence of the rebel king. Now, this special 
train consisted of an engine, two Pullman 
cars and three third-class day coaches. 

\\ lien Doctor Tupper's special train left 
Piedras Negras the two Pullmans were occu- 
pied by the doctor, the committee and the 
military escort, and the three third-class 
coaches were filled with a motley crew of 
women, children and aged men, all of them 
liilariously happy at the prospect of a free ride 
and adequate remuneration. At Nava, a small 
town twenty-five miles from Piedras Negras, 
a little committee of citizens waited to greet 
the doctor. 

The committee accompan^'ing the reverend 
gentleman forthwith invited the Nava com- 
mittee to enter the Pullman to greet the guest 
of honor. Suddenly cries rent the air: "Armas 
y parque !" The committee, apparently sur- 
prised, rushed forth bearing the excited inves- 
tigator and there on' the platform was a host 
of men, women and children who had ap- 
peared as though suddenly belched from the 
ground. When they saw Doctor Tupper their 



entlnisiasm reached its climax, and they stood 
with arms outstretched toward him and begged 
piteously for arms and ammunition. 

"Doctor Don Presidentc Americano, armas 
y parque !" they yelled. 

The doctor was moved lo tears, and it was 
with difiiculty that he could be induced to re- 
enter the Pullman in time to permit the poor, 
unfortunate petitioners to be herded back into 
the three third-class coaches of Doctor Tup- 
per's special train. The poor populace at 
Nava crying "Vivas" for Carranza and beg- 
ging for arms zvcrc travelling with Doctor 
Tapper. 

.\t Allende, ten miles south, tlie doctor was 
again greeted in the train by a committee of 
citizens or that town, and while occupied with 
them again came the cry from the platform — 
a bitter cry of distress: "Armas y parque!" 
Again he rushed forth and again he was 
greeted as at Nava : 

"Viva Carranza! Muera Huerta! Give us 
arms and ammunition !" 

At Blanco, a bit farther soutli, a flag sta- 
tion in the midst of a barren plain, again he 
was greeted with the same woeful plea, only 
each time it gathered in volume as the claque 
got really interested in their game and the 
credulity of their victim. 

At Sabinas there was a repetition of the 
scene, and at Barroteran, and finally at Her- 
manas he permitted the same crowd to hood- 
wink him. 

\\'hen he arrived at Hermanas he was in- 
formed that Don Venustiano Carranza was 
not there, and that as much as they regretted 
it he could not be disturbed just then, being 
occupied with the storming of Torreon at 
that moment. Of course every one except the 
doctor knew that Don Venus had not been at 
Hermanas, and tliat he was not at Torreon, 
but was in hiding in tlie mountains of Du- 
rango. 

All there was to do was to return to Pied- 
ras Negras without having investigated Don 
Venustiano. Another banquet was tendered 
him, and then he went to Eagle Pass and hied 
himself to the First National Bank, which is 
known to be the rebel bank, and spent two 
long hours therein. His investigation now 
terminated to his satisfaction, he returned to 
San Antonio, giving out the story that men, 
women, children, and even the babies in arms 
had begged him for arms and ammunition in 
these words: "Our chief is marching on 
Mexico City ! Give us arms ! Give us am- 
munition ! Long live Carranza ! Death to 
Huerta !" 

The doctor seemingly had forgotten that 
he was a "peace" delegate and had become an 
enthusiastic rebel. 

We presume that liy now he has rendered 
his report to the Peace Forum, and that he is 
advocating the raising of the embargo on 
arms for the rebels. 

Is the joke on Doctor Tupper or the rebels ?■ 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September /?, igij 



SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE 



<iu bis return from a long stay in Eiiropu 
Mr. Owen Johnsou liad several pertiueut re- 
marks to make about Ills couutrymeu. lu a 
puhlisbeil interview liis observations were apt 
and they rang true : 

"Kiglit here I must mention one tblng tbat 
is the despair o£ Americans living abroad. It 
is tbe way American news is treated in Europe'. 
People are being taugbt that we are a nation of 
.Tack Johnsons and Harry Tbaws. What they 
print over there about us is mostly freak stuff 
— marriages by moonlight and so on." 

While the day has to some extent passed 
when foreigners believe that tbe bison is bunted 
between New York and Chicago and that tbe 
highest peak in the Andes is situated between 
.Tersey City and Philadelphia, still it is unques- 
tionably true, as Jlr. Johnson points out, tbat 
foreign newspapers purposely give their readers 
a weird notion concerning us. To begin with, 
it is what their readers like to imagine. We 
are distinctly in their eyes a land of adven- 
turers and upstarts. Lacking our peculiar hu- 
mor and sense of proportion tbey accept every 
cock and bull stor.v, every ray of moonshine, 
each piece of pious fraud, at its full face value. 

Mr. Johnson says that his Information is 
that this playing up of anything and everything 
that is to the discredit of Americans is due to 
the desire of European capital to prove to in- 
vestors that this is the home of fakers and 
swindlers. — Xcw YorU Sun, September 10. 

Xot only the newspapers of Europe but also 
those of South America and other parts of the 
world purposely give to their readers weird 
notions concerning us. The result is that in 
the minds of other people we are a nation of 
barbarians, fakers and swindlers, as Mr. John- 
son points out. 

When a truth of this kind is brought home 
to us we smart under the unjustice and as in- 
<lignantly as the Sun we protest. 

But what about the treatment our news- 
papers accord to other people? Is it not true, 
after all, that we usually get what we give? 

What is the opinion in regard to Mexicans 
held b}' the majority of Americans after read- 
ing for months the deluge of Mexican "news" . 
and articles on Mexico by "well-known au- 
thorities on Mexican affairs"? 

Isn't it a fact that the average American 
citizen thinks that Mexico is a land of sav- 
ages, a land where the general occupation is 
that of killing one's next-door neighbor by 
stealth at night, stabbing him in the back, 
and stealing all his belongings? 

Doesn't the average American citizen be- 
lieve that all Mexicans earn their living by 
pillage and that their favorite form of recre- 
ation is rapine? And isn't it a fact that this 
belief is born of the notions which our news- 
papers have fed to him from day to day? 

Is there a special purpose inspiring our 
newspapers in this respect? Or do they mere- 
ly follow the line of least resistance without 
ulterior motives? 

Whatever the cause may be, would it not be 
fair to begin right here and set an example to 
the press of other countries by a just treat- 
ment of our closest neighbors? 

How many newspapers .or magazines have 
taken the trouble to publish anything about the 
millions of peace-loving, hard-working Mexi- 
cans? About that overwhelming majority that 
toils and struggles and builds honestly, indc- 



fatigably in spite of everything? 

Very few, if any. 

Yet out of the sixteen million Mexicans 
only a few thousands are the cause of all the 
troubles, only a few thousands have resorted 
to brigandage and rebellion, and many of them 
have been forced to do so by their inability to 
earn a living in any other way or have been 
led through their ignorance by a few self- 
seeking politicians and scoundrels such as are 
found in every country in the world. 

The defects of the extreme classes in Mex- 
ico are the defects of those same classes in 
other countries. Unfortunately the lower 
class is on an average a little more ignorant, 
perhaps, than in other more advanced coun- 
tries, and has not had the opportunity for self- 
advancement that the same class has had in 
our land or in some European countries. But 
if more ignorant they are not worse at heart. 
Much has been published of the black deeds 
committed by Mexican bandits, but nothing 
has been written of the abnegation and loy- 
alty of the many who form the humble ele- 
ment of the population. 

Yet there is hardly any American who has 
ever left Mexico who has not done so with 
regret, and who has not left behind a faithful 
servant, a trusty friend. 

Many instances could be cited in which 
Americans or other foreigners have been able 
to defend their property against bandits by 
the sole help of Mexican employees and serv- 
ants, who have risked and often lost life for 
their employers. This has invariably been the 
case when the Mexicans have been treated 
well by their employers. 

Take, for instance, the men employed by 
Mrs. Phoebe Hearst on her Babicora ranch in 
Chihuahua. They have been in the centre of 
disturbances for nearly three years, and they 
have remained faithful and loyal, often taking 
part in skirmishes and fights against bandits 
and so-called rebels. They have shown their 
gratitude for the advantages of special schools, 
good treatment and the opportunity to work 
on shares which have been afforded them by 
the manager of their ranch. 

In nine cases out of ten in wliich Mexican 
peons have attacked their forei.gn employers 
or abandoned them, upon close investigation 
it has been found that their actions were due 
to the unjust or overbearing treatment they 
have received. 

But there is a class of Mexicans of which 
little has ever been written and which deserves 
the sympathy and help of all foreigners. That 
is the middle class, yet in a small minority, it 
is true, unfortunately for Mexico, but which 
nevertheless is struggling valiantly to save the 
country from the selfishness of a few and 
from the ignorance of the many. 

But little is ever written in our press of the 
constructive work of these Mexicans, while 
much is published about Generals Villa, Za- 
pata, and a few others of the same stamp. 

Yet we are indignant when we learn that 
Europeans are being taught that we are a 
nation of Jack Johnsons and Harry Thaws ! 



El Pasograms 

An El Pasogram-to the New York Herald 
of September 10th states that the Federal 
Government is sending 7,000 troops to Chi- 
huahua to join the present command there of 
5,000 men to wipe out the rebels in the border 
Northern State. The El Pasogram states also : 
In the meantime, ViUa is between Juarez and 
Chihuahua and is waiting for the first provision 
train to leave the border before he strikes. Villa 
has eight cannon, a quantity of ammunition and 
supplies which were captured from Felix Terazas 
at San Andres. His supply trains are at Casas 
Grandes. 

Well, well, that El Paso correspondent 
should get a bonus from the Herald for his 
persistency. Villa — why hasn't he been styled 
General in this instance? — is again going to 
attack. Villa has been attacking Juarez and 
the provision trains almost every daj' during 
the last four months, and now he's starting 
all over again because he is waiting for the 
first provision train to leave the border ! And 
yet we understood many provision trains had 
left the border of late and have been attacked 
on their way to Chihuahua 

No, upon second thought we think the bonus 
should be sent to the El Pasogramist by Villa. 



Some Traveler 

Special Despatch to tbe Herald. 

Piedras Negras, Coab, Mexico, Tuesday. — 
Latest reports of the movements of Governor 
Carranza are that he left Parral, Chihuahua, 
August 20 for Eosario, from where he Intended 
to go to Inde, an important mining camp in 
Durango, and from there to Sierra Mojada. 
about 400 miles south of hero. After that he 
will come here in time to participate in the 
celebration of Independence Day, September 16. 

Now, who would have thought Carranza 
was such a great traveler? Too bad he is so 
restless, though ! He would not stop at Tor- 
reon, and now he is going to see Inde, in the 
heart of Durango, and then back a few hun- 
dred miles to Sierra Mojada, near his home 
town, Cuatro Cienegas, where the Federals 
called on him on September 9th, and finally 
back to Piedras Negras, on the border, to 
celebrate Independence Day. 

Who said the railroads were not running in 
the States of Durango and Coahuila? 



To Hang Zamacona for 

Any Proposition 

Eagle Pass, Tex., Septenibcr S. — Tbat Manuel 
Zamacona, special envoy to Washington, would 
be "tried by court-martial and hanged within 
an hour" should he attempt to enter the Con- 
stitutionalist lines with any proposition what- 
ever, was the subject of a .resolution adopted 
to-day at a meeting of the Constitutionalist 
Board of Advisors. 

The resolution denounced what they called 
the "attempt of the Huerta Government to de- 
ceive the American people regarding the abil- 
it.v of JIanuel Zamacona to act as mediator in 
arranging an aimistice." — A', r. American, Sep- 
tember 9. 

Gentle, liberty-loving chaps, these Constitu- 
tionalists ! 



FAIR PLAY 

FOR MEXICO 



Saturday, September ij, igij! 



MEXICO 



Lobbygrams 

William Rayard Hale, who perhaps may 
still be entitled to the ecclesiastical designa- 
tion "Reverend," though he is no longer a 
minister of the Episcopalian denomination, 
has been in Washington two weeks. Nobody 
has yet discovered what he did in his three 
months' sojourn in Mexico as the "Special 
Representative" of President Wilson. "Doc- 
tor" Hale says for himself that he is now a 
"private citizen." He shuns the limelight as 
much as possible. Nobody will dispute the 
ability of the former Episcopalian priest of 
.\rdmore. Pa. What he accomplished in Mex- 
ico must be revealed l)y President Wilson, who 
will O. K. the bills on account of Iiis "special 
mission." 



THE FINANCIAL BLOCKADE 



By JAMES CREELMAN 

Niiu York E-i-tnmg Mml, Siptemhcr g, iq,j 



Citizen Hale has a clear record. That will 
never be disputed. It is a fact that will give 
future historians no bone of contention. The 
records show that Citizen Hale has done noth- 
ing. He has been active, yes. 

Washington wants to know: "Why is Hale?" 
and has he nothing more to commend him 
than the fact that he wrote the biography of 
Wilson, published by a firm honored by the 
selection of one of its members for the most 
important foreign mission? "Haleing the ad- 
ministration" has become a pastime in Wash- 
ington. Then there is a variation of the game 
which is called "Haleing the chief." 



Warriors Bold 



HfiJi-oscntativo Murra.v, of Oklahoma, as-saileil 
the Prusident's "ilorai suasion polio.v" as fool- 
ish, and advocated force. Repi-esentative Gar- 
rett, of Texas, declared the ijcople of his State 
were unalterably opposed to an.v recognition of 
Iluerta. 

"We would give the Constitutionalists all the 
arms they need." he cried. "Tlioy are i)atriots 
fighting for th-jir country. I for one will never 
consent to the recognition of Iluerta OJ' any- 
thing that Iluerta stands for.' 

"Tramp ! Tramp ! Tramp ! the l)oys arc 
marching !" See them in martial array : "Al- 
falfa Bill," Garrett, Fall, Penrose, Bristow, 
Shepard. With the Napoleonic Colquitt, gov- 
ernor of Texas, to lead them, what chance 
would the poor Mexicans have? The Charge 
of the Light Brigade would pale into hobliy- 
horse futilitv. 



Headquarters 



The place to bring al)i>iit an armistice is 
Washington. The headquarters of the opposi- 
tion to Huerta are in this city, and it is un- 
derstood that from here the sinews of war are 
lU'ovided for this opposition. 

For practical results the triangular negoti- 
ations of President Wilson, General Iluerta and 
General Carranza would be best held here. 
The New York Times ascribes the above to 
a "high government official." We have known 
before that the headquarters of the opposition 
to Huerta are in Washington, but we didn't 
believe that "high government officials" were 
quite ready to admit it. 



The most tremendous thing in the Mexi- 
can situation now is impending national 
bankruptcy. 

In the silent, Init nevertheless terrific, ef- 
fort of President Wilson to compel Presi- 
dent Huerta to yield to his demands the 
.Kmerican government is using its inlluence 
throughout the world to prevent the Mex- 
ican government from borrowing money. 

Confronted with a staggering necessity 
for the prompt restoration of peace, with 
its revenues falling greatly below its en- 
forced expenditures, the Huerta adminis- 
tration will, probably within a month, be 
compelled to consider the advisability of 
declaring a moratorium, suspending the 
payment of all or most of the national fi- 
nancial obligations of Mexico, so tliat the 
available public revenues can be used to 
prosecute the war against rebellion and 
brigandage. 

It w^as a similar suspension of payments 
on the vast foreign debt of Mexico that 
caused armed European intervention in the 
time of President Juarez and the bloody 
usurpation of the Emperor Maximilian. 

Under the mi.ghty and remorseless pres- 
sure brought, to bear by President Wilson 
the financial situation of Mexico has sud- 
denly become tragic. 

It cannot last many weeks. 

Not only has Mr. Wilson shut off all 
supplies of arms, ammunition and other 
military necessities from the United States, 
but he has established a siege of money and 
credit through which he expects to starve 
Huerta into surrender. 

Already the question of declaring a tem- 
porary national bankruptcy is being seri- 
ously discussed by men who have almost 
given up hope that the Wilson-Bryan pol- 
icy of demanding the retirement and self- 
disqualification of President Huerta will 
lie modified in time to avert such a disas- 
ter. 

At a time when President Huerta claims 
to be rapidly subduing Zapata's forces, and 
to have driven Carranza's bands out into 
the northern desert, his government is be- 
ing paralyzed by the destruction of his fi- 
nancial credit cverywdiere through tlie in- 
fluence of the United States. 

Tliis is the meaning of the threat in Mr. 
W'ilson's message to Congress, tliat in a 
few days or vireeks the real situation in 
Mexico City would be revealed. 

Mr. Wilson has the Huerta government 
in an extraordinary position of financial 
helplessness. 

The loan authorized by the Mexican 
Congress to reorganize the army and re- 
store order amounted to $100,000,000 gold. 
$80,000,000 of the loan would be considered 
as issued, the remaining $20,000,000 to be 
unissued for the time being. 



Of the amount issued the liankers took 
$30,000,000. About $25,000,000 of this was 
used merely to retire obligations issued by 
the Madero administration, and only the 
$5,000,000 left was available for the support 
of the Huerta government. 

The agreement provided that the con- 
tracting banks should have an option on 
the untaken $50,000,000 of the authorized 
loan, one-half of the option to be exercised 
within six months from last June and the 
other half to be exercised si.x months there- 
after. 

The Mexican government solemnly 
bound itself not to issue any part of these 
bonds except on the expiration of the op- 
tion, and it further bound itself not to is- 
sue at any time during two years from last 
June any other foreign obligations or any 
other bonds payable in gold. 

Now the banks refuse to take any of the 
bonds under the option until the United 
States recognizes Huerta, and the Mexican 
government can not raise another foreign 
loan or issue gold bonds until the expira- 
tion of two years. 

Bound hau'l and foot by tliis agreement, 
to violate which would be instantly to an- 
nihilate Mexican national credit, the Huerta 
government negotiated a loan from Eng- 
lish and French bankers of about $15,000,- 
000 in gold, redeemable in Mexican cur- 
rency in Mexico City and New York. 

Until a few days a.go President Huerta 
expected to tide over the national crisis 
witli this money. 

But he has just been informed that the 
French and English bankers have with- 
drawn in deference to official pressure ex- 
erted on the ground that to refuse to furnish 
any more money to the Mexican govern- 
ment would force President Huerta to yield 
to the demands of President Wilson and 
promote peace without bloodshed. 

It is annouiiced that the strong official 
intlucnce used in England and France to 
smash this $15,000,000 loan, the last hope 
of the Huerta administration, was intended 
as a direct co-operation with President 
Wilson's effort utterly to crush Huerta. 

.•\nd if that were not enough, about two 
weeks ago the Spanish arms and ammuni- 
tion factories, which have always supplied 
war munitions to Mexico on credit, form- 
ally notified the Huerta government that 
not another shipment would be made unless 
payinents were made in cash, and in ad- 
vance. 

In other words, President Wilson has 
completely surrounded the Mexican gov- 
ernment by a financial blockade and has 
wiped out its credit. 

It is this dramatic situation that has 
brought about the consideration of a mora- 
torium, putting an end to any further pay- 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September ij, igi^ 



ment of Mexico's financial obligations un- 
til peace is restored. 

This may be President Huerta's alterna- 
tive to a surrender to President Wilson. 

The tremendous consequences of such a 
national act can be realized when it is re- 
membered that Mexico's debt has increased 
from about $150,000,000 gold in 1861 to 
about $500,000,000, which includes all finan- 
cial guarantees. 

President Wilson has not disclosed to 
the American people the evidence upon 
which, against the example of every other 
great nation, he has refused to extend to 
the Mexican government the formal recog- 
nition necessary to save it from chaos and 
self-declared bankruptcy. 

Nor has President Wilson given the 
name of a single one of the multitude of 
Americans living in Mexico who has ad- 
vised him that President Huerta's title to 
office is not absolutely legal according to 
the Mexican constitution and laws. 

In this critical time it is not generally 
understood that under Mexican law the 
election called for October 26th will be 
null and void unless all Mexico is then at 
peace, and it is said on high authority that 
the Mexican Congress is likely in a few 
days to cancel the date of the election. 

Every one familiar with Mexico knows 
what a farce Mexican elections are at best. 
Since President Wilson has chosen to 
risk his whole policy and the ultimate ques- 
tion of war or peace on the holding of an 
election from which President Huerta is 
to be excludoJ, I have taken the trouble 
to get the figures in the election of Presi- 
dent Madero and Vice-President Suarez. 

As this election was held in a time of 
general Mexican peace, and has always 
been regarded as the nearest possible ap- 
proach to the free and full expression of 
the will of the Mexican people, these fig- 
ures are of utmost importance as showing 
the utter fraud of the pretense of demo- 
cratic institutions in that country. 

There are more than 15,000,000 inhabi- 
tants in A'lexico. All male Mexicans who 
have reached the age of eighteen years have 
the right to vote. 

The ofiicial report of the committee ap- 
pointed by the Mexican Chamber of Depu- 
ties in Xoveniber, 1911, declared that the 
total popular vote which elected Madero 
president was 19,997, while the total vote 
that made Suarez vice-president was 10.245. 
This in a population of 15,000,000! 
And a minority report of the committee 
asserted that many of the votes cast were 
obtained fraudulently and by military pres- 
sure, and urged that a new election should 
be held. 

The Mexican government announced, 
without revealing the figures reported by 
the committee of Congress, that Madero 
had received the largest vote ever cast for 
a Mexican president. 



NAILING THEM! 



No credence whatsoever is placed by Coustltu- 
tionalists here iu the Me.\ico City report that 
General Venustiauo Carranza ha.s agreed to be a 
candidate for the Presidency. 0r. Francisco 
ISscudero, confidential agent of General Carran- 
za, said ; 

"You may be sure that in so far as it relates 
to any agreement General Carranza is repre- 
sented to have made through an unnamed rep- 
resentative at Mexico City and in so far as it 
relates to any effort he has made to Induce 
Sonora Constitutionalists to agree to abide by 
the proposed election, there is no truth in that 
report." — Washington Dispatch to the Tiem 
York Herald. 

Guglielmo Marconi has installed an ex- 
tra-powerful wireless station in Washing- 
ton for the exclusive use of the rebel jun- 
ta. He has also supplied Don Venustiano 
Carranza with a portable instrument, a new 
Marconi invention, the nature of which has 
not yet been disclosed to the world. 

By means of this instrument Carranza is 
able to maintain constant communication 
with his representatives in Washington and 
apprise them of all his movements and 
plans. 

Thus the Washington junta is in a po- 
sition to inf'jrm the Herald's correspond- 
ent — and any other correspondent who is 
willing to be informed — almost hourly of 
all that Carranza is doing and thinking. 

The only drawback to the use of the 
wireless instrument which Don Venustiano 
Carranza is carrying, is that the instrument 
will work only at a very high elevation. 

This is the real cause — hitherto unre- 
vealed — that forced Don Venustiano Car- 
ranza to abandon the plains around Tor- 
reon and ascend the mountains of the Sier- 
ra Madre to the west. 



What has added to the interest in the meet- 
ing of the Mexican Congress, too, is that all 
the constitutional members — that is, members 
in sympathy v/ith the constitutional movement 
in the Northern Mexican States — will be denied 
admission to the Congress. Their places will 
be filled by substitutes, which is provided un- 
der the Mexican constitution. — .V. Y. World, 
September 10. 

Rather clever the little twist in this para- 
graph foisted upon the Washington corre- 
spondent of the World by the Washington 
rebel junta. It gives the impression that the 
Mexican Executive in order to have the sup- 
port of a majority in Congress will eliminate 
the "Constitutionalist" members. 

As a matter of fact, the Executive could not 
deny admission to Congress to any member 
thereof. But the places left vacant by those 
members who have joined the Maderist juntas 
in the United States will be automatically 
filled by their substitutes, who, according to 
the Mexican law, were elected at the same 
time the Congressmen themselves were elected. 



SUBSCRIBE TO "MEXICO" 



Some Washington ofBcials commented tor the 
first time on Provisional President Huerta's 
declaration that if the .Vmerlcan Government 
were reluctant to give the refugees first-class 
transportation, he would gladly do so. These 
officials, instead of resenting the statement, re- 
garded it as an act of generosity and remarked 
that they hoped Senor Huerta's beneficence 
would 1)0 extended to repay Americans and 
other foreigners for the great losses their in- 
vestments had .sustained through the chaotic 
conditions resulting from Huerta's irregular as- 
sumption of governmental power. 
This item appeared in recent Washington 
despatches to all the leading papers of the 
country. The "sting" of this White House- 
inspired statement is in the last three lines. 
Everybody knows that the "chaotic conditions" 
iu Mexico existed for more than two years 
liefore Huerta's "assumption of power," that 
he was in no wise responsible for theiii^ that 
his purpose has been and is to put an end to 
these conditions, and that the Washington Ad- 
ministration's personally antagonistic attitude 
has encouraged the continuance of lawlessness 
iu Mexico. Matters have reached a poor pass 
when the .'\dministration must defend itself 
by misstatements like the above. 



Washington. — Ihe admission of the authori- 
ties at Mexico City that Northern rebels have 
made important gains during the last ten days 
was not unexpected 'nere. Reports received at 
the Department of State from American con- 
sular officials in that territory as well as the 
reports received at Constitutionalist headquar- 
ti'rs here indicate that the period of waiting 
that has followed the receipt of the second note 
from Mr. Oamboa has been seized upon by 
Constitutionalist military leaders as a psychic 
moment tor activity. • While the federal troops 
hold most of the larger cities in the Northern 
States the rest of this territory is practically 
iu the hands of General Carranza and his lieu- 
ti'uants. 

It is understood that the recent conferences 
between the Constituti6nalist leaders have been 
for the purpose of formulating some civil or- 
ganization throughout the territorj' under their 
control, to supplement the military organization, 
of which General Carranza is the aclvnowledged 
head. — .Y. i'. Herald, September Id. 

The team work of the Herald and of the 
Maderist junta is a;dmirable ! 

The authorities at Mexico City have not ad- 
mitted that the rebels have made important 
gains during the last ten days, because by the 
force of events they were obliged to admit 
that the Federals have made most important 
gains. 

In fact, General Ojeda has driven from 
Ortiz all the massed Sonora rebels, thus going 
beyond the dangerous point (which had baf- 
fled the Federals during many months) on the 
line of advance to Hermosillo. 

And tlie Federals have also taken the most 
strategic point in the very heart of the 
State of Coahuila — Cuatro Cienegas, the last 
stronghold of the Carrancistas. Thus the 
union of the Carrancistas who took refuge in 
the State of Durango with those who re- 
mained at Ciudad Porfirio Diaz has been ren- 
dered impossible. It means that even if Ve- 
nustiano Carranza is still alive — and there 
seems to be great doubt about this — his brotli- 
er Jesus will have to forego the pleasure of 
seeing him for a long time. 



Saturday, September /?, 791/^? 



MEXICO 



What Potter Thinks 

If Washington will not recognize the Hucrta 
government in Mexico the latter will do its 
licst to get along without such recognition in 
the opinion of James Brown Potter,, who has 
just come up from Mexico City. Mr. Potter 
(Iocs not think Huerta has any idea of follow- 
ing the "suggestions" of President Wilson, 
transmitted to him hy John Lind. 

Mr. Potter, who is at the head of one of the 
biggest agricultural enterprises in Mexico, his 
company operating enormous plantations, has 
spent a good part of each year in that country 
since 1895. He pronounces the order of the 
State Department for Americans to hurry out 
of Mexico "ridiculous," and characterizes the 
negotiations that have been proceeding as in- 
spired by "grace-juice diplomacy." He said 
lie regarded John Lind as a nice, sincere gen- 
tleman. 

"But," added Mr. Potter, "he doesn't know 
the people to whom he was sent, he doesn't 
know their language, and the mission on which 
he was sent is one of the most peculiar — to 
say the least — of any an American diplomatic 
agent was ever charged with. Briefly, its only 
purpose, so far as I can see it, is to attempt to 
drive the keystone out of an arch of govern- 
mental structure ; the result of which would be 
to send the whole thing down in ruins. Huerta 
is to-day the keystone of the arch in Mexico, 
and he is the best and only keystone that those 
who know Mexico feel could maintain a gov- 
ernment at present. 

"There are only two possible ways of ruling 
Mexico. You must govern the country more 
or less forcibly from within, or forcibly from 
without. It is a police job, and such a thing 
as a democratic government, one of the people 
liy the people, is impracticable. 

"In Torreon there is a strong feeling among 
all classes of Mexicans against Americans, 
because of the non-recognition of Huerta by 
the American Government. The feeling there 
has become so strong that the Dcfcnsa Social 
professes to believe that the rebels outside are 
being assisted by Americans within the town, 
and some of the higher Federal officers are 
said to share this belief. 

"Foods went up tremendously in price dur- 
ing the fortnight. Meat, which had been hov- 
ering about 80 cents per kilo (2 1-5 pounds) 
reached $2. Ice jumped up to 15 centavos a 
pound, sugar reached 35 centavos a pound and 
lard brought $2.50 a pound. 

"In my opinion, if recognition is withheld by 
tlie United States, the Huerta government will 
go right along anyhow, making out the best 
it can. It is the only thing possible in Mexico 
now. Huerta is the only man who can hold 
things together and restore order in the pres- 
ent crisis. As for Washington's issuing orders 
for Americans in Mexico to drop their busi- 
ness and come on home it is absurd." — New 
York Times. 



COMBING THE NEWS 



Rebels Driven Out of Ortiz 

Special to the World. 

Di.usilas, Ariz., September 8. — .\ftcr two day's 
li.'iwy fighting the rebels, Col. Alvarado com- 
iiianding, were driven by the Federals uikIit 
(M-ns. Pedro Ojeda and Medina Barron from 
nil the main positions about Ortiz. The I'"od- 
I'lals' heaviest loss was in artillerymen, who 
were picked off by Indian sharpshooters. The 
rebel loss was heavy, but they have refused to 
give the number of their dead and wounded. 
They are now holding minor positions north of 
Ortiz, only 100 miles south of Hermosillo. The 
main army is retreating north in good order 
with their supplies. Ortiz was a most strat- 
egic point, and its capture gives the Federals 
easy access to Northern .Sonora. 

The Constitutionalists say the retreat was 
due to the inability of (Sen. Obrogon to bo at 
the front and direct the movements. He is 
now in a hospital at Merraosillo suffering from 
a second sunstroke. The Federals are rebuild- 
ing the railroad and will make Ortiz a base 
for supplies. The success of the Federals at 
Ortiz will result in the failure of the rebel 
movement in Socora and the breaking up of the 
rebel army and the guerrilla bands. 

Gov. Jose Maytorena has annulled all the 
municipal elections recently held throughout the 
State of Sonora, appointing military authorities. 
He has given orders to the retreating forces to 
destroy every vestige of the Southern Pacific 
Itailroad of Mexico south of the capital to de- 
lay thu advance of the Federals. 



The Limit of Humiliation 



It is now also apparent that Mr. O'Sbaugh- 
nessy was not aware of the view which the 
Washington Administration sought to dissem- 
inate with regard to the exchanges between the 
two Governments, otherwise he would never 
have made his statement in Mexico City deny- 
ing the truth of the despatch from Washington. 
— Yeic York Sun, September .S. 
We must conclude from this that the pur- 
pose of the Administration is not to dissem- 
inate the tnilh about its exchanges with Mex- 
ico, but simply its views. Reminds us of the 
old difference between truth and logic. One 
can be terribly logical and not at all truthful. 



By Mexican Cable to the Herald. 
Jlexieo City, Mexico, via Galveston, Texas, 
Wrdiicsday. — That Venustiano Carranza will be 
n caiiilidate at the October elections for Presi- 
dent, it given full guaranties by the adminis- 
tration and will abide by the result whether he 
wins or loses was the statement made to-night 
by a representative of the northern rebels who 
is here to see General Huerta, but who desires 
that his name be withheld. 

He states that General Carranza's trip to 

Sonora was for the purpose of persuading So- 

nora rebels to agree to this arrangement. 

From the foregoing it would seem that 

even rebel leaders have recognized the 

Mexican Government as the Constitutional 

Government of Mexico. If it were not the 

Constitutional Government it could not 

call the people of Mexico to elections. 

Yet we still refuse to recognize that gov- 
ernment. 



The .Mcxicitn Herald, voicing the sentiments 
of the majority of Americans here, says editori- 
ally : 

••We regret to appear to be disrespectful to- 
ward our home Government, but the latest Con- 
sular instructions from the State Department at 
Washington, reversing the unwarranted and ill- 
considered exodus order of ten days ago. seem 
to us to be the very limit of humiliation for 
Americans in Mexico. Upon what kind of in- 
formation was the first sv.-eeping peremptory 
order for Americans to get out of Mexico at 
once iiased? If the result did not justify panic, 
how is Washington now assured that there is 
no hurry! 

"If the State Department does not rely upon 
reports of experienced and competent diplomatic 
and Consular representatives in JMexico, why. 
in heaven's name, doesn't it send others to 
represent it here in whom it has confidence'; 
For months American interests in Jlexico have 
been prejudic-^d by the attitude of their Govern- 
ment in Washington, and now the vacillating 
attitude of the State Department is making a 
laughing stock of Americans here and nf the 
nation throughout the world." 

Americans here refuse to comment upon tlie 
revised order except in such language as is un- 
printable. They are discouraged and unable to 
understand what the plans of the Vnited States 
may be and what is to be expected. Business 
is practically at a standstill. Many who re- 
fused to leave previously are now preparing to 
p.bandon their interests and depart, as they 
see no hope of their Government doing any- 
thing to bettor affairs for them. Mexicans gen- 
erally are good naturedly derisive. 

High army officials here emphatically deoy 
the report that they are plotting against Presi- 
dent Huerta and that he is moving them about 
to prevent concerted action against him. There 
have been no rumors here of any such plots, 
and the only movement of high army officials 
bas been due to well-outlined plans of the War 
Department, which have not been made public 
for obvious reasons. — .V. 1'. Times, September 9. 



J. P. Morgan says : "We certainly shall not lend money to Mexico 
while the present policy of our government continues in force." 
See the connection. 



Busy Explaining 

Administratiidi autb'iritii-s were busy to-day 
explaining the conflict between the President's 
message, whicli advised all .Americans urgently 
to leave Mexico "at once," with his subsequent 
Instructions to Consul-General Shanklin at Mex- 
ico City to advise Americans to take their time. 
There was bad "team woriv" in the explana- 
tions. One ofiicial said that the President orig- 
inally intended that his message should apply 
only to "zones of danger." Another ofiicial 
said that the President's message "bad produced 
a congestion on railways and steamers and that 
the new instructions to Consul-General Shank- 
lin were necessary to stop that congestion." 

A flood of light was thrown on the reluctance 
of .\mericans to leave Mexico on the invitation 
of the President to-day. It came out, notwith- 
standing previous statements, that this Govern- 
ment will not reimburse refugees from Mexico 
for losses for abandoned leases, furniture and 
household goods in general. If an American 
who occupies a house under lease ^eares Mexico 
he may have his transportation paid for him by 
this Government, but be will be liable to the 
Mexican landlord for the lease. — .V. Y. .Imer- 
iean, September 10. 
Those hundred or so .-\mericans who left 

Vera Cruz for the United States must have 

been of Taftian size to have caused such a 

congestion ! 

And yet we have been told that living in 

Mexico is at present unbearable ! 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September /?, igi^ 



PUBLIC OPINION 



The Mystery of Mr. Wilson's 
Mexican Policy. 

The utter failure of President Wilson's 
attempt to relieve, by sentimental moral in- 
tervention, the dangerous situation brought 
about by his refusal to recognize the legal 
government of Mexico was fully antici- 
pated by all who understand past and pres- 
ent conditions. 

In assuming the personal right to decide, 
in defiance of the Mexican law and the 
Mexican Congress, that Huerta shall 
neither serve as president nor be a candi- 
date for the presidency, and iii deliberately 
choosing a course opposite to that of all 
other great nations, Mr. Wilson has brought 
the government of the United States to 
an unfortunate appearance of muddled in- 
capacity in foreign aflfairs. 

One of the most extraordinary things 
about the President's attitude is the mys- 
terious secrecy of his conduct in a mat- 
ter about which the whole country has the 
right to be informed. 

Mr. Wilson has openly treated the 
American ambassador to Mexico with con- 
tempt, and has ignored his official reports. 
He has allowed the suppression of consu- 
lar reports showing that the so-called 
"constitutional" forces with which the 
Huerta government is contending are 
largely made up of bandits given over to 
the almost indiscriminate pillage of towns 
and persons. 

Mr. Wilson has not revealed the name 
of one of the multitude of reputable and 
informed American citizens living in Mexi- 
co who has advised him that President 
Huerta's official title is not as legal as his 
own. 

He has not allowed the people to know 
the evidence on which he has chosen to 
ignore the detailed official statements of 
the representatives of the United States 
throughout Mexico. 

He has concealed his reasons for relying 
for information upon purely personal rep- 
resentatives unfamiliar with the great and 
complex Mexican problem. 

Can it be possible that the President of 
the United States has been led into the 
present unfortunate and embarrassing po- 
sition through pridt of personal opinion? 

The State Department, under Mr. Bryan, 
is in an obvious condition of demoraliza- 
tion and helplessness. That is plain to be 
seen. 

But the country has a right to look to 
President Wilson for a frank disclosure of 
the information furnished to him by pri- 
vate emissaries, since he has apparently 
turned bis back on officials-reports. 

Is Mexico to be forced into a declaration 
of national bankruptcy? If so, what does 
Mr. Wilson expect to accomplish by par.a- 



Ij'zing the only apparent means of restor- 
ing order in that distracted country? 

\Vhy is our national government urging 
Americans to fiee from Mexico when the 
provisional government is openly and 
strenuously exerting itself to protect life 
and property, and why are the facts re- 
ported b}' our consuls carefully locked up 
in the secret archives of the State Depart- 
ment? 

What does it all mean? 

Mr. Wilson says that he wants peace. 
How can he liope to avert a continuation 
of war hy pursuing his present mysterious 
and futile policy of drifting?N. Y. Eve. Mail. 

Strong Man Only Hope of Mexico 

"Mexico as a nation will be nothingmore 
than a land of disorder and banditti un- 
less they find a man as good as Porfirio 
Diaz to become its President." 

This was the summing up of the Mexican 
situation, as expressed last night by George 
Lewis, a mining engineer, of Boston, who 
arrived here on the Ward liner Morro Cas- 
tle from Vera Cruz. Mr. Lewis, who man- 
aged a silver and lead mine in Cerralvo for 
two wealthy Spaniards, left Mexico because 
business was dead. The bandits, under the 
direction of General Carranza, he said, 
cleaned out the district where his mines 
lay and he was forced to quit. 

"These bandits, or so-called Constitution- 
alists," he said, "have swooped down upon 
villages and mining^ camps and plundered 
right and left. They robbed one peaceful 
family near us, and threatened to kill everj- 
one in the district if there was any outcry. 
They have burned bridges, torn up railroad 
tracks and wrecked the country so that no 
business of any sort could be carried on. 
The country is actually paralyzed. Inter- 
vention by the United States would not do 
a particle of good. Nothing is fair and 
sqtiare in Mexico, and there will be noth- 
ing fair and square in the election. The 
nation needs a man like old Porfirio Diaz. 
Such a man at the head of the nation 
might restore order and do some good." 



Tying His Hands 

Isn't there somebody close to President Wil- 
son who cares enough for him as a man, and 
supports him as President, who can and will 
point out to him the dangerous situation in 
which he has been placed by his Mexican 
policy? Evidently he has received "advice" 
heretofore, Init who will say that it was from 
any real friend? Europe is laughing- at our 
President ; Japan is smiling politely but none 
the less gleefully; the powerful countries of 
South America, Argentine and Brazil, whose 
ambition is to become even greater than the 
United Stales, are making capital out of our 
predicament ; England is playing a shrewd 
game with the Panama Canal tolls question 



in mind, and the powers that be in Mexico 
have been so flagrantly antagonized and in- 
sulted that we can hardly blame them for 
resentment. This seems to be a gloomy 
picture of our international relations, but isn't 
it literally true? 

It is a strange anomaly that our President, 
a thorough gentleman at heart, a model of 
polite cordiality in his relations with his 
fellow man, has seemingly given to the world 
an entirely different impression. I voted for 
him on the strength of my belief in his single- 
ness and honesty of purpose in carrying out 
the necessary reforms to which the Demo- 
cratic party has committed itself. And be- 
fore his Administration is fairly under way 
he becomes involved in the crudest way in 
foreign misunderstandings and goes out of 
his way to incite them, as witness the Nic- 
aragua protectorate proposition and th'; un- 
warranted meddling in Mexican politics. 

What is back of all this? Is our President 
being "used" ? Are those interests who saw 
in him an honest enemy tying his hands by 
pushing him into foreign troubles he is not 
capable of handling? Let somebody please 
suggest to him the advisability, the necessity, 
of appointing as Secretary of State a man of 
experience who knows and can handle foreign 
affairs, even though to do so it becomes nec- 
essary to create a new cabinet office for Bryan, 
for instance, Secretary of Ideals and Lectures. 

And first of all let President Wilson come 
straight out in this Mexican matter, admit he 
has made a mistake, recognize the present 
capable Mexican Government, retire from 
Mexican politics and again take up his work 
of tariff' and currency reform for which he 
was elected, — Letter in N. Y. Evening Post. 



French View of Situation 

Paris, September 8. — The Temps tliis morn- 
ing, in its leading article reviewing the Mexi- 
can situation, concludes : 

"The simplest way out of the perplexities 
into which the United States has been thrown 
by a false diplomatic move would be to con- 
fine herself to an attitude of expectant neu- 
trality', at least until the presidential election 
in October. The manifested wishes of the 
Mexican nation, if freely and regularly e.x- 
pressed, will then indicate to the United States 
a line of conduct better defined than is pos- 
sible by the attitude of suspicious opposition 
which American diplomacy is adopting at the 
present time toward General Huerta. 

"It would be best to recognize the provi- 
sional Huerta government while waiting, as 
the European Powers have done, and in ac- 
cordance with the expressed wishes of all the 
foreign colonies in Mexico. The least un- 
trustworthy opinion in Mexico is that Huerta 
is capable of re-es'tablishing peace, and that 
work of pacification is making undeniable 
progress despite the countless difficulties. The 
attitude of the United States, in which the 
revolutionists find encouragement, is certainlj- 
not the smallest of these. 



Saturday, September /j, /<J/J 



MEXICO 



11 



The Present Government Is 
the Constitutional Gov- 
ernment of Mexico 



There cannot be any legal ground for 
withholding recognition, for the Huerta 
Ciovernment is in every respect a constitu- 
tiunal government. Upon their arrest Ma- 
(lero and Pino Suarez resigned from the 
ofiices of President and Vice-President, re- 
spectively. Their resignations were ac- 
cepted by Congress sitting in extraordinary 
session. By virtue of article 83 of the Mex- 
ican Constitution, Pedro Lascurain, Min- 
ister of Foreign Affairs, automatically be- 
came President ad interim. In the exer- 
cise of his executive power he immediately 
appointed Gen. Victoriano Huerta Minister 
of the Interior, filling the vacancy left by 
the resignation of Rafael Hernandez. Sub- 
sequently Pedro Lascurain formally re- 
signed his office and his resignation was 
accepted by Congress. Thus automatically 
and in accordance with the Constitution 
the executive power devolved upon Gen. 
Huerta, Minister of the Interior, as the of- 
fice of Minister of Foreign Relations had 
liccn left vacant. All this was in strict 
ciMiipliance with the letter and spirit of 
the Mexican Constitution and with the 
common agreement of Lascurain, chief of 
the Madero Cabinet, the Chamber of Dep- 
uties, the Senate and the Supreme Court, 
aided by the ])est legal talent in Mexico, all 
keen and conscientious in maintaining un- 
broken the constitutionality of the Mexi- 
can Government. 

It may he contended by those denying 
the constitutionality of the Huerta Gov- 
ernment that the foregoing proceedings 
took place under revolutionary coercion. 
Of course, neither Porfirio Diaz nor Ma- 
dero resigned until forced by a successful 
revolution, but both their resignations were 
equally effective and the succeeding gov- 
ernments equally constitutional. 

There was not the slightest question as 
to the constitutionality of de la Barra's 
government under similar circumstances. 

Moreover, Madero's resignation was 
taken to Congress by Lascurain, Madero's 
friend and chief of Cabinet, and was ac- 
cepted by a Congress in which the Ma- 
derists held the balance of power. 

Later, on .\pril 1st last, at the formal 
opening of the ordinary session of Con- 
gress, this body with almost all cif its 
members present, formally recognized the 
constitutionality of Huerta as provisional 
President. In otlier words, the legislative 
and judicial powers of the previous ad- 
ministration have declared the constitu- 
tionality of the present one. — Los .Angeles 
Times, July 20. 




SENOR ENRIQUE COROSTrETA 



An Absurd and Unjust Demand 

Kditiir <pr ■•.\U.vku." 

lioiir Sir: It is said that Washington will not 
rcniKiiizf tlie Mexican government until after legal 
elections shall have been held in Mexico. Such a 
declaration seems to be a new variation of the 
Monroe Doctrine, which besides covering the pro- 
tection of -\mericans and Europeans in Latin 
America, is now to ht extended to a supervision 
of the internal affairs of the other nations of the 
.\mericas. 

Following this new modification the Mexicans 
are to be commanded to hold elections at a speci- 
fied time and in a specified manner, mider tluvnt 
of "no recognition" by Washington shc.iild ilii' ile- 
niands not be complied with. 

Such meddling in the internal affairs of another 
country is certainl.v unjustified and is most prop- 
erly resented by any independent people. 

The Mexican people themselves are the most 
interested in seeing to it that their laws are duly 
and properly enfoiced, as they themselves know 
at first hand how necessary it is to suppress dis- 
order and rebellion in order to have peace estab- 
lished on a firm basis. The elections must 6e held 
because the law so provides, they must be held 
honestlii for the same reason, and the Mexican 
people themselves would be the first to protest 
against any irregularities because they are the 
most vitally interested, but it is a far call indeed 
for the United States to attempt to dictate these 
measures to another nation or to assume the con- 
stitutional duties and rights of an independent 
people. 

The Washington government is without warrant 
in regulating the suffrage in Mexico, but it insists 
on this, even though by so doing it violates the 
sovereignty of a sister nation, abu.ses the dignity 
of another government, embitters the fracticidal 
struggle and consequently causes the lives and 
property of foreigners resident in Mexico to be 
made insecure. But to carry its point is the great 
thing after all. T. Muec.is. 

Haltimore. Md., Sept. S, lilt;!. 



Letters to the Editor 

I-;ditor of -.M.xie,..' 

Dear Sir: I have been a very ciusi' reader for 
many years of ail things Mexican. 

The ignorance and utter bosh shown in all tlie 
dailies and in their editorials is astounding. They 
nuike or help to make an .American un-.Vmericaii. 
l"or this reason I take real pleasure in speaking 
of your publication, "Mexico," as the only paper 
sliowing any sense at all on the subject. We 
agree so well that it seems as if I must have writ- 
ten niui'h tliiil is in your paper. You are saying 
111 .v., Ill piiper things that I say every day about 
.Me.vici.. I iiiii glad there is one paper that can 
speak the tnuli on tlie siiliject. 

My eoii,i.lii„e„ts l„ ,v„u. T. D. S. 



Editor of ".Mexico." 

Dear Sir: It is particularly gratifying to at 
last find someone who knows the real situation in 
Mexico, and who has the courage to publish facts. 

.\nyone who is in the least familiar with Mexi- 
can affairs could' write many volumes on the sub- 
ject without being able to print one word of ap- 
liroval of the action of tlie I'nited States govern- 
ment in this matter. 

Wo wish yon ail tlie success possible, and which 
you so justl.\- deserve. Yours very trul.\-, 

II. W. II. 



Nailing Them Some More 

l:.v Me\i,..ii, Calile to the ll,:,iihl. 
Mexico City, Tuesday.— An ofiicial order of 
the War Department was published to-day di- 
recting that new machinery be obtained for the 
government ammunition factory to largely in- 
crease the output and install a department for 
the manufacture of shells for artillery. Hitherto 
all shells and most rifle ammunition were im- 
ported from Washington. 

\\"e hope that last paragraph of the forego- 
ing was cabled back to Mexico City. It is 
very selfish of the Herald to let us have all the 
fun here. 

So hitherto Washington sent all the shells 
and most of tlie rifle ammunition to Mexico 
City ! 



And Then Some 

Washington. — Mr. Lind, it is stated, said that 
he will surely remain in Mexico until after the 
October election, and may be there a good deal 
longer. While he feels that the assurances re- 
ceived conc(>rning the non-candidacy of Pro- 
\isional President Huerta prove his mission to 
have been successful, he naturally desires to 
remain long enough to enjoy the full fruition 
of his labors.— v. Y. ilntthl. September 10. 

Well, now! What are the "fruitions" of 
Mr. Lind's laliors? 



f 1.(1(1 FOR SIX .MOXTH.S. . . $2.00 FOR ONE YEAR. 

(Cut out this orilcr ;uHi mail it to-dav.) 



UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE, 

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to ".MEXICO," to be sent to 



12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September ij, igij 



"MEXICO'' 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISfflNG SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $200 



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IS Broad Street, New York 



The Power of Money 

We ask our readers to study carefully the 
well-informed article by James Creelman 
reproduced from the New York Evening 
Mail on another page of this issue of Mex- 
ico. Those who have been puzzled by the 
seemingly weak and wobbly, when not 
merely stubborn, Mexican policy of the Ad- 
ministration, may find in this article a rea- 
son for the bland optimism that permeates 
the White House. 

The Administration has gone into the 
banking business. 

We all know the power of money, but it 
has remained for a Democratic President, 
absolutely uncontrolled by financial inter- 
ests, an enemy of special privilege, to call 
upon the Money Power to help him carry 
out a meddling and muddling interference 
in Mexico. We all know, too, that money's 
greatest power is in the accretion of power, 
that it does not lend itself to sentiments 
nor blindly follow chimeras. It is pertinent 
to ask what "Aloney" expects from thf 
Washington Administration in return for 
its bolstering up of the arbitrary, domineer- 
ing Mexican policy? 

It would be delightfully naive to say 
"Xothing." But experience teaches a dif- 
ferent lesson. Experience may also teach 
President Wilson that when "Money" gets 
its grip on a Washington Administration it 
is slow to relax and hard to throw off. The 
pound of flesh will be demanded. 

So this is how we are going to force our 
"ideals of democracy" on our weaker neigh 
bors Verily tlic ways of idealists arc be- 
yond comprehension. 

We object to Madero's overthrow Ijy 
force. .And we aim to overthrow Iiis suc- 
cessor by the greatest force in the world^ — 
"Money." It is well in this connection to 
rcnienibcr the dignified, patriotic words of 
Senor Gamboa's note rejecting the Admin- 
istration's extraordinary offer to recom- 
mend a loan by our bankers to Mexico if 
Huerta would kindly eliminate himself. 
These words perhaps were prophetic: 

"Permit me, Mr. Confidential Agent, not 
lo reply for the time being to the significant 



oiter in which tlie Government of the United 
States of America insinuates that it will 
recommend to American bankers the im- 
mediate extension of a loan which will per- 
init us, among other things, to cover the in- 
numerable urgent expenses required by the 
progressive pacification of the country; for 
in the terms in which it is couched it ap- 
pears more to be an attractive antecedent 
proposal to the end that, moved by petty 
interests, we should renounce a right whicli 
incontrovertibly upholds us at a period 
when the dignity of the nation is at stake. 

"I believe that there are not loans enough 
to induce those charged by the law to main- 
tain that dignity to permit it to be less- 
ened." 



American Responsibility 

Inveighing against the deplorable conditions 
in Mexico is the favorite sport of certain 
jingoes, and not all of them Texans. The 
pictures they draw of conditions in our neigh- 
boring republic are hopelessly horrible. While 
it is true that these conditions have been 
greatly exaggerated for a variety of purposes, 
it is equally true that many of our most 
blatant "patriots" have themselves been 
largely responsible for the three years of truly 
deplorable disorder and civil strife below the 
Rio Grande. The suffering caused to Ameri- 
can lives and property has been in a great 
measure due to the pernicious and meddling- 
activities of Americans themselves. 

It would be folly to assert that the United 
States or jts citizens are the cause of Mexican 
troubles, but it is incontrovertible that the re- 
bellious tendencies of unscrupulous and am- 
bitious Mexican leaders and the ignorance and 
restlessness of their followers have been used 
to further the selfish interests and schemes of 
certain Americans. On this account we should 
in justice at least modify our attitude of 
self-satisfied horror and intolerance in con- 
sidering Mexican affairs. 

We should not be hypocritical in dealing 
with Mexico. We should look the situatioji 
straight in the face. 

American interests backed morally and 
financially the Madero revolution, which 
plunged Mexico into its present state after 
thirty years of peace, prosperity and develop- 
ment under Porfirio Diaz. 

.American manufacturers of arms and am- 
munition have supplied the sinews of war for 
the rebels and bandits who are now pillaging 
and looting, and finding their nefarious busi- 
ness more profitable than honest toil. 

American filibusters and smugglers along 
tlic Mexican border have reaped a golden 
harvest by violating the neutrality laws of the 
United States, and find in tlie continuation of 
trouble in Mexico the market they desire. 

American Tc.xans and even a Texas gov- 
ernor have found it profitable to harbor and 
encourage rebellions against the constituted 
authority of Mexico. 

Irrcsponsil)le American adventurers have 
gone into Mexico and fouglit for any faction 
or band that promised sufficient monetary 
rewards. 

The peace of Mexico requires that a strong 
central government put down this condition of 



lawlessness, in which financial interests and 
citizens of the United States have played so 
conspicuous a part. The peace of Mexico re- 
quires it. Civilization demands it. And yet 
the President of the United States refuses our 
moral support to the only government in Mex- 
ico, the one power with any chance of coping 
with the situation, and by this attitude greatly 
encourages every rebel chief and bandit leader 
who sees in a continuance of strife his chance 
for loot and power. 

Let us deplore Mexican conditions if we 
will, but let us realize at the same time 
that we are not entirely without blame for 
them. This is putting it very mildly, for in 
truth they are more largely of our making 
than it would be pleasant to admit. But let 
us not be hypocrites. 



A New Game 

We are all familiar with the old gaiue of 
"cutting oft' the nose to spite the face." There 
is a new one called "cutting off the nose to 
sax'c the face." It is a simple game, easily 
learned and is likely to win a great measure 
of popularity, since official Washington has 
marked it with approval. Diplomatic circles 
in the capital are not so keen about it but in 
time they, too, are expected to take it up en- 
thusiastically. 

You play it somewhat like this : First you 
make up your mind about something you don't 
know anything about. Then you sleep on it 
— if your opponent in the game will let you. 
Isn't it simple? But that's only the fundamen- 
tal principle of the game. As it works out it 
is full of all kinds of surprising possibilities. 
Your opponent of course knows you have 
made up your mind about something you don't 
know anything about. His purpose then is to 
show how your mind works. 

You do not want anybody to know how 
your mind works, so j'ou keep mum. Then 
it is the business of" your opponent to inform 
you about the thing you don't know anything 
about. But you must coldly and sternly resist 
any such attempt. The most forceful move at 
this point for you to make is to gather around 
you all the people you know who know noth- 
ing of the matter on which you have made 
up your mind. Have them all talk at once. 
This will effectually prevent any information 
or knowledge seeping into your head. If your 
opponent brings to his assistance authorities 
on the subject dismiss them curtly and treat 
them with supreme contempt. 

And so on. You see the infinite possiliilities 
of the game. It may be kept up for months 
at a time. Of course in tlie end it will appear 
that you made up your mind about something 
you know nothing about but meanwhile you 
have saved your face by cutting off the nose 
of knowledge. 



Read "MEXICO" Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. 1. — No. 5 



NEW YORK. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20. 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



President Huerta's Message 
Its Significance 



Tlic frioiully and temperate tone of the 
message read by President Huerta at the 
opening of the ordinary session of the Mexi- 
can Congress will undoubtedly be acknowl- 
edged by all fair-minded Americans. 

The fact that in his message President Hu- 
erta expressed the hope "to see quickly solved 
the differences which day by day keep in sus- 
pense the friendship which of old united and 
for an indefinite future should unite us to our 
powerful civilized neighbor" will be highly 
gratifying to all friends of Mexico, and for- 
tunately they are a host in this country. 

After inviting his fellow countrymen to ac- 
cept unreservedly the results of the forthcom- 
ing electoral contest. President Huerta went 
on : 

"The moment is a solemn one. and there- 
fore I urge on the honorable metribers of Con- 
gress to do patriotic w'ork by impressing on 
their constituents the conviction that rebellion 
is incapable of bringing about the progress of 
nations, and that only by the orderly exercise 
of the rights of citizenship can a fit adminis- 
trative personnel be selected and our political 
institutions elevated." 

President Huerta's reference to the relations 
with the United States was brief and devoid 
of sensational features. "Never, perhaps," he 
said, "has an executive appeared before Con- 
gress, in the fulfilment of his constitutional 
obligation of giving periodically an account of 
his acts under circumstances more momentous 
than the present ones. The fratricidal strug- 
gle that has been draining the nation's blood 
is, fortunately, if such a word can be used in 
connection with a contest between brothers, 
on the point of terminating, thanks to the un- 
remitting efforts of the glorious Federal army, 
on which no sufficient amount of praise can be 
bestowed. 

"But in addition to that struggle the tense- 
ness of our relations with the government of 



tlic United States of America, although, for- 
tunately, not with the American people, has 
focussed universal attention upon us and has 
subjected us to not a few undeserved embar- 
rassments and has retarded the complete and 
definite pacification of the Republic. 

"Inasmuch as this is a matter of a delicate 
nature, and as the standing committee of Con- 
gress and the entire nation have been informed 
as to the state of negotiations, which have not 
.so far been interrupted, I have only to say 
that the Government has well grounded hopes 
that an early solution will be found for the 
difference which just now holds in suspense 
the relations of good and long standing friend- 
ship, destined, we liupe, to bind us for the in- 
definite future with our powerful and civilized 
neighbor." 

General Huerta justly points out in his mes- 
sage that "there exists a tenseness in the re- 
lations of Mexico with the Government of the 
United States although luckily not with the 
people of the United States." 

There is no quarrel between the people of 
the United States and the people of Mexico. 
This has been most eloquently demonstrated 
by the friendly attitude of the people of Mex- 
ico towards all Americans in Mexico before 
and during their national holidays and by 
Americans themselves who, despite the alarm- 
ing suggestion from Washington, remained in 
Mexico trusting themselves to the hospitality 
of Mexicans. 

Those jingo elements who are trying to read 
in General Huerta's message an attempt to 
put all the blame for the situation on Presi- 
dent Wilson, by distinguishing between the 
Government and the people of the United 
States, are doing so intentionally and without 
the foundation of fact. 

The Mexican Government undoubtedly 
knows that if President Wilson chooses to 
make a national issue of the Mexican question 



it is a foregone conclusion tnat he will have 
the support of the people even though they 
may be convinced that the issue is wrong. 

It is a fact, however, that there is no na- 
tional feeling in tliis country against either 
the Mexican people or the Mexican Govern- 
ment. The sporadic outbursts of a few jingo 
politicians who seek the furtherance of their 
personal ambition and profit in the provoca- 
tion of trouble with our neighbors are by no 
means an indication of the popular sentiment. 

The truth is that the average American citi- 
zen who has no direct relations with Mexico 
is indifferent to the so-called "Mexican situa- 
tion," that those Americans who have commer- 
cial or social relations with Mexico are anx- 
ious to see the re-establishment of friendly 
intercourse with the southern Republic. 

It is because these Americans who are fa- 
miliar with Mexican affairs believe that the 
policy adopted by the Washington Adminis- 
tration is fraught with the most serious con- 
sequences for the two countries that they are 
trying to bring about a change in the attitude 
of the United States Government toward 
Mexico. 

They believe that the policy adopted by the 
Washington Administration is based on mis- 
leading information and personal prejudice 
and that as a consequence a great wrong has 
been done to Mexico. 

Whatever the personal reason and moral 
grounds on which recognition of the Huerta 
Government has been refused there is no uoubt 
that such a refusal has worked and is work- 
ing untold hardships on all Mexicans — except- 
ing, of course, the few thousand bandits — and 
all foreigners residing in Mexico. , 

It could hardly be expected that such a 
course could be found just and friendly no 
matter how much of an appeal the Washing- 
ton Administration should make to the patriot- 
ism of the American people. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, i<pij 



The Mexican question is not and cannot be 
made a national issue wliile the people of both 
Mexico and of the United States preserve the 
equanimity which they have wisely shown so 
far. 

It has been asserted that the Washington 
Administration is determined to "break" the 
Jilexican Government, using its tremendous 
power in the linancial markets of the world. 
This plan may or may not be successful, but 
in "breaking" the Mexican Government the 
Washington Government will break the people 
of Mexico 

No matter how strong the desire of all 
Americans may be to give their loyal support 
to their Government in matters of interna- 
tional politics, the sentiment of justice will be 
stronger still. 

We cannot fail to recognize the incongruity 
between the request of our Government that 
the Mexican Government alTord ample and ef- 
fective protection to American citizens in 
Mexico and the action of our Government in 
bending all its efforts to prevent the Mexican 
Government from obtaining the means with 
which extend such a protection. 

If, on the one hand, this country extends 
sympathy and support to rebels and bandits — 
which are afforded by its very refusal to rec- 
ognize the Huerta Government — and on the 
other tries to prevent Mexico from obtaining 
the financial help which it needs to establish 
complete order, how in all fairness can we say 
to the Mexican Government : "We hold you 
responsible for any harm that may befall our 
citizens"? 

We do not believe that any doubt can be 
entertained in the minds of Americans that 
whatever harm Americans in Mexico have 
suffered has been at the hands of bandits and 
rebels. Hundreds of interviews with Ameri- 
can refugees, hundreds of letters written by 
Americans in Mexico, hundreds of daily news 
items from Mexico and from the border pub-" 
lished in the whole press of this country are 
patent proof of this fact. Wlierever the Fed- 
eral authorities have been in control Ameri- 
cans have not wanted in protection and se- 
curity. 

Yet our Government, whose concern after 
all should be mainly with the security of its 
citizens and not with the interior politics of 
Mexico, refuses to recognize or lend any 
friendly moral support to the Government of 
Mexico. It goes further — it tries to break that 
Government while at the same time it exacts 
from its heads even "personal responsibility" ! 
The asking of everything in exchange for 
nothing cannot be the basis of fair reciprocal 
relations. 

But leaving aside for the present the part of 
the message which refers to the political and 
international situation, its most significant part 
in our opinion is that which refers to the eco- 
nomical conditions of Mexico. 

That the internal revenues and those ob- 
tained from import and export duties shpuld 
surpass by more than ten per cent, the rev- 
enues of the previous year, during a period in 
which parts of the country have been ab- 
stracted from Federal control is the clearest 
demonstration that general conditions in Mex- 
ico are far from being chaotic as the press re- 
ports would make us believe. 



It is also the clearest demonstration of our 
assertion that the great majority of the Mex- 
ican people are law-abiding and peace-loving 
people WHO ARE ONLY ASKING FOR A 
FAIR CHANCE FROM THEIR NORTH- 
ERN NEIGHBORS TO WORK OUT IN 
PEACE THEIR OWN SALVATION.- 

The comment made by some newspapers on 
that part of the message which refers to the 
unfortunate fratricidal struggle — that it seems 
too optimistic — we believe to be unjust. The 
fact that the Coahuila rebels have been forced 
to take refuge in Sonora "and move 10 Tler- 
mosillo, their capital" as the flight has been 
picturesquely referred to in our press, is evi- 
dence of the failure of the rebel campaign in 
all other Northern States. A despatch to the 
New York Times from Mexico City says : 

It is not believed here ttiat the Sonora rebel 
leaders will be willing to subordinate themselves 
to Governor Carranza, who has been unable to 
compl.r with their orders to capture and bold 
Torreon and Saltillo, and even has been unable 
to retain Monclova, which he had occupied for 
many months. 

The work that remains is to clear the State 
of Durango of bandits and to push the cam- 
paign in Sonora. This should not be difficult 
now following the recent regaining of control 
of the State of Coahuila by the Federal forces. 
When the Mexican situation as it exists to- 
day is fairly and carefully examined, it must 
be acknowledged that the advances made by 
the Huerta Government toward the pacifica- 
tion of the country have been not only re- 
markable but also beyond the expectations of 
those familiar with the economical and inter- 
national difficulties which the Government has 
faced. 

It must be considered that the Huerta Gov- 
ernment has had to rely almost entirely on in- 
ternal sources of revenue to conduct its work 
of reconstruction. From the loan of thirty 
million dollars obtained in June from French 
bankers, after paying about twenty-two mil- 
lions to Speyer & Company and about three 
millions for debts to local banks contracted 
by the previous Administration the actual net 
amount obtained by the Government for the 
work of pacification lias not been more than 
live million dollars. 

In spite of this the Government has been 
able to organize a national army three tiujes 
as large, as that previously existing and 
to conduct an extensive and successful cam- 
paign against rebels and bandits, and this in 
less than seven months. ■ 

Had the Huerta Government received from 
the beginning the proper recognition and the 
moral support to which a Mexican Govern- 
ment is entitled from a friendly neighbor, 
the work of pacification would now be com- 
plete. 

Had the neutrality laws been strictly en- 
forced on our border so that arms and am- 
munition could not have reached the reljels 
and bandits from those American interests 
who back them, the work of pacification would 
have been much easier. 

The portions of the message devoted to 
routine matters show that the revolutionary 
troubles arc far from having paralyzed the ad- 
ministration's peaceful activities. A concession 
has been granted to a Belgian syndicate for 
the construction of 5,000 kilometres of rail- 



ways in different parts of the republic, pri- 
mary and technical education has been pro- 
moted, concessions for the development of 
water power have been granted, plans are well 
advanced for the establishment of juvenile 
courts in the capital, and agriculture is being 
encouraged. 

An important statement in this connection 
is that the Government has acquired a large 
tract of land in the State of Morelos, which it 
is proposed to divide up into small holdings 
for distribution among peasants in that State. 
This is a great step toward the solution of the 
agrarian problem, which is at the bottom of 
the Zapatista movement in Morelos. Similar 
plans are to be carried out in other States. 
Huerta expresses the determination of the 
Government to take up everywhere the prob- 
lem of small peasant proprietorship. 

Attention is also being paid to labor ques- 
tions, particularly the employment in factories 
of women and children. A Mexican commis- 
sioner is now in the United States studying 
the measures in vogue there for the protec- 
tion of child labor. Portions of the message 
dealing with finance show that the revenue of 
the Federal Government during the fiscal year 
ended June 30 last amounted to 120,500,000 
pesos. This sum exceeds the Federal revenue 
in the most prosperous days of the Diaz ad- 
ministration, as the largest revenue collections 
in any one year under Diaz amounted to only 
114,280,000 pesos. This was in 1907. 

Last year's revenue was 15,300,000 pesos in 
excess of the revenue in the previous fiscal 
year. Of this increase 7,600,000 pesos is ac- 
counted for by extra taxes, the balance of 7,- 
700,000 pesos being the result of natural ex- 
pansion. Of the sources of revenue, receipts 
from customs and stamp tax during the last 
fiscal year were substantial. The former 
yielded 52,300,000 pesos, which is a gain of 8,- 
000,000 over the previous year, and the latter 
yielded 38,500.000 pesos, a gain of nearly 6,- 
000,000 pesos. 

The full returns of the Federal disburse- 
ments the last fiscal year are not yet in. Dis- 
bursements during eight months of the year 
were 65,100,000 pesos. Although this might 
seem to foreshadow total disbursements for 
the year of 97,650,000 pesos, which would 
mean a surplus of 22,850,000 pesos, Huerta 
says the disbursements in the last four months 
of every fiscal year invariably expand, and 
that the final account for the year probal)ly 
will show a deficit, or, at best, an equiiibriuni 
between receipts and expenditures. Huerta 
points to these figures as proof of vitality. 

Figures are also given showing that for the 
national defence the Government has con- 
tracted abroad for ten aeroplanes, seventy- 
seven armored automobiles and fifty unarm- 
ored automobiles, two armored transports, 
armed with four 75-millimetre guns. 



Denies Proclamation 

Xogalcs, Ariz.. Hrptcmlicr 11. There is no truth 
in the story that General Ojeda has puiilished a 
proclamation that the United States had declared 
war on Mexico and calling for recruits to repel an 
.\inerlcau Invasion. The story was invented by 
and cninnated from rebels, who are in despera- 
tiiiii. (I.icda is ivcclving constant additional rc- 
inl'oreeiiicnls and needs no recruits. His forces 
are satisfactorily advancing. — Los Angeles Times. 



Saturday, September 20, igij 



MEXICO 



Territory and Population Under Control of 
the Constitutional Provisional Government 



W hii.- till iiuillurn St:iti-s uo\v in ri'Viilt ciii- 
liiaco moro than half the territory of the Kepuli- 
lic of Mexico, they contain only about one-fifth 
111' its pnpiilMtion. — Washinston I'list. Septcm- 

I.IT 14. 

Ki-liresiTilMtivi's of the CoustitlltioniUists to- 
day denied that in the territory controlled liy 
lluerta are fonr-lifths of the population ot Mex- 
ico. They declared that if the President believed 
this he has liecn j;ri>ssly uiisinforineil. — St. T.ouis 
CUihe-Demncrat. 

Tlic latter statement pur|)orts to l)e a de- 
nial of that part of tlic first which refers 
to population and uliicli was evidently in- 
spired by tlie usual "high Government of- 
ficials." The relicl junta did not deem con- 
venient to deny the part referring to territory 
as they were the .gainers hy tlie err<ir of tlie 
liigh official. 

.■\s a matter of fact, neither assertion is cor- 
rect and in order to convince our readers of 
linw careless or malicious are the statements 
relating to the Mexican situation we print 
liere below the respective area and population 
of each and all States and Territories of the 
Mexican Republic. 

Area — Sq. Population 
State Kiloineters. In 1910. 

Aguascalientes 7,692 120,511 

Lower California 151,109 i2.Z7Z 

State of Campeche 46,855 86,661 

State of Chiapas 71,302 438,843 

State of Chihuahua 233,215 405,707 

State of Coahuila 165,219 362,092 

State of CcliiTia 5,887 77,704 

State of Durango 109,495 483.175 

Federal Dis. of Mexico.. 1,498 720,753 

State of Guanajuato 28,363 1,081,651 

State of Guerrero 65,480 594,278 

State of Hidalgo Z2.2,7i 646,551 

State of Jalisco 86,752 1,208,855 

State of Mexico 23.908 989,510 

State of Michoacan 58,594 991,880 

State of Morelos 4,911 179,594 

State of Nuevo Leon .... 64,838 365,150 

State of Oaxaca 92,442 1,040.398 

St?te of Puebla 33,653 1,101,600 

State of Queretaro 11,638 244.663 

Territory of QuintanaRoo 49,914 9,109 

Stateof San Luis Potosi. 62.177 627,800 

State of Sinaloa 71,380 323,642 

State of Sonora 198.496 265.383 

State of Tabasco 26.871 187.574 

State of Tamaulipas 79.861 249.641 

Territory of Tepic 28,371 171,173 

State of Tlaxcala 3.973 184.171 

State of Vera Cruz 72,215 1,124,368 

State of Yucatan 41,287 3'39,613 

State of Zacatecas 63,386 477,556 

Totals 1,983.355 15,151,888 

Xow, supposing for a moment that all the 
1. order States were under the control of rebels 
and to these were added the States of Zaca- 
tecas and Durango— even then the total ter- 
ritory not under Federal control n'oiild not 



be "more than half the territory of Mexico" 
as claimed by the "high official." And even 
then the population in the territory under con- 
trol of the Mexican (iovernment zeould be 
inore than four-fiftlis. In fact, here are the 
figures : 

States. Area. Population. 

Sonora 198,496 265,383 

Chihuahua 233,215 405,707 

Coahuila 165,219 362,092 

Nuevo Leon 64,838 365.150 

Tamaulipas 79,861 249.641 

Durango 109,495 483.175 

Zacatecas 63,386 477,556 

Totals 914,510 2,608,704 

The total territory Iieing 1,983,355 square 
kilometres, tliat controlled by the reliels would 
be less than one-half with a population not 
cMie-lifth but one-sixth of the tntal 

We said supposing all the Iiorder States 
were under rebel control. 

But they are not. Nuevo Leon is entirely 
free from rebels. Tamaulipas is all under 
h'ederal control excepting the small town of 
Matamoros and the Huasteca, a small moun- 
tainous district. Zacatecas is one-third under 
Federal control. 

Coahuila can liardly be said to be under 
rel)el control since the Federals hold the larg- 
est cities : Saltillo. Torreon. Monclova, Cua- 
tro Ciene,gas. and the rebel forces have been 
scattered, their leader, Carranza, being now in 
Sonora. 

Chihuahua is entirely under Federal control, 
there being a few bands of bandits in the 
district of Guerrero only. 

Considering the fact that in each of tlie 
following States one district is in rebel hands : 
Sinaloa, Morelos, Campeche. San Luis Potosi, 
and two districts in Michoacan, we may as- 
sume, for the sake of fair calculation, tliat all 
Coahuila and all of Zacatecas are under rebel 
control (ivhich they are not), besides Durango 
and Sonora (which they are with the excep- 
tion of Guaymas, the largest city in Sonora). 

Thus we shall have a fairly accurate esti- 
mate of the territory not yet under Federal 
control and of its population: 

.\rea. Pupulation. 

Coahuila 165,219 362,092 

Durango 109.495 48.1175 

Sonora 198,496 265,383 

Zacatecas 63.386 477,556 

Totals 536,596 1,588,206 

It is clear now that the territory controlled 
by the Federal Government is eonsiderably 
more than two-thirds of the total (1,446,759 
square kilometres out of 1,983.355 square kilo- 
metres) and contains nine-tenths of the total 
population: 13,563,682 out of 15,151,888. 

.\ll of which is far from being as repre- 
sented Ijy the "high official" and his near- 
friends, the members of the famous junta. 



The Right to Loot 

■■We want aiuiiiiinitiuu, nut money," said 
Scnor Francesco Kscudero, in a talk to-day with 
Senator Bacon, ot (JeorKia. chairman ot the 
foreign Kelations Committee. 

Senor Kscudero called to present the claims 
of the Constitutionalists. -\n enfragemont was 
made for him l)y Senator .Shepi)ard, of Texas, 
who believes that if the belligeri^ncy of Governor 
Carranza is recognized and he is allowed to re- 
ceive arms and ammunition that .Mexico will 
soon enjo.v peace. 

"The Federal arin.v is composed of former 
convicts and hired soldiers, there being no vol- 
unteers," said Sfcfior Kscudero. "The Constitu- 
tionalist arm.v, on the other hand, is composed 
entirely of volunteers. When they are paid, it 
is well : but when they are not, they continue to 
light, for they are fighting for a principle^" — ■ 
Washington star. 

Senator Morris Sheppard, another delight- 
ful neighbor for the Mexicans, believes that 
if the rebels and bandits in Mexico are al- 
lowed to receive arms and ammunition, Mex- 
ico would soon enjoy peace. A paradox? Not 

at all But w-e were going to say that 

the worthy Senator, who is a great supporter 
of the Peace Conference at the Hague, pre- 
sented his protege, Mr. Escudero, Carranza's 
"Minister of Finance," who is in the United 
States on a brief visit and, it is alleged, with 
a special mission from his "Government.' 

Mr. Escudero told Senator Bacon that his 
Government was just then engaged in moving 
from somewhere in Coahuila — summer resi- 
dence — to somewhere in Sonora — fall resi- 
dence — and that the army which supports the 
Government of which he is the Minister of 
Finance — is composed entirely of volunteers. 
"When they are paid," he said, "it is well — but 
when they are not they continue to fight, for 
they are fighting for a principle." 

Senator Bacon listened with sympathy and 
understanding because the Minister of Fi- 
nance's words were a confirmation of the 
numerous reports he has received from Amer- 
icans wlio for family reasons and mucli to 
their regret have momentarily left those places 
which enjoy the patriotic Government of the 
upholders of the Constitution. 

Senator Bacon recalled particularly de- 
scriptions of the capture of Durango Py that 
emulator of Hidalgo, Mr. Urbina. The Amer- 
ican visitors had told him how the "Constitu- 
tionalists" were real volunteers and continued 
to tight even if they were not paid, and how 
they had been patriotically contented on being 
allowed three days of sacking in exchange for 
all arrears of pay. Those Americans had con- 
vinced Mr. Bacon that the patriots were fight- 
ing for a principle and that principle — the right 

to loot. 

■"The .\mcrican colony has behaved splendidl.v, 
particularly the women. The fighting here is a 
war of the poor against the rich, and is very 
widespread on account of the attractiveness of 
the looting. The Constitutionalists' only idea Is 
to destroy. They have made iJitiable sights of 
Durango. Lerdo and Gomez Palacio. If they cap- 
ture this city they will leave nothing ot it." — 
Letter from Torreon in the New York Herald. 
This is a confirmation of the statement made 
Ijy the Carranza "Minister of Finance," Sefior 
Escudero. to Senator Bacon that the rebels 
even when not paid continue to fight "for they 
fight for a principle." 

Oh. well, there are misunderstood patriots 
as there are misunderstood geniuses. Ask 
Colquitt. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, IQIJ 




For days preceiling the celebration of tlie 
Mexican Independence on September 16 the 
press of this country indulged in scarehead 
prophecies of anti-American outbreaks, out- 
rages and insults that would inevitably mark 
the Mexicans' enjoyment of their national 
holiday. Washington officials were reported 
as deeply concerned and nervous over the 
i,loomy outlook. What couldn't and wouldn't 
happen when those gringo-hating, barbarous 
Mexicans were worked up to patriotic fervor 
by the wild and warlike utterances of Presi- 
dent Huerta? 

What actually happened? In all of Mexico 
not one single anti-American demonstration 
took place, not one overt act of hostility was 
shown. When we consider the antagonistic 
attitude of the United States Government to 
the Government of Mexico, isn't this certain- 
ly an irrefutable proof of the self-restraint, 
the civilization, the culture of the Mexican 
people as a whole? Isn't it the strongest ar- 
gument possible in favor of the influence and 
power of the interim Government. 

It is not the fault of the Mexican Govern- 
ment and the better classes of the Mexican 
people that certain parts of their broad coun- 
try have been overrun by bands of bandits, 
whose marauding and depredations have in- 
jured foreigners' property as well as their 
own. These Mexicans in arms against con- 
stituted authority do not number more than 
live or six thousands out of the sixteen mil- 
lions of Mexicans. 

The feeling of the Mexicans toward the 
Americans who live there is not one of an- 
tagonism except in individual cases where 
Americans have bullied and taken advantage 
of Mexicans. On the contrary, the majority 
of Mexicans are actuated by the kindliest feel- 
ing for Americans and welcome them to live 
and prosper in the country, realizing as tlicy 



do that this is good for Mexico and Mexi 



As President Huerta pointed out in his 
message, there is no quarrel between the Mex- 
ican people and the American people. There 
is an unfortunate tension in the relations of 
the Governments of the two countries. It 
is the hope of every patriotic American and 
every country-loving Mexican that that ten- 
sion l)e relieved at the earliest possible mo- 
ment and that the two nations resume their 
old-time friendly intercourse and mutual un- 
derstanding to the advantage of both. 

Certainly this happy readjustment will not 
be furthered by a superior, patronizing, cap- 
tious attitude in Washington toward the Mex- 
ican Government nor by the misrepresenta- 
tion of Mexican conditions in the press of the 
United States. It will not be any great length 
of time before the Mexican Government wi.* 
have succeeded in policing the vast country 
as a protection against the outlaws who have 
devastated it. It would be a much shorter 
time if the Washington Administration should 
eventually come to see the folly of its ill- 
advised Mexican policy and deal with the sit- 
uation as it really is. Matters have so shaped 
themselves that if he persists in his present 
course the President of the United States will 
be put in the unpleasant and ridiculous posi- 
tion before the world of refusing to recognize 
the Government of our closest national neigh- 
bor for no other reason save an unreasoning 
and purely personal dislike for a man. 

There is too much at stake for the sixteen 
million people of Mexico, for the whole Amer- 
iran people, North, Central and South, and for 
the nations of Europe in friendly relations 
with Mexico, to make any such position ten- 
able. And that is the position to which he is 
logicall)', inevitably being narrowed by the 
force of e\'ents. 



El Pasograms 

El Paso, Texas, Sunday. — Threo lumdred 
rebels of Francisco Villa's commana were killed 
on I'riday in a battle with the Federal forces 
uf ilenrvals Maco Caraveo and Antonio Rojas 
at I'.ustillos, Cliihuajiua, according to official Fed- 
eral messages received to-day at .Tnarez from 
Jlonocal Jlercado, of Chihuahua. 

Several rebels were made prisoner by the Fed- 
erals. Among them was Colonel Pohrlo Tala- 
mantes. Villa's chief of staff. One hundred reb- 
els who had been wounded in the recent San 
.\ndres battle and who were being cared tor at 
the Bustillos ranch were captured by the Fed- 
erals. The buildings of the Bustillos ranch, 
which belongs to Alberto Madero, an uncle of 
the late President of Mexico, were set on fire 
and destroyed by the Federal shells. 

General Jose Ynez Salazar, with 400 Federal 
troops, left .Tuarcz to-day on board a special train 
til intercept Villa and the remnants of his force, 
who are marching toward the border. Villa is 
reported to lie nearing Casas Grandes. — New 
York llcichl. 

At last an El Pasogram had to state that 
Villa had licen attacked and defeated. 

What a pity! The Herald El Pasogramist 
will have to dig up some other "general" now 
for the customary attacks on Juarez and on 
trains running between Juarez and Chihuahua. 
He will have to begin all over again, after 
four months of easy money all made out of 
the handy Villa ! Unless, of course. Villa 
should rally his forces at Casas Grandes, as 
reported by the clever El Pasogramist, who 
left an opening, and get ready for a few more 
attacks — ojala! 




The only really significant news lately con- 
cerns the \vithdrawal of Iluerta's Cabinet of- 
ficers. Mondragon has lieen followed by Reyes 
und Urrutia. The reasons for their resigna- 
tions are not known, but generally when Cab- 
inet officers retire in Mexico it is because the 
Executive has no further use for them, and it 
must be confessed that the list of prominent 
Mexicans still persona grata with Huerta sii>ins 
to be growing small. — New York 'J'imrs, Si'|i- 
tembor 10. 

The New York Times has treated Mexican 
afifairs with exceptional and gratifying fair- 
ness despite the fact that it is a strong sup- 
porter of President Wilson. 

It is therefore in a kindly spirit that we lake 
exception to the foregoing remarks. 

In the first place, we do not think Mexico 
differs from this country in the matter of the 
retirement of Cabinet oTIicers. We understand 
that in the United States also usually when 
a Cabinet officer retires it is because the Exec- 
utive has no further use for him. Cleveland 
appointed twenty-two Cabinet officers during 



his administration and we do not think that 
all who retired did so against the President's 
urgent wishes that they should stick. 

The same can be said, we think, of Cabinet 
members who retired in succeeding adminis- 
trations up to and including that of Mr. Taft. 

Second, we believe it is quite unfair for the 
TiDU'S to say : "The list of prominent Mexi- 
cans still persona grata with Huerta seems to 
be growing small." 

The retirement of men like Mondragon, 
Reyes and Urrutia is greatly to be regretted 
because they are undoubtedly prominent and 
good Mexicans. 

I'lUt the Tillies must know that Mexico has 
not such a dearth of men who can fill their 
places. There are plenty of men in Mexico — 
more or less well known in the United States 
— who can give a good account of themselves 
as members of Huerta's official family. .\nd 
perhaps it is not a bad idea, that of Huerta, 
to give an opportunity to "new blood." 



I Special Despatch to the New York Herald.) 
Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Thursday. 
— General Jesus Carranza Is highly indignant 
at the report from Mexico City to the effect that 
the Constitutionalists have an agent there ne- 
gotiating for peace with Huerta, and who has 
Iiniiiiised that the Constitutionalists would abide 
liy the result of the October election no matter 
wliat it might be. He said : 

■We have no agent whatever authorized to 
deal in any manner with the Huerta Goveru- 
meut. If there is any one in Mexico City rep- 
resenting himself in au.y such way Huerta 
sluiuld hang him. We have had and will have 
no dealings of any kind with Huerta and his 
associates. We will make no terms or agree- 
ment with him on any matter. We are in the 
field to fight him to the end. Only the arbitra- 
ment of arms can settle our dispute with him. 
lie is a usurjier and an assassin, and we have 
pl.'il^i il inu- lives to drive him out of the coun- 
try," 

Now, that is very unkind of Don Jesus. 
The agent whom he wants hanged had de- 
clared he was a representative of Venustiano 
Carranza, who is now traveling in Sonora, 
about 1,500 miles from Piedras Negras. 

Unless Don Jesus also has beijn provided 
with one of the wireless outfits used by his 
lirother Venustiano and the rebel junta in 
Washington, how can lie know Iiis l)rother's 
intentions? 



It is one thing tosupport the Administration's 
peculiar theories and policies regarding 
Mexico. 

But ask yourself whether you would go to 
war for them. 

That's the test. 



Saturday, September 20, /p/J 



MEXICO 



Who's Going to Pay? 

Wiishi.iKt.pii. I>. I'.. Sei't.-iiihri- 1. ■;.--! 11 aiiti<?i- 
liiition ul' iinpiirtant (k'vclopniriits in connc-'C- 
tion with the Mixican probli'iii next week, the 
State Deijartineiit offitjials have been giving 
imicli atti'Dtion to tlie execution o£ the iilans for 
the withdrawal in safety of tliose Americans 
in Mexico who can \n; induced to come out of 
the country. 

The immediate result of tlie State Depart- 
inent's warning was to j;allier a number of such 
refugees in the sea|iorts, but most of those have 
now been shlppivl to the I'nited States and the 
.\meriean consuls in Mexico report a notable 
diminution in the uuiiihcf of .\iiierie;iiis home- 
ward bound. 

It Is believed those who are now in the 
country have decided to remain and take the 
chances of protection at the hands of the lluer- 
ta Government. — Chicago Jntcr-Oceiin, Septem- 
ber 14. 

It's all very nice to induce tlieni to come 
out. But who's going to pay for their losses, 
caused by leaving their property on the silly 
say-so of an incompetent State Department? 
Washington. — The Secretary of State recently 
announced, in response to anxious recjuests for 
information by Americans wlio did not want to 
abandon their properties, that the Mexican au- 
thorities would be held strictly accountable for 
damage to American property. 

To observers here who are fajiiillar with in- 
ternational law an;l usage tlU're arise two con- 
siderations. The rtrst is the question a.s to 
whether Mexico w-ill ever be financially able to 
reimburse Americans and other foreigners, and 
the second, and most important, is the extent 
of the liability of the Mexican Government for 
the destruction of property left without pro- 
tection by AmeJ'ieans. who departed from the 
country on their own volition and through no 
fault of the (xovernment in Mexico City. 

At least, it is pointed out here, the Mexican 
Government would have fine grounds for mak- 
ing such an answer to claims presented by the 
Government of the J-nited States. — .\ew York 
Trihunr. Srpt.iuber l.".. 



The Work of the Clique 



A Retrospective Survey 



Barney Cline, Soldier of Fortune 

(•aniz(. SpriiiL;s, T.'X.. S.-ptrij v 14.-^Thi! 

.\merican lea.ler of the hand of .Mexican am- 
munition smugglers captured near here yester- 
day after a light with a troop of the 14th 
I'nited States Cavalry has lieen identified as 
Barney Clini'. a soldier of fortune, who fought 
with Madero in Chihuahua three years ago. 

Cline admits his identity and says he has 
been fighting in the army of Kiniliano Slapata in 
southern Mexico for the last two years. 

Reoort to-day that a force of Mexicans was 
on the way here to free the smugglers, who 
are confined in the local jail, caused a strong 
guard to be posted around the town. 

A special State Grand .Tury will be convened 
to-morrow and Cline and his Mexican compan- 
ions will be indicted for the murdi'r of Deputy 
Sheriff Ortiz. 

According to statements made bv the men in 
Jail they were members of the Klores Magon 
Socialist party and were on their way to Mex- 
ico to proclaim a new revolution. They said 
tli(^ baud had been recruited by Cline and had 
jilanned to raise the banner of revolt on Sep- 
tember It!, the Mexican national holida.v — rhil- 
adel|)hia ruhlir hcdnci; September 1 .".. 

American "soldiers of fortune" like Cline 
are the kind of Americans who get into trou- 
ble in Mexico, and are responsible for much 
of Me.xico's troubles. There is little that is 
mmantic about this sort of "soldier of for- 
tune" and nnich that is cheap and sordid. 

They light for the money and loot they 
hope to get, not for principles of right or jus- 
tice. In that sense they are as much bandits 
and outlaws as most of those now fighting 
against the Government. 



Let us concede that the altruistic plans of 
Madero for true democracy were the result of 
the high ideals of that leader, and that he be- 
gan with an honest, effort to put them into 
effect. We are far, very far, from trying to 
criticize Madero ; he is dead and he should' 
rest in peace. It is true that Madero had very 
high ideals; that his motives might have been 
the best. But most assuredly, the clique that 
surrounded him from the very start was as 
ignoble and mercenary an amalgamation as 
has ever gathered around a man with pros- 
pects of power. It is not a secret that Madero 
had with him, to help him in his revolution, 
the Worst elements tliat he could have chosen. 

He had affiliated with him mercenary tili- 
Inisters ; foreigners who could not possibly 
fight for ideals or principles, but for what they 
could get out of it, and on the other hand, the 
worst and most criminal element of Mexican 
life. What could be expected? When success 
came, the filibusters, foreigners, unable to stay 
with Madero, got from him all they could as 
reward for their aid, and left him. Many a 
one came to New Vork and went abroad with 
schemes that were always to the detriment of 
Madero. As for the criminal element of Mex- 
icans who fought with Madero in the revolu- 
tion, no one, however slightly acquainted with 
Mexican affairs, doubts that these, very men 
were responsible for Madero's downfall. Was 
not Zapata his most trusted "General"? Was 
not Villa — the worst bandit and criminal ever 
kni'wn in Mexico — his stanch friend? But it 
would be too long to ennumerate his "friends" 
who helped him to power and then caused his 
ruin. 

With a few exceptions, for some honorable 
men remained with Madero in his administra- 
tion out of mere patriotism and love of their 
Country, lest worse elements might creep in 
the already disorganized government, with a 
few exceptions, we say, the high and most re- 
sponsible places were filled with the most un- 
fit, the most dishonorable and the most de- 
spised men in Mexico. For the greater part 
they all had no other view and no other aim 
than graft. They thought that "to the victor 
belongs the spoils," and they set about plun- 
dering the country in every conceivable way. 

You could hardly have found a man in the 
Madero administration — unless he was of the 
old regime — who had any other ambition than 
his own personal profit. The future of the 
mother country was nothing, they must use 
and abuse their temporary power to enrich 
themselves at any cost. No one could tell how 
long it would last, they all said. And is it any 
wonder that the reaction should come as it 
has come? 

-Some day the history of this time will be 
written dispassionately ; if it is possible for a 
Mexican, if he be a patriot, to keep his head 
cool when he rememljers how his country was 
threatened and her liberty nearly lost, due to 
the acquisition of power by a clique of auda- 



cious and rapacious men, who took the place 
by storm, taking advantage of the apatliy and 
indifference into which had fallen a people 
noble and worthy of better luck. 

Let us consider the Mexican Army. Madero 
repeatedly insulted the Army and deeply hurt 
the feelings of every officer. However, how 
nobly, how devotedly and really heroically the 
Army and its officers responded to Madero 
when called upon to save him in the very 
beginning of his administration. Was he grate- 
ful? Did he try to redeem his past insults to 
the Army? No. He made the breach wider, 
and he surely must have been thinking hard 
when prisoner in the palace that his fate might 
have been different had he been fair and loyal 
to the Army which suft'ered so much on his 
accinint. 

Let us rememljer that only three years ago 
you could travel in Mexico from one end to 
the other wit!', your pockets full of gold and 
never be molested. Not even the most wicked 
could dery this, and if it was a lot of adven- 
turers who upset all this prosperity and happi- 
ness, le; the Mexicans punish them the best 
way they see fit according to their ways and 
manners, and let us be just and fair toward 
them in their days of trouble. 

Whatever the malice and ignorance tnvard 
Mexico, historx '.vill vindicate Huerta, Diaz 
and Blanquet. and the Mexican Army, when 
better known by foreigners, and above all by 
Americans. They will think very differently 
of the bloody conflict which raged in the City 
of Palaces — as it was called by tlie Aztecs— 
in the terrible weeks of the 9th to the 23d of 
February. 

It is so easy to criticize, so easy to speak 
and utter opinions about what one knows 
nothing. It is so much easier to knock than 
to boost that it is little wonder that the .Vmer- 
ican people should make up their minds that 
Mexico is a barbarous country and the pres- 
ent rulers a lot of murderers. But has any 
one, however little conscience he may have, 
ever stopped to analyze the true facts? Has 
any one even tried to get evidence before con- 
demning that which perhaps he might have 
done himself if his country's fate was at 
stake? 



Neutral — Not 

It IS absolutely fallacious for President Wil- 
son to assume that his policy is one of neu- 
trality toward all parties and factions in 
Mexico. Theoretically it is neutral. In 
practical effect, as it really works out. it is a 
policy decidedly antagonistic to the constituted 
Government of Mexico and decidedly in favor 
of the rebels and bandits. Non-recognition is 
not and cannot l)e neutral. It is negative, but 
it is prejudicial and partial. Ask the rebels: 
liow they like it. ; 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, 19I; 



"Two Factions" 

All this talk of "two tactions" in Alexico is 
poppycock. The idea of the President of the 
United States seems to be that there is one 
faction in control of the government by usur- 
pation and on the other hand a faction fighting 
against this government to sustain the prin- 
ciples of democracy. Nothing could be farther 
from the truth, and it is hard to conceive how 
President Wilson ever got that idea except 
that he evolved it from his inner conscious- 
ness. Of course it is true that the defeated 
and disappointed followers of Madero, from 
their W^ashington headquarters and through 
their press agents, have created and fostered 
that idea, because they were well advised that 
it would appeal to the American people. Nat- 
urally our sympathies would go out to any 
people lighting for popular government, al- 
though God knows we haven't got as much of 
it here as we might have. It is a conception 
that would particularly appeal to men like 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan, whose 
ideals are purely democratic in matters of gov- 
But that is not the situation in Mexico to- 
dav by any manner of means. The Madero 
revolution unleashed certain lawless elements 
in Mexican life that had been held in check 
liy the strong government of Porfirio Diaz. 
On account of the immense territory and topo- 
graphical conditions of Mexico the trade of 
bandit is easily assumed, fairly safe and highly 
profitable. As soon as the central government 
showed palpable signs of weakness under Ma- 
dero and that impractical idealist failed to 
carry out his promises to the peons, bandit 
chiefs sprang up right and left, and had no 
difficulty in gaining followers from among those 
who were out of employment and those to 
whom the free and easy life appealed. These 
bandit chiefs have no more idea or ideals of 
democracy than robbers anywhere. At least 
they bother them as little. They will hire 
themselves out at a price to anybody who can 
pay it. unless it suits them better to maraud, 
loot and blackmail on their own account. 
Some of these men and their followers have 
for money and the spoils of war joined the 
Madero-financed movement of Carranza, the 
object of which is simply personal revenge on 
Huerta and everything Huertan. with the hope 
that a continuation of trouble for Mexico will 
somehow shape itself around to the rehabili- 
tation of the Madero family and followers, 
who have been the curse of Mexico. 

Now, tliere's the situation as it really is, and 
there is plenty of evidence in the Washington 
State Department not made public which 
proves it, and must certainly have convinced 
the Administration if it wanted to learn the 
truth. The Madero followers hied themselves 
to W'ashington, called themselves Constitu- 
tionalists — fine name, that — claimed that the 
state of lawlessness in Mexico for which they 
were responsi1)lc was really a high-principled 
movement, called these roving bands of cut- 
throats and robbers the Constitutionalist arm- 
ies, and on the strength of their false asser- 
tions helped President Wilson to make up his 
mind about Mexico betore,-lie knew "where he 
was at." He has been consistently sticking to 
the idea of "two factions" ever since, no one 
knows why, except possibly the President and 
his advisers. 



MEXICO'S TRADE 



IMPORTS 



(Value in Mexican Money.) 
Classification According 

to Imports. May, 1913. 

Animal materials 1,185,250.08 

Vegetable materials 3,045,750.22 

Mineral materials 3.109,348.51 

Textiles and manufactures 1.928.625.50 

Chemical and pharmaceutical products ... 1,291,954.00 

.•Mcoholic. fermented and natural drinks.. 411,812.97 

Paper and its applications 328,571.86 

Machines and apparatus 1,643.418.96 

Vehicles 274.387.21 

.\rms and explosives 116,443.99 

Miscellaneous 1.024,599.61 

Total imports 14,360.162.91 



May, 1912. 

1,118,532.45 

3,343,882.40 

4,128,372.37 

2.113,387.04 

878.649.39 

669,786.62 

463.071.50 

1.494,066.32 

301.443.75 

430.141.24 

794.285.99 



1913 

Differences. 

+ 66,717.63 

- 298.132.18 
-1,019,023.86 

- 184.761.54 
+ 413,304.61 

- 257,973.65 

- 134,499.64 
+ 149.352.64 

- 27.056.54 

- 313.697.25 
+ 230,313.62 



15,735.619.07 —1,375,456.16 



First 11 Months of the Fiscal Year 



1912-13. 

Animal material 16,871,671.92 

Vegetable material 29,597,879.83 

Minerals 43.394,308.21 

Textiles and manufactures 23.851.896.87 

Chemical and pharmaceutical products... 11.771,831.01 

Alcoliolic, fermented and natural drinks.. 6,222,282.47 

Paper and its applications 4,780,039.14 

Machines and apparatus 21.759,232.06 

Vehicles 4.891.668.59 

Arms and explosives 3.623.547.11 

Miscellaneous 9.924,010.71 



1911-12. 

15.250,744.20 

28,777,088.05 

43,294,682.22 

19.465.805.31 

10,947,927.11 

6,147,551.87 

4,565.248.34 

21.951.576.28 

4.358,715.56 

4.965.641.01 

8.925.238.34 



1912-13. 
Differences. 
+ 1.620,927.72 
+ 820.791.78 
+ 99,625.99 
+4,386,091.56 
+ 823.903.90 
+ 74.730.60 
+ 214,790.80 
— 192.344.22 
532,953.03 
.-1.342.093.90 
+ 998.772.37 



+ 



Total imports 



.176.688,367.92 168,650.218.29 +8.038,149.63 



Summary of Merchandise Classified According to Countries 
From Which It Comes 



May. 1913. 

Europe 6,425,655.26 

Asia 572.234.91 

Africa 18,027.85 

North America 7,264,094.22 

Central .\merica 27.512.41 

South .\merica 37.149.31 

Vv'est Indies 11.819.95 

Oceanica 3,669.00 



May, 1912. 

6,757,023.91 

208,465.86 

22,238.64 

8.270.286.75 

8.716.68 

457.607.10 

8,898.13 

2,382.00 



1913 
Differences. 

- 331,368.65 
+ 363,769.05 

- 4,210.79 
-1,006.192.53 

+ 18,795.73 

- 420,457.79 
+ 2,921.82 
+ 1,287.00 



14,.i60.162.91 15.735.619.07 -1.375,456.16 



First 11 Months of the Fiscal Year 



1912-13. 

Europe 79,649,523.00 

Asia 3,878,623.06 

Africa 171,901.06 

North America :'.... 90,576.632.67 

Central America 124.303.46 

South America ' 1.888,996.59 

West Indies 235,963.92 

Oceanica 162,424.16 



1911-12. 

71,547,044.76 

2,717,450.12 

103.829.95 

9.'.881,661.45 

88.817.20 

1.062,696.58 

152.878.94 

95,839.29 



1912-13. 
Differences. 
+8,102,478.24 
+ 1,161,172.94 
+ 68.071.11 
+2,305,028.78 
+ 35,486.26 
+ 826,300.01 
+ 83,084.98 
+ 66.584.87 



176,688,367.92 16.^,650,218.29 +8,038,149.63 



Saturday, September 20, /y/? 



MEXICO 



WITH THE WORLD 



EXPORTS 



(\'ahu- in Ml 



Money.) 



1913 

May, 1913. May, 1912. Differences. 

Mineral products 12.126,142.33 17,169,74.^.22 -.S.043,602.89 

\'cgctable prodncts 8,086.104.50 8.70O.7S9.37 - 614.654.87 

Animal products 1.880,838.35 1,674.428.00 + 206.410.35 

Manufactured products 266.674.44 510.523.00 — 243,848.56 

Miscellaneous 152,581.09 134.218.00 + 18,363.09 

Total e.xports 22.512.340.71 28,189.673..S9 -5,677.332.88 

First 1 1 Months of the Fiscal Year 

1912-13. 

1912-13. 1911-12. Differences. 

Mineral products 175.7,59.908.90 173.671.000.00 +2,068.908.90 

Vegetable products 79.581.529.30 75,963,723.69 +3.617.805.61 

.Animal products 18,417.360.35 IS.366.379.00 + 50.981.35 

Manufactured products 3,272.926.44 6,292,365.00 -3.019.438.56 

Miscellaneous 1.405.775.09 1.597.085.00 - 191.309.91 

Total exports 278.417.500.08 275.890.552.69 +2.526.947..50 

Summary of Merchandise Classified According to Countries 

191.! 

May, 1913. May, 1912. Ditfercnces. 

Europe 4.824.162.45 7.088,930.88 —2.264.768.43 

Asia 10.031.00 + 10.031.00 

Africa .... .... .... 

North America 17,448,447.81 20.697,423.71 -3,248.975.90 

Central America 124.260.45 248.592.00 — 124..531.55 

South America 427.00 6.571.00 - 6.144.00 

West Indies 105.012.00 148.156.00 — 43.144.00 

Total 22.512.340.71 28.189.673.59 -5.677.332.88 

First 1 1 Months of the Fiscal Year 



1912-13. 

Europe 56,671.832.43 

Asia 16,223.00 

Africa 125.00 

North America 217,656,922.02 

Central America 2,285,535.85 

South .America 92,956.00 

West Indies 1,604.005.78 

Oceanica .... 



1911-12. 
63.745,298.23 
7.400.00 

208,503,739.30 

1.684,110.00 

44.035.00 

1.736.152.00 

169.818.16 



1912-13. 
Differences. 
-6.983,465.80 
+ 8.823.00 
+ 125.00 

+ 9,153,082.72 
+ 601,425.85 
+ 48,921.00 

- 132.146.22 

- 169,818.16 



278.417,500.08 275,890.552.69 +2.526,947..?9 

Imports and Exports Comparative Summary 

\'alue in X'alue in 
Periods. Mexican Money. Mexican Money. 

May, 1912 15.735,619.07 28,189,673.59 

May. 1913 14,360,162.91 22.512,340.71 

Differences— Absolute - 1,375,456.16 —5.667,332.88 

Differences — Proportional _874% _20.14% 

First 11 Months of Fiscal Year. 

1911-12 163,650.218.29 275,890,552.69 

lyl-^-1-5 ■ 176,688,367.92 278,417,500.08 

Differences— .Absolute +8,038.149.63 +2,526.947.39 

Differences — Proportional +4.77% +0.92% 



What the Figures Show 

It is evident from a iiernsal of the above 
hgures that trade conditions in Mexico are far 
from being as bad as the general public has 
been led to believe from the statements pub- 
lished in the press. 

We have read time and time again in the 
last few months that business in Mexico is at 
a standstill, and that there is no commerce to 
speak of in that country. .As a matter of fact, 
examining the figures for the month of May 
of this year, we find that the imports during 
that month had diminished only 8.74% and the 
exports 20.14% from May of last year. This 
at a time when conditions in Mexico were 
much worse than they are now and the worst 
since the February revolution. 

During the month of May the railroads to 
the northern ports of entry, Laredo and 
Juarez, were entirely out of commission, while 
at present the railroad is operating all the way 
from Laredo to Mexico City and from Juarez 
to Chihuahua. 

During that month the rebels had absolute 
control of the States of Nuevu Leon and Co- 
hauila, while at present they have been driven 
entirely froin Nuevo Leon and their backbone 
has been broken in the State of Coahuila. 

Examining the figures for the first eleven 
months of the fiscal year, we find that the 
increase in the irnports has been 4.77% and in 
the exports 0.92%. 

It must be added here that custom liouse re- 
ceipts in the second half of the liscal year — 
that is from January to June 1913, inclusive — 
showed an increase of 4,000.000 pesos and the 
stamp revenue a gain of 2,000,000. This de- 
spite the fact that the northern ports of entry 
were closed during four months out of the 
si.x. 

Tlie stamp revenue is the thermometer of 
the interior trade, as it is based on the amount 
of business transacted. 

Eloquent figures these that constitute the 
fiest refutal to the Washington Administra- 
tion's assertion that conditions in Mexico have 
become worse rather than better. They con- 
stitute also the strongest denial of the careless 
assertion that everything is going to the dogs 
in Mexico and demonstrate the wonderful vi. 
tality of the country and her people. 

\\'e could not find a better argument than 
the mere presentation of these figures to prove 
our statement that the overwhelming majority 
of Mexicans are not concerned with revolu- 
tions, that they are anxious for complete peace 
and an opportunity to continue in their work 
of progress. If it were true that the whole 
country was in a state of turmoil the foreign 
commerce of Mexico would indeed have 
dwindled to nothing. 



Read " MEXICO " Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, /p/J 




Tips on Hale 



The cx-Rfv. Hale still hangs around the 
Willard and still wears that ■■I-know-it-all-if- 
I-only-dared-to-tell-you-but-I-don't" expres- 
sion "that won't come off." 

He has been the the despair of newspaper 
men who have in vain tried to learn of his 
Mexican activities. They havo heard his 
praises sung by the President, who expressed 
to them his admiration "for the way in which 
Hale presented his version of the Mexican 
situation, refraining from making any sug- 
gestions as to the policy that this country 
should pursue" — but that is all. 

The reciprocal admiration of biographed 
and biographer is touching. We know what 
it means to a newspaper man to be foiled in 
the hope of getting a good story. Perhaps we 
may help a little and give a tip. 

We have been told that Hale purchased for 
S1.800 or thereabouts in Mexico City a purse 
said to have belonged to Pino Suarez. 

Hale was very anxious to have what he calls 
damaging proof that Madero and Pino Suarez 
had been assassinated. No one seemed to have 
any doubt that they had been killed, but Hale 
wanted proofs. So there was produced a 
purse showing that a bullet had been fired at 
close range, the fact being duly certified by 
an eye witness, and it was declared to have 
belonged to Pino Suarez; $1,800 was the price 
asked and paid by Hale without a murmur, so 
the story goes. The man who got the money 
is said to have paid as much as $6 for the 
purse and to have had much trouble in firing 
the bullet through a piece of cloth so that it 
would pierce the purse in the right spot. 

Another tip which the newspaper men might 
follow to an advantage was contained in a 
dispatch to the Xew York World about two 
weeks ago stating that Hales constant com- 
panions while he was in Mexico City were 
men closely connected with the Waters-Pierce 
interests. One of them was Mr. Galbraith, 
manager of the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, 
who a few months ago seemed in favor of the 
Huerta Government as evidenced by several 
letters which he wrote to friends in the United 
States, but who later changed his opinions up- 
on advice received from New York. 

.•\ncther adviser of Hale was Mr. de Lima, 
manager of the Banco de Industria y Com- 
mercio, in which Mr. Pierce is said to have 
large interests, and Mr. Diffenliach, a direc- 
tor in the same bank. 

.Ml the world is anxiously awaiting Mr. 
Hale's disclosures on Mexican affairs, of 
which he has stated he "is full." 



Xiit that Colquitt wants war with Mexico 
for any selfish moti\es or that he is making a 
"grandstand play." 

No, but Colquitt cannot be content with em- 
ulating Napoleon in speech only. 

Colquitt has been told that his prototype 
was a great writer— l^esides being a con- 
queror—and Colquitt wants to be a writer, 
too. 

He thinks it would be a splendid medium for 
inducing the people of the United States 10 
force a war upon the Washington Adminis- 
tration. So he has written to certain New 
York publishers stating simply that he wanted 
to write some articles about Mexico. 

"Why," said he, "should Senator Fall be 
known as the only expert on Mexican affairs 
and Mexican wars? 

"I am an expert, too." 

Colquitt's surprise— easier to imagine than 
descrilje — was great when he perceived that 
the New York publishers had foolishly failed 
to seize the opportunity of making their pub- 
lication great and to wire him a retainer so 
as to nail his writings. The fools! Wealth 
and fame had knocked at their doors and they 
had not responded ! 

Colquitt was evidently a misunderstood ge- 
nius. But Colquitt is not easily daunted, par- 
ticularly when he is determined to have a war 
with Mexico. 

So he wrote to Penrose and revealed to 
him the exact number of Americans killed 
in Mexico in the last three months, more 
than 1,000. It is said that he has given the 
name, history, and true circumstances of death 
of every one of the 1,000 or so Americans 
killed, liut unfortunately he has requested 
secrecy from Senator Penrose aljout the con- 
tents of his letter. 

Colquitt is just the friendly, truthful, kind, 
considerate, good-hearted sort of a neighbor 
that any Mexican would like. 



Colquitt Again 



Colquitt is a Democrat, because no one can 
be elected Governor of Texas on a Repuijli- 
can ticket. 

Colquitt does not approve the old f^emo- 
cratic doctrine of anti-imperialism and he can- 
not support President Wilson in his policy 
■ ■f peaco. 



57 

.-\gonts of tlu' Cimstitutionalist iiiovenK'iit 
stoutly maintainiHl the Americans wore iu no 
danger at all, and would be protected by Con- 
stitutionalist forces against any roving maraud- 
ing bands. — New York Evcititia Post, September 
l.-i. 

Those Magna Charta agents in Washington 
are delicious ! Which, may we ask, with all 
the due respect constitutions inspire in us. 
especially when represented by so eminent a 
leader as the Honorable Perez Romero, which 
of llie fifty-seven varieties of "constitutional- 
ists" will ])rolcct Americans from any of the 
other lifty-seven varieties of marauding 
hands? 

Or, does tlie Mexican Patriot who was so 
adroitly intenHewed by the rising sleutii of 
the .'\ssociated Press, mean that the rebels will 
protect .Americans against their rebel selves? 
We should advise our esteemed confrere in 
Wasliington to ferret out of the Bcllevuc 
Hotel one of the Mexican Patriots and learn 
the meaning of the Spanish proverb: ".Vrj iiic 
drficiida.'! coin/'adrc.'" 



Obstinacy 

The President could end the Alexican trou- 
lile in a moment but for his personal obstinacy. 
Firmness is a virtue;, obstinacy is a vice. 
Firmness is based upon reason ; obstinacy is 
always unreasonable. I do not doubt that the 
President is misled by false reports from the 
ring in the State Department, and this ac- 
counts for the daily rumors that contradict 
each other and for the untruths that are pre- 
sented as othcial facts. For example, the 
President stated in his last lecture to Con- 
gress that several of the Powers had ex- 
pressed approval of his policy. This cannot 
possibly be true, for all the Powers have rec- 
ognized Huerta, and the chief feature of the 
President's policy is to refuse him recognition. 
The danger to Americans in Mexico was 
grossly exaggerated in the President's lecture. 
Officially, there are 40.000 Americans resident 
in Mexico, but only five hundred have obeyed 
the President's order to withdraw, and Huerta 
has generously paid their first-class passage 
back to this country. A point overlooked is 
that liy his proclamation the President has 
made our Treasury responsible for all the 
losses that the American residents may incur, 
amounting conservatively to millions of dol- 
lars. Obstinacy costs money — in this case, the 
people's money. 

Congress has voted $100,000 to help the 
emigrants, but this is a mere drop in the ocean 
of liabilities. With keen tact and grim humor 
Huerta has capped the appointment of Lind 
as an unaccredited agent by sending to Wash- 
ington Seiior Zamacona as an unaccredited 
envoy, who will demonstrate that the United 
States has no more legal or moral right to 
dictate who shall be, or shall not be. Presi- 
dent of Mexico than Huerta has to interfere 
in the squabble about the Governorship ot 
New York and decide in favor of Glynn or 
Sulzer. The President prefers to believe his 
own spies rather than credit the testimony of 
Ambassador Wilson and the 39,500 Americans 
who remain safely " in Mexico. He actually 
supposes that he understands the situation bet- 
ter than the experienced diplomatists, of Eu- 
rope, who accept accomplished facts accord- 
ing to the usages of centuries 

has nearly wrecked the tariff bill, whose fate 
now hangs upon a single vote in the Senate. 
His obstinacy has providentially postponed the 
currency bill, which nobody understands and 
nobody wants. His obstinacy may precipitate 
the war with Mexico, which he professes to be 
anxious to avoid. 

When he becomes more accustomed to his 
high office he will realize that events do not 
occur because he wishes them, and that he 
must accommodate his policy to facts, not 
theories. I repeat that obstinacy is a vice — 
and there has never been a more vicious ex- 
hibition of it than in the conduct of President 
Wilson. — Tozcii Tofics. September 11th. 



"You must have free and 
fair elections. But you can't 
vote for Huerta." 



Saturday, September 20, igrj; 



MEXICO 



Piffle! 

Washington, Septoiiibor IC. — nntw:u-(ll.v tlio 
most pressing question in tlie Mexican situation 
was whctlier a congratuiatory message slunild 
Ije desi)atelie<l to Mexico City on tlie occasion of 
tlie one hundred and tliird anniversary of Mexi- 
can independence, and to whom it should he 
addressed. Some officials were of the opinion 
that such a message would he. in a measure, a 
recognition of the Iluerta Covernment. — New 
York Evcniii'j Po^t. 

Oh, piffle! Straining at a house fly and 
swallowing a hippo! If such arc the "press- 
ing questions" in the Mexican situation we 
cannot blame Secretary Bryan for his Chautau- 
qua absences. If the childishness of the above 
is a sample of Administration statesmanship 
we should advise the Administration to drop 
the whole Mexican matter at once, and hire a 
vodlcr to handle it. 



Consul General Shanlilin reported from Mex- 
ico City to-day that railroad communications 
were temporarily suspended between the capital, 
and Chihuahua. Ciudad Porfirio Diaz, .Tuarez. 
Durango, Ensenada, Ilermosillo, La Paz. Mata- 
moros and Xogales. — Washington despatch. 
September 13. 

Consul Shanklin is to be congratulated on 
the timeliness of his report. Direct communi- 
cation between Mexico City and La Paz, 
Lower California, has never exi,sted because 
tliere is no railroad to La Paz, which is 
reached by sea via Manzanillo. 

.\s for communications with the other men- 
tioned cities, .they have been .suspended ever 
since April. 



Mrs. Talbot's Mexico. 

"Our nearest neighbor to the souui ; — Land 
of Enchantment ; rich in historic interest and 
picturesque ruins ; in its fauna and flora ; its 
splendid cities, palaces and cathedrals of Vice- 
Regal days ; in precious metals and products 
of the soil. Modern improvements, magnili- 
cent public buildings, shops, hotels and resi- 
dences, stupendous public works and huge in • 
vestments of foreign capital attest the Era of 
Progress inaugurated and sustained by Por- 
firio Diaz. Humboldt declared Mexico the 
'Treasure House of the World.' Within its 
borders 63 languages are spoken. The Mexi- 
can of to-day has the blood of more races 
in his veins than any other American. Every- 
where the scene is enriched by picturesque Li- 
dians. In vivid Mexico the Oriental strain 
has flowed out and touched the Occident with 
colors rich and warm. The barbaric splendor 
of the East has been subdued by the environ- 
ment of the stolid Axtec." 

This is the Mexico that Mrs. Ada Brown 
Talbot, author, lecturer and traveler, knows 
as few are privileged to know. Mrs. Talbot 
lectures to clubs, educational institutions, 
churches and other societies on Mexico, Co- 
lombia and Colorado. Her lectures are il- 
lustrated with stereopticon views and music o/ 
Mexico and Colombia. For rates and infor- 
mation, Mrs. Talbot should be addressed at 
.-S; Rivcrsiile Drive. Xew V..rk City. 

[AILING LISTS of any business 

the world. Be vfise Mr. Business Man, 

nd Circularize fveiv m.in ..r rtm with whom 
you can Jo business through the mails. We h.ive eveiy- 
budy's name and addre-s in the world, classihed accordiug 
to business, tjade or profession. Send for rates. 

UNITED STATES MAILING LISTS COMPANY 
1206 BROADWAY. NEW YORK 




Democracy Holds Sonora 

.\ogal, s, .\riz.. September 10.-- I KxcUisiv He- 
spatch.l Democracy is in full swing in the part 
of Sonora held by the rebels. The Pesquieristas 
in defiance of Maytorena's fiat that no elections 
should be held went ahead and held elections. 
This disobedience of the rebel governor's dicta- 
torial commands has aroused bis ire and he has 
peremptorily declared null and void the municipal 
elections held in Cananea, Naco and .\gua Prieta. 
Maytorena proclaims austerely that in place of the 
peoi)le electing their ow^n numicipal officials he 
will name military officers to till such positions.— 
Los .\ngeles Vimc.v. 



Rebel Mayor in Flight 



Ari 



optr 



ebel 



iil,er Id.- IKxclusive 
(11- of Cananea. (.'arli 



De- 



spa tell. I The 
Ilurazo. is in Douglas, where he took refuge after 
flight from Cananea. A charge hangs over l.iiii 
in Sonora of having misappropriated 48,000 pesos, 
comprising moneys collected as revenues from 
proi)erties of absentees run by and for the State. 
Involved with him it is reported was Deinetro 
Martinez, Justice of the Peace of Cananea. who 
was intercepted in his flight and arrested at Agiia 
I'rieta. The charges against Durazo were filed 
with the judge of the first instance. As .soon as 
he was aware of the attempt to jail him Durazo 
made for the .\merican side of the line, stating 
that he would remain in Douglas for an indc'Hnite 
period. 

Durazo denies the charges, which he says are 
the result of political differences between himself 
anil Governor Maytorena because of his (Dura- 
zosi refusal to call off the municii)al elections in 
Cananea by order of Maytorena.. He states that 
the elections were called for the last day of Au- 
gust, but that on the day preceding, Maytorena 
on his own authority, after previously dissolving 
the State Congress, ordered that no election be 
hell. Durazo permitted the election, for wliich 
cause Durazo says the charges were made. 

Maytorena has issued a set of rules to govern 
the sittings of the rating board created in his 
forced war loan decree number ten. which board 
will determine from information supjilied by polit- 
ical authorities of the different towns what per- 
sons or corporations are not In sympathy with the 
rebel movement so that the taxes can be stiffened 
to go to a fund called a forced loan subsidy. It 
is suspected that there will be numbers of cases 
reported to suit the personal feelings of the polit- 
ical authorities. — Los Angeles Timcx. 



In Mexico City 



Mexico City, September ('.. — Large shipments of 
machine guns, rifles and cartridges arrived to-day 
from. Austria-Hungary. The War Department dis- 
tril)Uted the shipment in different parts of the 
country. Another large shipment will arrive next 
week. 

Dr. Miguel Barragan, mayor of the city of Man 
tamoros. and former Mexican consul at Browns- 
ville, who heroically defended the port city against 
the rebels under Lucio Blanco, stated that al- 
though it seems that the .\merican-Mexican nego- 
tiations are at a standstill, yet relations with the 
American Government are improving and the 
friendly feeling toward resident Americans and 
the American people is warmer than ever. He is 
sure that there will he no further bitterness, and 
that some amicable settlement will he reached be- 
fore long. "The Mexican Government, with the 
approval of the Mexican people, has offered to help 
in repatriating with all comfort the .\mericans 
who wish to leave, although there is no necessity 
for that step." 

.\ccording to the constitution of the Republic, 
the general elections will lie held next October. 
(Jeneral Felix Diaz will be here then, and his fol- 
lowers are hard at work trying to have him elect- 
id. said Dr. Barragan, and addcxl that every can- 



didate will have full guaranties in exercising his 
rights, and the Government ad interim will make 
good its word, but it seems probable that General 
Diaz will pull more votes than any other. 

A eomiJlete list of all the citizens in the capital 
snd Fe<ieral district who are entitled to vote at 
the preliminary elections to be held October 2('>th 
lias been carefull.y compiled and posted to view 
under the City Hall to prevent fraud. The same 
system has been adopted in all the States through- 
out the Itepublic. .\lso several thousand copies 
of the recently amended election law by Congress 
have lieen distributed to educate the voters to 
their rights of citizenship. Minister of Goberna- 
clon I'rrutia stated last night to the press that 
President Huerta is determined to have a fair and 
square election, so that there can be no doubt of 
t'.ie legality of the results. 

The election of officers of the Chamber of Depu- 
ties for the ensuing term will take place to-mor- 
row afternoon at a preliminary meeting to be hidd 
in the National Congress. There is a prevailing 
sentiment to do away with all factional differences 
among parties and to work for the common good 
of the country. 

A committee composed of the leading business 
men of Mexico and directors of the Stock Kx- 
cbange called on President Iluerta yesterda.v, ac- 
companied by Manuel Garza Aldape. Minister of 
Fomento, and stated that in the name of the 
members of their institution and those of the 
branches in twenty of the leading cities of the 
Itepublic they offered him their united support, 
lie thanked them for their kind offer and stated 
that their support and that of the manufacturers' 
and the farmers' league combined, wliich had re- 
cently been offefed to him, is a powerful influence 
in assisting to pacify the country. — Los .\ngeles 



Progress Against Rebels 

Govermiiont i-.-poits indicate tliat luadway has 
been made agai.ist the reliels. It is announced 
that General Aubert and Colonel Guasque, with 
their men and artillery, are moving westward in 
military trains, preceded by work trains, reiiairing 
the railroads. They have an abundance of pro- 
visions, munitions and hosiiital supplies. 

Federals under Alberto Guajardo are reported 
to have arrived in Monclova from New I-aredo. 
after having been victorious over six different 
bands of Carranza adherents. Government officials 
consider tliat the backbone of the revolution in 
Coahuila has been broken. 

Concepcion del Oro, in Zacatecas, where some 
.\mericans have been marooned for several months, 
is about to be relieved by General Pena. who is 
proceeding southward from Saltillo. .\guasca- 
lientes, which has lieen reported threatened by the 
rebels, is said to be sufficiently garrisoned to in- 
sure its safety. Topolobanipo, a seaport of Sina- 
loa. is reported to have been retaken by the Fed- 
erals, assisted by the gunboat Tampico. — New- 
York Wnrl'I, September 1.^. 



Mexican Reception in Paris 

Special Cal.ile Dispatch to the X. V. Sim. 

Paris, September 16. — The Mexican Lega- 
tion gave a reception to-day in honor of the 
Mexican Independence Day. The rooms were 
crowded with members of the Mexican colony 
and Frenchmen interested in Mexico. 

There was a luncheon at wdiich Francisco 
de la Barra, the special Mexican envoy, made 
a brief speech in reply to a toast to the pros- 
perity and early pacification of Mexico. 

.■\mong the guests were General Mondragon, 
Mexican ex-Minister of War ; Carlos Landaes 
Escandon, the Marquis de Perigny and several 
French bankers. 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, IQIJ 




The Business Point of View. 

We have just received a bundle of mail 
from all over Mexico, by way of Laredo, 
which means that the line from Mexico City 
to Laredo is open and in the hands of the 
Federals. While the papers reported that the 
rel)e!s were in possession of San Luis Potosi 
and Monterey, between Laredo and Alexico 
City, our salesmen w-ent through the whole 
territory taking orders for our Mexican 
liranch and did not write a word aliout being 
disturbed by rebels, and our business con- 
tinues. 

We have not recalled any of our employees 
or salesmen. We sell goods and are paid for 
them, but, of course, in Mexican money, and 
since Mr. Wilson is interested in embarrass- 
ing the financial condition of Mexico, we, like 
everybody else doing business in Mexico, will 
not be able to receive payments from Mexico. 

Mr. AVilson will serve out his term and we 
suppose soon be forgotten, but not in Mexico. 
He and America will be the best hated man 
and country in Mexico for many years to 
come, and every influence will be used to turn 
in any other direction any business which in 
other times would surely have come to the 
United States. 

General Huerta has his enemies, but we hear 
from our agents in different parts of Mexico, 
that he is well liked and admired in the great- 
est part of Mexico. If he is forced to step 
down and out we are of the opinion that it 
will be difficult to hnd an equally strong and 
severe character able to face a situation such 
as exists at present in Mexico. 

George Lueders & Co. 

New York City, September 10, 1913. 

— Letter Published in New York Herald. 



The Political Side 

Col. Cecil Lyon, of Texas, former Repul> 
lican national committeeman and now the 
head of the Progressive party in that State, 
is back from a long tour of Africa and Asia. 

"It looks as if the Democrats are wrecking 
themselves without any assistance from the 
other parties," said Col. Lyon. "All we shall 
have to do is to wail and win. 

"The Administration docs not appear to be 
handling the Mexican situation very success- 
fully. It has made nothing but mistakes. I 
winder how Huerta could stop lighting with 
half a dozen different rebel leaders in different 
parts of Mexico stirring up troubles all the 
lime? How can Americans leave Mexico? 
One of them said to me the olher day that the 
.\dministralion must think him crazy if it ex- 
pected him to put up the sluilters on his bank, 
lock his front door, and run away. Tlie vacil- 
lating policy of rcquesting''our people to leave 
Mexico, and then advising them to wait, is not 
the policy of experienced statesmanship." — 
Washington I'cst, September 13. 



Should Recognize Huerta 

Col. Edward R. Dunn, mining engineer, of 
Nome, Alaska, formerly of Texas,- and a close 
friend of the Postmaster General, was visiting 
friends in Washington yesterday. Col, Dunn 
called upon the Postmaster General. In his 
earlier days Col. Dunn spent much lime in 
Mexico, and his views on the situation in that 
Republic are interesting. 

"It has been two years since I was in Mex- 
ico, l)ut in all I have spent a good part of 33 
years in that country." said Col. Dunn, at tlic 
Shoreham. "I think the Administration is 
making a mistake in the manner in which it is 
handling Mexican affairs. If this nation had 
recognized Huerta Mexico would be at peace 
now. I cannot see the reason for insisting 
upon the resignation of Huerta. If Huerta 
resigned he would surely follow Madero. He 
would not live 48 hours. The only safe way 
for Huerta to resign would be to go to Vera 
Cruz, get on board a vessel, and send his 
resignation ashore. Then he might get away. 
Huerta cannot stop lighting. There are so 
many revolutions in the country that without 
money and without the moral support of the 
LInited States he has got to keep going." — 
Washington Post, Septemlier 13. 



Utterly In the Wrong 

Asserting that the National Government 
was utterly in the wrong in its attitude on the 
Mexican question, Ellsworth J. Wiggins, for 
three years American consul at Monterey, 
Nuevo Leon, Mexico, a native of this city, 
paid his respects yesterday to Secretary Bryan 
and President Wilson. Ex-Consul Wiggins 
was born and reared here, is a friend of John 
Wanamakcr, and is now president of llic 
Young Men's Christian Association at Monte- 
rey. He has lived in Mexico for years, and 
knows the situation there thoroughly. 

He is emphatic in the opinion that non-in- 
tervention is an absolute necessity. He be- 
lieves that Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson 
was in the right in espousing the cause of 
President Huerta, and verifies cable reports 
that Americans resident in Mexico are solidly 
in favor of the discredited American repre- 
sentative. 

Mr. Wiggins donlils that a general election 
will be called, and asserts that elections in 
Mexico are inclined to be farcical — that nc 
matter who casts the votes and for wdiom they 
are cast, it is the man whom the powers that 
be want, who is declared elected. He added 
thai if Huerta thought that peace ruled in his 
land, .-in election would be held; otherwise not, 
and Ibat Huerta was the sole judge of v?liat 
constituted peace. 

Incidentally Mr. Wiggins said thai .Vmeri- 
cans in Mexico were in no danger whatever, 
nor were tlicir belongings, and that as yet the 
Mexicans were friendly to individual Ameri- 
cans. Of course, he admitted there was an 
exodus of Americans, but he ascribcci this la 



panic which had seized some of tlic women, or 
homesickness, with President Wilson's call to 
emigrate as an excuse to get home. — Philadel- 
phia Public Ledger, September 14. 



Mediation a Failure 

Tlie American proposals for mediation in 
Mexico have failed, according to the practi- 
cal admissions of the Administration. The 
Mexican situation is spoken of in official 
circles as a quicksand, upon which can be built 
no hope of a happy solution in conformity 
with the desires of the United States. 

Reasons for the failure of American diplo- 
macy in the Mexican mediation propositions 
are being discussed in diplomatic circles, espe- 
cially among the Latin-American representa- 
tives. The overtures, it is hinted, were marked 
by an utter absence of understanding of the 
Mexican psychology, and also with seeming 
disregard of the peculiarity of Latin-Ameri- 
can sentiment toward the United States. — 
Washington Star, September 13th. 



The Real Rebels 

A list of rebel and bandit chiefs in San 
Luis Potosi and border States, compiled from 
reliable sources, shows a total of forty-three 
at the head of bands ranging from thirty to 
600 men each. Data gathered from ranch own- 
ers, refugees, Federal officers, lailroad men 
and residents of the towns raided show an 
aggregate of 5,600 men under arms against the 
Government. 

The largest group', numbering 600 and com- 
manded by Raoul Madero, brother of the late 
President, is near Herra:duria, 100 miles to the 
northwest. Other bands, of 400 or SCO each, 
under Ernesto Santoscoy, Alberto Torres and 
Jose Cabo, are operating in the north, east 
and south of the State. The remainder are 
widely scattered over San Luis Potosi and the 
neighboring States of Nuevo Leon, Tamauli- 
pas, Queretaro and Zacatecas. 

Two of the most daring rebel leaders — 
Candido Navarro and Pedro Santos — have re- 
cently lieen killed, but the others are striving 
for the notoriety wdiich these achieved. More 
tlian twenty-two towns have been raided in the 
last few months, most of which are in posses- 
sion of the rebels or are visited at will. 

The rebel methods have been those of guer- 
rillas from the outset. They never mass their 
forces nor seek to encounter an opposing 
force, except where the advantage is over- 
whelmingly in their favor. The three larger 
groups ha\e six machine guns, but the .smaller 
ones are not always well equipped, even with 
rifles, and are usually short of ammunition. 

A year ago it was estimated that there were 
less than two hundred bandits in this State. — 
New York World, September ISth. 



Saturday, September 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



PUBLIC OPINION 

(CONTINUED 



NAILING THEM! 



President Huerta's Message 

Encouraging in its pacific tone, the mes- 
sage of President Huerta, delivered yester- 
day on the occasion of the anniversary of 
Mexican independence, holds out little en- 
couragement for hope of his eventual com- 
pliance with the programme laid down by 
our own Government. Huerta refrains 
equally from concession to American wishes 
and from expressions of opposition that 
could in any way block the road to subse- 
uent yielding or compromise. While he 
avoids all expression injurious to the United 
States, his observations continue to voice 
the Mexican Government's dissatisfaction 
with our course and its concern as to pos- 
sible American encroachments upon its 
sovereignty. 

One evident effect of the message, 
coupled with the national patriotic display 
that marked the day of its delivery, may be 
expected in the strengthening of Huerta 
sympathies among the reflecting and respec- 
table part of the Mexican population. Rev- 
olutions are not usually started by the law- 
abiding and substantial element, either in 
Mexico or elsewhere, and there must be a 
great section of the population south of the 
Rio Grande which remains indifferent to 
the passage of governments, and cares nor- 
mally only for security and order. If Hu- 
erta can call out the national sentiments of 
this element he will win to himself a sup- 
port much more valuable than that of any 
faction or section in the thick of the 
politico-military turmoil. 

It may be regrettable that Huerta should 
not have seized the occasion to give assur- 
ances against the possibility of his own can- 
didacy, but it will hardly be surprising, in 
view of his firm and open refusal to grant 
any such assurances to our own Govern- 
ment. In calling attention to the forth- 
coming expiration of the leave granted to 
our war vessels to lie in Mexican waters, 
Huerta is apparently manoeuvring so as to 
put us at a disadvantage by placing us in 
the light of unwarranted trespassers within 
Mexican bounds. If our ships remain there, 
as possibly in the interest of American cit- 
izens they must do, we will be forced either 
to accept the courtesy of a prolongation of 
their leave to remain, and that from a gov- 
ernment which we do not choose to recog- 
nize, or else we will be put in the false posi- 
tion of overriding Mexican territorial rights 
at our free will and fancy. 

Though the prospect of being thus over- 
reached by Mexican diplomacy may give 
some food for thought to our President 
and his advisers in State matters, it is safe 
to say that Mexico intends no threat or 
hostile purpose by Huerta's warship hint, 
for none at the present moment can be less 
anxious for war with this country than is 
the Huerta Government. — Ww York 
Evening Sun, September 17. 



American Refugees Safe 

100 Reported Seized by Mexicans Reach 
Saltillo 

I.aruilo, Texas, S(;i)toiiibi'r ].'i.— .\iii.Tioiii ref- 
ugees from Torreon, Mo.fico, for wliose safet.v 
fears liavo been expressed during their over- 
land Journey to Saltillo, reached the latter place 
in safety to-day, according to official advices 
received at Mexican Federal headquarters at 
Nuevo I^aredo to-night. 

.\mcricans in Mexico luivc ali.'^Dkitcly no 
consideration fpr the press of their country. 
( )ne hundred of them arrived safely at Sal- 
tillo, en route from Torreon, and reported 
that all hail gone well with them since they 
leit the hitter city. Thus they spoiled a good 
second-day story on their capture and suffer- 
ings, which was to follow the first-page story 
published on Monday. However, we under- 
stand the Mexico City correspondents who 
furnished the first story of the refugees' cap- 
ture were congratulated liy their respective 
newspapers, as Sunday is usually a dull day 
lor news and the Monday advertising is rather 
liKht. 



.\ list of reliel and liandit chiefs in San I.uis 
I'otusi ami burdi'V States, compiled from reliable 
sources, shows a total of fort.v-threc at the head 
of bands ranging from thirty to 600 men each. 
Data gathered from ranch owners, refugees. Fed- 
eral officers, railroad men and residents of the 
towns raided show an aggregate of ri,(iiHi men 
under arms against the (Jovcrnment. 

Tile largest group, numbering GOO and com- 
manded by Raoui Madero, brother of the late 
President, is near Ilerraduria, 100 miles to the 
northwest. Other bands, of 400 or 500 each, 
under Ernesto Santoseoy. Allierto Torres and 
.lose C'abo. are operating in the north, east and 
south of the State. The remainder are widely 
scattered over San Luis Potosi and the neigh- 
boring States of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas. Quere- 
taro and Zacateeas. — New York WnrW, Septem- 
ber 1.5. 

Figuring that in Sonora there are aliout a 
dozen more leaders, we have in the North of 
Mexico the 57 varieties which President Wil- 
son, instead of pickled, wishes to see taken in- 
to the confidence of the central Government. 
An armistice must be arranged, which the 57 
varieties will solemnly agree to respect ! 

The Washington correspondents seem to 
have forgotten of late the Administration's 
recommendation that they should always refer 
to tlie ■■/;.■.) f,ii-ll,inx." 



Exclusive Stuff 

Washington. Septemlier Ki. —Sanitary condi- 
tions in the city of Torreon, recently captured 
by the Mexiea:i rebels, have produced a grave 
situation, according to advices to the State De- 
partment to-dav. There is a lack of antitoxins 
and serums and other medical sui)plles with 
which to check disease epidemics raging in that 
city. (.'en. Bravo, in cliarge of the forces hold- 
ing the city, is trying to get the much needed 
supplies by reestablishing railway connection 
with -Mexico t'ity. — New York ^'M«, September 
l.-.th. 

Here is where tlie three hundred Washing- 
ton correspondents have a perfectly good 
ground for lodging a complaint against the 
State Department for unfair discrimination. 

Why should the State Department give the 
Sun's correspondent the exclusive piece of 
news that Torreon had been recently captured 
Iiy the rebels? And that General Bravo is no 
longer a Federal general but the coinmander 
of the rebel forces holding the city, although 
lie is "trying to get the much needed supplies 
by re-establishing railway connection with. 
Mexico City." 

Why should the Sun have this exclusive 
story from the State Department when all 
other newspapers had been given to under- 
stand that Torreon had never been captured 
liy tlie rebels : that Bravo was a Federal gen- 
eral and sanitary conditions in Torreon were 
not as l)ad as first reported several days ago. 
Why? 



No Insinuation — Fact 

The insinunii..ii tbnt I'rrsid.nt Wilson's pol- 
icy has not the suiiport of the people of the 
United States is Interpreted as an attempt to 
discredit the I'residcnt as much as possible in 
the eyes of the Mexican people.— X.-w York t<iin, 
September 17. 

The Sun's Washington correspondent either 
did not read the message of President Huerta 
or he is simply. an instrument of the Admin- 
istration's publicity trick to get the public 
opinion of the country behind it in this Mex- 
ican muddle. President Huerta said that the 
tension in the relations between the United 
States and Mexico was not the result of any 
quarrel between the American people and the 
Mexicans. Is that not literally true? Is there 
aiiv insinuation there? 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, September 20, fgij 



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ol Washington. Is it not plausible to think 
that if the terrific Administration influence 
seeking to thwart Huerta's every effort to 
bring about stable conditions in Mexico were 
removed, it would not be long before the coun- 
try would be pacified by this powerful man 
and set again in tlie paths of peace and pros- 
perity? 



witli obvious animus of "factions" and ill-con- 
cealed dislike of purely incidental personali- 
ties. He would not antagonize a friendly, 
neighboring nation as he is doing now. And 
still the President really fancies that he is a 
friend of Mexico. 



The Quicksand 



The Administration is reported to be fully 
convinced by this time that the Mexican situ- 
ation is in the nature of a quicksand. It is a 
quicksand — but of Washington's making. The 
Administration has all along been barely pull- 
ing itself out by its own bootstraps from hun- 
gry, yawning quicksands, and forthwith pro- 
ceeding to make another and put its foot in 
it. This can't be kept up indefinitely. Quick- 
sands are rather dangerous things to play with. 
Thej- are inherentlj' deceptive. 

The worst thing about this Mexican quick- 
sand with which the Washington Administra- 
tion is amateurishly fooling is that it may 
suddenly turn into a boiling caldron of war. 
The denial of United States recognition to the 
constitutional Government of Mexico, based 
on a personal prejudice and backed up by 
futile though high-sounding theories, has done 
more to make the Mexican situation a quick- 
sand than all the rebellious and lawless ele- 
ments with which Huerta has had to deal. 

Owing to the "moral," and particularly tire 
financial, blockade which Washington has 
placed about the Mexican Government every 
little bandit chieftain is given a new lease in 
his profitable life of loot and murder. Every 
political intriguant in Mexico and every ex- 
patriate conspirator is encouraged to keep on 
adding to the troubles of Mexico with the 
hope that something inay happen that will turn 
the tide of affairs his way. Only the very 
strongest ruler, the most capable man in a 
generation, could have survived all these 
forces set in motion by President Wilson. If 
Huerta is or is not the man destined to rule 
Mexico in the years to come, he has at least 
shown to the world that he is big enough and 
resourceful enough to handle the most impos- 
sible, complicated, dangerous situation in na- 
tional life that any ruler has had to face in 
the memory of living man. Does any one for 
an instant think that his job is a sinecure? 
Ask yourself whether you would like to fill it. 
Certainly only the stanchcst character and 
manhood, the most self-sacrificing patriotism, 
could inspire any man to contend as he has 
contended with the conditions within his coun- 
try and the unreasonably antagonistic attitude 



Freedom — A New Brand 

Perhaps tliere is nothing inconsistent in 
\\'ashington's demand that "fair and free" 
elections be held in Mexico and that President 
Huerta shall not be a candidate at the polls. 
No, it isn't inconsistent. It is simply, astound- 
ingly, blindly contradictory and perverse. Not 
having the qualifications of an expert alienist, 
it is beyond our province to gauge the sanity 
of a mind that can hold two such thoughts 
at the same time. 

The elections must be "free and fair." That 
means that the Mexican people must be free 
to make their choice of ruler according to 
their lights, wishes, or prejudices. Very well, 
That sounds good. But the free people of 
Mexico at a free election must not have the 
opportunity to designate General Huerta as 
their choice for President. 

Is that freedom? Has anything more dic- 
tatorial and coercive been known even in Mex- 
ican political life? Has Porfirio Diaz, Madero 
or Huerta had the effrontery at any time dur- 
ing their rulership of the Mexican people to 
come out before the world and say such and 
such a man must not be a candidate for the 
Presidency? Not even the iron-handed Don 
Porfirio even went that far. He knew the 
Mexican people. 

Consider, then, the self-satisfied collossal 
nerve of Washington in demanding such a 
sacrifice of freedom and nationality from tht 
Mexican people. Does it think they have no 
intelligence, judgment, sentiment, or even 
sense of humor in Mexico? Or is Mexico, a 
rich, teeming country of sixteen million hu- 
mans, to President Wilson merely a name that 
he has "read in books"? 

There are times when one is really forced 
to think that in the mind of the President 
Mexico is only an abstraction in higher ethics, 
not a land pulsing with the vital current of 
human aspirations, emotions, passions and 
personalities. He has dealt with it and ad- 
monished it as if it were a refractory, un- 
formed child. Mexico and Mexicans have suf- 
fered, sacrificed and bled in the desperate ef- 
fort to solve the problems of their highly 
complex life, the inheritance of many centuries 
and the evolution of entirely distinctive racial 
elements. 

If the President of the United States had 
lived through one-half of what thousands of 
Mexicans have in the last few years, he would 
have grown so in his conception of the terrible 
potentialities of life, his heart would be so 
torn and still warmed by his nearness to na- 
tional travail and human suffering, that he 
would not scold, he would not cavil, he would 
not split moral hairs. Instead, he would look 
on Mexico with the serious, understanding, 
heart-warmed eyes of an Abraham Lincoln, he 
would hold out a generous, sympathetic hand 
lo a distracted people. He would not talk 



What a Returned American Citi- 
zen Thinks of the Situation 
in Mexico 

Kindly allow me to insert a few pertinent 
remarks to a situation which has not as yet 
been given sufficient consideration by the large 
majority of our countrymen, but which is daily 
becoming a tragedy for those of us who live 
in Mexico. 

Of one thing we are sadly aware, and that 
is that our officials in Washington are woe- 
fully ignorant of the Latin character. Presi- 
dent Wilson insists upon one thing, and one 
thing only, and that is that Gen. Huerta must 
step out of Mexican politics and remain out 
for good and all. Now in strict fairness I 
would like to ask one question : What affair 
is it of Mr. Wilson's if the Mexican people 
choose Gen. Huerta as their President? It 
strikes me that it is quite overstepping the 
bounds of international decency to do such a 
thing as that. Gen. Huerta might in turn in- 
sist that some of our own countrymen who 
are holding office in a questionable manner, 
and who have adopted queer methods in car- 
rying out some of their schemes, should be 
eliminated from their great positions. 

One of Gen. Huerta's first declarations after 
assuining his high office was that he would 
strive as much as possible to bring peace to 
the whole of Mexico. Have the authorities 
in Washington encouraged him in any of his 
efforts ? No. They have handicapped hiin in 
every way possible, until at this writing it 
seems as though anarchj' would permeate 
every nook and corner of the country. 

Mr. Wilson is too highly placed to listen to 
any one who has Ijved in Mexico and knows 
both people and conditions thoroughly, but 
sends a friend now and then to remain a few 
weeks and then return to tell him all about it. 
Things are coming to a pretty pass when just 
a few of our well-posted citizens returning 
from residence in Mexico cannot be consulted 
about things which are most vital to them. 

In President Wilson's message to Congress 
all Americans were warned to leave Mexico 
at once. A few days ago the order was modi- 
fied, and those same people were advised to 
remain long enough to settle up their busi- 
ness affairs. What becomes of the interests 
of those who were patriotic enough to obey 
the first order? This very change in policy is 
proof positive that our officials in Washington 
do not know how to deal with the Latin 
people. 

As a good American and also a great lover 
of Mexico, who advocates nothing but fair 
play, I hope that the policy of our country 
toward Mexico may soon be materially altered. 
— Letter in New ^'ork E^'eubiQ Mail. Septem- 
ber 16. 



SUBSCRIBF TO "MEXICO 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 




VOL. 1.— No. 6 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1913 




FIVE CENTS 



It has been made much of by some pohtical 
writers that President Wilson's refusal to 
recognize the provisional Government of Mex- 
ico is due to a determination to carry out 
consistently an Administration policy toward 
all Latin-America, and not to any personal 
prejudice against General Huerta. 

This policy, they say, was clearly delined in 
the announcement made by President Wilson 
upon assuming tlie duties of his oflice last 
March and can be summed up as follows: 

The Washington Administration will not 
extend recognition or hold friendly inter- 
course with any Latin-American Government 
that ascends to power through revolution. 

It will prefer having friendly relations with 
those Governments that exercise their author- 
ity by virtue of popular elections and observ- 
ance of the Constitution. 

It would seem, at first glance, that this was 
a \vise and equitable policy, in accordance 
with the Democratic principles dear to the 
American people. A policy which would tend 
to discourage the organization of revolutions 
by unscrupulous, self-seeking poHticians, wdio 
work on the ignorance and want of the people. 
Which would also guarantee to the Latin- 
American Governments the friendly and moral 
support of this country against usurpation and 
to the people of those countries encourage- 
ment in their honest efforts to maintain stable 
Governments based on democratic principles' 
In practical efifect this policy is neither equit- 
able nor feasible unless this country intends 
to impose by force of arms her own will on 
all Latin-American Republics and to consti- 
tute herself their guardian and supreme judge. 
That this policy cannot be consistently car- 
ried out and that its effects are and must be 
in opposition to those which the Administra- 
tion presumably wishes to obtain has ' been 
clearly demonstrated by recent events in vari- 
ous parts of Latin-America. 

In the first place, Pan-Americanism cannot 
exist unless based on the respect of each coun- 
try for the sovereign rights of the other coun- 
tries no matter what their size, or power. 

In the adoption of an international policy 
concerning Latin-America this country must 




Felix Diaz 



Felix Diaz represents the link between Mex- 
ico of the past and Mexico of the future, for 
while he admires his uncle, Porfirio Diaz, the 
magicipn who brought order out of chaos, 
he is fully alive to the requirements of young 
Mexico and in thorough sympathy with its 
progressive aspirations. 

Felix Diaz is known as the man who keeps 
his own counsel and has learned how to wait. 



Perhaps the best conception of the man will 
be had from the fact that during the many 
years he was Chief of Police under the auto- 
cratic rule of his uncle he counted his friends 
even among those opposed to the Diaz regir:?. 
To be a popular Chief of Police in the last 
ten years of the Diaz regime was truly a won- 
derful attainment. 

CoDtinued on Page 3 



MEXICO 



Saturday^ September 2j, i<)i3 



A POLICY WITHOUT LEGS Continued 



decide between two courses, that of maintain- 
ing its international relations through might 
or that of maintaining them through right. To 
carry out the first course it would be necessary 
to extend a practical protectorate wherever 
it could gain the upper hand. But in the na- 
ture of things this could not be lasting except 
by constant force of arms. Founded strictly 
on right its relations would be friendly and 
lasting. It may be contended that by re- 
fraining from exercising a guardianship over 
smaller American countries the United States 
would encourage disorder and consequently 
foreign interests, American and European, 
would suffer. The fact is that even the ma- 
terial advantages which this country would 
reap from a policy of "hands off" and con- 
sideration for the sovereign rights of other 
peoples would be much greater than any tem- 
porary losses, suffered by American capital- 
ists as a consequence of disorder. 

It will not be very long before all the coun- 
tries bordering on the Carribean Sea, through 
economical and social evolution, will be as 
free from revolutions as are their sisters in 
the extreme south. All countries have gone 
through the same stages of agitation and each 
one of those that finds itself still in the throes 
of rebellion has the same right to work out 
its own salvation as other countries have had. 

The desire of the United States to dis- 
courage revolutions is legitimate and praise- 
worthy, but revolutions are not always started 
b}' unscrupulous and ambitious leaders. In 
many cases they constitute the natural and in- 
evitable reaction of an unjustly oppressed peo- 
ple. It becomes evident, then, that the Wash- 
ington Administration, if it wishes to act ac- 
cording to the principles of justice which it 
upholds at home, while declaring its intention 
of not lending countenance to revolution, 
should at the same time guarantee jnst gov- 
ernment to the people of Latin-American 
countries and protect them against the abuses 
of tyrants and grafters. This, of course, 
would mean the establishment of a protector- 
ate over independent and sovereign States, 
without the assurance that the guarantee 
could be maintained. We find it difficult 
enough ourselves to eliminate grafters from 
our citj", State and National Governments. 

We have said that the policy announced" 
by the Administration cannot be and has not 
been carried out either consistently or effect- 
ivelj'. In fact, the attitude maintained against 
the Government of Mexico on the ground 
that it came to power by revolutionary means 
— assuming that this is the ground — has not 
discouraged rebellion, but on the contrary, it 
has greatly encouraged it. And in Mexico 
the rebellion is conducted by ambitious lead- 
ers against a Government which, whatever its 
origin, has promised to bring about the re- 
forms demanded by the people and has only 
asked for a chance to do so. 

It may be added for the present Mexican 
Government that it came to power before Mr. 
Wilson became President of the United States 
and that the revolution which carried it to 
power had been conducted against a Govern- 



ment which had also acquired its power 
through a revolution. 

But Mexico aside, what of Venezuela? 

In Venezuela general elections should have 
taken place on September 16. President Go- 
mez, adducing as an excuse the fact that a 
revolution had been started against him — and 
the open charge that this revolution was noth- 
ing but a piece of political chicanery engi- 
neered by himself has never been denied — 
has declared himself dictator of Venezuela, 
thus thwarting the people's expectations of an 
election. What will the people do? We hear 
that "El Mocho," General Hernandez, is on 
his way to lead a new revolution against the 
usurper. 

President Gomez has failed to respect the 
Constitution of his country, he maintains him' 
self in power by a coup d'etat, more repre- 
hensible than any revolution. Yet the friendly 
relations between the Washington Adminis- 
tration and the Gomez Government continue 
uninterrupted. 

Should "El Mocho" be victorious, will Pres- 
ident Wilson refuse to grant him recognition?' 
To carry out consistently his policy he would 
have to do so. Does it mean, then, that Pres- 
ident Wilson intends to extend the moral sup- 
port of this country to every tyrant of Latin- 
America. 

What of the friendly relations — oh, most 
friendly' ! — of our Government with that of 
Guatemala? Yet it is a well-known fact that 
Guatemala has suffered for more than sixteen 
years under the worst dictatorship that has 
ever been known in Latin-America. 

Little is said in our press of the conditions 
in Guatemala, of the practical slavery existing 
there, worse than any peonage that has ever 
existed in Mexico or in this country. But it 
exists and certainly the Administration in 
Washington cannot be ignorant of it. 

If the Administration's policy has been dic- 
tated by a sincere desire to befriend the peo- 
ple of Latin-America, then it must withdraw 
its friendship from those Governments that 
abuse their power and keep their people in a 
state of bondage. But do people realize what 
this means? It means that the Administration 
assumes the right to erect itself into a high 
court with power to judge the actions affect- 
ing the interior politics of any other Ameri- 
can Government. 

Is there any principle of international right 
that could sanction such an assumption? 

Where would such a policy carry this coun- 
try? 

Even supposing that we should have the 
power to enforce our own will and judgment 
all over Latin-America, what would the final 
results be? Could we make all Latin-Amer- 
ica maintain friendly commercial relations 
with us, by force also? 

The whole thing must seem absurd to any- 
one giving a little thought to the true mean- 
ing of the Administration's policy. 

But there is more than the questionable ■ 
right to exert a practical supervision over 
the action of all Latin-American Governments 



and the disastrous results which such an at- 
tempt may bring to our future trade. 

There is the matter of judging the value of 
these actions and imposing our own political 
methods. 

We assume that the free exercise, of the 
ballot is the only guarantee of justice anu 
that the only just Government is that which 
is founded on the will of a majority of the 
people. This is in a measure true in those 
countries where a majority of the people are 
sufficiently enlightened to judiciously select 
the ofificers of their Government. Even we are 
yet far from the ideal in this respect. 

But it is not borne out by experience that 
the Governments elected by a majority of the 
people are the best and the most just. On 
the other hand, there is evidence of many 
cases in the history of nations in which Gov- 
ernments based on the will of a minority have 
been wise and just and highly beneficial to 
their country. This has been especially true, 
of course, of those countries in which the 
majority has not been sufficiently educated to 
obtain or exercise intelligently the right to 
vote. 

Leaving aside the old countries of Europe, 
where many instances of this are to be found 
to this da}-, we can find a proof of our con- 
tention, which is axiomatic, in Latin-America. 
We refer to Argentine, the most advanced of 
all Latin-American countries. After a long- 
period of alternate internal strifes and of 
stern dictatorships that usually follow pro- 
longed revolutions, since 1890 and during near- 
ly twenty years, Argentine was governed by 
an oligarchy. The elections were Administra- 
tion-made, the popular will remaining an ab- 
stract expression. 

Although the principle of non-re-election 
for two consecutive terms had long been em- 
bodied in the Argentine Constitution, during 
the mentioned period each President-elect vi^as 
usually the choice of his predecessor and 
members of both the House and the Senate 
were selected by the Administration. 

The Government was a paternal one, on the 
whole a good and wise Government and above 
all patriotic, although somewhat weak at times 
and not overcareful in the expenditure of the 
National funds. It did not, however, permit 
favoritism to become rampant, certainly not 
more so than it is elsewhere. It eliminated 
the probability of future revolutions by the 
establishment of an efficient regular army, 
made possible by compulsory service, and by 
devoting its efforts to the potent economical 
development of the nation's resources. 

It invited foreign capital — especially Brit- 
ish — and as it usually happens under a wise, 
paternal Government, the people themselves — 
busy with reaping the benefits of material 
progress — were willing to leave the handling 
of public affairs in a few hands. 

The very economical development, however, 
lirought about by the stability of the paternal 
Government, made possible the establishment 
of general and efficient educational institu- 
tions and the consequent political education 
of the people. 



Saturday, September 2j, IQ/J 



MEXICO 



FELIX DIAZ Continued 



As an organizer Kelix Diaz gained general 
recognition, for under him the poHce of Mex- 
ico City reached a high point of efficiency 
and the city was made safer than most cities 
of the same size anywhere in the world. 

While Felix Diaz knew the secret of keep- 
ing in the background he took an active part 
and lively interest in the affairs of his coun- 
try. As much as he admired and loved his 
uncle, and perhaps because of this, he was 
opposed to many of the men who surrounded 
liim and practically held in the last few years 
the reins of Government. 

Felix Diaz is well known and well liked 
among Americans, for he has been interested 
and associated with them in various mining 
and in(kistrial enterprises. 

Upon the triumph of the Madero revolution, 
like many other patriots who were loyal to 
Porfirio Diaz but desired a change in the po- 
litical system, Felix Diaz accepted the new 
regime and, hoping for the best, announced 



that he might later enter the contest lor the 
Governorship of Oaxaca. When, however, it 
became evident that the Madero regime was 
to serve only for the personal gain of a few, 
Felix Diaz withdrew from public life and re- 
signed from the army. Meanwhile all classes 
were casting about seeking the man who could 
save them from the calamity which had be- 
fallen the country. 

Felix Diaz was looked upon as the only 
man who, ])esides enjoying great popularity 
among the better element of young Mexico, 
could induce the army to follow him. His 
failure at Vera Cruz and his success at Mex- 
ico City are now matters of history. 

Whatever his enemies may say, ever since 
tlie fall of the Madero regime Felix Diaz has 
demonstrated great self-restraint and patriot- 
ism. He has shown an ever-ready willingness 
to sacrifice his personal ambition to better con- 
trilnite to tlie re-establishment nf peace. 



NONE OF OUR BUSINESS 



A POLICY WITHOUT LEGS Continued 



At the beginning of last year various Ar- 
gentine statesmen declared that the time was 
at hand for a new epoch of responsibility on 
the part of the people and that the future 
greatness of the Republic depended on tlieir 
active participation in public affairs. 

The President of the Republic, Mr. Saenz 
Pena, several weeks before the elections for 
Congressmen and Senators, which took place 
on April 7, 1912, issued an appeal to the peo- 
ple impressing upon his countrymen the neces- 
sity for each and every one of them to take a 
direct interest in the political campaign then 
luider way. 

Meanwhile a law had been enacted making 
tlie vote compulsory, all citizens failing to 
vote — unless able to justify their failure — be- 
ing liable to punishment and being deprived of 
the right to apply for official and public po- 
sitions. 

All GoverniTient employees were forljiddcn 
to present themselves as candidats for any 
elective offices unless they first resigned from 
their posts, this to prevent any interference 
by the Administration in the counting of 
votes. 

At first this law was expected to be most 
effective in Buenos Aires, where it could be 
more easily enforced, but its sponsors were 
confident that its beneficial effects would soon 
be felt all over the Republic. 

The elections took place in a quiet manner 
and in the larger cities, at least, no pressure 
was brought to bear on the voters by the local 
authorities. They were truly free and fair 
elections — for the first time in the history of 
.\rgentine. A certain number of citizens failed 
to vote even after having registered. Mo:.? 
of them were arraigned before a court and 
fined ten dollars for their failure to appear 
at the polls, and fulfill their duty accordinij; 
to the new electoral law. 



The imposing of fines was resented and op- 
posed in several cases, at times the popular 
sentiment favoring the transgressors even to 
the extent of provoking street demonstrations 
that were dispersed by the police. 

In spite of these manifestations the experi- 
ment of compulsory voting made by the young 
Republic proved to be successful. 

Thus Argentine, from a period of paternal 
oligarchical Government, stepped into a period 
of advanced democracy owing to the time and 
opportunity given to the people to prepare 
tliemselves and become sufficiently educated to 
properly use the right granted to them by 
the Constitution. 

W'hat would have happened to Argentine if 
during her last civil struggle, in 1890, an Amer- 
ican President had sent a Lind to Buenos 
Aires with peremptory demands similar to 
those made upon the Huerta Government in 
Mexico? 

What would have happened, then, if a Lind 
had told the Argentine President that the rev- 
olution was a clear indication that the country 
needed a free and fair election in which all 
should participate by mutual consent and a 
promise should be given that all would abide 
by the result of those elections? 

Argentine worked out her own salvation 
guided by an intelligent minority, made great 
but gradual strides toward economical, social, 
and political freedom without a truly demo- 
cratic Government — although always so in ap- 
pearance — until such a time as her people 
were able to exercise intelligently the right 
to vote. 

The same will happen in Mexico in spite of 
all theories to the contrary entertained by the 
Washington Administration, that is, if the peo- 
ple of this country will give Mexico the chance 
which she deserves and has a right to expect 
from a civilized neighbor. 



There are neurotics who constantly crave 
excitement. There are good but misguided 
and impractical persons who are forever anx- 
ious to make the world over and run it to or- 
der. From these people, those constitutionally 
heedless of consequences and those who have 
financial interests and yellow newspapers for 
whom sensations spell circulation proceeds the 
cry for American intervention in Mexico. 

They do not count the cost. But those upon 
whom rests the burden of official responsibil- 
ity must do so before acting, and it's fortunate 
for the country that they have been and arc 
men of sufficient breadth and depth and fore- 
sight to move with extreme caution. 

No one can even guess how many years, 
how many thousands of lives and how many 
hundreds of millions of dollars it would take 
for us to get out of Mexico with honor and 
credit once we undertook the task of pacify- 
ing that country by armed force. 

Of course conditions in Mexico are not 
satisfactory. They haven't been since Porfirio 
Diaz retired as ruler. The people are illiterate 
and ill prepared for self government, and 
there are too many agitators among them. 
But the situation is undoubtedly represented 
as being far worse than it is. Certainly it is 
vastly better than it was under the weak and 
inefficient Madero regime. 

Every now and then there is a so-called 
crisis. The last, like the rest, turns out to 
have been grossly exaggerated. There are 
well founded suspicions that they are manu- 
factured by agents of investors who have 
taken chances there with their eyes wide open 
but now want to force this country into guar- 
anteeing their investments without regard to 
the country's interests. 

It is none of our business to pass upon 
Huerta's title as President. We have trouble 
enough at home without going so far afield 
looking for more. All that concerns us is 
whether he is able to restore and maintain or- 
der. A strong man is required, and if Huerta 
is the man, we should be glad to have him 
demonstrate it, bearing in mind that Latin- 
American ways are not our ways. 

A firm hand but coolness and patience are 
needed on the part of our Government, and 
they have been shown. President Taft saved 
us from the calamity of war, and President 
Wilson is doing the same. He and Secretary 
Bryan have exhibited praiseworthy backbone 
in demanding and securing the prompt redress 
of outrages against American citizens, but 
have wisely refrained from yielding to any 
reckless or selfish jingoism. 

To sit tight and wait is all that we can do, 
unless indeed we recognize the present de fac- 
to Government, as has been urged by Am- 
bassador Wilson and which might facilitate 
the suppression of turbulence. But our policy 
as a whole must be guided chiefly by develop- 
ments. Almost any alternative is more agree- 
able to contemplate than an unnecessary war, 
and any necessity of war seems very, very 
remote. — The Trend. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 2J, Igij 



The Fine Hand of the Junta 



It has been a great week for the rebel junta 
in Washington, and Don Sherby Hopkins has 
made himself the worthy recipient of an in- 
creased amount of gratitude from the Mexi- 
can patriots. 

Through his untiring efforts and deep 
knowledge of the game and of all its ropes 
they have been able "to put across" some 
pretty good stories. Hats off to Don Sherby. 

First we had an eye-witness story demon- 
strating beyond the slightest doubt that Felix 
Diaz was a "murder factor." Manuel Perez 
Romero, brother of Mrs. Francisco Madero, 
gave the first intimate details of the Madero 
and Suarez deaths. He was not in hiding 
at that time, neither had he gone to Vera 
Cruz. Oh, no — he was in Mexico City walk- 
ing the streets and making a minute investi- 
gation. In fact, he was present when the 
Madero brothers were killed, and he has 
proofs that Felix Diaz was accessory to the 
deed. 

A Leisurely Trip 

Then we had a statement showing how Car- 
ranza had not been defeated at Monclova, Can- 
dela and Torreon, and forced to take refuge 
in Durango, and make his way into Sonora. 
His leisurely trip across the Northern States 
had been taken with the purpose of reviewing 
all his forces, and the fact that he had gone 
across the Sierra Madre "unmolested" is proof 
that the rebels control all that territory. 

Then we learn that General Maas, spoken 
of as a probable Presidential candidate, is a 
nephew of General Huerta. Therefore he 
will not be acceptable to the patriots. 

Really, there is no way of pleasing those 
patriots. But it is curious that the relation- 
ship between Maas and Huerta had remained 
a mystery for so long, and that it was under- 
stood that General Maas was the son of a 
German who had settled in Mexico. 

The Climax 

To cap the climax we get a iirst-page story 
in the New York Herald, which has taken up 
the cudgels for the rebels since the Munsey 
newspapers have become somewhat lukewarm 
in their support of the Mexican patriots. It 
is a direct statement from Venustiano Car- 
ranza— another "general" — with the proper 
comments from Washington and the inspiring 
picture of the rebel leader. Carranza affirms 
that any man wlio will lie elected President of 
Mexico other than himself — this is not said 
but tacitly understood — will be considered a 
traitor by the "Constitutionalists," and if he 
falls into their hands will be tried under the 
law of 1862. The same treatment will be ac- 
corded to all who shall recognize him in the 
character of President. 

He states also that peace is impossible until 
one party shall be exterminated by the other. 

Pretty good work all Hiis — for one week ! 

To consider the statement made liy Venus- 
tiano Carranza: 



The law of 1862, which is no longer on the 
statute books of Mexico, was the most in- 
humane law ever promulgated, as it gave the 
then existing government the right to shoot 
any one suspected of conspiring- against the 
government. It was the cause of more cruel 
deeds and fratricidal struggles than any law 
ever passed in Mexico. The mere revival of 
such a law is enough to damn any leader in 
tlie eyes not only of Mexico but also of the 
whole civilized world. 

Playing Politics 

As to the apparent co-operation of tlie New 
York Herald, only the blind passion of either 
the misguided or malicious members of the 
rebel junta could induce them to accept it. 

It is clear that the purpose of the Herald 
is not to help the rebel cause — for that would 
be within its rights if it were convinced that 
it was just — but to render more difficult a 
peaceful solution of the Mexican trouble. It 
is not many months since the Herald attacked 
President Wilson in his policy and editorially 
advocated the recognition of General Huerta. 

The sudden change and the publication of 
twisted news and misleading editorials of the 
last few weeks are evidently due to a desire 
to show tliat the Mexican situation is hope- 
less, and that only intervention can settle it. 
In other words, the Herald is evidently seek- 
ing war. Its purpose in doing this is more or 
less clear, but there is no doubt that the Her- 
ald uses the Mexican situation merely as a 
means to play its game of politics. 

That Mexicans, whether in good or bad 
faith, should lend themselves to this game 
must undoubtedly be a source of great regret 
to all other Mexicans who at least care for 
the independence and integrity of their coun- 
try. 

Stringing Them 

The Herald published a short time ago the 
false news that the National Railways of Mex- 
ico were in the hands of a receiver, and since 
then has published and distorted all the news 
in a way to make it appear that the con- 
flict in Mexico is irreconcilalile. Wliile 
"stringing on" the members of the junta and 
the rebel leaders, it has endeavored also to 
show them up, so as to make patent their self- 
ish purposes, their ambition for personal pow- 
er. All this we repeat with the evident pur- 
pose of helping the muddle and finally forcing 
war. For nothing less could be the outcome 
of prolonged strife in Mexico and a continu- 
ation of llie misunderstanding between the 
two nations. 

Fortunately tlie Herald is very far — oh, 
very far — from having the millions of readers 
mentioned in Carranza's dispatch. But- the 
memlKTs of tile rebel junta have been cele- 
brating their newspaper victories in the Belle- 
vue, Washington, shedding tears of gratitude 
to the Herald.. Poor fools! 



El Pasograms 

The fotlozeiiig from the El Paso "Times" is 
remarkable testimony to iie'vsj'al'er fairness 
and honesty. 

El Paso for about three years has been 
the abode at various times of multitudinous 
"war correspondents" — individuals who 
came here with no other desire but to find 
rumors which they could dignify with the 
importance of fact and palm off on the 
Eastern papers in such a manner as would 
afford good reading and add to the length 
of their financial strings. These men have 
written volumes on the Mexican situation 
that had no basis in fact. 

Southwestern newspapers — those pub- 
lished right here from one end of the bor- 
der to the other, have also published vol- 
umes of Mexican war dope that was with- 
out foundation. They have accepted re-. 
ports given them by juntas and by men who 
claimed to have come from the scene of 
trouble with stories that almost seemed to 
be incredible, only to learn they were in- 
credible when it was too late to recall them. 
As a matter of fact, there is not a self-re- 
specting newspaper on the entire border 
that is not heartily tired of all this Mexi- 
can rot, and which would not gladly taboo 
it, if it was not regarded as of such prime 
importance by the general newspaper con- 
stituency. 

Nine-tenths of the war news given out on 
the border is handed out for a purpose. The 
other one-tenth is usually a matter of pure 
conjecture predicated upon some glowing 
story from an individual who thirsts to see 
his name connected with a veritable blood 
and thunder tale which he can mail to ad- 
miring friends back East. 



Subscribe to "Mexico" 



They Like Moving 

EI Paso, Tex., Sept. 10. — -Vn entire cbange 
oj programme by Constitutionalists was an- 
nounced to-day by General Jesus Carranza. 
brotber of tbe Constitutionalist leader. He said 
their provisional capital probably would be 
moved from Piedras Niegras to Hermosillo, So- 
nora. Governor Carranza is in Sonora. Tbe 
leader's brotber said political developments in 
tlie last two \^eeks were responsible for this 
change, and that actions of General Felix Diaz 
and General Mondragon have further compli- 
cated the political outlook. The Coahuila Con- 
stitutionalist army is being rcmobillzed to meet 
an advance by the Federal generals, Navarrettc 
and Maas. 

A .special wireless to the El Pasogramist 
from Jesus Carranza at Piedras Negras, about 
five hundred miles southeast of El Paso, in- 
forms him of the "entire change of pro- 
gramme" by "Constitutionalists." 

We have no doubt as to the probaliility that 
tlie rebel capital will be moved from Piedras 
Negras to Hermosillo. Although if we should 
suggest that the advance of the Federals on 
Piedras Negras has anything to do with this 
"moving" Jesus Carranza would give us tlie 
lie. 

It is just a question of proclivity. The Car- 
ranzas like moving — that's all. Hermosillo 
is only aliout one thousand miles from Piedras 
Negras, but that is nothing to those who arc 
possessed of the wanderlust. 



Saturday^ September jy, 1913 



MEXICO 



i'.AXDITS KILL TWO, 

GET $2,000 IN DASH 

THROUGH 2 STATES. 

Shoot Down Men in Jewei.rv Stork .\nii 
Make Thkir Esc.\pe. 

HOLD UP MAX AND 

TAKE HIS AUTO.MOIULI'.. 



MEXICO'S FINANCES 

By EDWARD L. ANDREWS 

.hu/irrci is .liiicriiaii Ref<rcscntativc of the Corporatio}i of J-'oiri^ii 
noiiillioldtTs of Jiii^hunl) 



SrsiT.iTs Shoot Sheriff When Traced t(. 

FaR.M HOUSE AND ThERE .\uE 

Arrested. 



No, not Mexico — Michigan, U. S. A. 

Should Recognize Mexico 

Rev. John Howland, D. D., of Mexico Com- 
mends President Wilson's Pohcy of Non- 
Intervention — Declares Huerta Was not Im- 
plicated in Death of Madero. 
"The American Policy in Mexico" was the 
snbject of Rev. John Howland, D. D., ot 
Mexico, wdio spoke at the Boston Congrega- 
tional ministers' meeting at Pilgrim Hall to- 
day. Dr. Howland declared that President 
Wilson's policy of non-intervention was thu 
I inly practical method of dealing with the sit- 
uation, but deplored the fact that recognition 
liy the L'nited States has been witheld while 
other countries have pledged their support In 
President Huerta. 

In regard to President Wilson's policy of 
non-intervention. Dr. Howland says: "For 
the United States to intervene would be a 
grievous error. All thought of factional dif- 
ferences would be forgotten should American 
troops invade the Republic. In preparation 
for such a move on the part of tlic L'nited 
States, regiments have been raised and drilled. 
Mexicans are ready to misinterpret all .\nur- 
ican reports, and boast openly, 'We are wait- 
ing for the Americans.' 

"On the other hand, many of the reports 
of wholesale killing of Americans and de- 
struction of property are pure fabrications. 
These reports, 'faked' in the interest of the 
Constitutionalists, were widely circulated and 
led to the order from Washington to all 
.\mericans to leave Mexico. There was no 
need for such an order and it can only be 
construed as a childlike consideration of what 
it would mean." 

Dr. Howland declared that the accusation 
tliat President Huerta came into power 
til rough the death of Madero is false, and 
that the President has even begged his op- 
ponents to believe that he is making every ef- 
fort to restore the country to peace. It is 
the belief of Americans in Mexico that his 
acceptance of the provisional Presidency was 
due wholly to a desire to pave the wqy for the 
election of Felix Diaz.— Boston Transcrijyt. 



(icneral Diaz' recall opposed by lebels. They 
will not accept him for Mexican Presidency. 
— Xcifspapcr Headline. 

No one is acceptable to Mexican rebel lead- 
ers except themselves and tbereliy hangs the 
old, old tale! 



rile Iiigh standing that Mexico has altainc' 
in the monc\' markets of the world is 
evidenced by the negotiations of a loan in 
e.Ncess of $100,000,000 at 4 jier cent., known 
as the external gold loan. This liabihty is se- 
cured on 62 per cent, nf tlie import and export 
duties wdiich had been assigned for that pur- 
pose, as appears from the report of the Cor- 
poration of Foreign Bondholders for 1912. 

It is signiiicant that the wealth of resources 
in that country should be so much appreciated 
by foreign lenders that they were willing to 
accept a bond at such a low rate of interest, 
which is below the revenue return of any 
other public loan of the countries below our 
southern border. These views have been fully 
justified by the fact that during the last three 
years and in view of tlie so-called revolution 
the trade and revenues of the country have 
steadily increased. Naturally the mere exist- 
ence of disturbed conditions in certain locali- 
ties and partial interference with the opera- 
tion of the National Railways would require 
some drafts upon the regular revenues of tlic 
CDUntry. 

The pivotal point in the monetary affairs 
(if Mexico rests, however, upon a much more 
important financial consideration. This is in- 
vi lived in the superior financial managemenc 
(if the country's affairs under the Huerta Gov- 
ernment as compared with the lavish, not to 
say reckless, mismanagement under the Ma- 
dero regime. During the latter Administra- 
tion there were many millions of pesos ex- 
pended for the few months of its continuance. 
Tlie Treasury, which had been left in a replete 
ciindition liy the Diaz Administration, was 
opened and depleted for the benefit of political 
leaders in several districts of the country. 

On the other hand, the Huerta regime has 
been characterized by careful and indeed eco- 
niimical administration of the public funds. 
Where any weapons were needed to keep the 
provincial officials in order pecuniary ones 
were not employed, but for the benefit of the 
country more forcible ones were availalile. 
It is not going too far to state that a con- 
tinuance of the open-handed financial system 
of the Madero regime would soon have re- 
duced Mexico to bankruptcy. 

In reference to the national obligations of 
the Republic of Mexico, there is one peculiar- 
ity which differentiates them from those in 
this country. Since the reorganization of tlu- 
Pacific railroads in 1898 we have not had any 
identification of Government with railroad 
credit in this country. On the other hand, in 
1908 Mexico became the owner, as the com- 
mon stockholder, of her principal systems of 
railniads. 

It was in the Cdurse of this process that the 
Ryjublic obligated herself to become the guar- 
antor of $160,000,000 of 4 per cent, general 
mortgage bonds of her national system of rail- 
roads. While it has been understood that the 
Huerta Government would meet the October 



interest on tlie amount nf this issue nutstand- 
ing, it is well known that the railroads have 
fallen behind in their receipts and that the 
puldic resources of the country would be sub- 
jected to calls for money to provide for the 
coupons on the amount of $50,000,000 or $60,- 
000,000 of bonds outstanding. 

Just at this point coine into play tlie rela- 
tions between the Wilson and Huerta .\dinin- 
istrations. The Washington authorities have 
utilized the diplomatic resources of this coun- 
try to obstruct the raising of necessary funds 
by the Huerta Government. At the same time 
many of our citizens are interested in the 
various issues of the securities of the National 
Railways of Mexico. Does it not, therefore, 
seem somewhat inconsistent that we should 
be expecting, not to say demanding, exactitude 
of performance of financial obligations Jnim 
this sister Republic while we are at the same 
time boycotting her credit in the markets of 
the world ? 

We must, perforce, look to the de facto 
Government of Mexico to perform all her 
obligations as a member of the family of na- 
tions : and yet we are certainly deprecating, 
not to say interfering with, the free How of 
credit from American financial institutions to 
our southern neighbor. There is, however, a 
phase of the present financial situation of 
Mexico which is rather opportune for that Re- 
public. I refer to the advent of Sir Lionel 
Garden, who has recently been promoted to 
the British Ambassadorship to President Hu- 
erta's Government. 

Sir Lionel has conducted a successful man- 
agement of the English financial relations to 
Guatemala, a very knotty subject which had 
been the cause of much labor to the Corpora- 
tion of Foreign Bondholders and of peculiar 
injustice to the English holders of Guatemala 
bonds. But that matter has been satisfactorily 
settled and it is not likely that Sir Lionel will 
be more unmindful of the English interests in 
Mexican securities than he was in Guatemala 
obligations. I will not go into the question of 
the French holdings of Mexican Governmet' 
and railway securities, and the similarity ot 
their relations with the English position to- 
ward the existing national autlmrity of Mex- 
ico. 

The point is now presented whether it is 
just to expect Mexico to meet the interest 
on the above described and other securities, 
about to fall due, and to keep her political 
authorities in a state of discredit on the Ex- 
changes of this country and Europe, so far as 
we are able. In the present state of interna- 
tional affairs it is practically impossible to 
separate political and financial interests. 
Should not our representative in Mexico, our 
Charge d'Affairs, or whoever he may be. unite 
with the British and other Ambassadors in 
such a declaration as will extricate our Gov- 
ernment from invidious interference with the 



MEXICO 



Saturday^ September jy, ^9^3 



development of the industries and the main- 
tenance of the credit of Mexico? 

There is a certain feature in the legislation 
of Mexico concerning the relation between 
her Xational and State Governments which 
has excited favorable interest in Europe. I 
refer to that constitutional provision which 
prohibits the several State authorities of Mex- 
ico from incurring separate debts without 
the sanction of the National Congress. The 
contrast of this arrangement with our system 
is the subject of much unfavorable comment 
toward us upon the European Bourses. 

Tlie different territories constituting the 
United States of Mexico cannot contract sep- 
arate liabilities without the approval of the 
Xational representation. On the other hand, 
there are nine States of our Federal Union 
that are now in default in the payment of 
their debts. Some of these communities are 
actually, at present, petitioning investors 
abroad and at home to lend money upon their 
public credit. 

Without pursuing this subject further, it does 
seem an unfortunate time for our Govern- 
ment to take any action calculated to retard 
the prosperity of Mexico by stopping the re- 
sources of credit, as we have stopped them in 
some sections of this country by the loose 
rein which we have given to local authorities. 
An examination of the Financial Review of 
Reviews, published in London, will show how 
the mirror is now being held up to this coun- 
try — showing that we may claim to be purists 
in some respects but certainly not upon the 
side of public credit. 

The Mexican statesmen have not failed to 
seize upon our inconsistent positions in these 
respects. The inquiry is fairly under way in 
Governmental quarters in Mexico whether fi- 
nancial "sauce for the goose" is not financial 
"sauce for the gander" — whether our citizens 
as well as Europeans must have their interest 
money, while Mexico is debarred by our moral 
influence from supplementing her regular rev- 
enues in the present emergency by proper 
Ijanking loans. 



"Volunteers" 

There are no doubt a number of gentlemen, 
existing in most countries in most ages, who 
welcome war because it gives them a chance 
of putting their hands in the other fellow's 
pockets; they probably prefer carrying a gun 
to doing a day's honest work. But the bulk 
of the Mexican people now under arms may 
be as little actuated by enthusiasm for their 
several leaders as the volunteers in the fol- 
lowing story. This tale does not come from 
Mexico, but it certainly might have. An of- 
ficial was called on 1)y a military hero for re- 
inforcements. Presently came his reply : "Mi 
■lucrido General," Ijcgan the letter— Init I will 
tell it to you in English. 

"My dear General — I send you two hundred 
volunteers. Please return the ropes to me." 

For the "doscientos volontarios" were stand- 
ing meekly in the street, five in a bunch, bound 
arm to arm with strong cfirds. — Pan-American 
yiagazine. 



Fair Play for Mexico 



LOBBYGRAMS 



Washington. — It is learned here from the 
highest authority that the Administration, 
faithful to the proposed plan to see that fair 
elections be held in Mexico, is about to ap- 
point as Special United States Commissioners 
Charles Francis Murphy, of New York, and 
Colonel Cole L. Blease, Governor of South 
Carolina. 

Mr. Charles Francis Murphy, better known 
as the boss of Tammany Hall, has made a 
world-w-ide reputation as an expert on elec- 
tions and it is proposed that he shall exer- 
cise special supervision of the counting of 
votes and prevent the stuffing of ballot bo.xes. 
Mr. Murphy is endeavoring to bring about a 
speedy conclusion of the Sulzer trial so as to 
be able to take with him to Mexico several 
of his trusty lieutenants who although lack- 
ing the world-wide reputation of their leader 
are not less proficient in the supervising of 
elections. 

Mr. Murphy and his assistants will reach 
Mexico long enough before the elections to 
be able to instruct the Mexicans in the free 
exercise of the right of suffrage according 
to the latest and most approved American 
methods. 

Colonel Blease, the famous Governor of 
South Carolina, will also supervise the count- 
ing of votes, but only in those districts where 
the population is composed largely of men 
whose dark-hued skins leave no doubt as to 
their aboriginal descent. The South Caro- 
lina Governor has had more e.xperience iri 
elections by dark-hued voters than Mr. Mur- 
ph}-, who will devote his special attention to 
the white and foreign-born voters. 

Colonel Blease will carry, besides the most 
important commission, that of seeing that 
elections in Mexico are conducted according 
to the Constitution. 

Colonel Blease is an authority on the Con- 
stitution and is well known in this country 
as the man who delivered the shortest speech 
ever made to qualify the Constitution. 

The news of the probable appointments has 
been cabled to Mexico and "Constitutionalists" 
and "Anti-Constitutionalists," patriots and an- 
ti-patriots alike are greatly rejoiced. 

They foresee a new era of civilization and 
their gratitude toward the United States for 
trying to initiate them in the "New Freedom" 
is overwhelming. 



Speaker Clark has 'not reconciled himself to 
the "drifting policy" and he has not changed 
his mind concerning the advice to Americans 
to abandon their possessions in Mexico and 
flee to the States. The Speaker is favorable 
to a demonstration in the House in favor 
of Mexico. Congress generally has been hear- 
ing from constituents at home recently and 
New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and California 
are not exceptions. 



Senator Marcus A. Smith, too, has been 
hearing from home. He said the other day to 
friends : "I am sick of this situation. If 
they want fight, why don't they intervene? If 
they want peace, why don't they quit and let 
Mexico try to settle her own troubles?" The 
significance of this is that a couple of months 
ago Senator Marcus Aurelius was a rabid in- 
terventionist. A "jolly good fellow," his fire- 
eating attitude at that time was regarded as 
foreign to his nature. It was, and he is now 
"Mark" Smith, Senator of the people. 



Deinocrats in the House are trying to make 
the Administration's policy gee with democ- 
racy. Regarding solely the popularity of the 
Democratic organization with the voters, they 
grow restive. Representative Broussard, 
speaking for the Southern Democrats in -tlie 
House, is out in the open with the statement 
that if the "drifting policy" continues "there 
will be a line up of Democrats on the fioor 
soon after the regular session opens." The 
intimation is that there will be a demand on 
the Adininistration in December for fair 
treatment of Mexico in her troubles. 



It is not at all strange that there should 
be an apparent change in the sentiment of 
Congress. The change is felt in Washington. 
Even such positive characters on the Repub- 
lican side as Senators Lodge and Boies Pen- 
rose are for action in the Mexican situation. 
Senator Lodge told Penrose and several 
other Republicans he was ready to support a 
resolution requesting recognition of the Mex- 
ican Government. Penrose said he felt that 
way but the others thought the resolution 
ought to be initiated by the Democrats in the 
Senate. There was no decision. 



Even Octavius Bacon, the venerable chair- 
man of the Senate Foreign Relations Com- 
mittee, is now open to conviction and wants 
the situation straightened out with Mexico. 
There is hope entertained even that Senator 
Fall may correct his published, uttered and 
written misstatements. Let us hope. 



To show how completely tbcir forces control 
tlic States of Coahuila, Duraogo, Sonora, Sina- 
loa and Chihuahua, Constitutionalists declared 
that in the last two months General Carranza, 
their commander in chief, has made a tour of 
inspection completely through these States, ac- 
companied only by his stall and twenty soldiers. 
They said that General Iluerta could not 
travel for more than fifty miles through any 
part of Mexico without getting into difficulties, 
whereas General Carranza has traveled more 
than 1,500 miles without molestation. — Wash- 
ington Erciiing Star. 

It cannot be denied that <luring lucid inter- 
vals at least that Washington rebel junta is 
extremely clever. If you love a good story 
you can hardly blame the newspaper men for 
"falling for" the romance served them by the 
junta. Carranza has been fleeing for his life 
and his predicament has liecn lieautifully 
twisted into a triumphal tour of inspection. 
Our advices indicate that the inspection con- 
sisted of a daily searching of the horizon 
for signs of pursuing Federal troops. 



Saturday, September 2j, igij 



MEXICO 



Is the Herald Getting Wise? 

.M.-xioo City. — Tin- Miiiioaraiu'c of Enriqui' 
liijiUcs Mangel iu the C'liamUi-r of Deputios yis 
torday created a sensation on account ot the 
report widi'ly circulated here and in the Unitefl 
States that lie had been shot because of liis 
friendship with the old JIadcro ri-gime. lie has 
merely been in hiding. It is said on highest 
authority that Serapio Uendon. another Kepre- 
seutative whoso disappearance with Hordes 
Mangel furnished the basis for bitter comment 
again Ueneral Iluerta by rebel juntas in the 
United States, is also alive and will show up 
soon. — New York JleiaM, September 10. 



KILLING THE PATIENT 



If the Constitutionalists of >ie.\ico hope t" 
retain any of the sympathy tliat has been mani- 
fested in this country toward their cause they 
should lose no time in repudiating the bands of 
rebel marauders guilty of the recent killing ot 
Americans in Durango and the Tepic territory. 

Constitutionalist leaders have oeen asserting 
that there is a complete working agreement lie- 
tween the various elements in revolt against the 
Government at Mexico City, and have classed all 
rebels as patriots. Either they have laid claim 
to too much or responsibility for murders com- 
mitted by rebels and banditti must be laid at 
their door. 

They cannot eat their c:iki> and have it, too. 
— New York Heruhl, September 19. 

Really it begins to look as though the es- 
teemed Herald has paused for at least a spell 
to take stock of its Mexican news. Not for 
ages has the Herald questioned either the serv- 
ice or the accuracy of the "dope" foisted on 
its correspondents by the rebel juntas in Wash- 
ington and the border towns. Whatever they 
said went. But it's bad business for any 
paper to he so lenient toward misrepresenta- 
tion, for in the end the truth will out. It i? 
delightfully naive of the editor, learning with 
pained surprise, that the damage to Ameri- 
cans in Mexico has been at the hands of rebel 
bands, to ask the "Constitutionalist leaders to 
repudiate" those marauders. It would be easy 
to repudiate them for press purposes l^ut 
rather dangerous for Carranza and the others 
to repudiate them to their face. 



Fiasco In Lower California 

Only twelve men were engaged iu the recent 
"revolution" in Lower California, according to 
General Hugh L. Scott, commanding the United 
States Cavalry border patrol. General Scott re- 
turned from investigating "the revolution," 
which caused uneasiness near Calexico as to the 
safety ot the Imperial Valley's irrigation sys- 
tem. He says that an adventurer of the name 
of Esparza with eleven men crossed the line 
and burned a railroad bridge, expecting to at- 
tract recruits, but they tailed and disbanded. — 
Boston Transcript, Sept. IG. 



"No Fault Found" 

Philadelphia Inquirer: "X'o fault can lie 
found with either the terms or the tone of the 
message addressed by Provisional Pre,sidenc 
Huerta to the Mexican Congress." 



"Restraint" 

Washington Star: "It must be said for 
Huerta that he has addressed himself to the 
subject of American relations with consider- 
able restraint and discretion." 



Tliere arc some features of the Mexican 
situation that never see the light of day. 
\\'hile the Wilson Administration is busying 
itself with doing nothing down in the neigh- 
l)oring Republic except annoy the existing Ad- 
ministration there, and thereby indirectly en- 
couraging rebellion and anarchy, why does no 
newspaper tell the truth about the origin of 
the deplorable situation? 

It is the habit of the newspapers and of the 
politicians to speak of Huerta as having waded 
through slaughter to power. Huerta is de- 
scriljed as an assassin. He is accused of the 
killing of Madero. Therefore, his Adminis- 
tration must not be recognized. 

Why is Madero never referred to as an 
assassin? Why is all the sympathy always 
with Madero and never with Huerta? 

Assume the following to be the facts — and 
they are easily susceptible of investigation and 
verification — and then what is the logic of 
the situation? 

Francisco Madero was a visionary and a fa- 
natic. He upset the rule of Diaz by promising 
to an ignorant electorate a great deal of some- 
thing for nothing, much on the principle of 
tlie old rallying cry of certain carpet bag re- 
constructionists in this country half a century 
ago, who promised to every negro forty acres 
and a mule of the confiscated property of the 
citizens of the South. The one promise was 
just as futile as the other. Neither was pos- 
sible of accomplishment. In this country 
the attempt to execute the promise was for- 
tunatel}- never made. In Mexico Madero was 
elected, and of course he could not deliver the 
goods. Naturally, tliere was dissatisfaction, 
and worse. 

When .Ambassador Wilson came Ijack from 
Mexico he said he did not care to answer 
Senora Madero's accusations against him on 
the ground that she was a woman. But why 
should not the truth behind that remark be 
ferreted out, since it involves a whole nation's 
welfare — perhaps the welfare of two nations? 

The point behind that remark was the fact 
that Senora Madero was responsible for her 
husband's death as well as for his downfall. 
This was accomplished through the fact thai 
Senora Madero is a spiritualistic medium and 
the President believed in her. Nothing was 
done of importance except through the in- 
fluence of "controls," as dictated by her in 
her trances. For instance, when one of Gen- 
eral Huerta's aids was sent north to subdue 
an insurrection a "control" was invoked, and 
it turned out to be George Washington ; so 
Washington was enlisted in the Mexican army 
victoriously to lead the campaign. President 
Huerta himself had two "controls" — Napoleon 
Bonaparte and Benito Juarez, the old Aztec 
President of Mexico, who executed Maxi- 
milian. Not only that, but President Madero 
sent to Switzerland and secured the services 
of a celebrated spiritualistic medium to come 
to Mexico, and installed him at Government 
expense as head of a department of spiritual- 
ism in the Universitv of Mexico. 



-After .Amljassador \\'ilson had brought 
aljout a truce in the terrible bombardmeui 
across the city between the forces of Madero 
in the palace and Diaz in the citadel, the army 
sent a delegation to Madero to suggest that 
he resign. This delegation consisted of three 
— one each from the infantry, cavalry and ar- 
tillery — headed liy Colonel RiveroU, a lifelong 
friend of Madero. 

The petition represented that the soldiers 
were without food, had not been paid, were 
mutinous and would not longer fight. Many 
accounts agree that when - Colonel Riveroll 
presented the petition in the palace in the 
Presidential office and suggested the word re- 
sign Madero drew a revolver from his pocket 
and shot his lifetime friend through the head. 
His own life was saved only through the 
pliysical interposition of his own generals, 
Huerta and Blanquet, who placed him undei 
arrest and demanded his resignation. 

At the behest of Ambassador Wilson free 
transport out of the country was promised 
for Madero, but Senora Madero telegraphed 
to the Governor of Vera Cruzz asking if her 
husband would be recognized as President of 
Mexico when he arrived in that jurisdiction. 
The answer w-as that such recognition would 
be accorded. Then followed Madero's death, 
whether at the hands of friends of the mur- 
dered Riveroll or as an extra-constitutional 
"accident," excused by national exigencies, his- 
tory has not yet recorded. 

What, then, of the attitude of the Govern- 
ment of the United States? Huerta was 
elected President in legal form by the Con- 
gress of Mexico. He is admittedly the strong- 
est man in Mexico and best able to cope with 
the situation. He was not recognized by the 
United States, and thereby his hands were tied 
and further insurrection was encouraged ; and 
now he has no money and cannot much longer 
carry on the Government. What then? Chaos 
followed by armed intervention on the pan 
of the United States and a bloody struggle of 
many years at great sacrifice of life and prop- 
erty and civilization. 

Two reasons suggest themselves as an ex- 
planation of this situation. 

I''irst — Some year or two ago the Latin- 
American Republics assemliled in a love feast 
promoted by John Barrett, and solemnly 
signed an agreement to abolish revolutions 
and follow constitutional methods of govern- 
ment. It is now suggested that since Mexico 
has broken that agreement she should be made 
an example of before the world by being en- 
couraged to fight herself to death in inter- 
necine warfare to teach coming generations 
the folly of such strife. Upholders of this 
hypothesis admit that recognition of the Hu- 
erta Government by the United States might 
have postponed such a struggle to the death, 
but are not sure that it would have avertea 
it forever. Therefore, better have it over 
now. Much on the same principle as to say 
tliat if a man is suffering from tuberculosis 
and is seeminglv sure to die the doctors should 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 2j, /<J/J 



not use every effort to prolong his life on tlie 
principle that while there is life there is al- 
wa\-s hope. 

Second — It is an axiom that no Adminis- 
tration was ever defeated while it had a war 
on its hands. If there should be war on with 
Mexico in 1916, to accomplish the annexation 
of Mexico and Central America to the United 
States might give longer fame than the pas- 
sage of a tariff or a currency bill ; or still 
again perhaps the Washington Administra- 
tion thinks Huerta drinks too much brandy. 
The same complaint was once made about 
(irant, which gave Lincoln an opportunity to 
make one of his famous remarks. 



MEXICAN COMMERCE GAINS 

Despite Revolution Trade with United States Has Increased 
$11,500,000 Over Figures for Last Year 



Suspicion 

It is one thing to be alert and on guard. 
To be suspicious is another. The first arc 
manly characteristics, particularly desirable in 
one charged with the conduct of a nation. 
But for such a one to be suspicious in the ex- 
treme of the motives actuating the actions 
of others is an unfortunate weakness and 
replete with dangers when a factor in national 
and international affairs. 

Whether the atmosphere of suspicion and 
distrust surrounding every move of the Ad- 
ininistration in regard to Mexico is born of 
inexperience and a determination not to make 
a mistake, or simply personal, we cannot sa\ 
with justice. But the fact remains that the 
sleuth-like, exaggerated suspicion that has 
marked the conduct of the Administration in 
dealing with Mexico has materially impeded 
the very purposes and programme of the Ad- 
ministration to its own detriment. 

Its suspicions of Ambassador Wilson's mo- 
tives robbed it of the valuable knowledge ana 
experience of that diplomat. 

Its suspicion of President Huerta's respon- 
sibility for the death of Madero and Suarez 
has tied its hands in dealing with the re- 
sponsible Government of Mexico. 

Its suspicion that President Huerta would 
do this and do that, would resign so as to be 
a candidate in the elections, would have no 
elections at all, would not resign, would force 
intervention, would have an ulterior motive it 
he did right, would not protect American^, 
would be moved by fear alone if he did — all 
these purely gratuitous assumptions have 
made the Administration look like an old 
farmer who has come to town with a carpel 
l)ag and an unshakable belief that every city 
man is a crook. 

The Administration seems to have fond 
conviction that every Mexican is a suljtie con- 
fidence man. It might be well for the over- 
wise and over-suspicious Administration to 
sleuth a bit on the trail of those individuals 
who have won and used its confidence in re- 
lation to Mexico. 



Read " MEXICO " Once a Week 

and Learn What's What 

Belovs^ the Rio Grande 



Washington. Septeniljer 19.— In spite of 
the unsettled conditions in Mexico, grow- 
ing out of the revolution, trade of the 
United States with that country in the fiscal 
year just closed was greater than ever be- 
fore. Figures made public by the Depart- 
ment of Commerce to-day showed imports 
of merchandise from Mexico in 1913 totaled 
$77,500,000, an increase of $11,500,000 over 
the previous year. Exports to Mexico 
amounted to $54,500,000. an increase of $1.- 
750,000 over 1912. Manufacturers' mate- 
rials formed the greater part of imports 
from Mexico and manufactures the bulk of 
exports to that country. 

Copper, sisal grass, mineral oils, hides and 
skins, gums, lead in ore and coffee are the 
principal articles imported from Mexico, while 
manufactures of iron and steel, lumber, boots 
and shoes, agricultural implements, autoino- 
liiles. railway cars, cotton seed oil, meats, 
wheat, corn, cotton, coal and coke are the 
principal exports to that country. 

Copper in pigs, ingots and bars is the larg- 
est single item in the list of articles imported 
from Mexico, amounting to 17 1-3 million 
dollars in 1913, against 14H million in 1912, 
while the copper in ore imported from that 
country amounted to over 2 million dollars in 
1913, against a little less than 2 million in 
1912. Curiously, about 3 million dollars' 
worth of copper ore is exported to Mexico, 
being chiefly the product of sections lying im- 
mediately along the Mexican border and of a 
grade readily handled by certain smelting es- 
tablishments in the northern section of Mex- 
ico. Sisal grass imported amounted to 15;'4 
million dollars, against 10 million in the pre- 
ceding year ; crude mineral oils, about 7 mil- 
lion dollars in 1913, against a little over 2 mil- 
lion in 1912 ; hides of cattle, Ayi million dol- 
lars ; goat skins, l-j4 million; gum chicle, 154 
million ; guayule gum, a substitute for rubber, 
4 1-3 million; India rubber, 1 1-3 million; cof- 
fee, 4 million ; and cattle, 5yi million dollars, 
against 4}4 million in the preceding year. 

On the export side the list of articles is 
large and includes lumber, 2% million dollars, 
pipes and fittings, 2J4 inillion, boots and shoes 
nearly 2 million, raw cotton 1 1-3 million, cot- 
ton seed oil 1J4 million, mining machinery, 
IJ/. million, electrical machinery practically a 
million, lard practically a million, sewing ma- 
chines three-fourtlis of a million, automobiles 
over a half million, and corn a little less than 
a half million. 

.A. very large proportion of the trade of Mex- 
ico is with the United States. Fifty-four per 
cent, of iter imports, as shown by her official 
figures, arc drawn from the United States, 
and 75 per cent, of her exports are sent to 
the United States, these figures being for 1912. 
More than one-half of our trade with Mex- 
ico goes by water. Exports from New ^'orlc 
to Mexico in the fiscal year 1912 were approx- 
imatelv 17 million dollars, while 23 million 



dollars' worth of imports from Mexico en- 
tered through that port. Of the 66 million 
dollars' worth of imports from Mexico in 
1912 31 million entered through the Atlantic 
Coast ports, 23 million through the Mexican 
border ports, 10 million through the Gulf 
ports and 154 million through the Pacific 
Coast ports. The 53 million of exports to 
Mexico that year showed 27 million through 
the Mexican border ports, 18 million through 
the Atlantic Coast ports (chiefly New York), 
5 million through the Gulf ports and Z'/i mil- 
lion through the Pacific Coast ports. 

Mexico's imports of merchandise have 
grown from 52 million dollars in 1890 to 61 
million in 1900 and 90 million in 1912 ; her ex- 
ports of merchandise have grown from 18 
million in 1890 to 37 millions in 1900 and 79 
million in 1912. 



The Other Side of Mexico 

To Americans wlio for months have had it 
dinned into their ears that in Mexico business 
was at a standstill, that industries were in a 
state of suspension or bankruptcy and mines 
and railroads were no longer operated, that 
the whole country was overrun by hordes ot 
bandits and that chaos ruled everywliere. the 
news that commerce between the United 
States and Mexico during the fiscal year just 
ended broke all records must come as a shock. 
All the while that 15,000.000 Mexicans, 
spread over an area almost three times the 
size of Texas, were supposed to be wholly ab- 
sorl)ed in rapine and murder and civil war, 
they have found time to produce upward of 
10 per cent, more goods than ever before to 
sell to their best customer. For the twelve 
months that rebels and Federals, aided by 
brigands, were reported to be engaged in cre- 
ating national ruin, the same people have 
bought from the United States several mil- 
lions more than the average amount of mer- 
chandise. 

In view of the alarming reports of condi- 
tions throughout Mexico, with which the 
American public has long been fed, these cold 
trade statistics are disturbing. It begins to 
appear that although Madero was murdered 
by treachery and a military court under Huer- 
ta has just declared that Aladero's death was 
not a "punishable crime," and that although 
the air at Mexico City has been thick with 
plots and revolutionarj' conspiracies and pol- 
iticians' intrigues, the sole occupation of the 
Mexican people has not been civil strife. The 
■ great mass of them must have been living and 
working and going about their daily liusiness 
in normal fashion. — New \'ork World Edi- 
torial. 

The news must "come as a shock" to the 
World especially, which has consistently beeri 
the medium for the misrepresentation of Mex- 
ican conditions by the Madero family and 
llieir (Hsgruntled followers. 



Saturday, September 2/, igij 



MEXICO 



One of the Five 

That the sentiment ot the people even in 
Mi^xico is opposed to President Iliierta was 
the word brought to Washington today by 
Senor Ilurtado Kspinosa, one of the five luein- 
hcrs of the Mexican Chamber of Deputies who 
refused to obey Iluerta'S commands at tlie time 
of the overthrow of Madero. — New York .1lo)?</, 
September 24. 

That settles it. If Hurtado Espinosa says 
so. Huerta is a lost man. 

Hurtado is one of the best known public 
men in Mexico — and the best qualified to in- 
terpret pul)Iic opinion in that country. If 
yi)u do not Ijclievc it. ask him. 

It is interesting to note, however, tliat he 
was one of the five members of the Mexican 
Chamber of Deputies who refused to obey 
"Huerta's commands" at the time of the over- 
throw of Madero. 

We had understood from Maderists' state- 
ments that the majority of members of Con- 
gress were not present at the time of Ma- 
dero's overthrow — that was their strongest 
argument against the constitutional status of 
the Huerta Provisional Government. 

Of course there was no "Huerta's com- 
mands." Everyone in Mexico — with the ex- 
ception of the Maderists — know'S that before 
Madero's overthrow the Senate in a body 
urged Madero to resign, and upon his refusal 
urged General Huerta to put an end to the 
bloody and useless struggle. 

But in view of the assertions heretofore 
made that there was no quorum in the Mex- 
ican Congress at the time of Madero's over- 
throw the admission that only five of the 
members of Congress refused to obey Huer- 
ta's commands" is highly important. 



National Sentiment and Business 

THEIR RELATION 



Americans Not Worried 

Mrs. Robert C. IClliott, wife of the presiding 
elder of the Methodist Church South of the City 
of Me.\ieo, arrived in San Antonio yesterday 
from the capital by way ot Vera Cruz and Gal- 
veston. She was accompanied by her four chil- 
<lren. Wbile in San Antonio they will be the 
jjuests of Miss Minnie L. Johnston of 1524 
Buona Vista street. 

Mrs. Elliott says she is not a refugee in any 
sense of the word, and that her visit here at this 
time is in the nature of a social visit. As to 
conditions in the interior of Mexico she could 
not say, hut in the City of Mexico she says all 
is quiet, and that .\mericans are not alarmed. 

•'.Vmericans are net being molested In the 
capital, and in my opinion they are as safe there 
as in San .\ntonio," she said. "Hundreds of 
refugees are leaving points in the interior and 
finding refu,!je in the capital. This they are 
doing in order to escape the annoyances being 
caused by wandering bands of bandits. There 
were a number of refugees on my boat, but most 
of them were from interior points." — San An- 
tonio Etiu'css. 



Those Rebels 

Four hundred dead and wounded piled in a 
heap, drenched in oil and iired was the last 
great horror that he witnessed. The rebel 
arm}- is unprovided with facilities for care Oi' 
the wounded, and they take this barbarous 
method of disposing of the dead and wounded. 
Those who are only slightly injured are left 
to shift for themselves, but those unable to 
travel are heaped with the dead and cremated. 
— Los Angeles Times, September 15. 



Regret was expressed in President Huerta's 
message to Congress for the fact that some 
of the Latin-American Republics had failed 
to recognize his Government. He referred, 
of course, to the Republics forming the A. 
B. C. Alliance — .\rgentine, Brazil and Chile. 
This has awakened only slight comment in 
this country and that to the effect that the 
mentioned South American Republics had fol- 
lowed the policy adopted by the United States 
because their Governments agreed with ours 
that recognition should be withheld on moral 
grounds. 

Anyone at all familiar with South American 
politics will understand that the withholding 
of recognition of the Mexican Government 
by some of the South American Republics has 
Ijeen due to other motives. 

The A. B. C. Alliance was formed at the 
instance of far-seeing statesmen for three 
principal reasons. First — To eliminate that 
feeling of antagonism which existed between 
the .Argentine and the Brazilian and between 
the Argentine and Chilian nations, respective- 
ly. Antagonism which during the last twenty 
years at different times threatened to pro- 
voke war, first between Argentine and Chile, 
and then between the former country and 
Brazil. Second — To form a nucleus of the 
most advanced of the South American coun- 
tries which could assume a preponderancy 
over the entire South American Continent. 
Third — and last, but by no means least — To 
form a protective alliance which would ex- 
tend its protection to other South American 
countries against the imperial tendency of the 
United States. 

Just at present the A. B. C. Alliance is an.x- 
ious that this last motive should not be too 
apparent and, yielding to representations 
made by the United States, they have agreed 
for a time at least to withhold recognition 
from the Mexican Government, perhaps as a 
sop to the sentiment of resentment awakened 
in Washington official circles by the forming 
of the alliance. 

There is no doubt, however, that even 
though the powerful South American Re- 
publics regard Mexico as possessing as yet a 
degree of civilization inferior to their own 
and are anxious to keep on the most friendly 
terms with the LTnited States — their national 
sentiment is opposed to any undue interfer- 
ence of this country in the internal affairs of 
Mexico or any other of the Latin-American 
Republics. 

This sentiment is of greater importance to 
us than may he thought by the casual 0I3- 
server. Friendly and commercial relations be- 
tween nations as well as between individuals 
to be lasting and beneficial must be based on 
mutual trust. Our industrial development is 
dependent upon the facility with which we can 
compete with other countries in foreign mar- 
kets — and particularly in those of South 
.•\merica in view of the coming opening of the 
Panama Canal. That national sentiment plays 



an important part in commercial relations has 
been amply demonstrated by past experience 
and is a fact to which Americans who have 
done business in Latin-.\merica have often re- 
ferred. 

In view of this we think pertinent to re- 
produce here extracts of opinions from two 
authoritative sources, one from General Reyes, 
former President of Colombia, concerning the 
general sentiment in South America toward 
the United States, and the other from La 
Prensa, of Buenos Aires, the leading news- 
paper in South America, concerning the pro- 
posed protectorate over Nicaragua by the 
L'nited States. 

By General Rafael Reyes 

[From the New 7'ork T'lme^, September 20tK) 

It may, perhaps, be permitted to me as one 
who has played a prominent part in the ef- 
fort to secure the blessings of peace, both 
within and beyond the borders of some of 
the southern Republics, to point out what I 
regard as the primary causes of the doubts 
and suspicions prevailing in many of the Latin 
coimtries in regard to the attitude and inten- 
tions of the United States toward them. 

The first and most important factor which 
operates as a bar to harmony of purpose and 
to mutual confidence is the popular miscon- 
ception in the United States of the true sig- 
nificance and objects of the Monroe Doctrine, 
which, in many quarters, is looked upon as a 
kind of international police regulation to be 
administered by the authorities at Washing- 
ton for the better preservation of peace and 
order in the somewhat extensive municipal 
area of Latin-America. 

It does not appear to be sufficiently known 
or understood that President Monroe's fa- 
mous Declaration in 1823 was designed as a 
measure of protection for, and not as an in- 
strument of attack upon, the integrity of the 
then recently established Spanish Republics ; 
and that, from its initial adoption down to its 
latter-day re-afiirmation, it was intended and 
has been declared to be governed by the sole 
object of linking together the sisterhood of 
the American Republics and of guarding the 
weaker States coming within its sphere of op- 
eration against the undue aggression of any 
of the countries of the other hemisphere. 

This interpretation of the much abused doc- 
trine has been distorted by a not uncertain 
wave of misrepresentation, strengthened by a 
section of the press, into a widespread belief 
that the United States derives from the pro- 
visions of the doctrine in question the right 
to intervene in the internal affairs of, and to 
exercise a species of suzerainty over, some of 
the Latin Republics when it is considered nec- 
essary or desirable to do so. It is by that be- 
lief, to which color has been given on fre- 
quent occasions by mistaken official action, 
that the doubts and fears entertained in Latin- 
.\merica as to the policy of the United States 
have been engendered. 



10 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 2"/, iQT^ 



NATIONAL SENTIMENT AND BUSINESS— Continued 



That pc-rnicious propaganda has likewise 
tended to obscure the fact that every one of 
those Repubhcs which, in their early political 
development, struggled so valiantly to free 
themselves from the j'oke of oppression and 
the misgovernraent to which in their colonial 
serfdom they had for so long been subjected, 
is a distinct unit among the American nations, 
with every claim known to justice and right to 
territorial integrity and the fullest independ- 
ence. 

Another factor which has served to accen- 
tuate the distrust of the Latin peoples of tlie 
American Continent in their international re- 
lations with the United States is the still 
largely prevalent want of knowledge of actual 
conditions. The term "South America," as 
applied with a delightful disregard of geo- 
graphical accuracy, to all the Republics of the 
American Continent outside the United States, 
is usually associated by a not inconsiderable 
number of American citizens with a race of 
people possessed of territories enveloping 
great national wealth, but of a grade of civil- 
ization on a footing more or less of the Fili- 
pinos, or, perhaps, the Hawaiians. 

It seems to be overlooked that the people 
of Latin-America are the descendants of a 
race imbued with that beautiful spirit which 
inspires all great achievements ; that their in- 
tellectual qualities, their blood, and their ener- 
gies make them ideal nation builders, embody- 
ing all the higher elements of progress. It 
seems also to be overlooked that the moral 
and material advance of some of those Re- 
publics has placed them in the forefront of 
great nations, and that what has happened in 
those cases will be repeated in the course of 
time by the now less advanced nations which 
have already furnished abundant proofs of 
their virility and progressive spirit. 

Another dangerous weapon in this cam- 
paign of ignorance and slander is the ill-con- 
cealed attempt to convert the bogey of the 
"big stick" into a reality. The existence of 
that instrument is implied rather than ex- 
pressed, but in many directions it is meta- 
phorically flourished with i<;sultant harm to 
the United States, as well as to many of the 
sister Republics. The effects of the aggressive 
spirit which dictates that implication of supe- 
rior force may be seen in every phase of life. 
In one case it is the banker, who, with a 
natural desire for the protection of his in- 
vestment, unwittingly causes his Government 
to impose conditions suggestive of an attack 
upon the independence of the borrowing State. 
In another it is the commercial traveler who 
approaches the Latin-American buyer in the 
belief that the latter is conscious of his in- 
feriority and that he must yield, not to the 
blandishments, but to the political equipment 
of the would-be representative of "Uncle 
Sam," disporting the end of the "big stick" 
beneath the tails of his coat. 
if * nr 
The records of history disclose many in- 
stances of the triumph, of might over right, 
and the elasticity of international law still 
constitutes an effective weapon in cases where 
a resort to brute force is preferred to the 
adoption of measures inspired by principles 



ut equity and Ijy the law of nations for the 
■ adjustment of international differences. 

The opening of the Panama Canal will 
doubtless produce a great inflow of immigra- 
tion to the rich territories which the comple- 
tion of that great work will render more ac- 
cessible to the myriads of human beings who 
will leave the congested countries of Europe 
to seek a new home and a more bountiful liv- 
ing. That this stream of humanity shall not 
be repelled, it is an imperative necessity that 
imperialism and usurpations of territory dis- 
appear from the two Americas; that the Latin 
nations shall settle their boundary and other 
differences in the field of justice; that they 
shall bring closer together their commercial, 
intellectual and social relations in order that 
they may be strengthened to labor, side by 
side, with the great Republic of the North 
for the glorification of America as a whole. 
Having for many years closely followed, 
step by step, the development of the Ameri- 
can Republics and the convulsions of their 
ardent and vexed democracies, I am more than 
ever convinced that unity of action with the 
United States is necessary to initiate the ad- 
vent of that glorious future to which they are 
so manifestly entitled. But that unity of 
action can only be accomplished by the re- 
moval of the causes which have led to the 
prevailing doubts, jealousies and suspicions. 
There must be a wider recognition of the fact 
that the relations of the United States with 
the Latin Republics are those of a friendh', 
powerful neighbor, with no other objects than 
the advantages to be gained from the ties of 
sisterhood and the extension of commerce. 
There must be a saner propaganda as to the 
inalienable sovereign rights and complete in- 
dependence of even the smallest of the Latin 
States. There must be no "big stick," and no 
such use of the Monroe Doctrine as to make 
it an instrument of terror to the smaller Re- 
publics, and a subject for ridicule in the great- 
er countries of the South. 

The more advanced Latin nations appre- 
ciate and sympathize with the benevolent de- 
signs and objects of that doctrine, as is shown 
by the formulation of their own doctrine, in- 
tended to protect the smaller States against 
the employment of armed force by foreign 
nations for the collection of contractual debts. 
But they resent the spirit of domination and 
tutelage which implies that tney need the pro- 
tection of the United States against foreign 
aggression. 

They have attained a position in the council 
of nations which gives them the right to a 
voice in .<lefense of the interests of their weak- 
er sisters. But, while they have always re- 
frained from the exercise of that voice in an 
official or active form, it is conceivably pos- 
sible, and it has even been suggested, that 
alliances may be formed with a view lo giv- 
ing eft'ect to popular sympathies and senti- 
ments. 

Although widely separated by distance, and 
by lack of community of interests, the tics of 
blood and of common descent make an at- 
tack upon the independence of any one of 
these nations an attack upon them all. 



From La Prensa, of Buenos Aires 

After giving a summar}' of the terms of 
the proposed treaty with Nicaragua, La Pren- 
sa says : 

"Our correspondent in the United States 
affirms that the news of the proposed pro- 
tectorate has been widely commented on in 
the press and particularly in Latin-American 
diplomtic circles, where it provoged great 
surprise. 

"That same sensation of surprise and dis- 
pleasure has been felt here in Buenos Aires 
and we do not hesitate in asserting that it 
will be felt in all the nations of the Conti- 
nent. A protectorate, no matter how ably dis- 
guised, established over any country, means 
an attack on the sovereignty of that country, • 
more so if — as in this case — there are con- 
ditions of prohibition which put the protected 
entity in the position of a minor. It would be 
compelled to ask the permission of its guar- 
dian to dispose of its property, to make use 
of its credit, and even to avenge attacks upon 
its national honor." 

La Prciisa justifies, to a certain extent, the 
protectorate over Cuba, saying that the United 
States helped Cuba to gain its independence. 
"Not so with Nicaragua," it continues, "this 
country conquered its independence more than 
a century ago and since then, with bad or good 
Governments, in peace or in war, has main- 
tained its international entity. 

"Neither the smallness of its population nor 
the relative limitations of its territory deprive 
it of the right to be considered as much as 
any other country with traditions, cjeated in- 
terests and a name on the political map of 
the world. 

"Mr. Bryan's proposition is fundamentally 
in disaccord with the declaration of 'hands 
off' and well-intended Pan-Americanism for- 
mulated by Mr. Wilson in his political pro- 
gramme. But leaving aside this circumstance, 
we believe that the President, Congress and 
all statesmen in the United States must seri- 
ously reflect before sanctioning a project the 
mere announcement of which has engendered 
great alarm in the Latin-American world and 
may destroy its sentiment of friendship for 
the great Republic of the North. 

"We are accustomed to consider that Re- 
public as a model worthy of imitation in what 
concerns the perfecting of its institutions in 
all lines of human activity. 

"We should not care to have anyone suspect, 
with good foundation, tliat it has any plans 
of absorption incompatible with the peace, 
political integrity and progress of this part 
of the world. 

"La Prensa, which is among the most en- 
thusiastic and ardent advocates of the senti- 
ment of Pan-Americanism and one of the 
most sincere admirers of the fatherland of 
Washington and Lincoln, calls' the attention 
of the statesmen of the United States to the 
serious danger entailed in the plan announced 
by Mr. Bryan. Should it be carried out, even 
though with the consent of the Government 
of Nicaragua, we should have lost in one 
violent fall the long road gained by Pan- 
Americanism in the last ten or fifteen years." 



Saturday^ September 2j, /p/^? 



'i(.p 



MEXICO 



11 



Square Dealing 

The national! spirit of our country is one of 
fairness and sijuarc dealing. That there are 
apparent excej-tions or lapses in this regard 
and that these stand out with magnified im- 
portance proves the rule. Whenever unfair- 
ness or injustice is found here it is almost 
invariably the result of misinformation or off- 
liand impressions. When fully informed and 
left to judge and choose their stand the Amer- 
ican people are ever on the side of right and 
justice. There are times when we seem to 
the rest of the world a flighty, irripressionable, 
emotional people, but it is noticeable that 
whenever called upon to express themselves 
at the polls on national issues the voters of 
the country act with a calmness and solidness 
of judgment that is disconcerting alike to the 
demagogue and to the cynic. 

We earnestly believe that through our Gov- 
ernment we as a people have not so far given 
a square deal to the Mxican Government and 
people. Principally because we have been out- 
rageously misinformed as to Mexican life 
and conditions by those whose special inter- 
ests and advantages are served by misrepre- 
sentation. 

We have been led to believe that Me.xico 
is given over to virtual anarchy and chaos. 
Xow we are authoritatively informed by our 
own Department of Commerce that the Mexi- 
can trade with the United States in the fiscal 
year just closed was millions of dollars great- 
er than ever before. The wonderful resources 
and vitality of Me.xico and the peaceful ten- 
dencies of the vast majority of the people 
could have no stronger proof. 

The present provisional Government an- 
nounced a simple, direct programme irom the 
beginning. Its work, its single aim was to 
put down rebellion and brigandage in cer- 
tain sections of the Republic, conditions that 
had arisen and remained unchecked under 
Madero, and then to call for the election of a 
regular Government. Official \\'ashington and 
a great majority of the newspapers of this 
country, instead of giving the provisional Gov- 
ernment a chance to prove its purposes and 
al)ility, from the beginning sought to discredit 
its integrity and question its motives, the 
Washington Administration particularly evinc- 
ing a truculently distrustful feeling. Mean- 
while the Mexican Government has gone 
ahead doing exactly what it set out to do. 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

We invite corre,spondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



with remarkable ai)ility and extraordinary suc- 
cess. 

When it became obvious to the most casual 
observer that the Federal authorities had the 
situation well in hand, we, or rather the Ad- 
ministration, began to question what the Mex- 
ican Government would do ne.xt. Not only 
that, but to dictate what it should do, on the 
. assumption that it would not do what it had 
solemnly pledged itself to do, namely, to call 
free constitutional elections as soon as peace 
was restored. A date had been set for the 
elections, there was nothing done by President 
Huerta to cast any doubt on his announced 
intentions, but we still maintained an attituue 
of distrust. Was that fair? Was that a square 
deal? Is it not more akin to bullying injus- 
tice? 

Xow that the Mexican Government gives 
every indication of doing exactly what from 
the beginning it had promised to do, prom- 
ised for itself willingly and openly to the 
people of Mexico, many in Washington and 
many newspapers are asserting that the credit 
belongs to President Wilson and John Lind. 
Is this fair? Is this a square deal? 

If, in the near future, the Mexican people 
find a way out of their difficulties, if through 
bitter internecine strife they have evolved a 
better Me.xico and learned a useful national 
lesson, if they see for the future a new and 
finer expression of their aspirations, should 
we not in all fairness give the country and 
its people the credit for their achievements? 



Back of Revolution Broken 

(15.V direct wire to tlie Los Angeles TimcsA 
Nogalcs. Ariz., Sept. 12. — (Exclusive dispatch). 
The back of the revolution has been broken in 
Sinaloa, Chihuahua and Durango, and Venustiano 
Carranza has been driven in turn froin Coahuila, 
Zacatecas, Durango, Sinaloa and the onl.v asylum 
left him is Sonora, where he is bound, according 
to the rebel organ, La Voz ile Sonora. Carranza 
in his flight has cut a pitiful figure with his 
meager force. -V message purporting to be signed 
by Carranza, the rebels pretend, was received from 
Chinobambo, Sinaloa, dated September 11, in 
which Carranza states that lie will be in Sonora 
within a few days. This is taken as evidence of 
the breakup of the revolution. Foreigners and 
especially Americans rejoice over the approaching 
end of the ill-advised rebellion. 

Amusement was caused by the arrival to-night 
of former Governor I'gnaclo L. Pesqueira. self- 
appointed brigadier-general of the rebels, and his 
retinue of evicted rebel Congressmen, Ramon 
Denegri, Gustavo Padres. Carlos Plank and 
others, who follow the deposed governor wherever 
he goes. lie says that he does not know if he 
will go to Hermosillo or back to Cananea to- 



iiMiiiuw. It is suspected that he is t'eeliug his 
ground to see if it would be safe for him to re- 
turn to Hermosillo after his recalcitrant attitude 
toward Governor XIaytorena. Others say that he 
has no intention of going to Hermosillo. Imme- 
diately on his arrival he invested in a quantity of 
agricultural implements. lie never obtained a 
permit from Washington to cross American ter- 
ritory on his way to Sinaloa, via San Diego. 

-Vs a direct result of the warning from Wash- 
ington to the rebel authorities not to molest 
Americans, rebel Governor JIaytorena issued his 
proclamation ordering all .\merican and other 
foreigners and those not enlisted in the so-called 
Constitutional army to deliver their arms and 
ammunition to the nearest rebel oflicial within 
forty-eight hours. Tlie order is aimed only at 
Americans, as to secure a weapon a native has 
only to enlist in the rebel army. This enlistment 
permits him to remain at home, as is now the 
case with 2,000 armed men in the district of 
Moctezuma, who are following their ordinary pur- 
suits, yet belong to the regular rebel army. It is 
also regarded as a reprisal on Americans in So- 
nora, as a result of the failure of Washington to 
recognize the belligerency of the rebels, which the 
rebels expected some weeks ago. 

In attempts to escape compulsory military serv- 
ice with the rebels, many Mexicans are leaving 
the Moctezuma district and many more will fol- 
low. The e.vodus follows an order for the con- 
scription of 2,000 men in the district over and 
above those now in the service. The demand for 
the recruits comes as the result of the aggres- 
siveness of the Federals south of Hermosillo, 
where reinforcements are needed to check the ad- 
vance, as well as the threatened invasion of Sonora 
from tlie east by Federal troops.. Maximo Cas- 
tillo, with his force, is near Columbus, and the 
rebels are so panic stricken that they are holding 
back G6,000 rounds of ammunition for use of the 
forces of Francisco Villa, which they fear Castillo 
might capture. 

.Vs a result of Ma.vtorena's decree disarming 
.\mericans it is believed that hundreds of Amer- 
icans in northern Sonora. who had declared their 
intention of remaining in the State, despite th(^ 
warning from Washington, will now hasten to 
leave. To be without arms and ammunition in a 
country threatened by an Indian war. as also by 
internal dissensions, would test the mettle of the 
most lirave. 



San Francisco, September 14. — Weird details 
of a three-day battle at Topolobami)o, Sonora, 
are given in correspondence publishe<i here to- 
day. The correspondent asserts the defeat of 
the rebels "broke the back" of the revolution in 
Sonora, and was brought about .\ugust 28, when 
the Mexican cruiser Tampico brought 400 troops 
from Mazatlan and put them ashore. When 
the Federals were driven back the rebel ranks 
were raked by the machine guns on the warship, 
and at the end the rebels took to their heels. — 
Denver Republican. 



"He was the leader of the revolt against 
General Madero," says the New York Herald. 

The way the Herald distributes that title 
of General is a caution ! Madero general ! 
Who ever accused him of that except the 
Herald.^ 



•^I.OO FOR SIX MONTH.S. . . ^-2.00 FOR ONE YEAR. 

(Cut out this order and mail it to-day.) 

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15 Broad Street, New York City, 

Enclosed find $ for subscription 

to "MEXICO," to be sent to 



12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, September 2j, igi:^ 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISfflNG SERVICE 

Managing Edilor, Thomas O'Halioran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $200 



TO ADVERTISERS: 

\\"e offer a distinctive medium going to the 
best class of buyers in the United States and 
Latin-American countries. 

Send for rates to 
UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

15 Broad Street, New York 



Universal Publishing Service, 
15 Broad Street, New York. 

El Paso, Tex., Sept. 20, 1913. 
Gentlemen : 

For postal money order enclosed please 
send me copy of your paper, MEXICO, for 
one year. 

A friend gave me a sample copy and I 
found that it expressed my ideas fully. An- 
other friend to whom I showed it was equally 
pleased, but expressed the belief that it was 
owned and published by the present Govern- 
ment of Mexico. I argued that that made no 
difference if it published the truth, as it evi- 
dently does. He thought if you would make 
a broader statement as to ownership on page 
12, it would give the paper greater prestige. 
The writer is an American, an unnecessary 
refugee from Mexico, and absolutely opposed 
to the present policy of the American Gov- 
ernment toward Mexico, as are practically all 
Americans who have lived in the country and 
know the people. 

Very truly yours, 
(Signed) Henry O. Flipper. 

We are glad of the opportunity Mr. Flip- 
per has given us to make an explicit declar- 
ation as to the purposes of MEXICO. 

This publication is not owned by the pres- 
ent Government of Mexico. In fact, we 
do not even know whether any official of 
the Mexican Government is aware of the 
existence of this review, although we have 
placed it on sale in Mexico City and in 
Vera Cruz. 

MEXICO is published by men who for 
many years have identified themselves with 
Mexican life. 

Who are thoroughly acquainted with 
Mexican affairs and with the Mexican 
people. 

Who wish to co-operate with all Mexicans 
in the consolidation and maintenance of a 
stable, honest government in Mexico, irre- 
spective of personalities. 

Who wish to co-operate with Mexicans 
and Americans alike in the consolidation 
and maintenance of close social, political, 
and commercial bonds between Mexico and 
the United States. 



Who have strong convictions as to the 
manner in which this should be accom- 
plished, and as to the present attitude of 
the United States Government toward 
Me.xico. 

Who, familiar with other Latin-American 
countries and in sympathy with the senti- 
ments and ideals of their people, believe 
sincerely that mutual understanding, con- 
sideration and forbearance will best serve 
the interests of Americans who have social 
and commercial intercourse with Latin- 
Americans. 

Who believe that justice is compatible with 
true nationalism and patriotism, and that 
patriotism does not consist in constant ef- 
fort to bring out other people's failings, 
but rather in acknowledging other people's 
virtues and respecting their rights. 

Who believe that Mexico is entitled to 
fair treatment at the hands of the people 
and of the Government of the United 
States. 

Who believe that in endeavoring to obtain 
fair treatment they are serving the best in- 
terests of Americans themselves. 

Who will give their sincere support to 
any Mexican Government as long as they 
are convinced that such a government is 
worthy of their support. 

Who believe that the sincerity of their 
purpose and of their convictions is made 
patent in every line of this review. 

Who believe that pursuing the policy they 
have adopted in the pubHcation of MEXICO 
they are serving their own selfish interests, 
in establishing a lasting and profitable busi- 
ness enterprise. 



Encouraging Revolution 

The reason usually ascribed by friends or 
the Administration in explanation or condone- 
ment of the unwarranted interference in Alex- 
ican aft'airs is that the United States must 
discourage and prevent as far as possible 
armed revolution in Latin-American coun- 
tries. Apart from any question as to the 
necessity or propriety of this self-assumed 
guardianship, the fact still remains that tlie 
Administration's policy toward Mexico has 
encouraged rather than discouraged revolu- 
tion in Mexico. So that no matter how al- 
truistic and well-founded in democratic prin- 
ciples the Washington Government may con- 
sider itself the fifteen millions and more of 
peaceful, law-abiding Mexicans must marvel 
at I)oth the futility and hypocrisy of our high- 
sounding protestations of friendship. 

Those familiar with the course of Mexico's 
troublous affairs know that the revolution of 
Aladcro, which overturned the stable Govern- 
ment of Porfirio Diaz, was not only substan- 
tially aided from this side of the border, in 
the interest of American corporations, but 
also that its success proved to be a monumen- 
tal mistake and brought Mexico to the verge 
of ruin and chaos. 

They know that the utter failure of the Ma- 
dero Government to gauge or control the 
forces it so irresponsibly set in motion pro- 
voked a volcanic eruption of lawlessness anu 
disorder throughout the country. That the 
responsible elements of the Mexican people. 



seeing the depths of disaster into which the 
country was plunging and the absolute in- 
ability of the Madero regime to save it, were 
forced to rid themselves of the family and 
clique of revolutionists' who had caused and 
could not stop the trouble. 

The movement of Felix Diaz and others 
against the Maderos was not so much a revo- 
lution as it was a necessary intelligent step 
to save Mexico from the consequences of a 
revolution that was neither justilied nor ef- 
fective. It was to put out of power a group 
of revolutionary grafters before the country, 
as a result of their greed for plunder and 
their governmental incapacity, should go ut- 
terly to the dogs or invite United States 
armed intervention. Finally the movement 
was successful and a strong provisional Gov- 
ernment was installed whose avowed and only 
purpose was to put down the lawlessness and 
brigandage which had grown up under Ma- 
dero, and re-establish the peace and prosper- 
ity of the country. President Wilson's fail- 
ure to recognize this Government and its con- 
sequent financial difficulties were itnmediately 
seized upon as an encouragement to continue 
their brigandage by the lawless elements ana 
their revolutionary intrigues by the very group 
of Maderists who were responsible for Mex- 
ico's woes. 

Happily, despite President Wilson's antag- 
onism and pedantic insistence on inapplicable 
theories, President Huerta and his Govern- 
ment have overcome enormous difficulties and 
through their efforts Mexico is in a good way 
to the restoration of peaceful conditions. 

But let not President ^^'ilson lay the flat- 
tering unction to his soul that his attitude 
has discouraged revolution in Mexico or has 
impressed Latin-America generally with any- 
thing but the most profound distrust of .A.mer- 
ican protestations of friendship and Ameri- 
can diplomacy. 



Letters to the Editor 

Kclitor of "JlLWico." 

Dear Sir: The only ivgrut I have iu couuei; 
tiou with your sane and luc.d publication is that 
.vou did not start it a year or more ago as a 
eorrectivo to the amazing amount of misintornia- 
tion about Mexico in the public press and as a 
source of light on the affairs of our sister lie- 
public for Governmental officials from tlie Presi- 
..dent down. c. V. 8tausl)ury. 

New York Cit.w 



lOditor of "Me.vico." 

Dea;' Sir: It was an eNaggerati.m on Mr. 
Wilson's ' part. fl'r.st to instruct all .\mericans to 
leave Mexico, and then to countermand this or- 
der. What impression must such a change of 
orders leave in the minds of the Ainoricaus in 
Mexico and the Mexicans. 

■\Ve would be glad if some good could bo ac- 
complished by .\-our paper, but it is prol)ably diBi- 
eult to change the general opinion which in a 
great measure is indifferent about Mexico, and 
in an equally large proportion knows nothing 
aiumt :\Ie.\ican conditions. 

.\ew York City. .\n .\merican Kxpnrter. 

[AILING LISTS of any business 

in the wui'.d. Be wise Mr. Business Man, 
and Circularize every ni;\n or rim wich whom 
you c:in do business through the mails. We have evriy- 
body's name and ad<lrL-s in the world, classitifd according 
o business, tjade or prok-ssion. .Send for rates 

UNITED STATES MAILING LISTS COMPANY 
1206 BROADWAY, NEW YORK 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. 1.— No. 7 



NEW YORK. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



FEDERICO GAMBOA 

CATHOLIC PARTY CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT 



Tlie pictorial lilicl in tlie use of the cut be- 
low as a portrait of Gamboa is apparent at 
first glance and does not require expert 
demonstration. This picture was circulated 
by a supposedly reputable photographic firm 
and reproduced in scores of American news- 
pa])ers, among others the Galveston Nczcs, 
the Chicago Tribune and the Kansas City 
Star. It is the clearest evidence of either 
extreme yellow journalism or inexcusable 
carelessness and stupidity. 

It represents Gamboa as a fierce-looking 
bandit and it is usually supplemented by a 
printed explanation that it was taken on 
the field when Gamboa was leading some 
liand in the Madero revolution. 

Gamboa has been long in the public eye 
in Mexico, although not active in the po- 
litical life of that countrj-. He was for 
many years sub-Secretary of Foreign Af- 
fairs under the famous Mariscal and before 
the beginning of the Madero revolution he 



was appointed Mexican Minister to Bel- 
gium and the Netherlands. 

Vou have only to look at his true pic- 
ture to sec the intellectual man, a member 
of the Royal .\cademy of Madrid, known 
throughout the Spanish-speaking world as 
an author of note and a finished diplomat. 

Is it to be wondered at that the repro- 
duction in the Me.xican newspapers of the 
picture representing him as a bandit has 
awakened a feeling of indignation among 
all classes of Mexicans. 

What would the feeling of Americans 
lie if President Wilson were pictured in 
the European press as the worst of thugs 
witli the lowest criminal instincts showing 
on every line of his pictured face? Oh, 
we have a lot of sense of humor and many 
would laugh, but not all. Besides, the 
publication of so libelling a picture is noth- 
ing short of criminal at a time when it affects 
the friendly relations of two nations. 



As American Papers Have Made Him Appear 




t>^.^^~i ^~ SjK^--^ssa!5^ea%gi;wwi^avsss5w 




As He Appears 

ELECTIONS IN MEXICO 

Tlie experts on Mexican politics who by 
a strange turn of fate are at present most 
numerous in Washington, and whose fertile 
brains are daily fecundated by the rays of 
knowledge emanating from the incandescent 
junta, have written elaborate essays on the 
present electoral situation in Mexico. Many 
of them, after mature deliberation, long pon- 
dering and close examination of evidence, 
liave come to the conclusion that the nomin- 
ation of Federico Gamboa by the Catholic 
Party will complicate the international situ- 
tion and will create considerable opposition 
even in the "Huerta ranks" — whatever that 
means. 

Xo illuminating explanation has been forth- 
coming for these assertions, but they are 
made, nevertheless, and are testimony to the 
Mexican political perspicacity of the Wash- 
ington experts. 

Perhaps we may be permitted to say that 
in our hiuiible opinion Gamboa was selected 
by the Catholic Party as a compromise can- 
didate who — because of his well-known Lib- 
eral ideas — would be acceptable to the Lib- 
erals themselves and therefore to a majority 
of the voters. Mr. Gamboa has never been 
identified with the Catholics of Mexico, and 
those who know him of old know that even 
some of his writings have at times been 
strongly criticised by the radical Catholic 
element. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 4, 191 3 



ELECTIONS IN MEXICO— Continued 



It is evident that the Cathohc Party, al- 
though at times intolerant in the past, is 
making a patriotic effort to co-operate with 
tiie best elements in Mexico to bring about 
a pacilic solution of the political difficulties 
presented by the Presidential succession. 

In this connection it is well to note the 
broad and modern spirit which evidently 
animates the two most prominent candidates 
so far in the held. For several months the 
organization supporting Felix Diaz has been 
establishing political clubs and conducting a 
campaign for his election. Mr. Gamboa im- 
mediately following his nomination has es- 
talilished headquarters in Mexico Citv and 
plunging into the work of orgamzaiTon, has 
laid plans for a "spellbinding" campaign, 

Besides the campaign of oratory planned 
by l)Oth candidates arrangements have been 
made with the moving picture theatres, nu- 
merous throughout the whole Republic, for 
the presentation on screens of the candidates' 
platforms on which they seek the support of 
the people. 

General Felix Diaz, in an interview given 
in Paris, has expressed his satisfaction at 
the nomination of Federico Gamboa and has 
sent to the latter a most cordial telegram 
congratulating him on the nomination, add- 
ing : "I am especially glad that you were 
nominated because our country needs such 
men as yourself to rule her destinies." 

Mr. Gamboa replied at once reciprocating 
the sentiments of General Diaz, adding : "To- 
day as yesterday, winner or loser, I am as 
always your friend and admirer," 

Surely these are the acts of civilized men 
who are anxious to assist their country — in 
the greatest possible measure — toward the 
goal of democracy. 

Contrast the acts and attitudes of these 
men with those of the self-styled Constitu- 
tionalists : "We shall not participate in the 
elect'ons," they cry, "we shall consider any 
one elected as a traitor to the country an_d 
shall kill him under the law of 1862. Like- 
wise under the same lavif" — which, by 
the way, is no longer on the statute books of 
Mexico — "we shall kill General Huerta and 
every person who has in any way partici- 
pated in or recognized his Government and 
every person who shall participate in or 
recognize any future Government except our 
own." 

Of course this wholesale extermination is 
conditional upon the capturing of the per- 
sons thus implicated and their seizing the 
reins of Government. 

Lovable chaps — these exponents of the 
Constitution — and a lovely Constitutional 
spectacle they .would offer to the eyes of 
the world if they should succeed in regain- 
ing power. However, it looks as if the 
work! will be spared any such show, tven 
though these "Constitutionalists" have the 
sympathy of some American newspapers and 
of some American public men. 

Unfortunately it is »t)t difficult to caiiti- 
vate the sympathy of the average American 
citizen who is ignorant of Mexican condi- 
tions, and of the personality of these patri- 
ots. It is suflicient for them to send a few 
agents to the United States, who find no 



ditticulty in gettnig tiie e\er-reudy ear uf the 
press and to spread broadcast the assertion 
that they are hghting for freedom, for de- 
mocracy, for the people, hghting to obtain 
the realization of the people's ideals, "so 
long and unjustly repressed," as President 
Wilson said in liis message to Congress! 



As the men who have styled theniselves 
Constitutionalists and claim to be the apos- 
tles of democracy are the same men who 
were responsible for the "election" of Fran- 
cisco Madero and for his Administration it 
may not be amiss to recall the facts of that 
"election," 



The Elections of Francisco Madero 



Francisco 1, Aladcru, upon reaching Mex- 
ico City on June 7, 1911, after Porfirio Diaz 
had gone into exile, declared that in leading 
the revolution he had been prompted solely 
by the purpose to free his country from a 
hated regime and not by personal ambition. 
He even went so far as to say to some of 
his intimate friends that he would not enter 
the race for the presidency at the elections 
that were to take place on the following" Oc- 
tober, All that was left for him to complete 
his task, he said, was to muster out all revo- 
lutionary forces — as he had promised to do — 
and then retire to private life on his ranch 
in Coahuila, 

Madero's previous political conduct and 
subsequent events stand out clearly in the 
light of history to prove that Francisco 
Madero was not only insincere in his declara- 
tion, but that he was also either a common, 
self-seeking politician, or an easy tool in the 
hands of scheming relatives and friends, or 
both. 

When Madero first entered openly the po- 
litical struggle before the elections of 1910, 
he did so under the auspices of the Anti- 
Re-election Party, which, through his efforts, 
had been organized to bring aliout a change 
in the system of government. The .\nti-Re- 
election platform had been adopted, not be- 
cause it had been deemed necessary to the 
establishment of a more democratic govern- 
ment, but because there was a conviction 
that under a continuance of Diaz in the 
Presidential chair no political improvement 
was possible. Madero was the candidate of 
the Anti-Re-election Party for President, 
with Dr. Vasquez Gomez as his running, 
mate. 

Madero was free to conduct his political 
campaign throughout Mexico despite the fact 
that the Diaz regime was considered despotic. 
This is well known in this country but there 
is a very significant fact in this connection 
little known even in Mexico. A few days 
before the elections Madero had an inter- 
view with General Diaz in which he offered 
to withdraw from the Presidential race if 
General Diaz would agree to withdraw Ra- 
mon Corral's name as candidate for the Vice- 
Presidency and sulistitute his — Madero's — • 
name. 

Now. this meant that Madero was willing 
to cast aside his own supporters and the 
|)latform of the party wliich had nominated 
him in order to be Vice-President of Mexico. 

.■\n eminent Mexican writer and student of 
Mexican affairs, Dr. Lara Pardo, in his book, 
"From Porlirio Diaz to Francisco Madero," 
savs : "If Madero had then been struggling 



for love of principles and liberty, for democ- 
racy and civilization, in that interview he 
should have proposed another agreement, 
much more feasible and valuable. He would 
have said to General Diaz : 'We do not 
aspire to the Presidency, we uphold the 
principle of non-re-election as an ideal more 
or less possible of realization and as a speedy 
means to obtain a change of regime, but we 
shall moderate our pretensions if some lib- 
erty is granted to us, if a participation in 
public affairs shall be given to the people 
even though in a small measure. In other 
words, we shall give up our campaign for 
the Presidency in exchange for some political 
freedom and an even minor representation in 
Congress.' " 

Dr. Lara Pardo thinks wisely that General 
Diaz would have accepted and that it would 
have been the beginning of a healthful evolu- 
tion. 

But Madero was personally ambitious to 
the extent of being willing to become a part 
of the Diaz system — as he would have been 
compelled to be as Vice-President — and to 
abandon his party, as he did later. 

It would be outside the scope of this ar- 
ticle to describe countless incidents between 
that famous interview and the beginning of 
the revolution which would indicate the pre- 
ponderance of personal ambition in Madero's 
scheme of action. - 

As we have said before, Madero had prom- 
ised to muster out all revolutionary troops, 
and as he was the power behind the pro- 
visional Government of De la Barra, he in- 
duced the latter to ask Congress for an ap- 
propriation of twelve millions to pay off and 
muster out these troops. 

The twelve millions were spent instead by 
Madero in strengthening the organization of 
his revolutionary forces, which he sent every- 
whe.re to take the place of garrisons com- 
posed of men from the regular army. This, 
in the face of opposition from the best ele- 
ments of the population, who feared with 
reason that the revolutionary forces wouUl 
be dangerous sources of disorder. 

At that time brigandage had not taken 
root and the men that had taken up arms 
could have been sent back home to their 
work. Later it became impossible to do so 
because these men had found that it was 
much easier to earn a living by forming part 
of any revolutionary force than bj^ working 
in the fields or in the factories. This was 
the vital mistake of Madero and it is obvious 
now that it was resi)onsil)le for all the pres- 
ent disorder in Mexico as well as for Ma- 
dero's dowulall, lie connnitled suicide by 
Ibis one mistake. 



Saturday, October 7, z^/? 



MEXICO 



257 UNBIASED MEN REPORT 

To the National Association of Manufacturers 



// the Mexican Government eonld seeiire 
the necessary financial assistance, the in- 
ternal troubles zvould quickly disappear and 
business H'ould rcsutnc its normal, piosper- 
ous condition. The failure of the Admin- 
istration to secure recognition from the 
United States has delayed the strengthening 
of credit and put a premium upon disorder." 
The above is the consensus of opinicm 
among the great proportion of correspond- 
I'lits of the National Association of Manufac- 



tiinrs wh.i an- cstaMishLcl ihr.iuyhniit .\Kx- 
ici). TIk-sc correspondents are prominent 
hankint; houses, lawj'ers, merchants and 
agents of American and European manu- 
facturers. 

Realizing the importance of arriving at 
and acurate knowledge of conditions in 
Mexico for the guidance of American man- 
ufacturers and exporters, the N. A. Af., 
which has a staff of some 1.800 commercial 
C'Tn-spi ■nilents tlin 'Uyln ail tlic wiirlil. rr- 



ceiUly addressed an inquiry to 257 of its 
representatives in Mexico. The importance 
of this investigation will 1)e understood 
when it is known that the United States 
is Mexico's best customer — taking three- 
quarters of her exports and sending to Mex- 
ico over one-half of what she imports. 

The investigation was thorough. It cov- 
ers all of the Mexican States except two 
that are comparatively unimportant. The 
Continued on next page 



THE ELECTION OF FRANCISCO MADERO— Continued 



Wliy did Madern refuse to muster out his 
■ i\vn troops and why did he put them in con- 
trol of all important places in the Republic 
if not to insure his own election in October? 

The proof of this is contained in a letter 
wliich he addressed to Congress, dated Sep- 
tember 14, in which he declared that if Con- 
gress postponed the date of elections, which 
had been set for October 1, the people — 
meaning himself — would rise up in arms 
again. The opinion was almost general then 
that no fair elections could be held on Oc- 
tober 1, as the country was in a state of tur- 
moil far worse than it had been at any time 
during the revolution preceding the resigna- 
tion of Diaz. 

Madero's threat, and the knowledge that it 
could be carried out because of the revolu- 
tionary troops which were then in arms in 
greater number than ever, had effect on Con- 
gress and the date of elections was not 
clianged. 

Meanwhile, on the eleventh of June, Gen- 
eral Bernardo Reyes had reached Mexico 
City from Havana. He was received enthu- 
siastically by the bitsiness, financial and in- 
dustrial elements of the City of Mexico. He 
issued a statement declaring that he accepted 
the principles of the revolutionary party : 
real suffrage and non-re-election, and that 
he would co-operate with the provisional 
Government and with the revolutionary party 
in the work of reconstruction which he sup- 
posed would begin immediately. On June 
20, Madero and General Reyes held a con- 
ference at which Madero offered to General 
Reyes the portfolio of Minister of War ef- 
fective upon his — Madero's — election to tlie 
Presidency. 

On the next day Francisco Madero de- 
clared the .Anti-Re-election Party dissolved, 
the party which had nominated him the pre- 
vious year, and announced that his friends 
would form a new party to be known as 
the "Progressive Constitutional Party." The 
.\nti-Re-election Party refused to be dis- 
solved and a few friends of Madero- organ- 
ized themselves as the executive committee 
of the Progressive Constitutional Party. 
Headed by Gustavo Madero, brother of the 
leader, these men went about their task with 
cunning and ability. Among them figured 
the same men who are to-day among the 
leaders of the self-styled Constitutionalists- 
Juan Sanchez .Ascona. Eusebio Calzado. Man- 
uel Urquido and others. 

They eliminated from their ranks all ele- 
ments they could not easilv control, even 



though tliey had been the most useful ele- 
ments in making the revolution successful, 
such men as Dr. Vasquez Gomez. 

They held a convention, the delegates com- 
prisin,g many of the revolutionary leaders, 
and at this convention, against the will even 
of the majority of revolutionary sympath- 
izers, they forced the nomination for Vice- 
President of Pino Suarez, a hitherto un- 
known school teacher from Yucatan. 

Meanwhile, General Reyes had been urged 
to enter the race and, having declared his 
intention of doing so, obtained a statement 
from Francisco Madero that the latter would 
welcome the appearance of any other can- 
didate. 

There again we have a patent proof of 
Madero's insincerity, for no sooner had the 
Reyes party been organized under the name 
of the Republican Party than its adherents 
everywhere were objects of persecution. 

Local authorities appointed by Madero 
tliroughout the Republic opposed even forc- 
ibly the organization of clubs and their cam- 
paigning for the election of General Reyes. 
In Mexico City, where Reyes made his head- 
quarters, he was prevented even from mak- 
ing speeches in public. A band of a thousand 
or so of poor peons was organized by the 
Progressive Constitutional committee, sup- 
plied with large quanties of "pulque," their 
favorite beverage, and with a little money. 
Almost daily this band would parade the 
streets, and stone the houses of men known to 
be opposed to Madero. On September 3 they 
prevented a public demonstration in favor of 
General Reyes who, upon appearing to ad- 
dress the crowd and urge good behavior, 
was stoned and wounded. 

On September the eleventh the Reyista 
Party issued a statement announcin.g that lie- 
cause of persecution which prevented the 
necessary working for the electoral campai.gn 
the Reyes adherents would take no part in 
the coming elections. This, of course, was 
what the Progressive committee liad worked 
to liring about. 

Meanwhile, it had been proposed by mem- 
bers of Congress that in accordance with the 
declarations made many times by Madero the 
electoral law should be changed before his 
election. The old electoral law, providing for 
indirect vote and not being based on pro- 
liortional representation, made it impossible 
to have fair elections and gave the absolute 
control of the machinery of election to the 
authorities in power. Madero and his fol- 
lowers ever since the time of his first cam- 



paign under the auspices of the Anti-Re-elec- 
tion Party had liitterly assailed this law and 
demanded a more equitable one. 

He was now a candidate, however, and 
had absolute control of the machinery. So 
he vigorously protested against any change 
in the electoral law, threatening Congress 
again if it should dare even to consider the 
proposed reforms. This old electoral law 
was finally repealed and a new and equitable 
one insuring the freedom of the ballot en- 
acted only a few months ago under tlie 
Huerta Government. 

Persecutions against all men opposed lo 
Madero and to the executive committee of 
the Progressive Constitutional Party became 
so rampant that many persons had to leave 
the Country. Alin<ist daily there were con- 
cocted by memliers of the famous committee 
stories of plots and conspiracies against Ma- 
dero, and some of them were staged so that 
the public would believe them and so that 
many innocent persons could be imprisoned 
as a warning to any one daring to oppose 
Madero. 

When election day arrived the presence of 
revolutionary forces everywhere kept most 
voters at home. An honst correspondent of 
a New York newspaper sent a confidential 
message which said, among other things : 
"Witli the exception of very few places, the 
men who are in char.gc of the polling booths 
have had nothing to do but talk and smoke." 

Thus Madero was "elected" by 19,970 votes 
— according to the majority report in Con- 
gress. The minority report was that the 
elections had been a fraud and that they 
should be held again. Even though every 
one knows that of the four million lawful 
voters in Alexico under the most favorable 
circumstances not one-tenth would or could 
take part in any elections, the small number 
of votes polled by Madero is astounding. 

Yet it has often been declared in this 
Country that he was the only man who had 
ever been truly elected in Mexico ! 

The fact is that those elections were man- 
aged exactly as those under the Diaz regime 
had been managed, only with much less re- 
gard for appearances. 

They were managed by the men who to- 
day have raised the cry that elections under 
the Huerta Government cannot be fair, that 
they will not accept the result imder any 
circumstances because they have contracted 
with the nation the oliligation to see that 
elections arc fair and square! 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 4, /gi^ 



correspondents are impartial residents who 
are familiar with the conditions not only 
of their immediate localities hut of the sur- 
rounding territory. The results have been 
compiled by William M. Benney, manager 
of the Foreign Department of tlie X. A 
iM.. and Vicente Gonzales, Adviser on Latin- 
American Affairs of the N. A. M. 

The correspondents were asked to report 
on the present conditions of business in 
their districts ; what business failures had 
taken place in their communities; to what 
extent local I)usiness men were restricting 
credit and to what degree foreign creditors 
were accommodating their debtors ; whether 
the increase in the prices of goods had cor- 
responded to the rise iji exchange, and what 
the business prospects w'ere for the near 
future. In their replies the correspondents 
did not confine themselves alone to answer- 
ing these inquiries but volunteered much 
interesting information on the general Inisi- 
ness and political situation. The results of 
tlie investigation show that the gold re- 
sources do not permit the Government to 
maintain the Mexican peso at its former ex- 
change value. Prices have risen and the 
markets are uncertain. Credit has been 
seriously disturbed. The Mexican Govcrii- 
nii'iit is making headway in restoring nor- 
mal conditions but needs money to aeconi- 
plish this purpose. 

The district chiefly disturlicd consists of 
a block of the larger States in the north, 
viz.. Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, So- 
nora, Durango and Zacatecas. The States 
in which business is disturbed but not so 
seriously as in the territory above noted, 
are: Mexico (and the Federal District), 
Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, San 
Luis Potosi, Tlaxcala, Queretaro, Morelos 
and Michoacan. The Isthmus of Tehuante- 
pec has suffered. 

Northern States. 
CHIHUAHUA.— Buisness in this State 
is almost at a standstill. No credit is being 
given unless guaranteed by m.ortgages. Few 
importations. A considerable rise in prices 
has taken place, partly on account of the 
rise in exchange and partly because of 
the scarcity of farm crops, as agriculture 
has been largely abandoned. 

COAHUIL.\. — Puisiness bad or stagnant, 
l)ut so far no important failures. Mer- 
chants generally have curtailed sales and 
both local and foreign credits are restricted. 
l^riccs have been .soaring in keeping with 
the rates of exchange. The majority of the 
correspondents view the situation hopefully, 
feeling that considerable headtvay has been 
made by the Federal Government. 
\UEVO LEON'.— As in Coahuila. 
SOXOK.A. — Business bad; credits im- 
paired. Import orders cancelled or sus- 
pended. \ general rise in prices. The only 
failures have been those of Chinese houses 
and some weak local firms, as banks and 
other creditors have ik'sired to help the 
mercantile class all they can, merchants ob- 
jecting to pay foreign accounts because of 
the rise in exchange. I'ederal Government 
reported making hcad'i'oy. 



257 UNBIASED MEN— Continued 

•r.VAlAL'Lll'AS.— Correspondents in •l';ini- 
pico and Laredo report business as excel- 
lent— lietter than it was three years ago. 
One correspondent, in Ciudad Victoria, re- 
ports lousiness as bad. All agree that there 
have been no important failures and the 
majority state that there have been no 
notable restrictions on credit, either locally 
or on the part of foreign merchants. Prices 
liave risen. In general, the tone of the re- 
ports is hopeful, much of the business confi- 
dence being based on the great development 
of the petroleum region in this State. 
Central .States. 
MEXICO CITY.— All business in Mexico 
City has suffered greatly during the last 
three years, some lines being almost stag- 
nant. Importations being restricted, local 
manufacturers in some instances have bene- 
fited. Dealers in war materials and sup- 
plies have done well, but on the whole the 
bad effects of the revolution far overbalance 
the benefits to particular interests. 

AGUASCALIENTES.— Business has suf- 
fered but little from the abnormal situation. 
No failures of importance. General cur- 
tailment of credits on account of the uncer- 
tainty of exchange. General increase in 
prices about 10 per cent. 

GUANAJUATO.— Reports contradictory, 
but impression is obtained that business has 
not suffered in this State as much as in 
inany - others. No failures of consequence. 
Tone of reports generally optimistic. 

HIDALGO, — Business slack. Situation 
quite similar to that in Aguascalientes, E.v- 
press confidence that the present Govern- 
ment will overcome difficulties. Uprising in 
this State said to be chiefly among Indians 
in mountainous district and has caused no 
serious damage. 

PUEBLA. — Business favorable. No fail- 
ures of importance and very little restric- 
tion of credits. Prices of imported goods 
have risen 20 to 30 per cent. All appear to 
be optimistic as to the present Government 
overcoming difficulties. 

SAN LUIS POTOSI.— Business has di- 
minished somew'hat, l)ut no recent failures. 
Outlook hopeful. 

ZACATECAS. — Business bad. Mining op- 
erations practically suspended. The leading 
merchants of Sombrerete have closed their 
places of business and those in other towns 
are said to be selling for cash only. 

DUR.\XGO.— Business curtailed as in 
Zacatecas. In the hands of tlie revolution- 
ists. 

Gulf .S' tales. 
VERA CRUZ.^From Cordoba and Ja- 
lapa business is reported as good ; from 
Orizaba as satisfactory except the grocery 
line; from Puerto Mexico as very bad. 
many farms and ranches on the Isthmus 
of Tehuantepec have been abandoned. Dis- 
turbed conditions of other States have luul 
little refle.K action on Vera Cruz. 

VUC.'\TAN. — Business generally good on 
account of the high price of sisal hem]). 
Rise of exchange has affected seriously 
those who owe money abroad. 



Pacific .States. 

CHIAPAS.— Business very good. No fail- 
ures for several years. 

J. -\LISCO.— Business fair to good, the 
revolution having affected this State but 
little. Prices have risen 20 to 30 per cent. 

MICHOACAN.— Business paralyzed but 
no failures. Government proceeding actively 
against the rebels and gaining control of the 
siination. 

OAXACA.— From Oaxaca (city) business 
is reported as good ; at Salina Cruz de- 
pressed. One failure in each place — both of 
little importance. No particular restriction 
of credit. Only a slight rise in prices. Not 
much aft'ccted by trouljles in other States. 



The Report 



.Although this report of the National Man- 
ufacturers' Association speaks for itself, it 
might be well to call the attention of the 
reader to the fact tliat the correspondents 
of the association are "impartial residents — 
the great majority foreigners — who are fa- 
miliar with the conditions not only of their 
immediate localities but also of the sur- 
rounding territory." 

The reports are in marked conflict with 
the statement made by President Wilson in 
his message to Congress' that no progress 
had been made by the Mexican Govern- 
ment — or as he chose to qualify it, "by the 
authorities in control at Mexico City" — to- 
ward the re-establishment of peace. 

President Wilson has never revealed the 
source of his information as to conditions 
in Mexico and all that is known to the 
public is that he refused to accept the re- 
ports of an Ambassador who had occupied 
his post there for more than four years. 

Such authorities as Mr. James Creehnan 
have asserted in signed statements that 
President Wilson was blockading the Mexi- 
can Government financially. The consensus 
of opinion of the correspondents of the 
National Manufacturers' Association is that 
if the Mexican Government could secure 
the necessary financial assistance the inter- 
nal trouliles would quickly disappear. 

Is it, tlien, the intention of the Washington 
.\dministration that such troubles should 
not disappear? Or are all the correspondents 
of the National Manufacturers' Association 
fools or knaves? In connection with the 
publication of this report it is quite inter- 
esting to note that the New York Times 
was the only New York newspaper to give 
it in full, while the Tribune devoted little 
space to it but handled it fairly. The New 
^'ork Sun suppressed that part of tlie report 
whicli states that the failure of the Mexican 
.\dministration to secure recognition from 
the United States has delayed the strength- 
ening of credit and lias put a premium 
upon disorder. 

The New York World — the all-for-Wilson- 
right-or-wrong-no\v-and-forever newspaper — 
did not pulilish a line of the report. 

The New York Herald — the yesterday-hit- 
ler -on- the-professor-to-day for-Wilson-to- 
morrow-for-any-old-body newsiiaper — likewise 
remained silent on the subject. 



Saturday, October ./, /^/J 



MEXICO 



If You Were Huerta 

If you wtrc a Mexican like HiKTta, with 
the 1)lood of Spaniard and Indian flowing 
in your veins, who knew your country and 
loved it passionately, who had served it 
faitli fully as a soldier for two-score years, 
to whom every phase of its greatness and 
its limitations was familiar and vital, would 
you fade out of existence on the academic 
say-so of an American college professor who 
could not possibly know Mexico, its people 
and its problems, except by hearsay? 

I f. like Huerta, the wheel of events had so 
turned that you were made President of 
Mexico, at a time when the office was one 
of trials and perils beyond the power of 
an ordinary man to meet, and you had 
shown the ability and capacity to cope with 
every situation, would you be inclined to lis- 
ten patiently to the Chautauquan pronounce- 
ment of an alien who has had no experience 
such as yours? 

If you were Huerta and, fully appreci- 
ating the terrific demands made on your 
aliility and patriotism, you were by implica- 
tion and insinuation publicly pilloried by the 
President of a foreign country, if in count- 
less ways that President went out of his 
way to interfere in the politics of your 
country, would you have sliown the remark- 
able dignity and self-restraint that have 
ciiaracterized Huerta under these trying cir- 
cumstances? 

If you were Huerta and your country was 
overrun by plundering, pillaging bands of 
outlaws, and in order to subdue them and 
restore normal conditions you were in need 
of money, would you not resent the action 
of a foreign ruler who, in order to iinpose 
his arbitrary and theoretical dictum upon you 
and your country, would deliberately close 
your resources of credit to bring you to 
terms. 

If you were Huerta. a soldier liy instinct 
and training, having to deal with complex 
and baffling problems, as ruler of sixteen 
millions, would you feel kindly toward the 
doctrinaire cocksureness of men thousands of 
miles away concerning your affairs? 

If you were Huerta. the chances are you 
would have "blown up" long before this and 
told the world in undiplomatic language that 
the Washington Administration was an offici- 
ous meddler in your affairs and consigned it 
to the eternal bow-wows. 

Don't you really think that Huerta lias 
loomed up rather l>ig under the circum- 
stances? 



AS IT REALLY IS 

A PARALLEL WITH A PURPOSE 



Lind's "Headquarters" 

Vera Cruz. Sopt. 28. — Tbat General Huorta 
and his organization will support Frederico 
Camboa, candidate of the Catholic party for the 
I'residenc.v. is the report brought from the cap- 
ital to-da.v to the headquarters of John I.ind. 
President Wil.son's representative. — -\. P. dis- 
patch, September 29. 

So General Huerta has an organization 
and John l^ind has "headquarters" ! We 
should like to know where Mr. Lind's branch 
offices are situated and wdiat his organiza- 
tion — he must have one since he has "head- 
uarters" — purposes to do. 



There are two ideas that stick in the craw 
of s(jme well-intentioned but misinformed 
persons in their consideration of Mexican 
affairs. It has been dinned into their ears so 
long that the present Mexican Government 
came into power as a result of treachery 
and assassination and that those who are 
fighting against the Government are actuated 
by high ideals of democracy that it would be 
remarkable if these ideas had not taken a 
certain hold on the popular imagination. 
"Error runs swiftly down the hill and truth 
climbs slowly," an Oriental proverb, explains 
why these conceptions have been accepted so 
readily in certain quarters. 

To show what the real situation has been 
and is, it may lie informing to draw an 
imaginary parallel with conditions in the 
United States. 

Let us say that the Republican Party has 
been in power for a quarter of a century. 
The country has prospered, the dignity of 
the nation has been maintained, and the 
national credit is firmly established. As a 
consequence of a long stretch of power, 
however, certain abuses have crept into the 
conduct of governmental affairs. Big busi- 
ness lias Iieen granted special privileges, 
despotic methods have grown up in Con- 
gress, the rights of labor have not been fully 
respected, the distribution of wealth has not 
been on an equitable basis. Socialism and 
syndicalism have grow'n apace. Strikes and 
acts of violence have indicated popular 
unrest. 

\i this psychological moment an imprac- 
tical dreamer, immensely wealthy, backed by 
a powerful family, preaches a crusade to the 
people of the country. Playing on the ignor- 
ance of the masses, with all the tricks of 
the detnagogue, he demands the forcible 
overthrow of the existing Government, 
promises that if he is put in power he will 
divide the wealth of the country among 
them, there will be no more injustice or 
poverty, the strong will be leveled and the 
weak raised. In other words, a social mil- 
lenium is to come, not to be worked for, 
not to be striven for as all great reforms 
are, but to come as a result of an armed up- 
rising and his own fiat. 

The people swallow the bait, the impos- 
sible, impractical promises of the demagogue 
are acclaimed hysterically as every one's due. 
Workers throw down their implements of 
industry and take iqi the implements of war. 
The dreamer is hailed as a savior. After a 
generation of peace the passions of war are 
aroused. The owners of property are looked 
ujion as common enemies, the authority of 
the .State is despised. 

The Republican .Administration, gauging 
Correctly the force of the flaming passions 
of the deluded mob and unwilling to per- 
petuate itself at the expense of terrible 
fratricidal strife, resigns. 



The demagogue becomes President. He is 
a great agitator but with no practical ex- 
perience or ability in handling public affairs. 
Moreover, he is surrounded by relatives and 
followers who do not share his theories but 
have pushed him to the front for their own 
advantage, to procure the seats of power and 
to plunder the country. On the one hand 
the dreamer finds it impossible to fullill his 
glowing promises of a millenium, or per- 
haps he has forgotten them in a childish 
satisfaction wdth his triumph. .\t any rate, 
he does nothing to satisfy the expectations 
of the aroused masses. On the other hand, 
his relatives and hangers-on deplete the 
national treasury, damage the national credit. 

Business is paralyzed. The men taken 
from their employment and promised wealth 
without work refuse to return to the plow- 
share, the mine, or the loom. Instead they 
take to brigandage, terrorizing, destroying 
property, looting, living on the country. The 
agitator is amazed at the result of his own 
folly, but he does not blame himself for 
the conditions that exist. He blames the 
people themselves, says they are not fit for 
democratic government, he grows bitter, tries 
his hand at despotism, storms, rages, in- 
sult.s — but to no avail. He has sow-n a w-ind 
and is reaping a whirlwind. The country is 
tobogganing toward perdition. 

Capable, responsible, patriotic men advise 
him, argue with him, but his scheming false 
friends and relatives control his actions and 
encourage the pitiful efiforts of a weak and 
by this time really demented man to main- 
tain himself and them in power at any cost. 

-\t last there comes armed revolt in the 
Capital itself. Nothing less can make the 
President see that if the country is to be 
saved from utter anarchy he must go. He 
calls on the .\riny. which he has treated with 
contempt and insulted on every possible oc- 
casion, to defend him. The head of the 
.\rmy, a soldier first, last, and always, obeys 
the summons. Then follows a bloody, pro- 
longed battle in the streets of the Capital. 
There seems to be no end of the conflict. 
Property is destroyed needlessly, hundreds 
of non-combatants are shot down, foreign 
nations with interests in the country are 
threatening to intervene, the Senate in a 
body asks for the resignation of the Presi- 
dent as the only hope of ending the strife 
and saving the nation. 

But the President is now talking and act- 
ing as one possessed. He demands that his 
soldiers blow up the city with dynamite be- 
fore he will yield. He shoots down a mes- 
senger who is sent to him by leaders of the 
.Army. The members of Congress and re- 
sponsible citizens appeal to the general com- 
manding the .Army, in the name of humanity 
and patriotism, to arrest the President and 
put an end to the hopeless conflict before 
foreign troops are landed. The old soldier 



MEXICO 



Saturday^ October _/, igi^ 



agrees, arrests the President, makes a truce 
with the leader of the revolt, demands and 
gets the President's resignation, which is 
accepted by Congress, is constitutionally 
named Provisional President as the strongest 
and most able man to restore normal con- 
ditions to the country. The ex-President is 
killed several days later, whether murdered 
l)y friends of those he had wantonly ordered 
killed in his demented frenzy or as a result 
of an attempt of his followers to free him, 
is not determined. 

Xow, if all these things had happened 
right here in the United States, which, thank 
God, they never can, would our conclusion 
be that it was a struggle between those 
actuated by high ideals of democracy and 
the forces of treachery and assassination? 
Would our sympathy be for the dispossessed 
clique, which had worked on the ignorance 
and cupidity of the masses and the weakness 
and incompetence of an agitator President to 
bring a nation to the verge of ruin to 
further their personal ambitions? Would 
our sympathy not be given rather to the men 
whose courage, capacity and patriotism were 
called upon to save their country, only to be 
maligned, misrepresented and falsely accused 
before the world? 

"Error runs swiftly down the hill, but 
truth climbs slowlv." 



Smuggling 



Works' Way 



United States Senatoi- Jobn D. Works, speak- 
ing at exercises dedicating a site lor a statue to 
commemorate Cabrillo, discover ot San Diego 
Bay, came out unmistakably tor intervention iu 
Mexico. In part he said : 

■■We are responsible in no small part for con- 
ditions in tlie Eepublic of Mexico. We cannot 
avoid or shirk that responsibility. It Is the 
business of our Government to protect Its citi- 
zens at home or abroad. 

"We have settled difficulties in other coun- 
tries, why not in Mexico? We have sent our 
bluecoats ashore to protect our interests in 
other lands, why not in Mexico? How long can 
we sit by idle and allow our citizens to be 
forced to flee for their lives and to come back 
into this country without means of gaining a 
livelihood?" 

The California Senator admits that we are 
responsible in no small part for conditions 
in Mexico and concludes therefore that we 
should intervene to put an end to those con- 
ditions. But intervention means war and 
Senator Works knows it. It is just such 
fallaciousness and hypocrisy as contained in 
his remarks that make the Latin-Americans 
lose confidence in our good faith. 



To Receive De laBarra 

I'residont Pulncare Will See Mexican Envoy on 
October 4. 

Special Cable Despatch to the Xew Tork &im. 
Paris, September 'ITi. — Seuor Francisco de la 

Barra, Mexican Ambassador to France, has been 

invited to present his letters ot credence to 

President Polncare on October 4. 

Remember how, a short time ago, the 
Washington "high officials" intimated that 
Dc la Barra would be given the cold shoul- 
der by the French President. Despite the 
fact that France had recognized the interim 
Government of Mexico and had agreed to 
receive De la Barra as Ambassador long 
before he left for France. 



El Paso, Texas, September 21. — Smuggling 
" munitions of war across the border to the 
Mexicans is being indulged in from Browns- 
ville to the Pacific Ocean, and the smugglers 
are meeting with more or less success. Oc- 
casionally, American troops patrolling the 
line intercept those seeking to replenish the 
supplies of the Federals or Rebels, such as 
in the case of the band at Carrizo Springs, 
Init thousands upon thousands of rounds of 
ammunition are being taken into the Re- 
public of Mexico daily. 

The seizures of ammunition and guns arc 
comparativeh' small. The smugglers taken 
prisoners are very few. 

The - United States Government, which 
recognizes no Government in the Republic of 
Mexico, refuses to sanction the shipment of 
munitions of war across the border, either to 
the Federal forces or to the revolters. The 
revolution continues, just the same, and if 
one is to judge by the number of killed 
and wounded in battles, the combatants have 
more ammunition now than ever before. 

Every day or two the American troops 
strung out along the border seize supplies 
of ammunition and guns intended for 
Mexico, but the estimate of the amount 
which is safely carried across the river each, 
week is very high. 

Here in. El Paso the dry river bed makes 
it easy for border runners, and thousands of 
rounds of cartridges are smuggled across in 
driblets ever}' week. 

One of the methods pursued here is to 
have large quantities of ammunition deliv- 
ered at the home of some unsuspected Mexi- 
can family and wrapped in small bundles ; 
both men and women take it across the 
line. 

Until recently the customary way of smug- 
gling was the loading of the war munitions 
into automobiles, and with Americans driv- 
ing, go down the valley to a convenient 
place, where they would turn ofT to the 
river liank and cross under cover of 
darkness. 

Local ammunition dealers are receiving 
large quantities of cartridges and rifles and 
apparently little effort is necessary on their 
part to dispose of their stock ; the one trou- 
ble being to keep it replenished. Several 
days ago orders were issued by the author- 
ities in Washington to place all ammunition 
and guns seized by the officials and troops 
of the army here at Fort Bliss, the customs 
officials having objected to the storing of 
explosives in the Federal Building. 

Upon receipt of the orders the ofiicials 
commenced the movement of the large sup- 
ply of ammunition which was stored in the 
Federal Building, when they found that much 
of it had been stolen since being ulaccd 
there. When two heavy boxes of ammuni 
lion were opened, instead of finding car- 
tridges there were a half dozen bricks in 
each box, the ammunition having been re- 
moved. Each box was supposed to have 
contained 1,000 rounds, while a seized trunk 
of ammunition was found to be short 2,400 
rounds. — Houston Post. 



A New Era for Mexico 

To the man of vision and luresight recent 
developments in Mexico have presaged a 
speedy return to complete peace and the be- 
ginning of a nev/ era of commercial and 
industrial progress. The recent report of 
trade' conditions has shown that, despite in- 
ternal strife and political clashes, the country 
is possessed of an amazing vitality and seem- 
ingly limitless resources. The Mexican peo- 
ple have learned a bitter and costly lesson 
from the three years of conflict and disorder 
that were ushered in by the Madero revolu- 
tion. Their leaders also have learned that 
certain needed economical reforms must be 
inaugurated if the future peace of the coun- 
try is to be assured. 

These reforms could never come by revo- 
lution but they will come by natural evo- 
lution. It is not too much to expect that the 
tragic experiences of the Mexican nation in 
the last few years may really prove a bless- 
ing in opening the eyes of the people to the 
advantages of peace and order and inform- 
ing the world of the greatness as well as 
the problems of the Mexican Nation. 



Obstructionists 

The so-called Constitutionalists have shown 
their real calibre and have come out in their 
true colors by refusing to participate in- the 
forthcoming elections or to abide by their 
results. First it was Huerta they didn't like, 
then. Felix Diaz, next Gamboa and now the}- 
say that nobody will satisfy them as Presi- 
dent of Mexico except — e.xcept — why. of 
course, one of their little group of Maderist 
malcontents. 

It has been unfortunate for Mexico that 
this group has fooled the Washington Ad- 
ministration as long as it has, with its cun- 
ningly concocted rigmarole of thwarted 
democratic ideals, and autocratic usurpation, 
its bloodcurdling Ties. They would swear 
away the reputation of every man in Mexico 
as long as the Washington Administration 
was receptive. But they have cried "Wolf" 
so often that naturally little or no attention 
can be paid to them much longer and their 
present puerile obstructionist tactics will not 
avail against the logical course of events. 
Yes, it begins to look as if Mexico were rid 
of that Maderist crowd of troublemakers 
for all time. 



The Last Legs of the Rebellion 

(icneral Ilucrta, through the Foreign Oflice, has 
sent to the legations and embassies' the following : 

"The revolution is practically suppre^ed. Mili- 
tary operations, properly speaking, will not ha\e 
further importance. All that Is lacking, which the 
Government is proceeding to do, is to locate suf- 
ficient troops in such a way as to control the 
northern States which arc in rebellion. The elec- 
tion will take' place, because the Government so 
promised to the nation on April 1. The Govern- 
ment is resolved to give guarantees to all candi- 
dates. Already there are two tickets • for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President, Diaz and Uequena and 
Gamboa and Rascon, and there is some talk of 
Calero and Flores Magon," 



Subscribe to "Mexico" 



Saturday, October 7, /p/ ? 



MEXICO 



THE NEW AGRARIAN LAW 

As Explained by Its Framer, Ex-Minister of Finance Esquivel Obregon 



III llu-ir efforts to mislead American pub- 
lic opinion, Maderist juntas and press agents 
Iiave obtained the co-operation of that por- 
tion of the press which through patriotic or 
other motives has endeavored to justify 
President Wilson's attitude toward the Mexi 
can Government. For well-nigh eight months 
it has been dinned into our ears that the 
Huerta Government is that of a military 
dictator sustained in power by bayonets, un- 
mindful of the people's needs. That the 
mainspring of the new Maderist revolution 
lieaded by Carranza — and a few others — is 
a determination on the part of worthy 
patriots to give the people of Mexico an op- 
portunity for realizing their just aspirations 
which have long been repressed. That the 
Huerta Government represents special privi- 
lege and, even in the message delivered to 
Congress by President Wilson, that there is 
no probability of the restoration of peace 
in the distracted Republic except by force 
of arms. 

The impression sought to be conveyed is 
that no effort is being made by the Huerta 
Government to satisfy the legitimate needs 
of the people,- among which is that of ob- 
taining a lair distribution of land. 

In view of all this misrepresentation, with 
which our readers are undoubtedly familiar, 
it is pertinent to give here an explanation 
of the bill for the subdivision of land 
recommended by the Mexican Executive. 
The bill was framed by Mr. Torribio 
Esquivel Obregon, lately Minister of Finance, 
and presented to the Mexican Congress witli 
an earnest request by President Huerta him- 
self that it be given prompt consideration. 

After reviewing some of the causes of the 
first revolution and referring to those men 
whose activities had been curtailed by some 
unwise economical policies of the Diaz Gov- 
ernment, Mr. Esquivel Obregon says : 

"These men. looking for support, went 
then among the masses, aroused the indif- 
ference of the working men, offering them 
liberty and justice, without realizing how 
these words would be understood, and 
promised, besides, a distribution of land and 
an increase of wages. 

"It was not, then, the lower class tlial 
made the revolution. Now as always, and in 
Mexico as in all other parts of the world, 
tlie lower class is an inert mass moved by 
the agitators. 

"Neither the agitators nor the people were 
animated by a desire for justice or eager- 
ness for the triumph of human rights. In 
fact, upon the success of the revolution, the 
former sought opportunities in the field of 
liusiness, while the most sanguinary and 
hideous injustices predominated wherever the 
people were not under the control of au- 
thority. 

"Many of the men who are revolutionists 
would be unable to keep in their possession 
a piece of land given them to cultivate, be- 



cause to keep it they must have a deep senti- 
ment of attachment to the soil, and the 
moral stamina to enable them to work perse- 
vcringly and to obtain the necessary credit 
to work their land. 

"How^ever, there is no doubt that the revo- 
lution is a perverted manifestation of 
energies which properly applied could be 
converted into factors of national welfare, 
and it is therefore necessary to guide them 
into the right channels. 

"It is necessary to assist all those without 
means to cope successfully with conditions. 
As they have neither money nor individual 
credit — and this can hardly be established 
with the present banking system — it is indis- 
pensable that the public credit should come 
to the assistance of all those who wish to 
co-operate with perseverance in the most 
important national development: that of 
subdivision of land, of improving methods of 
cultivation and of colonization. 

"This is the object of the projected law 
wliich I presented to Congress. The work- 
ings of this law and its effects can be briefly 
explained as follows : 

"Whoever wishes to acquire a certain 
ranch or farm with the intent to subdivide 
it, will first come to an understanding with 
its owner in regard to the price and will 
then apply to the Government to obtain in 
bonds the sum corresponding to the price 
of the property. The Government will pro- 
ceed to the valuation of the ranch and if 
the report from the experts appointed for 
the purpose and from other commercial 
sources is favorable, the Government will 
deliver to the original owner tlie purchase 
price in bonds — payable in twenty-five years 
and bearing interest at five per cent. This 
with the condition that the buyer pay first 
to the Government in cash ten per cent, of 
the value of these bonds to form a special 
fund for small rural credits. 

"Tlie buyer will acquire clear title to the 
property, but this will be mortgaged to the 
Government as guarantee, together with the 
ten per cent, in cash, that the division of 
the property will be duly made and that both 
the face value of the bonds and the interest 
will be duly paid. 

"The buyer will subdivide the property ac- 
cording to the rules established by law. Tlie 
mortgage held by the Government will lie 
divided in as many parts as those in wdiich 
the land will be divided, and each subsequent 
buyer or colonist will be indebted to the 
Gi'vernment for that proportional part of 
the original cost corresponding to his land, 
while the difference between the original cost 
and the price at which the colonist buys the 
lot, will be represented by a second mortgage 
held by the first buyer. Tlie time for pay- 
ment on each lot will be the same as deter- 
mined for the payment of the bonds, twenty- 
five years, and the interest payable to the 
Government at five per cent, a year. 



"The fund created with the ten per cent, 
guarantee that all buyers or "fractioning 
companies" must pay to the Government will 
be used to extend to the colonists necessary 
credit and assistance, according to a special 
law that will be promulgated and that will 
take special care to exclude all political 
influence from tlie management of such 
fund. 

"This system will produce the following 
results : 

"It will give the present landowner the 
opportunity to dispose of his agricultural 
property in exchange for bonds bearing livi 
per cent, interest. 

"The Government will not suffer any loss, 
since the value of the bonds as well as the 
interest on same will be guaranteed by first 
mortgage on the property and by the ten 
|)er cent, in cash. 

"If any probability of loss must be ad- 
mitted, this would be very small and it is a 
risk which the Government should accept 
without hesitation for the general welfare of 
the country and because the increase in agri- 
cultural production — as a consequence of the 
subdivision of land — would largely compen- 
sate the Government for any eventual loss. 

"The buyer, or 'fractioning company,' will 
have ample encouragement because, buying at 
a comparatively low price large extensions 
of land, it can sell it with great profit at 
the increased price of small tracts, without 
losing while the operation is in force the 
income from the ten per cent, paid to the 
Government. This because on one hand he 
would receive the dividends derived from 
the use of the special fund for small rural 
credits, and, on the other, he could im- 
mediately negotiate the certificates which he 
would receive upon making the said pay- 
ment and at the end of twenty-five years he 
— or his representatives — could collect the 
said amount. 

"Tlie colonist would obtain land at very 
favorable terms, as he would have twenty- 
five years in which to pay its cost in instal- 
ments and would have to pay only five 
per cent, interest, an extremely low rate, 
almost unknown in our country. In this 
way there will be created a great incentive 
for all enterprising men who wish to devote 
themselves to a profitable business. Each 
one will devote his energies to the most 
practical solution of the subdivision of land 
instead of concocting schemes of political 
regeneration that are undermining our 
wealth and our character. 

"As it is not possible that everywhere in 
our territory where there is good land and 
abundant water, there will be found Mexi- 
cans who will be willing to buy land, the 
'fractioning companies' will endeavor to use 
the best means for the establishment of 
foreign colonization. This until now has not 
been successful owing to the fact that 
colonizing companies have sought only the 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 4, igij 




Slowly, but with a certainty that indicates 
tlie light is breaking in on them, the Wash- 
ington legislators are approactiing the view 
that the Mexican Government should be 
recognized. Indeed, many of them have held 
this view since the historic Gamboa message. 
Xow there is a general feeling that the light 
should be turned on the whole proposition 
from the beginning to its present stage. 

The Administration Senators and Repre- 
sentatives — of the latter there are few, it 
may be said — hold to the Administration 
view that the whole diplomatic conduct in 
tlie situation has been exactly correct in 
detail. They include in their approval Wil- 
liam Bayard Hale, and Lind. Senator 
"Billy" Hughes, and his colleague. Senator 
"Jim" Martine, the two New Jersey Repre- 
sentatives, shout it from the housetops of 
the city and announce it in the streets — and 
other places. The Administration cannot 



err! Even if it did, say they, the error is 
on the right side — north of the Rio Grande. 

The seeming finality of the Hughes- 
Martine cocktail of opinion — from New 
Jersey — carries little weight beyond the 
avoirdupois of the two sturdy and rotund 
proteges of President Wilson — for their seats 
in the Senate were made possible through the 
Wilson influence as Governor of New Jersey. 
That fact, of course, had no part in the 
shaping of the Hughes-Martine opinion. 
Singular ! Two lusty mouthpieces. 

Senator John Sharp Williams, one of the 
aljlest men in the Senate mentally, but sadly 
liandicapped by physical ailments, opposes the 
Hughes-Martine view. He took some of the 
cocksureness out of Senator Hughes a few 
days ago Ijy a statement made with all the 
Williams vigor of tone. 

"I think," he said, "the attitude of the Ad- 
ministration is the most remarkable diplo- 



matic incident in my twenty years in Con- 
gress. I have yet to hear a definite explana- 
tion to account for it. It looks as if we 
are innocent of diplomatic usage. Plain 
moralists, birch rod in hand, poised to 
trounce those whom we think violate our 
code of ethics. I have no delicate scruples 
as to stating my position and I will say now 
that when the question of Mexico comes be- 
fore us in the Senate I will express my 
opinion of this diplomatic affair." 

Representative Herman A. Metz, of Brook- 
lyn Borough, New York City, has positive 
ideas on the subject of Mexico. He dis- 
cussed it earnestly with Representatives 
Foley, Goldfogle and Griffin, of New York, 
and several others, recently in Washington. 
Said Metz ; "What are we running, a gov- 
ernment or a Sunday-school? I am sick and 
tied of all this tomfoolery. Where are we 
getting to, anyhow? Have we set up in the 
business of creating a moral code for the 
rest of the world, and having made it to 
our own satisfaction are we going to crowd 
it down the throats of other nations by 
force of arms? Looks like a case of the 
Bible in one hand and an ax in the other. 
If I had anything to do with it the country 



THE NEW AGRARIAN LAW— Continued 



payment from the Government of so much 
per head on the colonists they have imported. 
But if these same companies were seeking 
reliable buyers for their lands they would 
exercise spcial care in the selection of use- 
ful agricultural workers. 

"The Government will not be compelled 
to seek foreign loans or contract any in- 
debtedness that will weigh on the tax-payers, 
and, instead of immobilizing circulating 
capital with the purchase of lands, the rural 
property will be mobiliccd and there will be 
created in considerable quantity the circula- 
tion of negotiable securities with a guaran- 
teed and fixed value. 

".Ml economical difficulties are to be found 
in the obstruction to the circulation of 
wealth and the economical problem is a 
problem of circulation of wealth. This being 
so, the solution given to the agrarian prob- 
lem by the law presented by me to Con- 
gress is scientific in the best-accepted mean- 
ing of the word, increasiiig as it does the 
circulation of wealth. It puts in movement 
what to-day seem fatally immovable and, 
besides, instead of seeking the solution of 
the thousands of problems with thousands 
of details for each locality comprised in 
the agrarian question of our country with 
a rigid law purporting to regulate every- 
thing, it invites and stimulates individual 
initiative. It also furnishes this initiative 
with ample means to solve individual ca^es, 
adapting itself to the inlinitc requirements 
of varying conditions. 

"The projected law presented to the Mexi- 
can Congress contained- the following re- 
marks and provisions : 

"1st. If, as is probal)le, the real cause of 
the revolution is economic, the conditions by 
which it has been engendered arc derived at 



the same time from two opposite directions. 
On the one hand, from the landowners on 
account of their inability to pay the enor- 
mous indebtedness which weighs on their 
land. Indebtedness which in the majority 
of cases bears an interest higher than the 
average profit derived from the land under 
the system of management of "latifundiae." 
In these conditions the landowner is anxious 
to sell his property, but on account of lack 
of money on the part of that class which 
wishes to buy, he cannot sell it. 

"On the other hand, in the middle and 
lower classes there are many who can no 
longer satisfy the necessities of life with 
the daily wage which cannot be increased 
because the land does not produce suffi- 
ciently in the hands of its present owners. 
These men are an.xious to buy land but 
cannot do it for lack of money. 

"Both classes are desperately struggling, 
possessing interests which in appearance are 
opposite but which in reality are the same. 
What is lacking is an intermediary able to 
conciliate them. 

"This law purports to create this inter- 
mediary. 

"2d. The financial elements used for the 
acquisition of lands must have no other limit 
than the possibility itself to acquire the 
lands to be subdivided and there must be 
no necessity to resort — at least directly — to 
foreign credit subject to fluctuations and 
delays. 

"3d. There must be avoided as much as 
possible the necessity for the Government to 
increase with new expenditures the service 
of its indebtedness, so that the condition of 
the taxpayers will not be aggravated. 

"4th. The interest weighing on land prop- 
erties must vary between 5 and 6 per cent., 
and not exceed this limit. 



"Sth. Acquired rights must be respected 
scrupulously and in all cases the conditions 
mentioned before must be taken in considera- 
tion in order to proceed with equity and by 
means of contracts, because it cannot be 
expected that peace can be the result of 
injustice or violence. 

"6th. If it is desired that the subdivision 
of property be put in eiTect speedily, wisely 
and according to the requirements of each 
locality, it is indispensable to create every- 
where inducements for individual interest 
and initiative, which is the most potent social 
force than can be brought into play. 

"7th. The acquisition of land by indi- 
viduals who are not interested in agricultural 
development must be avoided. Their only 
aim would be — having purchased a tract of 
land — to resell it as quickly as possible and 
spend its price \vith detriment to their own 
morals and with no advantage to the public 
wealth. 

"Sth. If land only should be furnished, 
and not the possibility of ol^taining honestly 
the means to cultivate it, the work would be 
incomplete, and tlie law must provide also 
for this necessity. 

"The national credit would lie the inter- 
mediary between the large landholder who 
wishes to dispose of his property and the 
man who, with his family, wishes to acquire 
a tract of land to cultivate it. This by 
means of the Government's guarantee of 
the bonds issued by the "fractioning com- 
panies" or by the Government itself, to 
cover the cost of the properties. 

"These bonds would be guaranteed by 
tlie first mortgage and by the Government 
itself, so that they would always figure 
among the best of Mexican securities." 



Saturday, October /, /<^/J 



MEXICO 



LOBBYGRAMS Continued 

would Iiavo 1)fi-n rid of this Mexican ein- 
Iiarrassmtnt montlis ago. What have we to 
do witli the kilhng of the Maderos? What 
iiave we to do with Huerta? Mexico is 
Mexico, and that is all there is to it. Let's 
recognize the Government and get through 
vvitli tliis tiresome Inisiness." 



PROGRESS IN MEXICO 



'Die United States Commissioner of Elec- 
tions in Mexico is wondering whether he 
will he ahle to cope with the situation on 
election day. Being a New 'S'orker, he has 
had considerahle experience in contested 
elections. It is understood he was a Hearst 
worker in the Mayoralty election of 1905, 
and was one of the several hundred Hearst 
men heaten up in that struggle. On that 
occasion he barely saved himself and two 
others from death at the hands of the Tam- 
many guerillas. If he can prevent murder 
in Mexico at the elections he will consider 
he lias earned Uncle Sam's promise to pay 
some time in the future. Viva the Commis- 
sioner ! 

"Uncle Joe" Cannon was in Washington 
the other day looking over his old seat in 
llie House, to which he expects, in the 
whirligig of jiolitics, to lie returned by his 
Constituents in Illinois next year. "Uncle 
Joe" discussed the political issues of the 
day in the old-time Cannon-like style. Tarifl, 
currency and platforms as viewed by the 
-Administration, called for Cannon sarcasm. 
He was asked about Mexico. 

'"T tliink I hear the school bell tolling," 
said the former Speaker of the House, with 
twinkling eyes. Drawing out his watch he 
exclaimed, "Goodness ! It's luncheon time. 
Mexico! Well, out in Danville, when I 
was a boy, if two lads got into a scrap we 
usually' let them have it out till one or the 
other quit. The schoolmaster sometimes 
interfered, and sometimes he got a drubbing. 

"I fear those good old times are past. 
The schoolmaster now carries an army with 
him. Let us make over the whole world, 
restrict everybody's drinking to diluted grape 
juice and sterilize the blood of the human 
race and thus rid it of the fighting germ." 

Loi>kin,g at his watch again, the former 
Speaker said : "Shucks ! I almost forgot I 
have a special engagement with the school- 
master," and he walked awav chuckling at 
his joke. 



Inside Information 

Constitutionalist representativo.s lu'ic. wlipn 
shown this statement to-day, said it is merol.v 
a part of an attempt on the part ot Iliicrta to 
sliow that he is maliiug great progress, with the 
purpose of lending an air of legality to any 
elections which may he held. They said that a 
reaction from this activity will come in a few 
days. Reports sent here hy American consuls 
show the falsity of the claim that the backhone 
of the revolution has been broken, they said. — 
Washington .S'(oi', 

Here is some news. It was not known 
before that the "Constitutionalists" in Wash- 
in.gton had access to the consular reports re- 
ceived by the State Department. 



The Mexican Government has presented 
to Congress a bill for the establishment of 
a committee of some of the most noted 
business men and lawyers of Mexico to pass 
upon the claims presented by foreigners for 
damages suffered during the revolution. Sev- 
eral meetings had previously been held in the 
Department of Foreign Relations for the 
purpose of determining ways and means of 
reaching a prompt solution, foreign dijilo- 
mats having been invited by the Government 
to participate at these meetings. 

The committee's decisions on the validity 
and value of claims will l)e based on general 
jirinciples of equity, shorn of super- 
fluous judicial formulas and will be ren- 
dered within a determined period of time, it 
being understood that its decisions will not 
establish judicial precedent. The Government 
has decided upon this speedy and unusual 
course of adjusting all claims to give patent 
proof of its friendly attitude to all for- 
eigners who co-operate with it in tlic de- 
velopment of the country. 

Mexico has entered into an agreement 
with Great Britain allowing the navigation 
of merchant vessels in the Bay of Chatumal 
and on the Hondo River. 

The total income of Mexican consulates 
during the fiscal year 1912-1913 was $988,- 
626.76, with a total expenditure of $541,055.25. 
leaving a balance in favor of the National 
treasury of $-147,571.41, Mexican currency, 
an increase over the previous year of $86,- 
172.40, Mexican currency. 

The prompt and radical measures taken 
by the Mexican Government to suppress 
the yellow fever in Campeche on July last 
were most effective as only seven cases were 
recorded. 

A bill has been presented to Congress by 
the Minister of Justice creating a pension 
fund for retired magistrates. Another will 
be presented at this session creating a com- 
mission composed of members of the .Su- 
preme Court and of the bar to reform tlie 
system of Federal Courts in order to in- 
sure the absolute independence of the ju- 
diciary. 

Other bills will be presented by the Min- 
ister of Justice aiming to reform the organ- 
ization of justices of the peace and to estab- 
lish junior courts. 

Of the rudimentary schools for the edu- 
cation of the poor the establishment of 
which was approved by Congress at the 
last session, two hundred are already in op- 
eration with an attendance of ten thousand 
pupils. 

The distribution of free meals to poor 
school children has lieen thoroughly re- 
organized in the Federal District. There 
are now nineteen such places of distrilnition 
furjiishing daily 10,813 meals to pupils of 
179 schools. 

The establishment of a minimum wage, ob- 
tained through the good offices of the De- 
partment of Labor at a convention of man- 



ufacturers and working men. lias proven 
beneficial to tlic development of industry. 
New cotton mills have been started and 
several factories that had closed have reopened. 

The Department of Labor has successfully 
arbitrated in the settlement of several strikes. 
The Government has established a special 
statistical office to compile data on laboi 
throughout the Republic in order to reform 
the laws affecting human labor. It has also 
iintiated tlie establishment of Chambers ot 
Labor, two of them being already in opera- 
tion in two different States. These Cham- 
l)ers of Labor will be under the supervision 
of a central organization known as tlu 
.\cadcniy of Social Reforms. 

The Department of Interior is about to 
prestnt a bill providing for the building 
of workingmen's homes at a low cost on 
easy terms, and for the exemption of these 
houses from any legal attachment. Also 
for a life insurance arrangement by which 
the ownership will be vested in the family 
of the workingman in case of his death. 

A delegate was appointed to the conven- 
tion of the International Association of La- 
bor and another is now- in the United States 
studying laws and customs for the protec- 
tion of chilli labor. 

Mexico was represented at the Statistical 
Congress, which met in \'ienna in .Septem- 
ber, and will be represented at the Inter- 
national Convention for the Prevention of 
Strikes, to be held in Ghent. 

The dredging of the Panuco River has 
been going on for some time and several 
oil companies have obtained from the Gov- 
ernment concessions for private docks on 
this river. The work of improving the 
port of Guaymas had been started recently 
and is progressing. 

The Mexican Congress has under consider- 
ation contracts for the repair and improve- 
ment in the works of the harlior of \'era 
Cruz and for the construction of a dry- 
dock in the same harbor. Also contracts for 
the enlargement of the port of Manzanillo 
and for the establishment of modern water 
and sewerage systems in the City of Man- 
zanillo, San Pedrito and Cuyutlan. 

During tlie last fiscal year the length of 
Mexican railroads was increased 111 kilo- 
meters and contracts have been awarded for 
the construction of several minor branch 
lines, besides a very important contract to a 
Belgian company for the construction of five 
thousand kilometers of railroads. 

Mexico has at present 2,769 postoffices, 
which handled in the last fiscal year 101,000,- 
920,217 pieces of mail. 

The Mexican regular army is at present 
composed of 182 generals, 1,081 chiefs of bat- 
tallions, 5,537 ofiicers and 84,985 privates, a 
total of 91,785 men. 

Under the Department of the Interior there 
are, besides, 10,000 rural policemen, 4,00;) 
city policemen and 16,200 regional State mi- 
litia, making a total of 30,200 men. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October _/, igij 




Sob Statesmanship 

Sob statc-sinansliip over the dispiiK-d man- 
ner of the death of Madero has nearly run its 
course and has lieen superseded by a conjec- 
ture that maybe he got aliout what was com- 
ing to him. 

Under General Portirio Diaz, Mexico was 
prosperous, and American life and property 
were safe. That the rule of the old soldier 
was inevitably drastic and sometimes bor- 
dered on the tyrannical may not be denied, 
but he knew his countrymen and knew that 
Anglo-Saxon methods of control could not 
be pursued successfully with them. The mur- 
derers and bandits taken in the act were not 
accorded the privileges of a preliminary ex- 
amination, and an indictment, and a demurrer 
to the indictment, and a motion to strike out, 
and a change of venue, and a continuance, 
and peremptory challenges, and ol)jection to 
evidence, and a motion for a new trial and 
an appeal. 

They were simply stood up against an 
adobe wall and shot with the purpose of do- 
vng substantial justice. 

There is now no sympathy for the Madero 
family in Mexico, and no disposition to place 
any member of it in power. Mexico remem- 
bers the 100,000 lives lost in the three years' 
strife that commenced when the powerful Ma- 
dero family entered Mexican political life. 
They call to mind the depletion of the Na- 
tional Treasury and the prostration of Na- 
tional credit which occurred under A'ladero's 
rule. 

They recollect the score of young cadets 
of the military school, all under age, and of 
good families, who in the beginning of the 
ten days' fight which preceded the overthrow 
of Madero, were, liy orders of Madero and 
his brother, shot down in the patio of the Na- 
tional Palace without even the semblance of a 
trial. They do not forget that forty Mexi- 
cans of good families were by Madero's or- 
ders summarily executed without trial ; and 
while they may not approve of the process by 
which Madero himself was rendered unable to 
perpetrate further atrocities, they remark that 
"He who takes the sword shall perish hy the 
sword," and shed no tears for the fate of 
I'rancisco I. Madero. 

It was reserved for President Wilson to 
grow maudlin over the fate of Madero, to ac- 
cept without investigation and without proof 
the statement of the rich Madero family that 
President. Hucrla was personally responsible 
for a sudden and unwarranted removal of 
Madero, and jumped to the conclusion 
that it was his duty to ignore or defy the law 
of nations and to refuse that recognition of 
Huerta as provisional President which was 
Ijromptly accorded by Great I'ritain, and (icr- 
many, and France, and Austria-Hungary, and 
I'.clgium, and Dcnmark,^^nd Spain, and Hol- 
land, and Italy, and Portugal, and Russia, and 
Switzerland, and ("hina. and Japan, and Tur- 
key, and several South .\mcr!can nations. 

President Wilson, with no other authority 



than that derivotl from his unwarranted im- 
perturbalilc, egotistical confidence in his own 
greatness and wisdom and virtue, not only 
defied the law of nations Ijy refusing recog- 
nition of the dc facto Government of a neigh- 
boring and friendly nation, but he added to it 
the unparalleled impertinence of dictating that 
Huerta should not be a candidate for election 
to the Presidency of Mexico, and he crowned 
his folly Ijy directing all Americans in Mex- 
ico to run away, and promised that the United 
States would lielp them to run away — second- 
class. 

The dignified patience with which President 
Huerta has received these insults, and the 
sarcastic generosity with which he has of- 
fered to pay for fleeing Americans the dif- 
ference between a steerage and a cabin pas- 
sage are further illustrated l)y his alile and 
manly message on Tuesday last to the Mexi- 
can Congress. 

In that message he regretted that the action 
of President Wilson had caused the Mexican 
nation to suffer unmerited affliction, and had 
retarded the pacification of the country. He 
did the American people the credit of believ- 
ing that the action of their President did not 
meet with their approval. 

The splendid reception accorded to Presi- 
dent Huerta on the celebration of Mexican 
Independence in the City; of Mexico, on Tues- 
day last, offers abundant evidence that he 
possesses the confidence and esteem of his 
countrymen, and gives rise to the hope that 
the bandits who have so long desolated out 
sister Republic will be conquered in good 
time, and a rule of peace and order and pros- 
perity will result. 

The Times greatly regrets that its sense oi 
justice and fair play has required it to criti- 
cise the Mexican policy or rather impolicy of 
President Wilson. If and whenever the ex- 
igency shall arise, it will say with all patriotic 
Americans : "My country, right or wrong." 
But it does not believe that Woodrow Wilson 
is the entire country. There are others — one 
hundred million others. — Los .Angeles Times. 



An Imperialistic Policy 

The Lr.-ndon Sju\ tutor has disco\crcd that 
the Wilson Administration has adopted 
liodily the foreign policy of the Republicans 
and continued the imperialistic policy of 
Roosevelt. This is a fact tliat I have been 
endeavoring to hammer into the heads of 
Congressmen who were elected as a protest 
against the imperialistic policy. What's in a 
name? A dictator in the White House may 
be called I'ull Moose or Professor Wilson : 
tile effects upon the rights and liberfies of 
the people are the same. Forei.gn observers 
see us in bulk and note tlie tendencies to 
which w-e are blind. The Democratic Parly 
did not elect Woodrow Wilson to imitate 
Tlieodorc Roosevelt. His instructions from 
tlie voters u'cre to bring the Government 
back (o constituliiinal methods and in lie a 



President, not an Emperor. Has he con- 
formed to those instructions in domestic or 
foreign affairs? .\ Congress crouched under 
the lash all through the Summer and our 
strained relations with all the other Re- 
publics on this hemisphere, with Great 
Piritain and with Germany are answers to 
this question. 

Dear John Bull : — We can spare the Pro- 
fessor a few days to settle that Ulster trou- 
ble, if you wish. His success in China, Japan 
and Mexico shows his practical e.xpertness. 
Vours, with best wishes. 

The Military Court of Mexico, after a 
thorough investigation, which has occupied 
six months, decides that "the death of 
Madero was not brought about by a punish- 
able crime." This is good enough for 
Mexico and Europe, but not for our White 
House. Professor Wilson knows much bet- 
ter than any military court. Why, the de- 
cision actually acquits President Huerta and 
proves that "my policy" has been directed 
against a perfectly innocent man ! This will 
not do at all. The Military Court is all 
wrong. Three more cheers for the infal- 
lible Wilson! 

President Huerta was precisely riglit when 
lie discriminated between the American peo- 
ple and Professor Wilson. Our people are 
satisfied with the Huerta Administration, and 
the overwhelming proof of this is contained 
in our own official reports, which show that 
we have done more business with Mexican 
customers and producers than during any 
previous year. The increased volume of 
trade, in spite of all the obstacles wjiich the 
obstinacy of President Wilson has interposed. 
is marvelous. — Town Topics. 



U. S. Attitude in Mexico Assailed 
as An Insult 

The attitude of the United States toward 
Mexico was criticized yesterday l:)y Dwight 
Furness, for twenty-five years a resident of 
Mexico City, in an address before the Cur- 
rent Events Class of the First Congregational 
Church of Evanston. 

"President Huerta came into office legally, 
and is the rightful President," he declared. 
"The attitude of this country toward his 
Administration is a direct insult to the 
whole Mexican nation. 

"The rumor that Madero was murdered to 
make way for the Huerta .\dministration is 
absolutely false." 

Mr. Furness also praised the conduct of 
.Vmbassador Henry Lane Wilson during the 
disorder which came at the time when 
Madero was fighting tn retain the Presi- 
dency. He added : 

"The Hucrla Government is recognized by 
live-sixlbs of the population of Mexico as 
tile lawful Government, and the only ones 
who are opposed to him are the Iiandit 
chiefs, whose sole object is plunder, and 
who liave committed every crime in the 
calendar." — Chicago hitcr-Occaii. 



Saturday, October _/, i(^i J 



MEXICO 



11 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 



or tlic Aiiifi'k'iiu refugi'i'S iiirlvin,s; to-day on 
tiM-ir \\;\\ to till' I'liitwl Stiites a nunihcr formerly 
wiTi' well to do. Tlioy are now ijouniloss. Jlost 
ot till? toreiKDiM-s also liiivp left the State of Du- 
r;iii;;o. accordinj; to tlie refugees, who say that 
till' rebels rol) Mexicans and foreigners indiscriin- 
inatcly. Some ranehes were looted so often that 
absolutely nothing portable remains. 

There has been a great deal of talk about "rec- 
ognition." The dictionary meaning of the word 
is : Formal acknowledgment that one knows or 
accepts something, as, the reco.gnition of one State 
by another" ; hut it is said that in diplomacy 
the term has a wider meaning, and it is assi'rted 
that in the present ca.se there lias been "recog- 
nition." 

It is a lilth' bar.l to understand, except in an 
academic way. exactly what is the practical dif- 
fei-ence between a de facto government and a de 
jure government, so long as the do facto govern- 
iiii-nt is in actual possession and exercise of the 
functions of government. 

The iJoint is made tliat, though denying "recog- 
nition" to the Iluerta (iovermuent in Mexico, the 
present Administration at Washington ha.s. as a 
luatter of fact, given "recognition" to Iluerta, 
in its official correspondence, in the maintenance 
of the Embassy, in the conferences of the I'n'si- 
■ leiifs confidential agent. Air. Lind, with Iluerta 
ill his official residence and in other wa.vs. 

'I'he only anthority in Mexico with wliic'.i the 
Iriited States has been in communication is the 
Iluerta Government. That in itself is very sig- 



It is admitted by the authorities li.Te that 
Iluerta controls the most iJoi)ulous and progres- 
sive part of Mexico, and that within his zone lie 
exi-rcises practicall.v undisputed authority. Tlie 
territory lying outside his sphere of influence is 
larger in extent, hut it is undeveloped and has 
not counted for very much in the building up of 
Mi'xico except in the way of being attractive lor 
tile exploitation of outside promoters and fiu- 
revolution. 

This territory is lield liy the revolutionists, 
with whom the (lovcrnmeut at Washington has 
nt't been in diplomatic communication, and to 
whom It has refused recognition as belligerents. 

It is said that the Constitutionalists will not 
take part in the October elections and will not 
recognize the results of these elections : but will 
continue in Ibeir present course, and that will 
make anorher embarrassing situation for both 
.\uiericans and Mexicans. — Philadelphia I'uhlh- 

Porfirio Diaz 

.\ftcr tliirty \c;ir,s of almost aiitocriitic 
rule, Porl'irio Diaz went into exile in order 
that his {ellovv-countrymcn might experiment • 
witli a supposed government of the people 
liy the people. In his absence the Mexican 



drifted 



the rocks. 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

\Vc invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Wm. L. Bass, Mgr. 



The c-\pcrimenl was a hopeless failure from 
the heginning, not only because the strength 
of Francisco Madero, who could tear down 
))Ut not build, was pitifully unequal to the 
prodigious tasU, liut also iiccause the only 
idea of freedom possessed by so many 
Mexicans is to get wdiat they want when 
they want it, regardless of la\V or the rights 
of others. Under the provisional rule of 
an old soldier, who was one of the trusted 
lieutenants of President Diaz, a semblance 
of order has been established in the rcpulilic. 
The continued verbal activity of the Bom- 
bastes Furioso of the north, wdio threatens 
to kill without trial any Mexican who dares 
to vote for a President without his per- 
mission, proves nothing more to the con- 
tr.'iry than the persistent exag.geration of 
tlie internal trouliles by .Americans who 
have wickedly aimed to create a senti- 
ment in this country in favor of interven- 
tion. 

-\n election under the forms of law is 
to be held in Mexico next month, and 
Gen. Diaz has been invited to return to his 
native land in an advisory capacity. He has 
entered upon his eighty-fourth year, but he 
is still the ablest, wisest, and most influential 
of living Mexicans. There are indications 
innumerable that a great majority of 
thou,ghtful and law-abiding Mexican citizens 
now fee! that tlieir country would be much 
better off if he had never been forced to 
resign. Many needed reforms, such as the 
institution of equitable land taxes, could 
have been secured under his rule. Nothing 
for the good of Mexico has lieen accom- 
plished in his absence. Whoever may l)e 
elected President in October, the Mexican 
outlook will be brighter with aged Don 
Porfirio back in his old home. — New ^'ork 
Times. September 29. 



Coming Out of Mexico 



I'or 



tb. 



have lieen coming out of Mexico as fast as they 
could make their arrangements to reach some 
point of embarkation. They have come from the 
Mexican ports on United States transports, on 
other sailing vessels, and have crowded the rail- 
ways where such transportation was possible. In 
some instances the desire has been .so great to get 
out of the country that long trips have been made 
overland, as in the case of the refugees from Tor- 
reon. who were reported captured by ronstitution- 
alists, but who finally showed up at Saltlllo. in the 
State of Coahuila. unhurt. 

.\sk these refugees why they cauK' out ot Mex- 
ico and nine cnit of ten of them will declare it 



was on account of tlie vague mystery embodied in 
the warning of President Wilson. The majority 
of these people resided in sections remote from 
any active communication with the outside world, 
on account of the destruction of the railway traf- 
fic of the Ucpublic. Tliey have had no mail or 
telegraph facilities and were ignorant of wiiat 
was transpiring in the outside world and when 
the warning to come out of Mexico was given 
them by consular representatives of the Tnlted 
States they hastened to comply, because they wi'ri' 
led to believe tliat something was about to happen. 
These refugees from the Interior of Mexico will 
also tell you that they were treated with the ut 
most consideration by both ot the warring fac 
tions in Mexico — that they were under no appre- 
hension of danger under existing conditions, and 
that as a matter of fact they only consented to 
leave the country and all their personal belong 
ings because they were led to apprehend that some- 
thing was about to happen in the direction of 
eventualities between the United States and Jlex 
ico that might render their remaining in that 
country dangerous. They acted upon this as 
sumption and have come out of .Mexico, and they 
are much surprised upon their arrival in tlie 
United States to find that there is apparently 
nothing in the develoinnents to warraiit appre 
Iiension of any trouble between the country ol 
their nativity and the country of their adoption. 
They have found the Wilson warning nothing 
more in reality than the repetition of the Taft in- 
junction for every American in Mexico to make 
a run for the border as an evidence of -\nierican 
good will for Mexico. Naturally, there is more 
or less resentment exiiressed, and some of the 
language employed is not at all complimentary to 
the Wasliington Administration. — El Paso Times. 



Perfectly Safe 



It appeared from a ssage i-i-eeivecl Iiere by 

the Methodist Einscopal Church I'.oard of F.ireign 
Missions from Dr. ,Tohn W. Butler, Superinteiidenl 
of its mi.ssion in Mexico Cit.v, that .Vmerieaii 
missionaries of all denominations were reluctant 
to leave Mexico. Acting im this information, the 
Methodist Episcopal Church Board of I'oreign 
Missions and the I'resbyterian Board of Foreign 
.Missions have instructed their missionaries in 
Mexico to use their own discretion. 

C. .1. King, who came in from Mexico last even 
ing via Eagle I'ass. said : "(Juite a number of 
.Vinericans have been frightened out of Mexico 
and will return to find everything they possess<'d 
gone. They mistook for |n-eparations for inter- 
vention this (iovernmeut's plea, for hidplessiiess 
to protect them, when they would have been per- 
fectly safi- in r.iiiaiiiing in .Mexico." — El I'aso 



il!y Mexican Cable to the New York lliiiihl.t 
-Mexico City, Mexico, via Galveston. Texas. Sun- 
day. September 2.S. — Iteports received at the War 
Department to-night are to the effect that the 
rebels in Chihuahua have been routed with a 
heavy loss of life and are now in full retreat 
toward the border. The fiKhtin.g lastid two da.v.s. 
(Jeiieral Iluerta has an arm.v exceeding ninety 
thousand men, which is daily being campnigned 
into greater efficiency. 



$1.00 FOR SIX MONTHS. .. $2.00 FOR ONE YEAR. 

(Cut out tiiis order and mail it to-day.) 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE, 

15 Broad Street, New York City, 

Enclosed find $ for subscription 

to ".MEXICO,- to be sent to 



12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October ^, igij 



"MEXICO'' 

Published every Saturdax b\ 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISfflNG SERVICE 

ManaeiriB Ediloi, Thomas O'Halloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $200 



TO ADVERTISERS: 

We offer a distinctive medium going to the 
best class of bi-.yers in the United States and 
Latin-American countries. 

Send for rates to 
UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

IS Broad Street. New York 



No Muzzling 

"Mexico," a weekly publication interpreting 
the sentiment and opinion of Americans 
interested in fostering friendly and mutually 
advantageous relations between the United 
States and Mexico, has. freely criticized 
President Wilson's Mexican policy. 

As editor of "Mexico," I wish respectfully 
to reply to some of Ihe' statements made by 
Secretary of the Navy Daniels, speaking be- 
fore the Indiana members of the Associated 
Press. 

He deplored the fact that many American 
newspapers have seen lit to criticize, even 
frankly and honestly, the stand taken by 
President Wilson toward Mexico. Such 
criticism of Administration policies should, 
he thought, be restricted to internal matters 
and should stop "at the water's edge." The 
world should know, he contended, that any 
stand taken by the President in a matter of 
foreign relations is supported unquestion- 
ingly by an undivided people, who, if neces- 
sary, would execute it by force of arms. He 
intimated that the press or individuals giv- 
ing any different impression to the world 
were disloyal and impatriotic. 

As to the press-muzzling purpose of the 
Secretary's speech, I shall remark only that 
it is the first attempt of any Administration 
to restrict the cherished freedom of the 
press. The attempt will, of course, not suc- 
ceed and will meet with the condemnation 
it deserves. As to the Adininistration's evi- 
dent resentment of criticism, I suggest : 

That frank and honest criticism of any 
stand taken by the President of the United 
.States which involves the destiny of one 
hundred million people is necessary for the 
safe conduct of popular government and 
should be welcomed l)y a broad-gauged- and 
well-intentioned .Xdminist ration. 

That a national sense of justice deman<ls 
free and frank discussion of our relations 
with other countries, anrl that this sense of 
justice is not incompatible with the purest 
palriiitism. the most intelligent loyally. 

Thai any L'nited Slates policy l.uvard 
Mexico affects directly the welfare an<l 
pri)perly of thousands of Americans in 



^Mexico and other thousands who have com- 
mercial or social connections there. There- 
fore it cannot be altogether a foreign policy 
anil is in a large degree an internal one. 

That although Secretary Daniels' point of 
view is that press criticisms in international 
crises might on occasion make the avoidance 
of war most difficult for a peace-loving Ad- 
ministration, the fact is that much of the 
criticism directed against President Wilson's 
^Mexican policy has come from those who, 
knowing Mexican conditions and the Mexi- 
can people, have firmly believed that his 
method of handling the Mexican situation 
was most likely to result in an unnecessary 
unjust and burdensome war. Also that many 
of those who have most enthusiastically sup- 
ported the attitude of President Wilson have 
done so in the belief that it was impractical 
and the hope that it would finally bring- 
about armed intervention. 

That Mexicans as a rule interpreted Presi- 
dent Wilson's attitude toward the Mexican 
Government as unfriendly and as fore- 
shadowing intervention. Under these circum- 
stances it is perhaps well for the Adminis- 
tration and for the country that American 
papers and individuals have by their criti- 
cisms convinced the Mexicans that we as a 
people have no quarrel with them, that we 
are not their enemies. 

That in view of our increasingly close re- 
lations with the Latin-American countries it 
will help rather than hurt the interests of 
the United States if at least a portion of 
our press shows a disposition to demand 
justice and reasonableness in any stand that 
the Administration may determine to take 
toward them or any one of them. 

If there were no question of the right or 
justice of President Wilson's attitude toward 
Mexico, he -would have every true American 
citizen at his back, to war if need be, and 
there would be no occasion for the attempt 
to restrict frank and honest criticism. 

Thomas O'Halloran, 

Editor. 



Mexican Eyes 



Recognition l)y the United States is not 
required by the Mexican Government as 
far as its actual existence is concerned. 
That Government has been declared the 
Constitutional Government of the nation by 
Congress and the Supreme Court and its 
authority is not disputed except by those fol- 
lowers of the Maderos who are naturally 
disgruntled, and by bands of brigands who 
oppose it as they would oppose any consti- 
tuted authority. Recognition or no recog- 
nition, there is an established legal, recog- 
nized, actual and active Government in 
Mexico. 

United .States recognition is desirable for 
two reasons: First, it has lieen made a con- 
dition precedent to the advancing- of money 
by certain bankers ; second, ihe withholding 
of recognition has embarrassed the Govern- 
ment in its work of restoring peace and 
order by injuring its financial credit and by 
encnuraging the forces of lawlessness and 
rebellion. 

It is necessary ihal we should tr) a certain 
extent lake the Mexican point of view if 



wc w-ould see clearly the meaning- and 
\-alue of our own attitude toward Mexico. 
In our self-satisfied way, looking at events 
and results purejy from our own point of 
view, we may be led into errors that will 
produce results quite opposite from those 
intended to be procured. As an example, 
the urging of Americans to leave Mexico 
by President Wilson in his message was 
no doubt done with good intentions, but its 
practical effect was to convince both Ameri- 
cans in Mexico and, doubly so, the Mexicans 
themselves that this country had hostile in- 
tentions. Such w-asn't the case, but a little 
knowledge of things from the point of view 
below the Rio Grande would have convinced 
the .\dministration that the misinterpreta- 
tion was inevitable. So as regards recog- 
nition. We may reassure and protest to the 
Mexicans that -we are absolutely impartial, 
inspired by the finest principles and motives, 
seeking the permanent peace of Mexico in 
a friendly spirit, but when the Mexicans 
themselves see that the unmistakable effect 
of our attitude is to thwart the efforts being- 
made to bring about stable conditions in 
the country and to give every bandit chief 
a longer lease in his life of pillage and 
blackmail, we can hardly wonder that Ameri- 
can solicitude is mistaken for American in- 
terference and that President W^ilson's pro- 
nouncements of friendship are interpreted as 
thinly disguised enmity. 

If we want to be fair in dealing- with 
Mexico we must look at things as they really 
are, even to the extent occasionally of look- 
ing at them with Mexican eves. 



REWARD $1. 
LOST, STRAYED OR STOLEN. 

Has not been heard of in three weeks. 
WILLIAM— THE CONQUEROR? NO, 

COLQUITT WOULD OBJECT. 
B.-\VARD— SANS PEUR— PEUT ETRE— 

MAIS SANS REPROCHE? QUIEN 

SABE! 
HALE. 



".V PKIV.VTE OF IWUT.S." 

A STOUV OF V.\G.\BO.\'D I'LAVEUS BY A NOTED NliW.S- 
PAPER MAN. 

'■\ Pirate of Parts" is the title of a rollickin!; 
new story liy Richard Neville, well known as a 
newspaper nian, dramatic critic and philosophical 
ohserver. "A Pirate of Parts" is the Pickwickian 
term of endearment applied to the loading char- 
acter. .The hook gives the reader an insight into 
the life and actions of a strolling player ot.man.v 
parts and his merry crew of . thespians. who arc 
always ready for any dramatic effort from "Ham- 
let" to "Undo Tom's Cahin," and who, in the 
very proper holief that the world owes them a liv- 
ing, proceed hy humorously ingenious methods of 
liarnstorming to ohtain- tliatwhicli the world <iwes 
them. The story is (luaint. lunncirous and original 
and will appeal with peculiar force to those wh<i 
sympathize with the struggles to live of the --poiir 
l>layer, who struts and frets his hmu- upon X\\r 
stage, and then is heard no uiori'." 



[AILING LISTS of any business 

Ml the wiir i). Be wise Mr. Business Man, 
and Circularize fviiv ni.ui er fiiii with w hum 
)ou cjn do business through the mails. We haie evr.y- 
body's nan.u and addri-s in the world, cbssihcd acco diog 
o business, tjade or profession. Send for rates 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intellidenf Discusstao ai i/l^jOiXitk ACIalBft 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 




VOL. 1.— NO. 8. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11. 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



MEXICO and the 

OIL INTERESTS 

September 30. 
(Special to the N. Y. "Eve. Sun.") 

Deputy Qucrido Moheno introduced a 
bill to-day providing lor a Government con- 
tract for auv ther foreign loan of 50,000,UO() 
pounds to be expendeU in purchasing and 
nationalizing all petroleum properties in 
the republic. Not only Moheno but many 
men m all parties are convinced that Por- 
lirio Uiaz was overthrown by the Standard 
Oil interests because he had refused to con- 
cede pipe line and railway rights and fran- 
chises whicii would have meant an abso- 
lute monopoly ot Mexican petroleum prop- 
criies by the Rockefeller corporation. 

Tl;e majority of wcil informed Mexicans 
still believe that Madcro had the promise of 
Standard Oil aid in the revolution which 
carried him into power, and that his fail- 
ure to "deliver" before his assassination is 
at the bottom of the United States' refusal 
to recognize the Huerta administration. 

The Moheno bill provides that all dis- 
coveries of petroleum and hydrogen carbon 
mineral compounds shall in the future 
belong to the Government, even though 
they might be located on the properties of 
■private individuals. It sets forth further- 
more that the development of petroleum 
and kindred products shall be a public util- 
ity, and that to this end the Government 
shall take over all existing petroleum prop- 
erties and such other lands as may be nec- 
essary to gain a monopoly of the business 
and control the output. The President of 
the Republic is empowered to develop and 
exploit oil lands directly through contract 
or by rental to private companies. He 
must give an accounting of his transac- 
tions in this respect to Congress every six 
months, however. The proceeds of the 
proposed loan are to be devoted to paying 
for such property as the Government may 
see fit to "condemn" under the provisions 
of the act. The properties thus af?ected 
shall stand as security for the loan. 

The life of the loan is not to exceed fifty 
years and the rate of interest is fixed at a 
maximum of 5 per cent. 

( By Mexican Cable to "The Herald.") 
Mexico City, Mexico, via Galveston Tex., 
Tuesday. — Deputy Querido Moheno, speak- 
ing at last night's session of the chamber 
in support of his bill proposing the estab- 
lishment of government control over the 
petroleum industry of Mexico, declared 
that the revolutionary troubles could be 
traced to the war between the oil interests 
of the country. He added that the indus- 
try is one of the greatest in Mexico, and 
with government control a sure source of 
income could be provided, enabling Mexico 
to keep a standing army of such propor- 
tions in the field that the United States 




SENOR FEDEKICO C.WIBOA (iN MIDDLE) AND GROUP OF PROMINENT MEXICANS. 



would see the necessity of keeping hands 
oflE in Mexico, and that missions such as 
John Lind's would be conspicuous by their 
al)sence. 



Before commenting on the assertions 
contained in the above dispatches we wish 
to call the attention of our readers to the 
fact that none of fifty or more leading 
newspapers from all parts of the United 
States which we have examined published 
this news. 

The New York "Evening Sun" published 
the extensive telegram in one of the after- 
noon editions and killed it in the last edi- 
tion. The morning "Sun" did not print a 
word about it. Of the New York morning 
newspapers the "Herald" was the only one 
that carried the news, in a special from 
Mexico City, and none of those that receive 
the Associated Press service had anything 
about it. They did publish a lot of rub- 
bisli about a girl arrested as a spy in Juarez 
and many other El Pasograms, but nothing 
of the bill presented to Congress by Que- 
rido Moheno. to-day the Minister of For- 
eign Relations. Yet this bill is intended to 
make a .government monopoly of an indus- 
try in which many Americans are largely 
interested and which both in Mexico and in 
this country is believed to have had a de- 
cisive influence on the events which have 
shaken Mexico during the last three years. 

Why this silence of the Associated Press 
correspondent in Mexjco City and of the 
.'\merican newspapers in regard to an im- 
portant news item in which reference and 
allusions are made to large American oil 
companies? j 



The correspondent of the "Evening Sun" 
states that the majority of well-informed 
Mexicans believe Madero had the support 
of Standard Oil in the revolution which 
carried him into power and that his failure 
to "deliver" before his death is at the bot- 
tom of the refusal of the United States to 
recognize Huerta. This belief is shared 
to a certain extent by many persons in the 
United States. Reference has been made 
from time to time in a few newspapers of 
this country to the supposed participation 
of Standard Oil in the Mexican turmoil. 

A few days ago several papers carried a 
story from Washington stating that Huer- 
ta's representatives in Washington had re- 
ceived an extract of an interview published 
in "El Pais," of Mexico City, referring to 
this same subject. According to the story 
a rich landowner of the State of Jalisco 
upon his return from San Antonio had de- 
clared that the manager of the Standard 
Oil for the Southwestern district had told 
him revolutions would continue in Me.xico 
until his company succeeded in acquiring 
full control of the oil wells in Mexico. 
That Standard Oil had protected the Ma- 
derist movement and opposed that of 
Reyes for this reason and that Standard 
Oil would lend the Huerta Government tvvo 
hundred million pesos if it could obtain 
the concessions it w-anted. That they 
would, besides, pay Hyi cents tax per bar- 
rel instead of the 5 cents tax which is now 
being paid by the British interests and 
guarantee recognition by the United States, 
as the Company controls the United States 
Senate. 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



Oil Interests (continued) 

Finally that Standard Oil would not rest 
until Mexico had a president who would -do 
exactly what S. O. wished. 

This interview — published in "El Pais" — 
strengthened the belief of Mexicans in gen- 
eral that in effect Standard Oil was closely 
connected with their troubles. 

No evidence has ever been produced to 
prove that oil interests have supported rev- 
olutions in Mexico, for the simple reason 
that such proof would be unobtainable even 
though such moral and material support 
has been given. In matters of such import- 
ance no tracks are left. 

Well-informed people are of the opinion 
that those in Mexico and in the United 
States are in error who believe that Stan- 
dard Oil has fomented the Mexican revo- 
lution. This error is due to the fact, they 
say, of a general confusion as to the iden- 
tity 'of the Standard Oil Company and of 
the Waters-Pierce Company. 

While it is true that the Waters-Pierce 
Oil Company was still a subsidiary of the 
Standard at the time the Madero revolution 
was started, the Mexican business of the 
subsidiary company was absolutely under 
the control of the Pierce interests. 

The estrangement of the Pierce and the 
Rockefeller interests was known to these 
well-informed persons long before it be- 
came public and culminated in a suit which 
was finallj- settled out of court by an agree- 
ment that the Pierce interests would buy 
all stock owned by the Rockefeller inter- 
ests in the Waters-Pierce Company. 

The Waters-Pierce has been since reor- 
ganized under the name of the Pierce Oil 
Corporation, in which the Rothschilds are 
supposed to be heavily interested, and 
which has become one of the most formid- 
able rivals of the Standard Oil. 

In support of this contention that the 
Rockefeller and the Pierce interests were 
not in accord even as far back as five years 
ago these persons state that at that time a 
man. in the confidence of 26 Broadway was 
sent to Mexico ostensibly to help in the 
management of the Waters-Pierce business 
but in reality to report the result of his 
observations to the home office. That 
when Mr. H. Clay Pierce found out the 
man's true mission he asked him to leave. 
The agent left Mexico City, but returned 
within a few days, stayed in the house of a 
friend and continued his work of investi- 
gation. Later he went from Mexico City 
to the Tampico oil fields under an assumed 
name. 

The confusion of the two companies in 
the public mind has stood the Pierce inter- 
ests in good stead, these persons allege, as 
if lias permitted the Waters-Pierce Com- 
pany to keep in the background, and it has 
never taken the trouble to set the public 
right. 

Against the Pierce interests there has 
never been forthcoming any more evidence 
than against the Standard Oil in regard to 
supposed support of Mexican revolutions. 
But the well-informed persons point to the 
fact that there is enough circumstantial evi- 
dence to show that the Pierce interests 
have been vitally interested in the political 
changes in Mexico. 

First oi all, they say, the Pierce inter- 
ests enjoyed a practical monopoly of the 
oil trade in Mexico until the Diaz Govern- 
ment granted concessions to the British 
oil interests headed by Lord Cowdrey to 
develop the oil industry and enter the com- 
mercial field. 

The Pierce interests also controlled the 
Mexican Central Railroad. The merger of 
Mexican railways , under government con- 
trol and llie granting of concessions to the 
British interests were prompted by the de- 
sire of the Diaz Government to prevent 
an absolute nion -■poiy of Mexican petro- 
leum properties i)y the Pierce interests. 



Efforts were made by the Pierce inter- 
ests to have the concessions revoked but 
with no avail. 

Thereupon the so-called oil war ensued, 
causing large financial losses to the inter- 
ests involved. 

During the Madero movement Gustavo 
Madero, brother of the leader, spent much 
of his time in Washington, where he be- 
came intimate with Shcrby Hopkins, a well- 
known attorney, who later b-efore the Senate 
committee of investigation acknowledged 
his connection with the Pierce interests. 
Mr. Hopkins was the legal adviser of the 
Maderist junta and upon the final success, 
of the revolution received $50,000 for his 
services. Shortly after Madero entered 
Mexico City as the victorious leader of the 
revolution Mr. Hopkins went ■ to Mexico 
City and engineered a publicity campaign 
in favor of the Pierce interests and against 
the Aguila Oil Company. 

As he testified later, he went there "to 
make it hot for the British oil interests." 
About the same time Gustavo Madero and 
a few friends organized an oil company 
with a million pesos capital. It was cur- 
rent opinion in Mexico at that time that 
special concessions would be given by the 
government to the new company, destroy- 
ing the effects of those granted to the 
Aguila Oil Company, and that these conces- 
sions would be transferred later by Gus- 
tavo Madero to the Pierce interests. 

No attempt was ever made to hide the 
close friendship between the Madero fam- 
ily and the Pierce family which, it is said, 
continues very intimate to this day. 

The general manager of the Pierce in- 
terests in Mexico, Mr. Galbraith, was on 
an e-xcellent footing with the Madero Gov- 
ernment and he was offered by Ernesto 
Madero the presidency of the National 
Railways. Mr. Galbraith was very anxious 
to accept the position, but after a consulta 
tion in St. Louis with Mr. Pierce he refused 
it. It was said at the time that the offer 
had been made to calm for a while at least 
the impatience of the Pierce interests to 
have what they called the blue-sky conces- 
sions to the British interests revoked or 
at least equal ones granted to them. This 
was in accordance with promises made by 
the Maderos in Washington in exchange 
for support received, it was said, but the 
Maderos did not dare keep their promises 
immediately upon their ascension to power 
and wanted to delay the matter until pub- 
lic attention could be diverted from it. 

Upon the fall of Madero certain secret 
investigations were begun in Mexico City 
to ascertain what participation the oil in- 
terests had in the Madero revolution. Of- 
ficials of the Pierce Company have many 
friends, even among Mexicans, well in- 
formed of government movements. About 
the twenty-fifth of March one of the Pierce 
officials received an unsigned and typewrit- 
ten note from one of these friends notify- 
ing him of these secret investigations. It 
read: "An investigation is being made of 
the participation in the Maderist revolution 
of the Washington attorney." 

Mr. Sherby Hopkins, the Washington 
attorney, is said to be still in very friend- 
ly relations with the Pierce interests. He 
is also a prominent figure in the Bellevue 
Hotel, where the present rebel junta head- 
ed by the brother-in-law of tlie late Fran- 
cisco Madero meets daily. 

Dr. William Bayard Hale while in Mex- 
ico City counted among his intimates Mr. 
Galbraith, the general managei^ of the 
Pierce interests, and other men closely con- 
nected with these interests. A few hours 
after Dr. W. B. Hale arrived in Washing- 
ton from Mexico City he received a visit 
of his old friend Mr. Sherby Hopkins, with 
whom he was in consultation for several 
hours. i 

All of which is very interesting, but 
proves little. So far. 



The Right Spirit. 

(Special Cable Despatch to the New York "Sun.") 
London, Oct. 6. — The Madrid correspondent of 
the "Daily Telegraph" sends a despatch saying that 
Gen. Felix Diaz in an interview given aboard the 
steamer "Corcovado" at Santander said; 

"I am returning to Mexico simply because I wish 
to comply with the constitutional precept that candi- 
dates for the Presidency must be present on election 
day. If I am elected President my programme will 
be amply liberal. I shall devote myself chiefly to 
social questions. If Sefior Gamboa is elected I 
shall place myself immediately at his service with a 
view to aiding if necessary in the pacification of 
the country and its progress. I would accept any 
post offered to me. 

"I do not believe in the possibility of armed in- 
tervention on the part of the United States. It 
would provoke a war which would be ruinous to 
both nations and the consequences of a struggle are 
incalculable." 



One Way. 



Panfilo Natera, the rebel chief who a few 
months ago raided Zacatecas and held it a 
few days against the advance of the Fed- 
erals, has surrendered unconditionally to 
the Government. His surrender was 
brought about by his fiancee, who refused 
to marry him unless he became loyal to the. 
Government. Panfilo Natera threw down 
his arms and recommended all his follow- 
ers to do the same. He is now a happ> 
bridegroom. It is said that the Mexican 
Government is seeking a hundred or sc. 
good-looking and patriotic girls to send to 
the hundred or so other rebel and bandit 
leaders. 

Ask J. G. B. 

Lord Northcliff, just before his departure 
from New York, declared that he had no 
intention of entering the newspaper field in 
New York because — he said — it is impos- 
sible to direct a newspaper by cable. How 
little Lord Northcliff knows of American 
journalism! 

Mr. James Gordon Bennett has been di- 
recting the New York "Herald" by cable 
for many years and no better e.xamjjle 
could be had X)f a successful newspaper with 
a consistent cable policy. Why, even the 
future war with Mexico is being mapped 
out and managed by cable! 

A Turncoat. 

It is not known whether or not the Carrancistas 
and other rebels are supporting the move of the 
Maderista Deputies but the Carrancistas and the 
Maderistas form now practically the same political 
party. It is said, however, that many prominent 
Maderistas, including several relatives of the late 
President Madero and of his Cabinet Ministers, re- 
gard Carranza as unworthy of serious consideration, 
being chiefly an ambitious turncoat seeking personal 
advantage at the country's expense. — New York 
"Herald." 

Tabasco. 

State Department advices from Monterey dated 
.September 26 say that order now prevails in the 
State of Tabasco, but there are rumors that the 
rebels in the southern part of the state are only 
waiting for reinforcements from the State of Cam- 
pcche to resume fighting. — Washington "Star." 

It is quite interesting to note that infor- 
mation about Tabasco in the extreme South 
of Mexico comes from the Consul at Mon- 
terrey in the extreme North. That Consul 
at Monterrey must have some special 
means of communication with a State 3,000 
miles South. 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



MEXICO 



Reception of De La Barra 

Paris, (Jet. 4. — J'rcsidcnt I'oincare's ofii- 
cial reception at 3.30 o'clock this afternoon 
of Francisco L. de la Barra at the Elysee 
Palace as Minister Plenipotentiary of Mex- 
ico to the French Republic was carried 
out according to the prescribed ceremonial 
of the protocol and was exceedingly cor- 
dial on both sides. The Mexican Minister 
was conveyed in a state carriage, escorted 
by a squadron of cuirassiets, to the palace, 
where a guard of honor presented arms in 
the courtyard while Seiior de la Barra, in 
full uniform and wearing the insignia of 
grand officer of the Legion of Honor, hand- 
ed to President Poincare the letter of re- 
call of his predecessor and also his own 
letter of credentials. 

The new minister in a brief speech al- 
luded to the economical interests and the 
common aspirations toward the same ideal 
of justice and liberty that united the two 
republics and said: 

"I bring to the French people the cordial 
greeting of a brother people, a people that 
has just undergone a period of severe or- 
deal, such as occurs in the history of all 
nations. There can be no doubt that my 
country will emerge from its painful crisis 
stronger than ever. Our past history, the 
progress achieved by my government in 
its vv'ork of pacification, the extraordinary 
economic vitality of Mexico and the pa- 
triotism of its children are sure guaran- 
tees of this happy result." 

After an eloquent tribute to the French 
Republic and nation the minister added: 
"I have the honor of wearing upon my 
breast the insignia of the order with which 
France rewards at home the services of 
her glorious sons and distinguishes abroad 
her devoted friends. This title alone au- 
thorizes me to offer to your excellency the 
warm expressions of my wishes for your 
personal welfare and for the material and 
moral progress of France." 

President Poincare replied in cordial and 
suitable terms. 

At the Foreign Office the situation in 
Mexico is considered more satisfactory 
than at any time during the last year. 
Mexican funds show strength and firm- 
ness after the recent bear attacks on the 
Bourse and are receiving better support 
from the public than hitherto. — New York 
"Tribune." 



Elections and Other Things 



Persecution of Priests 

The rebels are persecuting the Catholic clergy- 
men. Yesterday the rebels placed in the planchas 
(vertical dungeons barely admitting a human being 
and causing excruciating agony) three Catholic 
clergymen. Their names are Garibay, Portela-and 
Soto, and are said to be guilty of no offense. Law- 
yer Miguel A. R. Lopez came forward to defend 
them but the rebels threatened to place him in the 
planchas if he did not immediately withdraw as 
their attorney. The rebels demand $.3,(X)0 for each 
priest before releasing them. A delegation of 
women called upon Rebel Governor Maytorena in- 
terceding for the priests. After keeping them 
waiting for two hours, Maytorena dismissed the 
women with the statement that he would study the 
question. The rebel Governor is receiving much 
criticism for his conduct. — Los Angeles "Times." 



Extracts from a special article in the 

AVtc York Times of Sunday, October 5. 

The writer signs himself "An American 

Resident of Mexico." Whoever he is, it is 

obvious in every line that he knows Mexico 

and whereof he writes. He is inaccurate in 

stating that the census of 1910 has not yet 

been compiled. The population according 

to that census is 15,151,888. Otherwise the 

article is remarkably well-informed. 

The Mexican Presidential election is set 

for Oct. 26, which date was fixed last spring 

by Gen. Huerta. 

And what does a general election mean 
in Mexico? 

It means that votes are cast by fifteen- 
one-hundredths of one per cent, of the pop- 
ulation. Such is Mexican democracy. This 
proportion of votes to population ruled in 
the last election (1911) hailed as a triumph 
of democratic ideals after the so-called 
autocracy of Diaz, which election resulted 
in the accession of Francisco Madero to 
the Presidenc}'. ^r 

President Madero characterized this elec- 
tion as "the only fair election ever held in 
Mexico." Let us analyze this election. 
Let us bring this vote out from the official 
records of Congress. 

The total vote cast in the entire Republic 
of Mexico for President in 1911 was 20,148, 
of which Madero received 19,993. For Vice 
President Pino Suarez received 10,205 out 
of a total vote cast of 19,406. The^ total 
population of Mexico in 1911, exclusive of 
foreigners, was 13,600,000. Thus the total 
vote cast for the Presidency was .148 of 
one per cent, of the total population. 



These elections were practically the Diaz 
elections over again. Madero dictated the 
names of about all the Governors of the 
States of the republic, and even of the Vice- 
President, Suarez. It may be said in per- 
fect truth that Madero, for all his book 
on democracy, followed along the same trail 
that Gen. Diaz made to maintain himself 
in office. 

The press censorship he instituted, the 
shutting down of one of the principal news- 
papers of the capital, even without recourse 
to law, the imprisonment of many leading 
citizens of the capital on the slightest evi- 
dence that they were against the Govern- 
ment — verily the Diaz Government to us 
old-timers looked mild in comparison. 



What is the matter with Mexico? 

Some of us who lived many years in the 
country under the peaceful but iron rule of 
Gen. Diaz, and a few of us who crossed 
the line even when Gen. Gonzalez was 
President in the early eighties, can perhaps 
answer this question a little better than the 
average reporter who tours Mexico, studies 
the people out of a car window, and writes 
a history of Mexico and the Mexican peo- 
ple on the return trip. 

The returns from the census taken three 
years ago (1910) have not even been com- 
piled, so busy has been the Government 



with revolutions. However, the census of 
1900 gives the population of Mexico as 13.- 
611,712. In dividing this heterogeneous 
population into classes it can be said that 
the upper class comprises less than 5 per 
cent, of the population. The second class 
15 per cent. The third class 80 per cent. 

Of the total population of Mexico, it can 
be said that over 75 per cent, are illiterate, 
and do not care which political party is in 
power, or who is President, so long as they 
are left alone to pursue their vocations in 
peace. The Mexican Indian is a peaceful 
man, and where trouble has occurred it has 
been largely on account of the robbery of 
his lands. A glaring instance of this can 
be seen in the State of Sonora, where un- 
principled men robbed the lands of the 
Yaquis, driving a brave and thrifty race of 
Indians to be bandits. They only fought 
for their "tierra." 

The average Southern Mexican Indian 
is innately polite. He can often teach man- 
ners to our white people of the North, 
while he can neither read nor write. 

They are extremely simple, but will learn 
if you are patient and be kind to them, and 
they will show gratitude where most of the 
middle class will not. 

Of the first class, comprising not over 5 
per cent, of the population, it may be said 
that 90 per cent, want nothing to do with 
politics. They are largely the people of 
"blue" blood, and comprise the wealthy 
class — owners of the large haciendas, banks 
and factories. In times of peace they win. 
in revolutions they lose. 

There can be no true democracy where a 
inajority of the population of any country 
are as illiterate and unruly as in Mexico. 
It cannot be denied that Gen. Diaz is the 
greatest man Mexico has ever produced, 
and one of the world's greatest nation- 
builders; he realized this better than any 
one. He maintained himself in office for 
thirty-two years, twenty-eight of which 
were consecutive, by the strong arm and 
the machete. Diaz was a dictator, but he 
was a wise one and knew his people, and 
his country for the first time in a century 
began to advance and have credit among 
the nations of the world. 

What Gen. Diaz did for Mexico is too 
well known to repeat here. What Mexico 
did for Gen. Diaz was to banish him to for- 
eign lands where even Kings and Queens 
are doing homage to one of the greatest 
living rulers. Gen. Diaz's downfall was 
due to the men that surrounded him; he 
was old and had passed the fourscore years 
usually allotted to men for their activities. 
Mexico will some day dedicate her great- 
est monument to Diaz. 



The present revolution in Mexico has no 
principle or right back of it, and there is 
no union of forces or head to its Govern- 
ment. Every chief, with his forces, is an 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Satiirdav. October 11, 1013 




General McCoskry Butt harshly criti- 
cized the Administration's Mexican policy 
in a statement to the "Tribune" a few 
days ago. The general wants war, and 
therefore the Government's attitude to- 
ward Mexico has turned him — a life-long 
Democrat — into a Republican. Now. that 
is too bad! But.... who is Butt? 



It Would Seem So 

Ver.-i Cruz despatches tell of the return to 
Jle.xico of large numbers of Americans. 

Does this mean that conditions in our troubled 

sister Republic are not as bad as they have been 

pictured? — New York "Herald" Editorial. 

Once in a while the "Herald" opens its 

Venetian blinds to a little raj' of light — 

and forthwith bangs them shut again. Is 

the light hurtful to "Herald" eyes? 



(By special wire to -the El Paso "Times.") 
Marathon, Te.x., September 24. — ^J. E. Landrum, 
justice of the peace and notary public of Brewster 
County, and postmaster at Boquillas, Tex., is said 
to have joined the rebel army in Mexico as a 
surgeon, leaving his affairs in the United States in 
a very tangled condition. 

When Postoflice Inspector W. W. Marshall, of 
Austin, a passenger on the weekly mail hack from 
Marathon, reached the postofSce at Boquillas last 
week, he found that Postmaster Landrum had de- 
parted for Mexico on urgent business some six 
hours before his arrival. Upon inspecting the 
office, he found the books, which showed a balance 



due the Government of something over $l,i!CiO, a 

few stamps, and $5.25 in cash. The rest of the 

cash was missing. 

The call of the Constitution must' have 
been too strong for Landrum. But he is 
not the only one who has had to heed the 
call from A'lexico. li it is true that he has 
joined the rebel army he is now among his 
peers. Many are among them whose book^ 
upon being inspected have shown a balance 
due to the Government (in most cases the 
Mexican Government) or to some private 
corporation, and whose cash drawers con- 
tained, alas, only a few stamps. 

But what is a balance between a despotu 
Government and a lover of the Constitu- 
tion? 



(Special Cable Despatch to the New York "Sun.".) 

Paris, Sept. 29. — The budget committee of the 

French Parliament has made a recommendation 

that French bankers abstain from lending money 

to Mexico. 

The nail is in the following dispatch to 
the Boston "Transcript": 

Paris, Sept. 24. — The French Government, it is 
understood, to-day indicated to the leading French 
bankers that it will not consent to any foreign 
loans being issued, on the Paris market, or ad- 
mitted to the Bourse, until after the French Gov- 
ernment has effected its own loan to meet mili- 
tary requirements. This decision applies also to 
the Balkan States, whose agents have recently 
been very active in aranging loans in Paris, while 
Mexico, too, is included. 



Hale's Antennae 

"Rev. William Bayard Hale's elforls to estab- 
lish wireless communication between Mexico City 
and the American warships in Vera Cruz harbor 
came to a sudden stop," says Robert Silberberg, 
who returned to El Paso the other day from a 
four months' stay in the Mexican national capital. 
"Dr. Hale quietly engaged a few mechanics and 
had wireless antennae erected on the top of the 
Iturbide hotel, right in the center of the city. 
Communication with Admiral Fletcher was carried 
on for a few days, but one evening a squad of 
soldiers from the palace garrison commandeered 
the plant and quickly demolished it. No message 
was sent to Dr. Hale and the doctor, naturally, did 
no talking. A second attempt to set up aerial 
connection from the roof of the Y. M. C. A. build- 
ing was not interfered with until the oufit was in 
working order. Then it met tlie same treatment 
by the Federals. Dr. Hale thereupon took the 
hint and resumed tiling his official despatches to 
Washington at the Government telegraph office on 
Cinco de Mayo street. Dr. Hale is now in Wash- 
ington.— Houston "Post." 

Aerial connections from the Y. M. C. A. 
building- were not set i.p l)y the ex-Rever- 
end Hale. 

The wireless operator in this case was 
Ferris, the Mexico City correspondent of 
the Munsey newspapers. He was in 
league with Hale, but his apparatus did 
not work. 

The doctor, by the way, had many others 
in league with him. 

And to think that liis reports, according 
to general belief, served to shape the .Ad- 
ministration's Mexican policy. 



Elections and Other Things — (Continued) 



independent unit, operating solely for loot 
and the destruction of property. It has be- 
come a business. Let us look at some of 
these principal chiefs and their work. 

The most prominent is probably Car- 
ranza, former Governor of the State of 
Coahuila. During the latter months of his 
administration Francisco Madero mistrust- 
ed the Federal Army. He conceived the 
idea of creating a kind of State militia in 
some of the States where he could rely on 
the Governors to do his bidding. He be- 
gan by sending money to Carranza to be- 
gin this organization in the State of Coa- 
huila, of which Saltillo is the capital. Car- 
ranza's bank account grew, but there was 
no State militia formed. Finally Carranza 
was pressed hard by Madero for an expla 
nation, and in January Carranza was pre- 
paring quietly in Saltillo to start a rev- 
olution against Madero, his chief, to cover 
up his defalcation of Government money. 
On Feb. 18 the Madero Government fell, 
and Carranza immediately afterward with- 
drew his Government money from the 
banks,* together with some ;ir)0,000 pesos 
belonging to the State of Coahuila,. gath- 
ered the police force of Saltillo and nu- 
merous others of the lower class about him, 
formed a band of one thousand men, with 
all the arms they ci>uld secure, and with- 
drew to the City of Monclova, in the same 
State, cutting the railroads behind him. 

Saltillo, a city of thirty thousand inhabi- 
tants, was left without a government or 

• 3,200,000 pesos. 



guard. Within twenty-four hours a bandit 
named Cos, who is still a leader, with twen- 
ty men, entered Saltillo and held up the 
banks and merchants for over 100,000 pesos 
in assessments, while the people looked on 
in abject fear. This seems incredible, but 
these facts were told to the writer by both 
leading Mexican and American residents of 
Saltillo shortly afterward. 

We old-timers in Mexico, who have trav- 
eled all over the country without even a 
weapon under the peaceful reign of Gen. 
Diaz; we who know the national hymn of 
Mexico as well as we know the "Star- 
Spangled Banner"; we who know that there 
are as good people in Mexico as in the 
United States, as well as some bad ones; 
we who are good loyal American citizens; 
we who have spent years following various 
lines of business and professions in Mexico 
and have many friends among the natives; 
wc who know Mexico and its people and 
have interests in the Republic, we do not 
want intervention, because wc believe they 
have the strongest man in the country ai 
the head of the Government. All he needs 
to-day is the moral support of the. United 
States, and recognition, so lie may obtain 
his loan, and the situation will soon be 
cleared up. He has to-day 60,000 men in 
the field. The military situatiori in Mexico 
is far better than it was ninety days ago. 
All the Mexican Government needs to-day 
is money to pay its loyal troops, and her 
troubles will soon be over. 



Does the United States Government want 
to see the downfall of the Huerta Govern- 
ment in Mexico? If the Huerta Govern- 
ment falls intervention must follow; that 
will mean occupation and finally annexa- 
tion of a part of Mexican territory. This 
will require 200,000 men, millions of money, 
and many lives. Former Ambassador 
Henry Lane Wilson was right when he 
said ninety-eight per cent, of the leading 
Americans in Mexico wanted the Govern- 
ment of Gen. Huerta recognized. 

The situation to us in Mexico looks like 
either recognition or intervention. There 
does not seem to be any middle ground. 
The propositions of our Special Ambassa- 
dor, Mr. Lind, are not only not feasible 
but very obnoxious to Mexico as a nation. 
The non-recognition of the Huerta G-ov- 
ernment gives great encouragement to ev- 
ery bandit chief. Should Gen, Huerta, with 
his very able cabinet and scant resources, 
finally dominate the situation, there will 
be no thanks coming to the United States 
for its present attitude. Mexico needs the 
friendship of the United States urgently in 
the form of recognition of her present Gov- 
ernment. This recognition has already 
been given her by all the leading nations of 
the earth. Why shouldn't we give it and 
save nur prestige before it is too late? 

Intervention? None of us want it. MI 
we foreigners want is for the Mexicans to 
slop fighting among themselves and go 'o 
work. Wc want peace. 



Saturday, October 11, lUlO 



MEXICO 



Colquitt in Panama 

I Special Lurrespoiidcncc.) 

I'aiiama City, October 1. — This city is in 
the grip of a mad joy, the overflow of 
which pervades the 'Canal Zone and the 
whole Republic of Panama. "Eats-'em- 
alivc-all-iii-one-piece" Colquitt is here on 
a visit. The Great Protector has arrived. 

Upon his arrival at Colon, Colquitt tele- 
yraphed to Austin: "Veni, vidi, vici." And 
he has. A petition is being circulated, sis;- 
natures to which are being affixed with 
contagious enthusiasm, to retain Colquitt 
here and make him a permanent fixture of 
this part of the world. 

A man on the inside, however, states tha' 
the joy of the people here will soon Ije 
changed into grief, as he knows positively 
that the Governor of Texas will not accept 
tlic invitation. He will at some other time 
— ^says this friend — but at present he could 
not bear to cause infinite sorrow to the 
people of Texas, who would never recovei 
from the irretrievable loss of Colquitt. Be- 
sides, the Governor must return to keep up 
the good work of forcing President Wil- 
son's hand to intervene in Me.xico. 

In fact. I may as well tell 3-011 — b\it 
strictly confidentially — that there is a pow- 
erful motive for Colquitt's visit here. He 
wanted to study the topography of the big 
ditch so that upon his next visit — and he 
will not come by sea then — he will know 
wliere to stop. You see, Colquitt is going 
to lead the Light Brigade into Mexico and 
he fears that the impetus of his southward 
rush will carry liim all the way down to 
Cape Horn, if he should not know the 
Canal when he comes to it. He does not 
intend to go any further south — at least, 
not immediately — upon his conquest of 
Mexico and Central America. 

You may safely say to the people of 
Texas that for a while the.y will be spared 
the grief of losing Colquitt, although they 
may as well prepare themselves for that 
tragedy in the near future. Colquitt is a 
determined man and despite President Wil- 
son's policy of non-intervention, he may 
yet take things into his own hands and 
cross into Mexico to save his countrymen 
clamoring for his help. 



OUR BANDIT FRIENDS 

OR AT LEAST WASHINGTON'S. 



Tupper 

By the way, what has become of tlie 
Reverend Doctor Tupper, the worthy offi- 
cial of the Peace Forum, who when last 
heard from was on his way to Washing- 
ton to petition the President in behalf of 
the rebels? 

The Doctor (oh, these Reverend Doc- 
tors!) had been royally entertained at 
Piedras Negras and had become con- 
vinced that the cause of peace could best 
Ije served by allowing the rebels and ban- 
dits to have the arms they wanted. 

The disinterested Doctor had promised 
Carranza that he would use his great in- 
fluence with the President to get a per- 
mit for the importation of arms and so 
stated in an interview at Houston, Texas. 
Since then he has not been heard from. 
Another peace advocate gone wrong! 



Robbery, arson, vandalism, blackmail, 
looting, counterfeiting — so reads the daily 
account of the doings of the so-called "Con- 
stitutionalists." Can any one with reason 
believe that these bands of outlaws, cut- 
throats and thieves are, as President Wilson 
seems to have thought, noble patriots fight 
ing for the principles of pure democracy! 
Is there any crime under the sun that these 
men have not committed? Is there any 
other way of dealing with criminals of this 
stamp except by putting the fear of the 
strong arm of the law into their hearts? 



These are the kind of men with whom 
President Wilson asked the Mexican Gov- 
ernment to enter into a solemn armistice, 
as if it were possible for a civilized Gov- 
ernment to conceive of any such thing. To 
stop the depredations of these men, to put 
an end to their terrorizing, is the task the 
present Government of Mexico has set foi 
itself, a big task when it is taken into con- 
sideration that under the last Administra- 
tion these bandits roamed and marauded 
unchecked, grew in numbers, and found tht 
life profitable and to their liking. 



What They Are Doing 



Crimes Against Catholics 

Nogalcs (.Vriz.j, Sept. M. — (E.xclusive 
Dispatch.) The rebels are jubilant over 
their treatment of the Catholic priests and 
sisters. In addition to the imprisonment 
in the pianchas of priests, among whom arc 
the Cura Viviano Soto and the Vicar 
Martin Portela in charge of the bishopric, a 
Catholic daily published in the offices of 
El Estandarte in Hermosillo, has been 
closed by the rebel authorities. Another 
Catholic publication. El Hogar Catolico, is 
threatened with the saine lot. El Eco dc 
la Guerra, rebel daily of Hermosillo, bit- 
terly attacks the Catholics and clergy, and 
El Paso del Norte, another rebel mouth- 
piece, urges Carranza to relieve the Catho- 
lic clergy in Mexico of everything they 
possess. It is reported that strained rela- 
tions exist between Carranza and Obregon 
growing out of the incarceration of the. 
clergymen. 

The latter felt that Carranza should ac- 
cede to the petition of the women of Her- 
mosillo to show clemency to the priests, 
but the rebel head was obdurate; where- 
upon the rebel general threatened to ask 
for his discharge. 

The protest against putting priests in 
dungeons in Hermosillo was simply an ap- 
peal to the manliness of the revolutionists 
The whole population is indignant at the 
severe penalty imposed on the priests, 
which puts them on the same footin.g as 
criminals. — Los Angeles "Times." 



Plunder. 

George Lewi.s, a mining engineer, of 



osto 



arrived here on the Ward liner Morro Castle from 
Vera Cruz. The bandits, under the direction of 
General Carranza, he said, cleaned out the district 
where his mines lay and he was forced to quit. 

"These bandits, or so-called Constitutionalists," 
he said, "have swooped down upon villages and 
mining camps and plundered right and left. They 
robbed one peaceful family near us, and threatened 
to kill every one in the district if there was any 
outcry. They have burned bridges, torn up rail- 
road tracks and wrecked the country so that no 
business of any sort could be carried on." — New 
York "Tribune." 

Fake Money. 

Douglas, Ariz., September 23. — The Sonora cur- 
rency — resembling green cigarette coupons — has 
been counterfeited promiscuously, according to re- 
ports which reach the border. The insurgent cur- 
rency bears no signatures and is said to be imi- 
tated easily.— El Paso "Herald." 

Government Business. 

Special Agent C. E. Lewis, of the Treasury De- 
partment, assisted by L. O. Howell, of the Custom 
House, Tuesday seized a five-carat diamond ring, 
valued at $S0O, and a diamond set bracelet worth 
$1,200, and placed Jose Diaz Lopez under arrest 



on the charge of defrauding the Customs Depart- 
ment of the United States. Lopez admitted bring- 
ing the jewelry to El Paso and of having at- 
tempted to dispose of it. 

It is thought that the jewelry had been taken 
as loot from a wealthy rancher or business man in 
Hermosillo, and that it had been sent here to 
be converted into cash, Lopez admitted having 
been commissioned by the Sonora State Govern- 
ment for this purpose. — El Paso "Herald." 

A Harrassed Medico. 

El Paso, Tex., September 24.— Dr. E, C. Shack- 
elford has arrived here from Santa Rosalia, Chi- 
huahua, Mexico, fleeing from Pancho Villa, the 
rebel leader, who gave him twenty-four hours to 
get out or be killed. Dr. Shackelford is a native 
of Frankfort, Ky., and has been living in Santa 
Rosalia six years. 

He says when Villa and his rebel band entered 
the town September 15 Villa sent for him, told 
him he was tired of "you American filibusters," 
and declared he would shoot them all if they did 
not get out. 

"Villa took all my books and accounts, and told 
me he would collect my money," the doctor added. 
"He also forfeited my house and furnishings to the 
rebels, and placed two guards over me to see that 
I did not depart with any money or property. I 
left at 10 o'clock in the morning of the 16th. t 
had to walk out, carrying a suit case, which is 
all T saved. 

"I hired an old mule at a ranch and finally 
reached the Texas line. My family was forced to 
flee from Santa Rosalia in May last. They are 
now in Chihuahua. All the Mexican men of promi- 
nence in Santa Rosalia have bad to flee from ",hc 
rebels, and when I left there Tuesday Villa had 
thrown all the prominent Mexican women in town 
into jail and had searched every home for money. 

"Villa told me he was going to kill the Ameri- 
can officials of the Conchas Dam Company, near 
Santa Rosalia." — Washington "Star." 

Land Grabbing. 

Snoora rebels are dividing the lands of the 
"Cientificos" among the poor "Constitutionalists." 
General Lucio Blanco has started with the "El 
Borrego" ranch of Felix Diaz, located near Mata- 
moras. The persons receiving the lands are re- 
quired to cultivate them. Major Francisco Jose 
Mugica, Blanco's chief of staff, and Ing. Manuel 
Urquidi, sub-secretary of public works under 
Francisco Madero, are assisting in the division of 
the lands. 

Poisoning the Water. 

Every man known to possess a weapon has been 
summoned to Peyotes to assist in the defense, and 
large quantites of arsenic and cyanide of potash 
have been sent down to prevent the Federals from 
obtaining water. 

It is reported that thirty-five soldiers, who 
drank water at Barroteran, died on the field be- 
fore medical aid could be summoned from the 
hospital provision. — Lqs Angeles "Times.** 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October H, 1913 



LOBBYQRAMS 



Huerta's Secret Agent 

Washington, October 10.— It became 
known to-day that a special lepresentativc 
of President Huerta has been in Washing- 
ton for some time. He has escaped detec- 
tion until now, being an American news- 
paper man and political writer. Even 
though he showed occasionally some inter- 
est in Mexican affairs, it was thought thai 
he was gathering material for magazmt 
articles relating perhaps to what is known 
as the Mexican problem. It has finally 
been disclosed, however, that he has been 
commissioned liy the Mexican President to 
make a careful investigation of the methods 
of the Washington Administration and keep 
a faithful record of events, especially as: 
they refer to the relation between the Ex- 
ecutive and Congress. 

His observations and expert comments 
are said to be embodied in lengthy reports 
which he forwards almost daily to the Mex- 
ican capital. 

Although when questioned the Aniencan 
newspaper man denied that he was in any 
way connected with the Mexican Presidenr, 
an intimate friend of his stated to-day that 
he believed the reports which have linked 
his friend with the Mexican Executive are 
true. 

It seems, according to this friend, thai 
some time ago severe criticism was made 
in Mexico City of President Huerta's dis- 
position to respect the absolute indepen- 
dence of Mexican Congressmen. Huerta's 
advisers had earnestly counseled that in 
view of the situation in Mexico it was nec- 
essary for him to show a firmer hand, even 
to the extent of dictatorially forcing the 
Mexican scions to do his bidding. 

Realizing the wisdom of his friends' ad- 
vice, and lacking somewhat in political ex- 
perience. President Huerta had cast about 
seeking the best example to follow. Con- 
sequently he had commissioned the Amer- 
ican expert political writer to make a thor- 
ough study of President Wilson's methods, 
the Mexican press having frequently re- 
produced articles from American news- 
papers illustrating Mr. Wilson's masterful, 
dictatorial methods. 

The informant added that in view of tht 
apparent present disaccord between tlic 
Mexican Executive and Congress he fell 
sure that the reports forwarded by the for- 
mer's agent in Washington would prove ex- 
tiemely instructive to Huerta. The splen- 
did example of political "discipline" to bt 
had in Washington, where the members of 
Con.gress are as putty in the Executive's 
hands, cannot fail to prove enlightening. 
With the report of October the third the 
afent enclosed a cartoon from tlie New 
York "Evening Sun," by McCutcheon, 
showing President Wilson as a ringmaster 
in the political circus, with one hand hold- 
ing a bag labeled "Jol)s" and the other 
cracking a whip as he drives the Democrat- 
ic donkey around the ring and Congress 
through the paper hoops of tariff and cur- 
rency. It is a bit disconcerting in this 
cartoon, however, to find one of the spec- 
tators skeptical of the performance. He h 
saying: "Just you wait! That donkey will 
lieliavc as long as the sugar lasts and then 
look out!" 



brought $500,000 from Washington and has 
been appointed Secretary of the Treasury.. 
— News note. 

This item was printed in the New York 
"American" of last Monday. The Wash- 
ington correspondent l)elieved it was news. 
Coming from the Carranza junta in Wash- 
ington, through its chief director, Cap- 
tain Sherby Hopkins, it must be fact. Its 
one fact is that Carranza has taken refuge 
in Hermosillo in his flight before the stead- 
ily advancing victorious columns of the 
Federal army. He now calls Hermosillo 
his capital and announces he has a great 
army to back up his claim to governmental 
dignity. 

But it was not a strong enough an- 
nouncement to convince even the financial 
interests which have promoted the disor- 
ders in Mexico. So Don Sherby Hopkins 
added the purchase of a navy with .1)500,000 
"brought from Washington by Escudero, 
who has been appointed Secretary of the 
Treasury." Thus having made it look like 
real news, Don Sherby remarked: "The 
Carranza government can get all the money 
it wants." In Washington? It would add 
to the enlightenment of the American peo- 
ple on this great question of Mexico to tell 
how it comes that monev for the revolu- 
tionists is collected in Washongton. 

Another item in the story: The "fiscal 
agent" in Washington told the newspaper 
correspondent that it is proposed "to buy 
an armed vessel from some foreign gov- 
ernment, but not from the United States." 
With this armed vessel it is proposed to 
seize the customs houses on the West coast 
and appropriate the receipts for the Car- 
ranza treasury. But — "they can get all 
the money they want," says Don Sherby. 



All the Money They Want 

WashiiiRt..ii, I). C, rjcl. .",.— (k-ncral Car- 
ranza lias reared his capital at Hcniiosillo, 
Sonora, and has funds to buy a navy and 
push the war. Francisco Escudero has 



"Nerve" 

Charges were made to-day by the Constitutional- 
ists here that Mexico is being depleted of money 
by foreign capitalists, who are taking advantage 
of the present condition of affairs to get as much 
out of Mexico as possible. They said that unless 
a change of administration comes soon Mexico 
will soon be made bankrupt. — Washington "Star." 

It may be said for the men who have 
made the above charges that at least they 
do not lack "nerve." 

The Washington rebel junta is headed by 
Perez Romero, brother-in-law of the late 
Francisco Madera, and comprises several 
men who took an active part in the Ma- 
dero Government. The squandering — to 
use the gentlest expression possible — of 
puldic funds during the Madero regime is 
unparalleled even in Mexican history. 
Nearly one hundred millions besides the 
usual revenues were "spent" in a little 
more than a year. Almost every depart- 
ment of the administration was in a chaotic 
condition and the country was plunged into 
a worse state of anarchy than it had ever 
known. The rebellion against Madero was 
brought about mainly on account of the 
disastrous "mismanagement" of the now 
.so-called const! tut ionalist.s. 

The Huerta Covcrnincnt in eight 
months after finding the public treasury de- 
pleted and the public credit gone, has re- 
organized! g.lmost entirely the public ad- 



ministration, making remarkable progress 
in the re-establishment of peace and in- 
creasing the Army from 25,000 to 90,000 
men. This it has done with an expendi- 
ture of only about a million a month, or 
eight million pesos in all, besides the usual 
budget, and in spite of all difficulties with 
which it has had to contend. The con- 
trast is evident, but whatever else may be 
said of the Washington constitutional dip- 
lomats you may be sure they do not lack 
nerve. 



Still Traveling 



Those "constitutional" patriots are just 
natural born travelers. First it was Venus- 
tiano Carranza journeying from Piedras Ne- 
gras to Hermosillo by way of Torreon, Du- 
rango and Sinaloa, unmolested, as his junta 
stated in Washington. The only object of 
this little trip, it was announced, was to 
"inspect his armies." Now it seems "Gen- 
eral" Villa has undertaken a tour of inspec- 
tion, starting at Santa Rosalia, and Jesus 
Carranza with his General Staff and mem- 
bers of the War College are starting out 
from Piedras Negras. After a triumphal 
march through the States of. Coahuila and 
Durango they will inspect "unmolested" 
the various armies and join the "Chief" in 
Sonora. 

Of course this is strictly according to a 
plan of mobilization previously conceived 
and now faithfully being carried out. The 
"evacuation" of Piedras Negras and Santa 
Rosalia was simply due to the fact that the 
War College of the Liberators had found 
these places of little strate.gic importance. 
This does not mean, of course, that the up- 
holders of the Constitution do not still 
hold sway over the Northern States of 
Mexico. Oh, no! They control every- 
thing in sight. The appearance of a few 
Federal troops at Santa Rosalia and at 
Piedras Negras is a mere coincidence which 
only tends to prove how careful and scien- 
tific was the mobilization plan of the pat- 
riots. 

One fact which has been carefully kept 
secret by the Constitutional War College 
and its diplomatic representatives in 
Washington is that the present movements 
of the Liberators are part of an "enve- 
loping" plan by which they will attack from 
the rear the careless Federals that have 
been lured into an advancin.g movement to 
the north. Clever, clever ticktacks. 



Ammunition smuggling continues brisk along the 
entire patrol line above and below El Paso. Re- 
ports from the residents say that an ammunition 
smuggling party is operating near the island by 
the foundry almost every night and that quanti- 
ties of ammunition are being taken across, along 
the border. — El Paso "Herald." 

Tile entire visible supply of ammunition and 
fillies here have been shipped to Peyotcs. The Con- 
siilulionalists received no less than 100,000 rounds 
of cartridges late yesterday afternoon, but no ink- 
ling of the real origin of this has been made 
public. — San Antonio "Express." 

Smuggling goes merrily on — Washing- 
ton authorities please notice. 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



MEXICO 



Lest We Forget 

John Lind is still sojourning in Vera 
Cruz. 



William Bayard Hale is taking a vaca- 
tion in the Vale of Oblivion. 

Ambassador Wilson is still muzzled, but 
not for long. 

* * * 

The Carranzists are cooped up in Sonora. 

* * * 

President Wilson's mysterious prediction 
of dire calamity for Huerta "before many 
days" was words, words, words. 

Huerta promised peace and peace is 
near. 

There used to be a troublesome bandit 
leader named Zapata. 

* * * 

American "refugees" are still looking to 
the State Department for return tickets to 
Mexico. 

The junta keeps up its constitooting, but 
the toot is ever thinner. 

What has become of Fall? 

* * ♦ 

There was no reply to Gamboa's sec- 
ond note. None possible. 

* * * 

The Administration is only occasionally 
maudlin over Madero now. 

* * * 

"Those having authority in Mexico 
City" control the border from Sonora to 
Matamoros. 

Huerta hasn't been "tottering" for 
quite some time. 

Oh, Munsey! 

And Colquitt, the Conqueror! 

President Wilson's financial blockade 
and moral isolation were dreams, idle 
dreams. 

Resurrection 

(Special Despatch to St. Louis "Globe-Democrat.") 
El I'aso, Tex., September 29.— S. C. Hulse, gen- 
eral manager of the Northern Power Company at 
r.a Boquilla, Mexico, arrived at the border to-day, 
after being reported killed by the rebels. Hulse 
is a son-in-law of Lieut-Gov. Reynolds of Pennsyl- 
vania, who was active in having the Government 
make an examination of Hulse's case at the time 
he was reported to be in danger. 
Another resurrection! 

Poor Senator Penrose! Why didn't 
Hulse stay killed? The Senator cotild have 
made a few more tliundcring speeches and 
covered himself with glory. 

.-Ml these resurrections show a lament- 
able lack of consideration and respect for 
certain Senators on the part of .Americans 
in Mexico. Something ought to be done 
aliout this. 

Perhaps Senators Fall and Sheppard 
will see to it. 



WHAT A WOMAN THINKS 



Tin- foilo'.'iiuj letter leas H'ritten by Miss 
Agnes P. Kelly to her brother, John J. 
Kelly, St. Louis, general agent of the St.ite 
Mutual Life Assurance Company of Wor- 
cester, Mass., and Published in the St. 
Louis "Globe-Democrat." Miss Kelly has 
been living in the City of Mexico about 
seven years : 
My Dear Brother: 

I have your kind letter of the a:iil iilto . 
which only reached nie to-day. 1 note what 
you say in regard to the political situation 
here, which, as far as Americans arc con- 
cerned, principally, has been greatly inten- 
sified owing to the order of President Wil- 
son that all Americans should leave the Re- 
public at once * * *. 

Then the great question with those whr 
did not go at first summons, "yours truly" 
among the number — as we all said last 
year that we would wait until we were noti- 
fied by the United States Government to 
leave, and then we did not want to go — 
the inconsistency of human nature — what 
best to do. Did the United States Govern- 
ment really mean intervention? Armed, 
for we have had here the other already, and 
one would say she wruld urc^, while another 
you would meet would tell you that regard- 
less of the United States stepping in or not, 
he or she would remain. » * * 

You, of ciiursc, know that .Ambassador 
Henry Lane Wilson was recalled. He was 
the best informed on the Mexican situation, 
having been in the country many years and 
was well acquainted with the Mexican 
character. He favored the support of the 
Huerta Government, the present govern- 
ment of Mexico, while, at the same time, 
lie also supported legal elections; that is. 
for the present he believed that the pres 
ent government should be recognized by 
the United States as Huerta is the strongest 
man to-day in the repu1)lic, and has done 
more in the short time he has been in office 
than any of his predecessors, save the old 
gentleman, Porfirio Diaz; but Henry Lane 
Wilson was a Republican, and we all here 
feel that it was due to that that President 
Wilson gives no credit to anything he stat- 
ed, which was simply weakness on the part 
of President Wilson, and he foolishly sent 
Mr. Lind here, who knew nothing of the 
language or the character of the people, 
and expected him to familiarize himself in 
a couple of weeks with the situation from 
an unbiased standpoint. President Wilson 
gau.ges the Mexican people on the same 
standard as he would the .'\merican; but 
he must not forget that while we have a 
highly cultured and educated class of 
Mexicans, we have the ignorant in the ma- 
jority. * * * 

Huerta to-day has so.ono soldiers, and has 
sent his soldiers out not to loot and steal 
as does the northern rebel, but to protect 
the lives of the people from the maraud- 
ing bandits. Huerta, of course, has as 
much right to the presidential chair as did 
Madero. Madero went through the coun- 
trv campaigninsr some years before pooi 
old President Diaz was forced to resign, 
the man who made Mexico what it is to- 
day. President Diaz favored foreign capi- 
tal, and instead of Mexico City being a lit- 
tle village without electric light, or any 
kind of light at night, some thirty years 
a.go, no one left her home or his home af- 
ter dark without carrying a lantern, no wa- 
ter mains, no street cars, it to-day is one 
of the loveliest cities on this continent. 
Madero furnished the worst bandit. Zapata, 
with arms and ammunition, and sent his 
men out to take Ciudad Juarez and any 



other city they could, and pushed liis cause, 
as he termed it, liberty and democracy, un- 
til he simply roused the low classes to a 
spirit of rel)ellion, and then when he found 
himself in the presidential chair, he discov- 
ered he could not keep the promises he 
made, and the country has gone from bad 
to worse. * * * To imagine that an ar- 
mistice could be entered into with such fe- 
rocious leaders is absurd, and this all the 
better proves that poor President Wilson 
was not in touch with the situation. These 
men, who but a couple of years ago, were 
but common laborers, even if they knew 
how to work, are now living like princes, 
and it is ridiculous to think that they would 
enter into any agreement that would wrest 
from them their spoils and oblige them t.i 
return to hard labor. 

Mr. Giesecke, who is of one of the larg- 
est rubber concerns in the State of Coa- 
huila, in the City of Saltillo. surprised me 
with a letter written by him from Vera 
Cruz last week, saying that his being there 
and fearing I was here, and, owing to the 
alarming accounts he heard concerning po- 
litical conditions here, he advised me tr. 
leave at once, ending his letter by telling 
me that should 1 need any funds not to 
hesitate to call on him. I immediately 
wired him back, thanking him for his kino 
letter and offer, and that I would take his 
advice and leave. But. as he stated in his 
letter that he thought business would force 
him to visit Mexico City, he would see me. 
which he did on Thursday last. He him- 
self went to Washington and saw Bryan 
personally, and told him of the e.xact situ- 
ation, and, though his company has lost 
over $2,000,000 since last March, and the 
last report on June l.")th that tliere were 
3.700 rebels on their rubber ranch, he states 
that at Washington a rebel leader who 
brings any story there is listened to more 
favorably than the man whose entire plant 
has been destroyed. * * * 

The Latins are exceedingly courteous, 
and notwithstanding all that has passed 
between the two .governments, not a sound 
has licen heard here in the streets from a 
Mexican reljcl a.gainst an American. On 
the contrary, the foreigner is treated with 
more decorum here to-day that in his na- 
tive country. Undoubtedly much of this 
now fricndl}- spirit that exists — and well 
for the American here — is due to Ambassa- 
dor Henry Lane Wilson, who was favorable 
to Huerta. seeing that he was the man for 
the situation. President Huerta is as much 
entitled to be president, and far more de- 
serving of recognition, than ever Madero 
was. * * * 

I hardly think the Catholic party will 
win out. as one of them admitted that while 
they far outstripped the "Felicitas" in the 
number of their organized clubs — over 57,- 
000 throughout the republic — the latter had 
the advantage over them as Felix Diaz was 
very popular. * * * 

The Huerta Government is doing all in 
its power to crush these fiends, but with- 
out money, what can Huerta do. and il 
W'ilson recognized his government, it could 
then get all the money it needed to in- 
crease its army and squelch those ravaging 
demons that are swarming the country. We 
all feel here that if Wilson had recognized 
Huerta the thousands that have left their 
homes — abandoned their only means of 
support — .gave up all they worked for foi 
years, would not have suffered all they 
did, and will, in future. It was a blessed 
thing that the Madero Government was 
overthrown. Affectionately yours, 

AGNES. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



A NEW ERA 

PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY IN MEXICO. 



Mc-xico City boasts of the greatest water- 
works in the world. Thej' have just been 
completed after thirteen years of incessant 
labor and an expenditure liy the Mexican 
Government of about eight million dollars 

The \vater is drawn by centrifugal pumps 
from four wells constructed near the Xochi- 
milco Lake. These pumps at present e.\ 
tract 2(5"). 1)00 gallons per second but have "t 
capacity of one-fourth more. 

The}' furnish a minimum of 263 gallons 
per day per inhabitant. The works have 
been so built that this same minimum can 
be furnished each inhabitant when the city's 
population reaches 1,250,000. 

The water is first pumped to four enor- 
mous tanks or reservoirs elevated 165 feet 
about the city, with a capacity of 1,118,- 
300,000 gallons. 

The Mexico City water-works have been 
declared the best in the world by John R. 
Freeman, the well-know'n hydraulic engi- 
neer of New York, and Colonel Goethals, 
in charge of Panama Canal construction. 
Daniel Bellet. an eminent French engineer, 
in his work "Latest Inventions" cites the 
Mexico City water-works as a model of 
their kind. 

The chief engineer of the works is Seiioi 
Marroquin y Rivera, a noted Mexican grad- 
uate of the Mexico City School of Engi- 
neers. 

A concession for the use of one hundred 
and thirty-seven gallons per second of the 
water of the Rio de los Muertos, in che 
State of Nuevo Leon, was granted on Sep- 
tember 6th to Mr. Benino Garcia Lozano. 
The use of the water is granted specifically 
for the generation of electric power anJ 
light. 

M. S. Weil has applied for a concession 
to establish four fine-glass and crystal fac- 
tories in the Republic of Mexico, with a 
proposed capital of $530,000. 

More Eloquent Proofs of Mexico's 
Prosperity. 

Custom House receipts during the month 
of August have been as follows: 

Imoorts $3,35-1,984.91 

Additional duty 33-1,138.97 

Exports 296,238.75 

Port charges 142,684.8'! 

Total receipts .$4,128,947.50 

In these fi,gures are not included the re- 
ceipts of the Custom Houses at Guaymas 
and Santa Rosalia. 

Below are the receipts of the various 
Custom Houses in the order of importance: 

Vera Cruz $2,099,398.1'; 

Tampico 725,198.59 

Mexico City :j70,749.42 

i'rogreso 328,273.83 

Ciudad Juarez 118,305.79 

Laredo 117,013.77 

These receipts for .■\ugust, 1913, against 
those for August, 1912, show an increase 
of $397,202.69, or more than ten per cent. 



For the increase of equipment of the reg- 
ular army contracts have been made for' the 
purchase of the following: 

Twenty-eight batteries of Chumond-Mon- 
dragon cannons, with 100.000 rounds ol 
shells; 10 batteries of inountain pieces; 48,- 
(lOO Mauser rifles; 150.(nTo Mausers of a dif- 
ferent model, with 110.000,000 rounds of 
ammunition; 500,000 rf)un(ls fjf Winchester 
ammunition, calilire .-14; 500000 rounds ol 
Remington ammunition; 80,000 Marten- 
Hale hand grenades; 25,000 cavalry sabres; 



30 Colt machine guns, with 4,000,000 rounds 
of ammunition; 400 Hotchkiss machine 
guns; 500 sets of American harness for the 
use of the artillery corps; 177 armored au- 
tomobiles with mounted machine guns; 5u 
automobiles of various makes; trucks for 
the service of store houses and ammunition 
factories; 10 aeroplanes for the aviation 
corps. 

A contract has also been awarded to an 
Italian ship-builder for two military trans- 
ports of 3,500 tons each, with four cannont 
of 75 mms. each. 



In the first six months of 1913 the Mexi- 
can Government sold to private parties 
114.817 acres of National lands. 

The surveying of National lands is pro- 
gressing rapidly in the States of San Luis 
Potosi, Michoacan, Vera Cruz, Tabasco and 
Chiapas, the Territory of Lower California 
and the Federal District, with the assist- 
ance of the local Governments. Upon the 
completion of the surveying the lands will 
be sold or leased in small tracts. 

At the present time the Government has 
ready for occupancy 36,795 acres of National 
lands, which will be awarded in small tracts 
in accord with the Government's policy to 
encourage the establishment of small farms. 

Following this same policy the Govern- 
ment will award to small farmers 46,683 
acres of the best land in the State of More- 
los, which it has acquired from private 
owners. 

In the new contracts for the leasing of 
National lands the Government will not 
grant great extensions to any single lessee, 
as was done formerly. 

In the State of Vera Cruz 9,760 acres 
of National lands have been subdivided 
for the establishment of an agricultural 
colony. A contract has been entered into 
by the Government for the establishment 
of another colony in the State of Tabasco 
on 61,750 acres of National lands with the 
stipulation that the land revert to the Gov- 
ernment if the concessionary company 
should make use of the land for specula- 
tion and not for the settlement of colonists, 
as agreed upon. 

According to figures obtained by the De- 
partment of Promotion, the total area 
proper for the growing of forests in the 
Republic of Mexico is 247,000,000 acres. 
The area covered at present by timber is 
of about 25,000,000 acres, but the Depart- 
inent of Promotion is making successful ef- 
forts to increase this area. 

In the Federal District alone 748,057 trees 
were planted in the last year, while during 
the same period 61,754 trees were planted 
in the diflferent States of the Republic. The 
Government has at present in its nurseries 
3,629,360 trees and is encouraging private 
initiative for the conservation and improve- 
ment of forestry. 

The railroad traffic between Sallillo and 
Torreon has been re-established and the 
whole railroad situation has been greatly 
improved. 



The Mexican Government has received 
llie proceeds from a loan of 15,000,000 
pesos made by several Mexico City banks. 

At the stockholders' meeting of the Na- 
tional Railways of Mexico, October 2, it 
was announced that the Government had 
paid the interest, a.ggregating $1,500,000, on 
the general mortgage Ijonds. 

Negotiations arc being carried on in 
London Ijy Senator MacManus for a large 
loan to the Mexican Government by Eng- 
lish bankers. 




SCHOOLBOYS IN MEXICO CITY RECEUTNG 
MILIT-ARY TRAINING. 

Peace Progress. 

Military operations against the rebels, 
which have been been conducted steadily 
and successfully, culminated last week in 
several decisive Federal victories. The 
main forces of rebels under Villa and 
other leaders in the State of Chihuahua 
were severely defeated at Santa Rosalia 
and the remnants of the scattered rebels 
forced to take refuge in the State of Du- 
rango. The whole force under Jesus Car- 
ranza and Pablo Gonzales in the State of 
Coahuila was repeatedly defeated by the 
Federal column commanded by General 
Maas, who swept the northeastern part of 
the State, recapturing one by one all the 
points held by the rebels up to Ciudad 
Porfirio Diaz. 

Thus the backbone of the rebellion in 
Coahuila and in Chihuahua was broken and 
the whole northern border came again un- 
der the control of the Government with 
the exception of the Sonora line and the 
single point of Matamoras, at the extreme 
southeast. 

Federals in several columns are now ad- 
vancing against Matamoros, which is ex- 
pected to fall into their hands within a 
few days. 

Durango and the northwestern part of 
Zacatecas are now the last strongholds of 
the rebel bands, besides the Fuerte district 
in Sinaloa, and Sonora. Federal columns 
under the command of General Rasgado 
have been sent to Sinaloa and General 
Trucy Auliert will enter Durango. 

Railroad traffic Ijctween Torreon and 
Monterrey has been reestablished and 
trains are now running daily aiid regularly 
on the direct route between Mexico City 
and~ Laredo and between Ciudad Juarez 
and Chihuahua. Communication between 
Torreon and Chihuahua will soon be re- 
opened, as well as between Torreon and 
Zacatecas. The work of repairing the rail- 
roads li'etwecn these points is advancing 
rapidly. 



Saturday. Oclolu 



MEXICO 



El Pasograms 

E\ I'aso (Tex.), Oct. 1.— (E.'cclusive Dis- 
patch.) .A.. Gonzalds, describing himself as 
a special financial agent of the Sonora rev- 
olution, almost starved to death at Co- 
lumbus. N. M., yesterday, while trying to 
exchange .$^6,000 Sonora State currency foi 
one standard size hand-picked ham sand- 
wich. Gonzales crossed the line at some 
point near Columbus with the liat money 
in his overalls, and attempted to pass it 
for the makings of a square meal. The 
restaurant keeper in Columbus said he 
would be glad to accommodate him. but 
his wife had put dow'U all the carpets and 
needed no padding for the pantry shelves. 
Finally the Mexican appealed to the United 
States soldiers of the Thirteenth Cavalry, 
and he was given a feed after the money 
had been taken from him by the command- 
ing ofHccr. — Los Angeles "Times." 



THROUGH BRITISH EYES 

Extracts from an article by SYDNEY BROOKS in the October "North Ameri- 
can Review." 



(Special to the New York -Herald.") 
Hermosillo, Mexico, Saturday. — Early to-day the 
Constitutionalist force, consisting of about two 
thousand men, with four cannon, attacked Her- 
mosrllo. The town was defended by about an 
equal force of Federals. Fighting lasted all day. 
The result is not yet known. 

.\n(i we thought Hermosillo was in the 
hands of the rebels and w'as the Carranza 
headquarters! 

We learn something new every day from 
the New York "Herald." 



(Special Despatch to the New York ''Herald.*') 

Hermosilla, Sonora, Mexico, Thursday. — The 
Constitutionalists' diplomatic agent in Paris, Mig- 
uel Diaz Lombardo, cabled to General Carranza 
that President Huerta has instructed his agent to 
"obtain an immediate loan of $20,000,000 from 
French banks on any conditions ; case absolutely 
necessary. Cable funds within a week or all 
French vessels in Mexican waters will be sunk." 
General Carranza replied : — "Publish in French 
press that no loan made to so-called Huerta gov- 
ernment will be recognized by the Constitutional 
government." 

The competition between the New York 
"Herald's" special correspondent in Her- 
mosillo and the El Paso fellows is daily 
becoming more exciting. In fact, Her- 
mosillo is now out-elpasoing El Paso. 

That probable sinking of French vessels 
in Mexican waters is — 

Probable, did we say? Inevitable! Since 
Carranza saj^s he will not recognize any 
loan and therefore, of course, the French 
bankers will not lend the money. 

Well, the Mcrritt Wrecking Company 
i? on the job (unpaid advertisement). 



(Special Despatch to the New York "Herald.") 

Hermosillo, Mexico, Monday. — Eight hundred 
Federals, in an armored train, sortied yesterday 
from Guaymas, but were driven back by the Con- 
stitutionalists, who advanced from their position 
at Maytorcna and occupied Batamotal, twelve 
miles from Guaymas. 

Because of the Federal forces at Losmochis last 
week. General Ojeda has been relieved and or- 
dered to Mexico City. General Blanquet succeeds 



The "Herald" has a good rebel victory 
story almost every day. Their general ac- 
curacy can be gauged by the above state- 
ment regarding General Blanquet's suc- 
ceeding General Ojeda. 

General Blanquet was reappointed Min- 
ister of War on October 6. 



* • • But an American President has two greater 
incentives to circumspection in his dealings with the 
southern Republic than this. He cannot but be 
acutely aware that a war between Mexico and the 
United States would intlame all Spanish-American 
sentiment against the latter country and would undo 
whatever has been accomplished by Mr. Root and 
Mr. Knox and the Pan-American Union in winning 
the good will of the Central and South American 
Governments. South America in general, and the 
Republics that arc dotted round the shores of the 
Caribbean in particular, perfectly well realize that 
they have more to fear from the United States than 
from any European country. They remember Pan- 
ama and the American treatment of Cuba and San 
Domingo. They have studied the Nicaragua Treaty 
that Mr. Bryan sprang upon the Senate last July, 
and they detect in its provisions a formula for the 
expansion of American authority that may easily 
lend itself to repetition. They observe that the 
habit of interfering in Central American affairs for 
the purpose of enforcing what Mr. Roosevelt used 
to call a standard of "decency" is growing more 
and more popular at Washington, and that large 
numbers of Americans are becoming accustomed to 
regarding their country as the natural policeman and 
official receiver of the neighboring Republics ; and 
they would one and all consider intervention in 
Mexico as a direct and definite menace to them- 
selves. 

The other and yet stronger argument in favor of 
a strict' neutrality is that the United States is ill- 
prepared, politically and materially, for the alterna- 
tive. To seize and hold the three or four strategic 
points in Mexico might be a comparatively simple 
matter, but to dominate the coiuitry- and to wage 
the inevitable guerilla warfare that would ensue 
would require at least 250,000 men and probably 
th ree or four years of time. It would be by far 
the biggest and most hazardous undertaking on 
which the United States has embarked since the 
Civil War. That at least is certain, but the extent 
of the commitments that would be incurred after 
the pacification of the country had been effected 
is beyond computation. They might easily involve 
a permanent occupation of Mexican territory and 
full responsibility for its government. No sensible 
American, I take it, wishes to put his hand into a 
hornet's nest like that, or would regard it as any- 
thing but a national disaster if the United States 
were to become involved in such endless and com- 
plex liabilities. * * * 

That is a prospect of such tremendous import and 
would entail, were it to be realized, so great a dis- 
sipation of the national wealth and energy and so 
far-spreading and intricate a series of political and 
constitutional problems that to prevent its realiza- 
tion at almost any cost is the first duty of Ameri- 
can statesmanship. * * * 

President Taft met the situation — I quote his own 
words — by a policy of "patient non-intervention, 
steadfast recognition of constituted authority in the 
neighboring nation, and the exertion of every effort 
to care for American interests." * * * 

In President Taft's version of his policy, quoted 
above, I have made prominent the words "steadfast 
recognition of constituted authority in the neigh- 
boring nation." The President, it will be seen, made 
it the second plank in his platform, putting it imme- 
diately after non-intervention and immediately in 
front of the protection of American interests. The 
point is of particular interest because it is pre- 
cisely here that Mr. Wilson has departed from 
h'-< predecessor's policy, and it is precisely because 
hft has departed from it that the present tension 
exists. General Huerta stepped into the Mexican 
Presidency a week or so before Mr. Wilson entered 
the White House. There at once came up the 
qucsi'on whether the United States should accord 
recognition to the new ruler as the "constituted 
authority." Had Mr. Taft remained in power the 



question would have be 
Mexico to-day would be c 



Hi 



speedily settled and 
le way to tranquility. 



strong common sense would have prevented 
him from inquiring too closely or pedantically into 
the title of a President of a Spanish-American State 
in a lime of revolution. So long as the new head 
of the State gave proof of resolution and capacity 
— and General Huerta has given proof of both qual- 
ities — Mr. Taft would have treated with him, even 
though he was unable to produce a certificate of 
his election from the receiving officer, and even 
though charity itself could not pretend that he was 
anything more than a successful military adven- 
turer. As for my second assumption, that an early 
recognition of General Huerta would by now have 
brought Mexico within sight of peace and security, 
the whole course of events in the past half-year 
appears to justify it. As Mexico's immediate and 
most powerful neighbor, with a stake in the coun- 
try greatly •" excess of that of any other nation, 
America's attitude toward the Republic necessarily 
means more, and carries with it greater implications 
and significance than the attitude of all other Govern- 
ments put together. * * ♦ 

Whatever the defects of the General's title to his 
office — I believe as a matter of fact that a court 
would decide it to be perfectly valid according to 
Mexican law — the fact remains that he has for six 
months defended it successfully and by methods 
that seem equally removed from the indecisiveness 
of Madero and the high-handedness of Diaz. That is 
a fact which, in the opinion of British onlookers, 
ought to count. That it has not counted with the 
authorities at Washington is ascribed by some ob- 
servers to the influence of commercial and financial 
interests, and by others — and they, in my judgment, 
are nearer the mark — to a certain squeamishness of 
conscience which prevents the American Executive 
from having any direct dealings with a ruler of 
General Huerta's reputedly unpleasant record. * * * 



diplomacy, in short, appears in British 
eyes to have landed itself in a mesh of rather puerile 
inconsistencies. It will not itself intervene nor allow 
any other Power to do so; it will not recognize 
General Huerta; it disputes alike his authority and 
his power to restore order; at the same time it 
announces its intention of holding him severely to 
account in the event of injury to American lives or 
property; it draws a picture of a country unable 
to fulfil its international obligations and plunging 
deeper and deeper into the morass of civil war, and 
proposes a general election as a suitable remedy; it 
fixes on the one man who has shown himself com- 
petent to cope with local conditions and insists that 
he must retire from the forthcoming contest ; it de- 
mands the immediate cessation of hostilities, but 
offers no inducement, financial or political, by way 
of loan or of diplomatic support, to this desirable 
end, and apparently expects all the bands of brigands 
in Mexico to compose their differences and abandon 
their agreeably exciting mode of life at the mere 
request of the United States; and finally it winds 
up by warning all Americans in Mexico, who have 
lived through three years of revolution and ought 
by this time to be pretty good judges of the local 
situation, to leave the country as speedily as may 
be, promising them the assistance of the American 
Government in their flight. The net result of this 
extraordinary array of recommendations has been 
to inflame Mexican resentment to a pitch that makes 
the possibilities of intervention no longer remote. 
In his message to Congress, President Wilson stated 
that "if Mexico can suggest any better way in which 
the United States can show its friendship we are 
more than willing to consider the suggestion." In 
the opinion of the outside world "the better way" 
has long ago been indicated. It consists in recog- 
nizing General Huerta without any further reserva- 
tions. * * * 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION 



President Wilson's Voice 

Secretar)- Daniels in his Indianapolis 
speech on Wednesday demanded of the 
journalists of the country "the quick- 
ening of all ennobling sentiments until the 
ethical principle is firmly established in 
American journalism that the voice of the 
nation's head once expressed on a foreign 
question is the voice of the united country." 

The doctrine of "lese majeste," which 
Secretary Daniels hopes to see accepted bj 
the press in the United States, may prevail 
in European empires and kingdoms, al- 
though it is seldom actually invoked even 
there. It will certainly never be accepted 
by "The Times." 

If, through the egotism and blunders of 
President Wilson, a war should be precipi- 
tated between this country and any foreign 
power, "The Times" would cordially and 
loyally support the President in his war 
measures. But in doing this it would not 
therefore indorse his mistake or crj' hosan- 
na to his egotism. 

■'The voice of the nation's head" — as Sec- 
retarj' Daniels designates the utterances ol 
President Wilson — on the Mexican ques- 
tion was — 

1. That President Huerta murdered ex- 
President Madero. 

2. That because of such murder Presi- 
dent Wilson would not recognize Huerta 
as provisional President of Mexico, al- 
though he had been elected by the Me.xi- 
can Congress, recognized by the Mexican 
Supreme Court, was in control of the armv 
and navy and all the civil departments ana 
had been recognized by practically all the 
governments of Europe and Asia. 

3. That President Wilson demanded that 
President Huerta should resign his Presi- 
dency and pledge himself not to be a can- 
didate for election by the Mexican people. 

The first of these assumptions of Presi- 
dent Wilson — that Huerta murdered Made- 
ro — was warranted probably as a suspicion, 
but was not clearly established by the evi- 
dence, and later testimony and the verdict 
of a court of inquiry leave it in doubt 
whether Madero was not accidentally killed 
by his own adherents, who were trying to 
aid him to escape. 

The second assumption is utterly unwar- 
ranted, even if the first one were correct. 
Under the law of nations as expounded by 
all European and American writers on in- 
ternational law President Huerta was en- 
titled to recognition as provisional Presi- 
dent, no matter how he obtained the place, 
and "the voice of the nation's head," dif- 
fering from all the voices of all the na- 
tions of the world, was an ill-considered, 
not to say an upstart and egotistical, voice. 

The third assumption of President Wil- 
son, that he has a right not only to ordei 
the resignation of Huerta, but to forbid 
his future candidacy for office in Mexico, is 
so utterly without warrant from any point 
of view, so ridiculously absurd, that for 
Secretary Daniels to claim that Mr. Wil- 
son's voice in this respect is the "voice of 
a united country" is as if one were to as-, 
sert that the bray of a misguided donkey 
is tlie roar of a mighty lion. 

Secretary Daniels complains "that the at- 
titude of some of the newspapers of the 
United States and occasioual expressions 
by well-known Americans might have given 
the impression that the people were divid- 
ed in their opinion on this subject of the 
recognition of the Huerta regime." 

Secretary Daniels draws an illogical con- 
clusion from an erroneous premise. The 



.American people are not "divided in opin- 
ion" with respect to the unwisdom of Pres- 
ident Wilson's action and the inconsiderate- 
ness of President Wilson's utterances. 
Thej' arc united in the opinion that Presi- 
dent Wilson was wrong — utterly wrong — 
in both. They are further of the opinion 
that his action and utterances have ob- 
structed the restoration of peace and or- 
derly government in the Mexican republic 
and have added to the dangers and difficul- 
ties of Americans therein. The remedy oi 
President Wilson for these evils — that 
Americans should run away from Mexico 
assisted by the United States, second-class 
— does not increase the disposition of 
Americans to believe that "the voice ol 
the nation's head is the voice of the united 
country." 

"The Times" is forced to the conclusion 
that the voice of President Wilson on 
either foreign or domestic questions is not 
the voice of the nation, but the voice of an 
arrogant, obstinate, self-opinionated peda- 
gogue, who has carried his schoolmaster 
habits into the White House. He may es- 
cape criticism from those 
"Who bend the pregnant hinges of the knee 
That thrift may follow fawning." 

He will not escape it from "The Times." 
— Los .'Xngeles Times. 

A Diplomatic Diamond 

It is amazing the United States should 
have said to Mexico that she must do this 
and must not do that. But for the idea 
of overlordship in all the affairs of all the 
Governments and countries in this West- 
ern Hemisphere, as expressed by Hannis 
Taylor in his work on international law, 
the position that has been taken by the 
American Government in the Mexican 
troubles would be the subject of world- 
wide merriment. It is no laughing matter, 
however, as the European Powers prob- 
ably regard it. American overlordship 
means that America is taking a good many 
chances. It is a brave thing for America 
to do; but is it a wise thing? 

It must be confessed, however, that there 
was never anj'thing evactly like the diplo- 
macy of the United States in this Mexican 
matter. It is most remarkable that the 
United States should interfere with the 
purely domestic afTairs of a friendly nation 
to the extent of saying that any particular 
person shall not be a candidate for the 
chief magistracy of that country and that 
an election in that country shall be held 
under the supervision of this country. 

It is, in effect, a declaration that Mex- 
ico is, in the exercise of one of the high- 
est attributes of sovereignty — the right to 
govern itself in its own way under its own 
rules — a dependency of the United States. 
Had Mr. Wilson made the point very 
clearly that he was carrying out and ex- 
tending the Monroe Doctrine as defined 
by Grovcr Cleveland, there could havie 
been no misunderstanding of his diplomacy 
in this case. If hq is not doing that, there 
is no ground for his course. — J. C. H. in 
the Phila. "Ledger." 



It is quite conceivable that, had the 
United States assumed any other attitude 
than it did, Huerta never would have 
found himself in a situation so singularly 
auspicious to the conception of such a mes- 
sage. That very animus of the Wilson ad- 
ministration which was supposed to mili- 
tate against his power and influence only 
went far enough to prove the greatest ele- 
ment of his strength. — Houston "Chron- 
icle." 

The Church Speaks 

The Rev. W. Ellsworth Lawson of the 
Congregational Church at Foxboro, Mass., 
who was for twelve years in ministerial 
work in Mexico City, is frankly for rec- 
ognition of Huerta. Speaking recently to 
his congregation he said: 

"It seems to be that America faces two 
propositions only: First, the recognition, 
without conditions, of Huerta, a provision- 
al President; second, American interven- 
tion and occupation. All the rest is, in 
my opinion, sheer sentimentalism. The 
fine talk of a 'free and open Presidential 
election' is, whether Huerta be a candidate 
or not, the funniest of all the solemn pal- 
aver that has come from the Government 
and the press for many months." 

Concerning intervention Mr. Lawson 
says: 

"I have talked with several army men 
on that dreadful proposition (interven- 
tion), and I have yet to find one who 
would really welcome it. It would be, as 
an officer remarked to me sixteen months 
ago, 'a dirty job, compared with which the 
Cuban war was a Sunday school picnic' 

"Shall the United States, then, recognize 
Huerta? It seems to me the only alter- 
native. Though one knows not these days 
what an hour may bring forth, I do not 
believe that Huerta and those who stand 
behind him have the slightest intention of 
weakening. He is the one strong man 
who has been thrown to the top by the 
great political earthquake." 

Latin-American Troubles 

The "South American Supplement" ol 
the London "Times" of August 26 pub- 
lishes an article on "Revolutions in Latin 
America," in which the author remarks on 
the absence of "any serious attempt to 
study their causes, origin, meaning and 
objects," and proceeds to attempt to fill 
that need. He thinks that the very ubiquity 
of such troubles must presuppose a com- 
mon cause whicli it "should be possible to 
ascertain as a proliminar}' step to thcii 
remedy." 

Proceeding, the author traces the rcpuli- 
lican origin of all of these countries "ex- 
cept Brazil, which remained a monarchy 
until 188!);" he thinks that the constitutions 
adopted have been in the main "misfits," 
and that therein lies the main cause of un- 
rest. 

"This statement will probably profound- 
ly shock many very worthy Latin-.A.meri- 
cans, but its proof lies in the history of all 



Saturday, October 11, 1913 



MEXICO 



the Rcpiil)lics for the last century, a his- 
tory bristling with civil wars, revolutions, 
military mutinies, transient dictatorships, 
frequent lapses from Constitutional rule, 
and other evidences of an unstable political 
life. The Presidents, the good ones as of- 
ten as the bad, chafe under the restrictions 
imposed upon them, and few have escaped 
the accusation of violating the Constitu- 
tion in spirit or in letter; the legislators 
make little or no attempt to defend and 
enforce Constitutional principles; the peo- 
ple and the political parties, civilians and 
soldiers, are constantly restive, and fail to 
find satisfactory outlets for their aspira- 
tions or remedies for their grievances by 
constitutional methods." 

South Americans cannot be supposed to 
be naturally unruly, for after all, save in 
Central .America, they are mostly trans- 
planted Europeans, and * * * there i» 
nothing in their blood, inherited ideas oi 
traditions, to render them more ungovern- 
able than their European cousins to-day. 

The fault, then, must lie with the rules 
under which they live politically; it is not 
that the Constitutions are bad, nor the 
people at fault; it is, "merely that they are 
unsuited to each other." 

The democratic and representative meth- 
ods suitable to English and Americans art 
not the right thing — and as a natural re- 
sult the tendency is "in the direction of a 
more autocratic form of government." 

Representative government has not been 
a success, but on the other hand "it may 
be urged that representative government 
cannot be said to have broken down, since 
it has never been properly tried. That 
is to some extent true, but the greater 
truth is that the principles upon which it is 
based are not yet properly understood, 
either by the people themselves or by theii 
governors, despite their professions of dem- 
ocratic ideas. This may be seen very plain- 
ly at the elections, though the point is one 
requiring fuller elaboration than can be 
given to it here. A South American elec- 
tion, even at its best, is only a struggle foi 
partisan predominance, and in no case a 
method of consulting the wishes of the 
people upon any point of public policy. 

"The political, economical, educational 
religious, and other problems that agitate 
the constituencies in the democracies ot 
Europe and the United States, though they 
equally e.xist in South America, are not 
referred to the people in any form, and the 
candidate who appealed for electoral sup- 
port on the strength of his \ iews on thest 
problems would be regarded as a candidate 
not for Parliamentary honors so much as 
for the lunatic asylum. Thus, though an 
election may afford some indication of rel- 
ative party strength — and that only very 
imperfectly — it aflfords no indication at all 
of public opinion." 




1913 AMERICAN I9I4 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON. O. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

Latin pcoplus. the- aulhor proceeds, have 
neither the liabit nor the tradition of sub- 
mitting their problems to the popular voice 
and it is this tact that makes their diver- 
gence from tlie theoretical represenlativt 
government modeled on that of the United 
States so great. 

"Experience has shown that in this part 
of the world it is a frankly autocratic gov- 
ernment which generally gives the best re- 
sults, provided the men at the head of af- 
fairs are fairly honest, intelligent, and pat- 
riotic." 

Military rulers were the inevitable result 
of the circumstances under which these 
countries first came into being, the writei 
of the article thinks; even in times of peace 
he was the safest leader, and all the gov- 
ernments still have a military and not a 
"popular" basis. 

"How powerless a South American gov- 
ernment can be when its own armed forces 
are turned against it has been illustrated by 
recent events in Brazil and Paraguay." 

This system has become so well estab- 
lished that "the South American people 
would hardly understand any other form 
of government." and any attempt at change 
puts the country "out of gear."- — ^*'Pan- 
American Magazine." 



Other Points of View 

"The administration at Washington was not war- 
ranted in assuming the role of dictator in enforcing 
the requirements of the Mexican constitution and 
might well have satisfied itself with assuming that 
the de facto President of that nation would recog- 
nize and obey its constitutional law." — Philadelphia 
■'Bulletin." 

"Statements such as made by Senator Sherman 
are ill-advised, ignorant and useless. There are 
thousands of Americans now in Mexico who know 
the absurdity of his statement that "no American 
with a home in Mexico is safe." He declares that 
1,()0<) American lives have been sacrificed and $20,- 
{KX),0()0 of American property ruined or destroyed. 
There is nothing to support this; the claims are so 
large it is obvious he is woefully 'off* in his guess- 
ing. It would be interesting to know from what 
source the Senator procured his 'figures.' " — San 
Antonio "Express." 

"It is generally believed in Mexico," says E. B. 
Harrison of the Parral district, "that the recognition 
of the Huerta government at Washington and the en- 
forcement of the neutrality laws would result in the 
restoration of peace in Mexico before Christmas. 
There is a feeling among the wealthy Mexicans of 
northern Mexico that the people of El Paso are 
not inclined to help toward restoring peace and 
order in Mexico. Indeed, one of the wealthiest men 
in the Jiminez district told me that if the business 
men of El Paso would try they could do a great 
deal toward bringing the Washington government 
to a better understanding of conditions in Mexico 
and the importance of asking a more definite stand 
to bring about peace." — EI Paso "Times." 



Branding the conditions under which American 
men and women are being shipped from Mexico to 
the United States under orders of the State Depart- 
ment as shameful and inhuman, J. T. Willett, Ameri- 
can resident of the Southern Republic for half a 
century, declares that he voices the sentiment of 
50,000 other American "refugees" when he asks, 
"Now that we are here what are you going to do 
with, and for us?" 

Willett declares that the policy of the State De- 
partment, "which none of the American residents of 
Mexico seems to understand," is causing American 
producers to lose millions of dollars. He declares 
that while Americans are prohibited from carrying 
out their contracts to furnish the Mexicans with food 
and clothing by the policy of the State Department, 
the producers of England, Germany, France, and 
other foreign countries are reaping a harvest. 

"I would be guilty of high treason, I am told, if 
I fulfilled contracts for potatoes and other food- 
stuffs, involving $385,000, with a people who have 
not planted a crop for three years," said Willett 
last night. "Yet in the port of Vera Cruz one can 
see scores of heavily laden foreign vessels literally 
taking the trade away from the Americans right 
under their noses, 

"We are told to leave Mexico. We arrive here 
as prodigals, and what happens? Surely there is 
no killing of the fatted calf for the prodigal's 
return. Instead the wolf seems to draw closer to 
the door. 

"It is a shame to see the way in which respect- 
able and decently bred American women have to 
sleep on cots during the journey home from Mexico 
in the dirty quarters of certain vessels. Their com- 
panions for the most part are a lower order of col- 
ored natives, Chinamen, and rough foreigners. 

"When I arrived in New York, after hearing that 
my $385,000 contracts were not worth the paper 
they were written on, I received $5 for my expenses 
to San Antonio. My case is only one of thousands 
of similar cases. I have made the journey home and 
have no more hardships to endure, but I speak with 
the hope of probably remedying conditions for those 
who are to come to the States from Mexico later." 

Willett declares that the Administration's policy 
toward Huerta will make him accept the Presidency 
of Mexico. 

"Suppose a Japanese fleet should enter one of our 
harbors and tell the people of the United States 
that Mr. Wilson would have to resign," said Wil- 
lett. "Why, every American with red blood in his 
veins would jump right up and declare that Wilson 
was their man, and he would remain despite conse- 
quences. That's how the Mexicans feel. It seems 
assured that Huerta will continue to handle the 
reins in Mexico indefinitely. He is daily becoming 
more and more an idol in the hearts of Mexicans. — 
Washington "Herald." 

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MEXICO 



Saturdav, October 11. 1913 



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Roosevelt in Latin America 

Theodore Roosevelt is on his way to visit 
the three most powerful, advanced and pro 
gressive Republics of South America — 
.-Argentine. Chile and Brazil — where in a 
series of lectures he will make known his 
views on democracy. 

Even to so remarkably 'well-informed a 
man as Roosevelt much that he will see ii, 
these South American countries will be a 
revelation. He will gather first-hand evi- 
dence of wonderful material and political 
progress. 

Whether Theodore Roosevelt is destineo 
to be President of the United States again 
or not, he will assuredly continue to wield 
great influence in the political life of this 
country. The personal contact of such a 
man with the South American people and 
their mutual acquaintance will undoubtedly 
greatly benefit our relations with the coun- 
tries below the Canal. 

It was during Roosevelt's Administration 
that Elihu Root, then Secretary of State 
paid an extended visit to all the nations 
of Latin .-America. Root's presence in those 
countries and the first-hand knowledge he 
acquired of their people did much to dissi- 
pate a certain feeling of antagonism to the 
United States, and consequently to improve 
our friendly and commercial relations with 
them. 

Some of the feeling of antagonism has 
been reawakened by the extremes to 
which "dollar democracy" was carried un- 
der the Taft Administration, and especially 
by the attitude of the present Administra- 
tion toward Latin-,-\merican countries. 

While Roosevelt is supposed to be the 
personification of the "big stick," Latin- 
Americans will like him for his frankness 
and ready understanding of other people's 
characteristics. 

Whatever they may tltink of Roosevelt's 
international policies, ^-Latin-Americans feci 
that at least the)' know where they stam*! 
with him. 

They will not hear from him soft, melli- 
fluous expressions of friendship in direct 
contradiction to his actions. 



Roosevelt is a widely travelled man and 
whatever his faults, he is not narrow-mind- 
ed nor hyjiocritical. He is human. 

To a man like Roosevelt as President of 
the United States brandishing the "big 
stick," Latin-Americans could oppose theii 
strength. 

To hypocritical declarations of friendship 
and covert, high-handed methods they could 
oppose only silent hatred, which would be 
reflected in all their social and commercial 
relations with this country. 

Roosevelt will inake many friends in 
Latin-America. 



Help the Blunderers 

Whether the forthcoming elections in 
Mexico provide the Washington Adminis- 
tration with an opportunity to retire with 
more or less grace from its anomalous po- 
sition, or whether certain exigencies re- 
quire the continuance of the ad interim 
organization, the fact will alwaj'S remain 
and in the light of history will be clear 
that the failure of Washington to recognize 
the Mexican Provisional Government was 
a monumental blunder and the greatest 
single factor strengthening the arm of re- 
bellion. 

The extraordinary military success of the 
Federals within six or seven months' time, 
postponed as it was by financial embarrass- 
ments, is an earnest of what the Govern- 
ment could have accomplished with the 
money the Madero faction took from tlie 
National treasury. What it could more 
readily have done with the moral support 
of L'nited States recognition. What it can 
and will do if given half a chance. Peace 
in Mexico could have been a settled fact 
to-day were it not for the .-Vdministration's 
academic, arbitrary attitude. When we 
realize that this means that hundreds of 
human lives, millions in money, and other 
millions in property would have been saved 
does it not seem a startling, inconsistent, 
irresponsible, self-contradictory thing for 
the Administration to say that it is a friend 
of Mexico and the Mexican people? 

Is it not conceivable that some moral re- 
sponsibility may rest in Washington for 
those hundreds who have been killed? 

For the last few years the situation in 
Mexico has not been a picnic. Neither has 
it been a pink-tea nor a Sunday school out- 
ing. It has been a stern reality of brigan- 
dage and bloodshed, which has had to be 
and must still be met, not with inconse- 
quential theories, but with physical power. 

Perhaps the intelligent leaders of the 
Provisional Government may find some 
way short of national humiliation or hurt 
to help the Washington blunderers out. 
Patriotism may demand it. There are some 
people who will never admit they have 
made a mistake. This kind of perscSn rare- 
ly reaches the heights of power, but if ac- 
cidentally he does, Heaven help llie weak- 
er virlim of his mistake. 

Read "MEXICO" Once a week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



Things to Think About 

President Wilson has made it clear to 
the world that neither his Administration 
nor the people of the United States have 
any desire or intCnuion to intervene in Me.\- 
ico by force of arms. That some news- 
papers and jingo statesmen have open.y or 
by implication advocated such a course has 
had no weight with the great majority of 
the people. 

There is a certain specious appeal in the 
idea that when American lives and property 
are in jeopardy American soldiers should 
protect them. But when this military pro- 
tection involves war with another nation, a 
war that would cost the lives of thousands 
of Americans and untold millions of dol- 
lars, it is time to pause and consider, espe- 
cially when there is no evidence that the 
dangers to Americans in Mexico have been 
any greater than would be the dangers to 
foreigners in this country in case of civil 
strife. Also when it is taken into consid- 
eration that the Administration has refused 
to lend its moral support and closed tlie 
sources of financial support to the consti- 
tuted authorities of Mexico, check- 
ing and interfering with their plans to re- 
store peaceful conditions and encouraging 
the elements who prolong the troubles of 
the country. 



Public Opinion 



In this issue of AIEXICO more space 
IS devoted than heretofore to articles and 
items that might be classified under the 
general head of "Public Opinion." From 
all points of view, from all kinds of peo- 
ple who know the conditions in Mexico, 
have come spontaneous expressions of opin- 
ion in the public press and in magazines. 
With remarkable unanimitj' they confirm 
what we have contended all along — that the 
attitude taken b}' the Washington Adminis- 
tration was based on a thorough misunder- 
standing and misinterpretation of Mexican 
affairs and that its only influence has been 
toward the continuance and encouragement 
of disorder in Mexico. We could fill a 
publication three times as voluminous as 
MEXICO every week with such statements 
from .-\mericans in Mexico and from un- 
biased students of Mexico and Mexican 
conditions. 

In presenting the case of Mexico as it 
really is, this publication is not advancing 
any individual opinion that is not the opin- 
ion of virtually every American in Mexico 
and the universal opinion of all well-in- 
formed, unbiased persons interested in Mex- 
ican affairs. 



"Huerta Tottering," "Huerta Hemmed 
In," "Huerta at the End of His Rope," 
"The Fall of a Tyrant," "Oh, Mexico!" and 
so on we read for six months in the Mun- 
sey papers. And now they are ominously 
silent on the subject. What is the matter 
with the Munsey newspapers? Getting dis- 
couraged? Or perhaps the prophetic 
imagination has run dry? 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1.— NO. 9 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



UNITED STATES COURTING 

WAR 



Viewed ill lire light of past historical 
events the present status of relations be- 
tween tlie United States and Mexico must 
be regarded as foreshadowing war. 

Ever since the first appearance of MEX- 
ICO we have been showing that the situ- 
ation as created by the polici' of our Ad- 
ministration was fraught with great dan- 
gers. That non-recognition of the Huerta 
Government, meddling in the politics of 
Mexico with the consequent encourage- 
ment to the lawless elements of that Re- 
public, were bringing about such conditions 
as would draw this country into a war 
which the people do not want and which 
could not be justified in the eyes of the 
world. 

Before us and with us hundreds of men 
familiar with Mexican affairs have voiced 
these views. 

We have now arrived at the breaking- 
point and responsibilities must be fixed. It 
is with gravest concern that the people of 
this country arc viewing the present situa- 
tion, because there exists a profound con- 
viction that the danger could have been 
honorably and justly avoided. 

The truth is that the Administration has 
been courting war while professing a pol- 
icy of peace. 

That this has been done unintentionally 
and in good faith is generally believed, but 
it must be admitted that the Administra- 
tion has refused to take into considera- 
tion any evidence which would have proved 
its course wrong and has rejected the ad- 
vice of men who knew. 

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Ameri- 
cans who have lived in Mexico and know 



its people and conditions have either per- 
sonally or in writing made representations 
to the State Department advising recogni- 
tion of the Huerta Government as the only 
step that could assist in the re-establish- 
ment of peace in Mexico and eventually 
make possible tlie elections of new magis- 
trates representing the popular will as 
much as popular will can be expressed in 
Mexico. 

Not one of those men received a satis- 
factory hearing. They were considered un- 
scrupulous persons v.ho had no thought 
for high moral principles, but only for their 
own selfish interests. 

Demands were m.ade upon the Huerta 
Government which no government in the 
world, bad or good, could have accepted. 
They constituted the most flagrant inter 
ference in the internal affairs of another 
country and an unwarranted affront to the 
man who was at the head of the govern- 
ment of that conntry. 

The newspapers supporting the .Adminis- 
tration have emptied their vocabulary of 
insults on the Mexican Government and 
have encouraged the forces of rebellion anil 
brigandage. 

Neither tact nor consideration for the 
feelings of Mexicans nor again even the 
most elementary proprieties which are usu- 
all)- observed by civilized peoples in deal- 
ing with other nations, have been observed 
even by high officials of the .Administra- 
tion. 

Fmagine, for instance, Webster or Bu- 
chanan or Hay or Root or any of the 
statesmen — of whom fortunately for our 
country there has been no dearth in the 



past — making the following declarations as 
reported by the "Evening Sun" of Sep- 
Icniber r34: 

"GET RID OF HUERTA." 

Senator Bacon Says That is the Object of 

Our Policy. 

Washington, Sept. 34.— The frank an- 
nouncement that to get rid of President 
Huerta is the chief object of the policy of 
the United States in the Mexican situation 
was made to-day by Senator Bacon of 
Georgia. The Senator's statement was 
made following a conference with Secre- 
tary of State Bryan. 

"Conditions in Mexico seem to be im- 
proving," said Senator Bacon. "At any 
rate it looks as if we would get get rid of 
Huerta, and that's the chief thing." 

Whatever the opinion of the Administra- 
tion in regard to the legality of the Huerta 

iContinuefl on next page* 



If upon the firing on Fort Sumter, in 
April, 1861, and during eight months there- 
after the Southern members of the Ameri- 
can Congress had remained in Washington. 
If they had been the beneficiaries of a spe- 
cial privilege by which they were immune 
from arrest and could not be tried by or- 
dinary courts of justice. If under the pro- 
tection of this privilege they conspired 
against the Lincoln Administration, keep- 
ing in constant communication with the 
Confederates and putting every obstacle in 
Lincoln's way. If the Southern Congress- 
men from the seceding States had done all 
this, what would have been their fate? 

Would they have been arrested and tried? 
Or would they have been allowed to pursue 
their work of treason? 

If it had been found that the American 
Congress at that time held in its very heart 
the undermining element which was mak- 
ing for destruction of the Union, would 
not Lincoln have been justified in adopting 
such measures as were necessary to de- 
stroy the canker? 

If he had, would England then have 
been justified in intervening or meddling 
and dictating to Lincoln what he should 
do? 

Now, think this over for a moment. Be- 
cause it will bring home to you the exact 
situation in Mexico City to-day. 



MEXICO 



Saturdav, October 18, 1913 



Government this has been acknuwledged as 
the Constitutional Provisional Government ■ 
of Mexico by the great majority of Mexi- 
cans. Therefore the affronts piled on tlial 
Government have been resented by th.isc- 
who have supported it. There has been 
hardly a foreigner in Mexico who has not 
asserted of late that if the Huerta Govern- 
ment had been recognized peace would 
now reign in Mexico. There is not one 
foreigner in Mexico, whether in sympathy 
or not with the Government, who will not 
admit that no revolutions would long ex- 
ist in Mexico if it were not for the moral 
and material help which they receive from 
the American side of the Rio Grande. 

Moral and material help has been open- 
ly given to rebels and bandits and their 
cause has been espoused even by members 
of the United States Senate. 

The Governor of Arizona has made a 
special trip to the border to shake hands 
with Carranza, one of the rebel leaders. 

Is it not natural that in view of all this 
Mexicans are becoming convinced that this 
country has sinister designs upon their in- 
dependent life and territory? They — and 
with them all foreigners who know Mex- 
ico — cannot believe that such support is 
given to rebels and bandits because of a 
desire on the part of this country to en- 
courage democracy in Mexico. Rebel 
leaders of to-day were the government offi- 
cials of yesterday and as such they gave 
ample proof of their self-seeking ambitions 
and of their ability to make a travesty of 
democracy. 

General Huerta had set upon his govern- 
ment the task of restoring peace in Mex- 
ico. Had hoped to receive at least the 
moral support of this country in doing so. 
Had called to elections for October 2(5. 
All of his actions have been subjected 
to suspicion by the Washington Adminis- 
tration. The step taken by Secretary Bryan 
in sending instructions to the American 
Charge d'Affaires directing him to inform 
the Huerta Government th'at the United 
States would view with great displeasure 
the befalling of any injury to the arrested 
deputies constituted another gratuitous af- 
front to that Government. 

A dispatch to the New York "Sun" of 
October 14 stated that such action had 
been recommended by Mr. Lind but had 
been disapproved by John Bassett Moore, 
Acting Secretary of State, earlier in the 
day. The dispatch added: "The fact that 
Mr. Bryan, returning from a week's vaca- 
tion and necessarily having only meagre 
reports on what had happened, should 
have overruled the acting secretary with- 
out consulting him caused a good deal of 
comment here to-day." 

The declaration of President Wilson that 
he cannot consider the coming Mexican 
elections as legal in,-view of the Mexican 
Congress' having been dissolved and that 
he w'ill not recognize the President then 
elected has greatly added to the gravity 
of the situation. 



COURTING WAR-( Continued) 

The appruachin.u date in which permis- 
sion for American warships to remain in 
Mexican waters will expire may be the 
date for serious complications if the ."Vd- 
ministration determines to keep the war- 
ships there. Mexico is a signer to the 
Hague Conference and may appeal to that 
tribunal to settle the dispute which may 
then arise, but the temper of the Mexican 
people must be reckoned with. 

Every step that the Administration has 
taken in regard to Mexico has been one 
to goad President Huerta mto doing what 
he had not intended to do. A situation has 
been brought about that has compelled 
him to take the reins into his own hands 
or let Mexico perish in the throes of an- 
archy. 

One of our friends, prominent in Wash- 
ington political circles, has illustrated the 
Administration attitude with a well-fitting 
story. He said that the Administration 
reminded him of a certain woman who val- 
ued very highly an artistic pitcher which 
liad been presented to her. One day her 
husband was descending the stairs in their 
house carrying the precious pitcher. He 
slipped and fell. To save the pitcher he 
held it over his head and was deprived of 
tlie use of the hand to save himself from 
the fall. 

He struck his back and was suffering ex- 
cruciating pains when from the top of the 
stairs where his wife had hastened upon 
hearing the noise of the fall came her angry 
voice: "Did I not tell you to be careful of 
that pitcher? What have you done? Did 
yi>u break it?" Not a word about his being 
hurt. 

The husliand straightened up as well as 
he could and sputtered: "No, I didn't break 
it, damn it — but now I will!" Whereupon 
he dashed the pitcher upon the floor be- 
low. 

Secretary Bryan in a recent article on 
peace published in the "Independent" says 
that history will show us that trivial causes 
have been responsible for some of our bit- 
terest wars. 

How can he be blind to the dangers lurk- 
ing in the present situation brought about 
by his own policy? 

Ignorance of Mexican conditions and 
Mexican character is the most charitable 
interpretation which can be put on the Ad- 
ministration's atitude toward Mexico. 

But it was just such ignorance that 
finally determined the war of 1848. Lock- 
hardt Rives, in his admirable book just pub- 
lished, "The United States and Mexico," 
interprets the policy of the Polk adminis- 
tration as due to ignorance. Referring to 
the demands made upon the Mexican Gov- 
erj-.mcnt shortly before the war broke out 
antl just; after the Oregon question had 
l)ccn .settled with England, he says: 

"That this display of force provoked the 
Mexicans, and induced them to fight rallicr 
than to bargain, proves nothing as to the 
intentions of the American cabinet. It 
shows, perhaps, toothing n^oj-f \\Mn their 



ignorance of Mexican nature. John Bull 
might be looked straight in tiie eye, and 
spoken to firmly and boldly to some advan- 
tage; but John .Bull had a good deal to 
lose, while Mexico had nothing except her 
dignity. But she valued dignity above 
money or land. 'The Mexican,' said Henry 
Addington, who was Under-Secretary in 
the British Foreign Office, and knew the 
Spanish character well, 'the Mexican is like 
a mule — if you spur him too much he will 
back off the precipice .with you'; and Polk 
and his advisers had yet a good deal to 
learn both of mules and men." 

These words fit the present situation per- 
fectly. 

It must l)e remarked, however, that Pres- 
ident Polk's policy was frankly and avow- 
edly one of expansion to the Pacific Coast. 
That it was probably his intention of ac- 
quiring the Western territory by purchase 
and not by a war of conquest. That viewed 
in the light of practical events some jus- 
tification ma3' perhaps be found for the war 
of 1848 in the fact that the territory then 
acquired was occupied by a far larger num- 
ber of Americans than Mexicans. 

But President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan have declared themselves in favor of 
peace, have made it clear that the United 
States is not seeking acquisition of new 
territory and have protested their great 
friendship for the Mexican people. 

Secretary Bryan has gone to the extent 
of saying at the banquet of the Pan-Ameri- 
can Society a few months ago that there 
will not be war during the Wilson Adminis- 
tration. However, we repeat, he has been 
courting war. Only a man completely 
lilind to the real situation could deny this. 
And Secretary Brj'an at least could not 
even plead ignorance of the Latin-American 
characteristics, .for he has traveled exten- 
sively in all Latin-America and he has 
come into personal contact with many 
Latin-Americans. 

Friends of the Administration state that 
it is justified in the course it has taken be- 
cause it does not consider that the Huerta 
Government has the support of the people. 
Here is where the most dangerous mistake 
is made. As another mistake is made when 
It is asserted that the majority of Mexicaub 
would welcome American intervention. 

It is sufficient to look back only a few 
years in Mexican history to the time of the 
French intervention in Mexico to under- 
stand the import of these mistakes. 

The support enjoyed by Benito Juarez at 
that time was limited to a few Liberals and 
the masses were, in fact, against him bi- 
cause he had against him the Catholic 
Party, then the most numerous. 

Before and during the period of interven- , 
tion the French authorities issued numer- I 
ous proclamations declaring that their pres- f 
ence in Mexico was solely for the purpose I 
of helping the establishment of a strong ! 
government acceptable to the people. Also 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday. October IS. 1!113 



MEXICO 



COURTING WAR— (Continued) 

that they were not scckins territorial ag- 
grandizement and would withdraw as soon 
as the government was established. 

Benito Juarez headed the armed resist- 
ance against the French and the people 
flocked to his ranks. 

In thi;; connection, the "Imparcial" of 
Mexico City said editorially some time ago: 

"The truth is that President Wilson has 
sliown himself to be as weak politically as 
he is psychologically in dealing with na- 
lional sentiments. 

"Facing a foreign demand, anj- people 
will rally to the support of their govern- 
niLiil. This is in the heart of every people 
of the earth, and explains why a govern- 
ment or party becomes converted into a 
national cause when menaced by destruc- 
tion or overthrow from beyond the boun- 
daries of the homeland. The banner of 
Juarez spread until it covered the whole 
territory when a European monarch at- 
tempted to pull down the hands that sus- 
tained it, and from that moment it ceased 
to be the banner of a party, becoming, in- 
stead, that of a nation. 

"But the president ui the I'nitcd States 
is not familiar with these solidarities of 
peoples; he has no precise knowledge of 
international relations, and is not aware 
that he cannot touch the highest personal- 
ity of a state without touching also each 
unit of wdiich that state is composed. The 
distinction which he makes between the 
Mexican government and Mexicans is 
humiliating. That is the reason why ac- 
ceptance was impossible. Before the men- 
ace of a violation of our sovereignty, the 
government of Mexico is Mexico; we are 
all Mexicans. 

"How could this sentiment have escaped 
the men at Washington? Why is it that 
they did not understand that the greatest 
support they could have given this gov- 
ernment, which they would not recognize, 
was to turn to its assistance those who, 
heretofore, have been its most vehement 
and active opponents, but who, neverthe- 
less, have not lost the desire to pass for 
good Mexicans?" 

We do not want war witli Mexico. But 
to him with eyes to see it is more than 
a i)ossi1)ility that we shall be forced into 
one liy a peace-loving .Administration. 

Labor Bureau's Work 

A yeneral strike ni tlie Dos Estrellas 
Mine, one of the most productive in the 
world and largely owned by French capi- 
tal, was prevented through the efforts of 
tile Labor Bureau which forms part of the 
I)cl>artment of Promotion, Industry and 
Colonization. 

The Chief of the Bureau arranged a con- 
ference with the representatives of the 
miners and of the owners and served as 
intermediary in the negotiations which re- 
sulted in a peaceful solution. 

Thus the Labor Bureau, the activities of 
which have greatly increased under the 
Huerta Government, has once more dem- 
onstrated its great usefulness. 



THE DISSOLUTION OF CONGRESS 



That Mexico has not been aroused from 
border to border and from ocean to ocean 
by the dissolution of its Congress, but has on 
the contrary remained calm and expressed 
general approval of the E.xecutive's aci:ion 
has been due to the fact that the dissolution 
had long been expected. Not only had it been 
announced as probable in press dispatches of 
a few weeks ago but in fact it had been 
advocated for several months both in the 
Mexican press and by many Mexicans who 
had a clear insight into the political situa- 
tion of their country. 

As early as last May "El Pais," in inde- 
pendent Mexico City newspaper, publish- 
ed a series of editorials criticizing the Gov- 
ernment for its leniency toward a number 
of Congressmen who, while drawing their 
pay as members of the Chamber of Deputiej, 
were either actively engaged in fomenting 
the rebellion in different parts of the country 
or were conspiring in Mexico City itself. 

The Government even then possessed actual 
proof that not a few of the Congressmen 
belonging to the group called "Renovationist," 
composed of Maderists, were in secret com- 
munication with different bandit and reb;! 
leaders and were engineering plots against 
the Government. 

The desire of General Huerta to preserve 
all Constitutional forms and the hope that 
the patriotism of a majority of Congressmen 
v.ould induce them to help the Executive in 
t^le pacification of the country induced him to 
disregard the warning of the press. 

The privilege which the Mexican Constitu- 
tion grants to members of Congress, render- 
ing them immune from arrest, was used and 
al)used by many of the Congressmen to 
follow with impunity their rebellious pur- 
suits. 

Encouraged by the evident animus of the 
Washington Administration against General 
Huerta, the Maderist Congressmen went so 
far as openly to accuse General Huerta of 
being a murderer. The disappearance from 
Mexico City of one of their members, Bordes 
Mangel, was inade by them the subject of 
violent recriminations against President Huer- 
ta, whom they accused of being responsible 
for Bordes Mangel's death. General 
Huerta paid no attention to these accusa- 
tions and Bordes Mangel appeared again 
at the opening of Congress. 

He had kept in hiding for several days so 
that the report would go to the United 
States that he had been assassinated and thus 
help in influencing public 'opinion here 
against the Huerta Government at a time 
when the representatives of the rebels in 
Washington were making efforts to fur- 
ther enlist the support of the Administra- 
tion and especially of certain Senators. 

It was part of a prearranged plan which in 



a measure achieved the desired result, as the 
Bordes Mangel incident gave the opportunity 
to the "disinterested" friends of the rebels in 
Washington to push their campaign to ob- 
tain open recognition of the rebels' bellig- 
erancy and attract more sympathy to what 
they call the rebel "cause." 

Not even the menace of foreign complica- 
tions and the fact of interference in the in 
terior politics of Mexico by the United 
States Government were suflicient to make 
the Maderist Congressmen desist from their 
policy of obstruction to all acts of the Ex- 
ecutive. 

E'or more than three weeks after the open- 
ing of Congress, on September 16th, the Mad- 
erist members made impossible the transac- 
tion of any business and spent their time ii 
useless discussions, all of the Executive de- 
mands for various authorizations necessai-v 
to the continuance of the campaign against 
the rebels being sidetracked. 

It became evident to all observers that an 
agreement between Congress and the Execu- 
tive was impossible and that if complete 
political anarchy was to be prevented the 
dissolution of Congress was an imperative 
and immediate necessity. 

The very life of the nation and the entity 
of the Government were threatened by con- 
spiracy and rebellion in the heart of the 
Legislative power. 

President Huerta took the only course open 
to him. He dissolved Congress and arrested 
the conspirators. 

Not 110, as with the usual exaggeration the 
Associated Press reported, but 78 of them. 

In dissolving the existing Congress Presi- 
dent Huerta called general elections for Oc:- 
tober the twenty-sixth. 

The fact that the dissolved Congress was 
composed of men largely appointed by th.; 
Madero Administration was sufficient reason 
to justify the assertion not only of the Gov- 
ernment, but also of many Mexicans that 
those Congressmen did not represent the pop- 
ular will. 

It nuist be considered here that the dissolv- 
ing of Congress is neither new in Mexican 
hi.story nor in that of European powers where 
the parliamentary system is in vogue. In 
fact, it is a frequent occurrence in England, 
France, Italy, Spain and Germany. 

It is true that Mexico has a Constitution 
which, being similar to that of the United 
States, does not contemplate the dissolving 
of Congress in the way contemplated in 
European constitutions, but there has been 
a strong movement in Mexico to adopt the 
parliamentary system as more adapted to 
the traditions, customs, and character of 
the people. 

Men familiar with Mexican aflfairs and wnh 
present Mexican conditions both in and out 

(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



.Saturday. Oclnbcr IS, 191.1 



THE DISSOLUTION OF CONGRESS > Continued 



ot Mexico have niarvcled at the fact that 
President Hiicrta dit! not dissolve Congress 
seven months ago. In fact, the great ma- 
jority of these men found ground for criti- 
cism of General Huerta's policy in his for- 



Jicarancc toward those UK-mbcrs of Con- 
gress who, protected bj- the privilege they 
enjoyed, were using it to undermine the 
Government of wliich tliey were supposed 
to form part. 




Excitement over the dissolution of the 
Alexican Congress and the arrest of some 
Mexican deputies exists wholly and solely 
in this country. 

In Me.xico little attention has been paid 
to an event which in the opinion of many 
v.as inevitable. People there arc still go- 
ing about their business as usual. What 
is the cause of this howl raised in the news- 
papers which have been ardent advocates 
and supporters of President Wilson's pol- 
icy in regard to Mexico? What is the 
cause of the displeasure and chagrin ex- 
pressed by the "high officials" of the Ad- 
ministration at President Huerta's action? 

The cause is purely psychological and 
can be readily explained in all its interest- 
ing aspects. 

Taxing its "ability" and energies to the 
utmost, the Washington Administration for 
many months has bent all its efforts to ob- 
tain one result: the removal of General 
Huerta — the object of its odium and ani- 
mus — from the Mexican political field. The 
aim of the Administration has ])een more 
or less cleverly disguised under the cloak 
of a desire to see peace reestablished in 
Mexico. 

By dexterous press-agenting — in which 
the Administration excels, and in compar- 
ison with which even the Rooseveltian feats 
pale into i.gnominous insignificance — the im- 
pression was given broadcast through the 
United States that the Administration pol- 
icy was directed toward the establishment 
of order and the protection of American 
citizens in Mexico. 

Later, through the blundering declara- 
tions of some officials — especially those of 
a tactless Chairman of the Foreign Rela- 
tions Committee of the Senate, the spokes- 
man of the Administration — it became a 
matter of general conviction tliat the sole 
aim of the Administration was "to get rid 
of Huerta." 

It mattered not if a large portion of the 
lirtss of this country pointed out that the 
elimination of Huerta would not mean 
peace, but anarchy. It mattered not if 
hundreds of Americans who have lived in 
Mexico for many years and know Mexican 
conditions should either in person or by 
letter endeavor to change the Administra- 
tion's attitude, presenting evidence that 
General Huerta is the one strong man cast 
on top of the situatioji by tlie upheaval of 
tiic last three years. It mattered not if 
from all quarters there came assertions 
-supported by evidence and demonstrated 
liy facts that General Huerta possessed llie 
qualities necessary to the pacification of 
Mexico. It mattered not if requests were 



made that General Huerta be given a fair 
chance from this country to accomplish the 
task which he had set for himself and to 
which the most responsible elements of the 
Mexican population had called him. 

The Administration had determined that 
Huerta should disappear from the politi- 
cal map of Mexico. 

It sent John Lind to make proposals 
which no self-respecting Government could 
either accept or take into consideration. 
It would be an insult to the men at the 
head of the United States Government to 
suppose for a moment that they ever be- 
lieved that their proposals would be ac- 
cepted. Why were they made? No an- 
swer can be given to this except that they 
were made with the intention that they 
should not be accepted. In tlie same way 
it is impossible at this moment to know 
the true reason why the Administration has 
determined upon the elimination of the 
man who stands out as the only man who, 
since the fall of Porfirio Diaz, has demon- 
strated the ability and the honesty of pur- 
pose necessary to re-establish peace in 
Mexico. Perhaps events in tlie near fu- 
ture will give tlie clew to explain this an- 
tagonism. 

Friends of the Administration have de- 
belief that once Huerta was eliminated the 
dove of peace would alight on Popocatepetl 
and, as if by magic, spread its wings over 
the Republic. 

Also to the conviction that General 
Huerta was the murderer of Madero and 
that his personal habits are distasteful to 
President Wilson and to Secretary Bryan. 
Huerta drinks, they say. For shame! It 
has been of no avail to remind the abstem- 
ious Secretary that General Grant also 
drank, and that when accused of this be- 
fore Lincoln the latter declared that he 
would have given a great deal to know 
what brand the .general used. 

No, nothing has availed. The .Adminis- 
tration's sympathies, as voiced from day to 
day by all the Washington correspondents 
who get their information first-hand, have 
been with the gentle, honest, law-abiding, 
blood-abhoring and constitution-fondling 
rel)els. The Administration determined 
that Huerta should perish. 

It brought to bear its bu.gaboo moral 
force, namely: Exodus of Americans from 
Mexico and a financial blockade, the "high 
ofificials" and the supporters of the Admin- 
istration 'crying Hosanna! But Huerta 
did not weaken. On the contrary, he con- 
tinued to make remarkable advances to- 
ward the reorganization of the country in 
spile of lack of financial help from outside 



and all the obstacles thrown in his way 
1^3' Washington. . Tlie campaign against 
bandits and rebels continued successful 
with only one temporary setback — the fall 
of Torreon — largely discounted, however, 
by the Government occupation of all im- 
portant cities in the northeastern part of 
Coahuila, including the rebel "capital," Pie- 
dras Negras. 

The fall of Torreon was seized upon b^' 
some newspapers as occasion to point out 
with glee that the Administration policy 
was having the desired effect. 

Suddenly the news came that General 
Huerta had dissolved Congress and jailed 
some of the deputies who had been con- 
spiring against the Government. A cry 
of holy horror went up at Washington and 
it was echoed in every corner of the United 
States where there happens to be an Ad- 
ministration-loving newspaper. 

"The Mexican Constitution has Ijeen 
staljbed," etc., etc. 

Why such a cry of horror? Because 
General Huerta has given one more proof 
of being the strong man of Mexico. In 
other words, because the Administration 
and its supporters are terribly disappointed 
in their fondest hopes that General Huerta 
would lie so weakened b}' the "moral" 
force brought to l^'ear as to make inevit- 
able his immediate riddance. 

(Special Despatch to the New York "Herald.") 

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, Monday. — General Car- 
ranza received to-day through the American Consul, 
Mr. Simpich, a lengthy message from Secretary 
Bryan dealing with several vital questions. The 
first item was a communication from the American 
Consul at Mazatlan, which place is still in the 
hands of the rebels, asking on behalf of American 
and foreign business men representing $10,000,0(.10 
in property that a war vessel be sent there at once 
to ])revent looting should constitutionalists capture 
the place. 

The second was in the matter of allowing for- 
eigners to arm themselves for protection of prop- 
erty. 

The third dealt 'with the question of the alleged 
forcing of foreigners to accept State currency and 
the fourth was a request that in all cases where 
the property of foreigners was taken as an act of 
war receipts be given therefor. 

The fifth item dealt with the seizure by Rafael 
Bueina, claiming to be a constitutionalist leader 
operating in Sinaloa, of $1,000 in bullion belonging 
to the Panuco Mining Company, a Spanish concern ; 
also $S,000 collected by force from tlie Rosaria 
Mining Company, an American corporation. 

Mr. Bryan's communication closed by saying that 

from General Carranza's published statements he 

did not believe such proceedings were authorized 

or supported by the constitutionalists. 

Why. of course not. Mr. Bryan would 

believe anytliing the "constitutionalists" 

would tell him so long as it was couched 

in tlic flowery periods so dear to his heart. 



AMERICANS RETURNING 

Mexico City, September :!(». — The gene- 
ral mana.ger of the National Railways of 
Alexico stated to-day that many Americans 
are returnin.g daily to Mexico l)y way of 
Laredo, confident that the situation will 
stion be greatly improved. Some of these 
.Americans are business men who are com- 
ing to make inveslments. 

The number of .Americans arriving i;; 
much larger than the number of those leav- 
ing. .All berths of the sleeping-cars arriv- 
in.a at Laredo, bound southward, in the 
last three days were occupied and the great 
majority of the passengers were .Ameri- 
cans. 



Saturday, October 18, 1913 



MEXICO 



The Game As Played. 

To understaiul llic al)solutc necessity 
confronting the Mexican Executive of dis- 
solving a Congress in which the Maderist 
deputies held the balance of power, it is 
necessary to understand clearly the lat- 
ler's plan in regard to the elections to be 
lu-ld on October 26. 

This plan, cunningly conceived, if car- 
ried through would have proven of far 
graver consequences than the mere con- 
spiring of the Maderist deputies and than 
their active efforts to keep the rebel lead- 
ers constantly informed of the Govern- 
ment's intended movements and plans. 

It was the purpose of the Maderist dep- 
uties either to prevent the holding of elec- 
tions or, if not able to do so, to have the 
elections declared null and void. To the 
first end they had already presented a bill 
postponing the elections indefinitely on 
the ground that a great part of the na- 
tional territiiry was under rebel control. 
Their aim in presenting this bill was two- 
fold. First, their assertion if accepted by 
Congress as true would strengthen the 
claim of the rebels' representatives in 
Washington that the Republic of Mexico 
was in its greater part in the hands of the 
so-called constitutionalists. This would 
liavc lieen -if invaluable assistance to the 
reljcls in their constant welcome and w-ell- 
accep'ed representations to the ^\'aslling- 
ton .Administration. 

Second, if the elections had been post- 
poned or held and then declared void, 
General Huerta would have remained in 
power. This, which on first consideration 
would seem the last thing the rebels should 
desire was in fact exactly what they want- 
ed. For the rebel representatives would 
then have accused General Huerta of hav- 
ipg unduly influenced Congress in order 
to retain the reins of government in his 
hands. Besides having the assurance of 
the Washington Administration that Gen- 
eral Huerta would not be recognized, the 
rebels hoped that continued non-recognition 
would bring about such a state of affairs 
as to enable one of their leaders to ascend 
to power, while if elections were held they 
feared that whoever would be elected 
would be recognized by the United States, 
preventing their own group from seizing 
the reins of government. 

The cunning purpose of the Maderist 
deputies was quickly detected by General 
Huerta and frustrated in the only manner 
ill which it could be frustrated. 



NEWSPAPER HYPOCRISY 

With Particular Reference to the New York "World." 



FOUR AMERICANS KILLED BY REBELS. 

El Paso, Oct. 14. — Among the American re- 
fugees arriving in Juarez to-day was F. B. Ellis, 
a mining engineer of Cripple Creek, Col. Mr. 
Ellis had his right arm in a sling as a result of 
l>eing shot by Mexican rebels or bandits. His 
brother, Joseph, was killed by the bandits and he 
declares that three other Americans were killed 
at the same time.— N. Y. "Sun," October 1.5. 

These are the gentle friends to whom 
certain newspapers look for the proper up- 
holding of the Constitution! 



We have often wondered in our perusal 
of editorial columns, whether it was abso- 
lutely necessary to be the unconcerned 
possessor of the crassest and most asinine 
ignorance about Mexican history, Mexican 
politics, Mexican characteristics and pres- 
ent, actual Mexican conditions to qualify 
as a writer on Mexican affairs. 

Being newspaper men ourselves, we have 
tried to find an excuse for the ignorance 
which apparently prevails in reference to 
Mexico, realizing that the so-called Mexi- 
can question is only one of the many jn 
wliich the editorial writer is called to com- 
ment from day to day. 

We could not, however, understand the 
carelessness of certain editors in dealing 
with a situation fraught with the greatest 
dangers. In some cases we could only 
ascribe the apparent carelessness to the 
very nature of modern newspaper methods 
and to the loyalty of these editors to the 
Washington Administration. 

However, we have advisedly used the 
word apparent in reference to this ignor- 
ance and carelessness. 

Because regarding a number of news- 
papers which have been defending the pol- 
icy of the Washington Administration we 
have been forced to conclude that it is not 
ignorance or carelessness that prevails, but 
a malicious interit to pervert the truth 
and a criminal hypocrisy covering a more 
or less hidden purpose and second thought. 
Here we must specify, but as it would 
be impossible to consider one by one the 
newspapers of the group that have defend- 
ed the .Administration's course regardless 
of the truth and justice, we shall men- 
tion their prototype: the New York 
"World," incidentally the New York "Tri- 
bune" and the New York "Evening Post." 
While the editorial writers of these 
newspapers are not expected to be experts 
on Mexican affairs, their utter ignorance 
is not admissible, as they are unquestion- 
ably men of a certain culture, as evinced 
in their treatment of other subjects. 

Seldom has there been a more patent 
evidence of malicious intent than in the ac- 
rimonious campai.gn conducted by the 
"World" against Mexico and everybody 
connected with Mexican affairs who is not 
in accord with President Wilson's attitude 
toward Mexico. 

Never has there been more patent evi- 
dence of hypocrisy than in tlie "World's" 
expressions of policy. While it has re- 
peatedly asserted its opposition to armed 
intervention and its disinterested friend- 
ship for the Mexican people, the "World" 
has consistently supported every move- 
ment of the -Administration that has made 
war with Mexico a possibility. Moreover, 
it has encouraged every measure which 
could possibly prevent the re-establishment 
of peace in the southern Republic. 



The "World's" odium toward the Huerta 
Government — and it would have been the 
same for any other government — purports 
to reflect its readers' sentiment, but in 
fact it reflects only that of the Adminis- 
tration. 

Since the dissolution of Congress bj 
President Huerta the "World's" odium has 
been revealed still more clearly in a series 
of editorials born of an impotent rage at 
the evident strength shown by the Mexi- 
can Executive. 

Its venomous, hypocritical expressions of 
horror at what the "World" terms the 
"stabbing of the Mexican Constitution" 
bear a striking resemblance to those of 
some "high officials" of the Washington 
Administration. 

Why such a sudden holy horror, since 
the "World" has been proclaiming for 
well-nigh nine months that Huerta was a 
military dictator? 

The hypocrisy of the "World" is equalled 
by its cowardice, because to call a man 
an assassin without proving the accusa- 
tion and with the immunity enjoyed be- 
cause of a safe distance is the work of a 
coward. 

Tlie libelous and venomous campaign 
conducted by the "World" against all those 
who dared disagree with the President's 
policy had its incipiency in the attacks 
against Ambassador Wilson and culminat- 
ed in the phillipic against those Americans 
who committed the crime of lese majeste 
in criticising the Administration's attitude 
toward Mexico. 

The "World" is playing the role of bravo 
to the Administration in a way that will 
make some of the newspapers of Guate- 
mala and Venezuela — the particular friends 
of the "World" — green with envy. 

Tlie "World" is driven to white-heat 
rage because the Constitution of Mexico 
has been stabbed. Why does not the 
"World" tremble with righteous indigna- 
tion at the premeditated murder of Vene- 
zuela's Constitution? It is not long since 
President Gomez after a manufactured re- 
bellion proclaimed hiinself dictator of Ven- 
ezuela, assuming all powers. Congress no 
longer exists in Venezuela and no elec- 
tions have been called, while in Mexico a 
new Congress will have been elected with- 
in two weeks. 

If the "World" is actuated in its stand 
by principle only, why not exude the same 
Iioly horror at the stabbing of the Vene- 
zuelan Constitution and vent its ire 
against the Venezuela dictator? 

Why not incite President Wilson to 
withdraw recognition from Gomez, the mil- 
itary dictator of Venezuela? 

Is it because the vast financial interests 
of the "World" are closely connected with 
those American capitalists — whom the 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Satiirdav. October IS, 1913 



CONFESSIONS OF A BORDER 

TOWN REPORTER 



One of the News Factory for Three Years 



I was a manufacturer of Mexican news, 
among- others. Why we of all men should 
so easily have let ourselves be corrupted 
in telling of the internal troubles in Mex- 
ico is a mysterj' to me. 

There was not one among us who had 
not been trained in the bitter school of the 
newspaper office. It was at the frequent 
cost of rides in side-door Pullmans that 
we had learned that an adjective, except 
It be in the society or dramatic columns, 
is abhorred in a newspaper office. 

Experience had also taught us that to 
tell the truth was the best policy and that 
a reporter's worth was not so much in his 
ability to make prettily turned phrases as 
in his legs and the faculty of seeing a 
story's true value and writing it in pro- 
portionate space. 

We were a cosmopolitan lot, having 
come from the very ends of the earth, as 
were the people of the Southwest to whom 
our news was served with their cereal and 
soup. It was the realization that we 
were writing to a class as intelligent as 
ourselves, at least, that lifted our papers 



above the pettiness and provincialism of 
the ordinary small-town paper. 

I suppose the indiscretions and truth- 
juggling tactics which crept into our work 
with the coming of the Mexican revolu- 
tion were due to our adaptability to swift- 
ly changing conditions. Some of us did 
get sick of the whole aflfair and sought 
work elsewhere, but many remained. To 
say the least, we enjoyed the experience 
immensely. 

Mexico somehow is a mystery to the 
average reader. He will believe any tale 
told him about it and because of his ig- 
norance and gullibility, I suppose some of 
the most improbable things put over stuck. 
At first we were truthful in telling about 
Mexico, but newspaper owners, learning 
the circulation building value of "war 
news," made it our task to supply the 
reader generously. When it was finally 
suggested to us by American interests in 
Mexico and supporters of the advertising 
columns that we cease enlarging on mole- 
hills, we did so and the revolution which 
seemed to be nurtured by us, stopped. 



There is no wonder that border newspa- 
pers have often been accused of bringing 
about the present state of affairs. For a 
long time certain American newspapers or 
their representatives \vould not he allowed 
in Mexico. 

After affairs in Mexico had become of 
national importance, it was the coming of 
the big leaguers — the New York newspa- 
permen and the Associated Press corre- 
spondents — that helped us in our down- 
ward path. Everything was strange and 
new to them. They e.xaggerated the im- 
portance of any yarn and they could see 
a story in the commonest brawl. I sup- 
pose they occasionally did write news, but 
when there was none they painted word 
pictures in such glowing terms that the 
fate of nations seemed to hang on their 
very contents. They also taught us that 
it wasn't necessary to cover a story in the 
primitive manner of legs and eyes. The 
telephone was much easier and better. 

We had really believed that when the big 
men came to the border, they- would go 
into the interior and investigate for them- 
selves, but their training showed them that 
the importance of the affair had been great- 
ly exaggerated. They contented them- 
selves with accepting the stories fur- 
nished them by the leaders of the con- 
tending forces. 

(Continued on ne.xt page.) 



NEWSPAPER HYPOCRISY— (Continued) 



"World" professes to abhor — who are 
backing Gomez and own and control prac- 
tically the whole country? 

In regard to Mexico there can be doubt 
no longer as to the "World's" affiliations. 
They have been clearly indicated by its 
ill-disguised attacks against the enemies of 
those oil interests that have declared war 
upon any Mexican Government that re- 
fuses to do their bidding. 

The "World" was careless and showed 
iv; true colors when it stated on October 
14 that "the Constitutionalist forces ought 
not to be long in reaching the capital. 
They are the true liberators of Congress 
and they ought to be the sole avengers of 
the crimes that have disgraced the age." 
The "World" knows too well that the 
only course opened to the Mexican Execu- 
tive to save the country from anarchy was 
■o dissolve a rebellious Congress that was 
fomenling it. But the "World" is bent 
upon setting up a Mexican Government 
that will be a willing tool in the hands of 
the "World's" friends. 

If any doubt had been left in our mind 
as to the "World's" motives it would have 
been completely dispelled a few days ago 
when we leceived the visit of a "World" 
reporter, who had been commissioned by 
the editor to investigate "who was back 
of" MEXICO. In the opinion of the 
editor, because this publication had de- 
fended the Mexican 'Government it must 
be backed by that Government. 

It became then clear to us that the 
"World" could understand the defense of 
a cause only in exchange for money or its 
equivalent. 



For decency's sake the "World" should 
at least suppress from its editorial page 
the words which were written by a great 
publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, on May 10, 1883. 
This publisher, perhaps the greatest of 
his time, is no more. No reader is al- 
lowed to forget this even for a day. Ev- 
ery pa3'e of the "World" is a daily re- 
minder of his irretrievable loss. 

As to the sanctimonious hypocrisy of 
the "Evening Post," it is perhaps even 
more despicable than that of the "World" 
because revealed in more mellifluous 
words. The "Evening Post" is dealing 
with shadows — and knows it — when it dis- 
courses at length upon the coming Mexi- 
can elections, the strength of the different 
parties, the democratic sentiment of what 
the "Post" calls the large Maderist ele- 
ment. The "Post" calls the dissolution of 
the Mexican Congress a justification of 
President Wilson's policy of non-recogni- 
tion while the "Post" cannot fail to real- 
ize that the responsibility for the latest 
events in Mexico must be laid at the feet 
of the Washington Administration. 

For the "Post" — and with the "Post" 
other newspapers that have expressed the 
same view — must know that the encour- 
agement given by the attitude of the 
Washington Administration to rebels and 
bandits has made it necessary for the Mex- 
ican Government to apply a radical rem- 
edy to a radical ill. The "I'usl" nuust know 
it because there has not been an .Xmcri- 
can familiar with Mexican affairs that has 
not voiced this truism ever since the fall 
of Madero. And when we say Americans 
familiar with Mexican affairs we say thou- 



sands of them who have appealed in vain 
to the Washington Administration, who 
have presented irrefutable proofs of their 
contention and offered the benefit of their 
knowledge born of experience. 

Much has been published by the "Post" 
against Mr. Hearst and his newspapers on 
account of their jingo attitude on the Mex- 
ican question. 

But the Hearst newspapers at least are 
not hypocritical. Mr. Hearst's imperialis- 
tic tendencies are weW known. But he 
does not try to hide them under the cloak 
of sincere friendship, love of democracy in 
another country, and so on. He favors in- 
tervention because he believes in force in 
every phase of human activity. We do not 
agree with Mr. Hearst's attitude toward 
Mexico. We believe that he has not count- 
ed the cost of intervention and we believe 
that he is wrong when he values force more 
than right. But we admire and respect his 
frankness. 

We regret the methods of the Hearst 
newspapers in exaggerating the news re- 
garding Mexico, but in the Hearst news- 
papers there is no sanctimonious hypocrisy 
as in the "Evening Post" or feigned "right- 
eous indignation" as in the "World," and 
certainly Mr. Hearst cannot be accused of 
being in league witli predatory wealth, 
however wrong his policy may be in re- 
gard to Mexico. Mr. Hearst- may lu 
wrong, but he is honest. Not so with llu- 
"World" and the "Post." 

Isn't it about time that we should stop 
mentioning the "sincere friendship for 
Mexico"? Let us at least be frank. 



Sntiirday, October is, 1913 



MEXICO 



CONFESSIONS OF A BORDER TOWN REPORTER (Continued) 



W'itli liljcral leasling and carefully chos- 
en wine and cigars, the Mexican general or 
cai)Uiin, as the case might be, could always 
bt depended upon to yield a pretty good 
yarn. I suppose many an expense account 
was spent in automobiles and in Mexican 
roulette and bull fights. Bj' carefully com- 
paring notes in the evening, there would be 
nci great lack of uniformity in their copy 
when telegraphed to their papers. It was 
these stories that brought tlie armed 
forces of the United States to the border 
to protect .American interests there. 

When the big papers withdrew their 
men from the border because of no imme- 
diate promise of armed intervention, it left 
the border newspapermen in control of 
the war factory. With the new dignity of 
"war correspondents," discretion and train- 
ing were cast aside. If New York news- 
p;ipermen were artists, we were geniuses. 
We had begun authoring, at least as far as 
Mexico was concerned. 

In a short time reporters became edi- 
lors and cubs rose to the full dignity of 
their profession. I was a reporter when 
sent to Douglas, .-Xrizona, "to do the war." 

I suppose I was a very useful man to 
my city editor. He demanded every scrap 
that might come from across the border. 
The importance of this was very early em- 
phasized to rae. The fate of nations was 
at stake! He was also the official repre- 
sentative of the -Associated Press at that 
place and was handsomely paid for all he 
"put over." He could "plant" anything be- 
cause, it was understood, the Associated 
Press editor had in part to thank mj' su- 
perior for his job. 

In my time four battles, such as they 
were, actually took place on or near 
enough to the international line for Amer- 
icans to witness them. We all knew thej' 
were coming and treated the occasions as 
gala affairs. Business was suspended and 
vantage points sold at a premium. That 
no one really feared for his life can be 
testified by thousands of Americans who 
were so eager to get snap-shots and sou- 
venirs that the negro cavalry guarding the 
line could scarcely keep them from rush- 
ing in among the contestants. There was 
incessant cannonading and raining of 
shrapnel for hours, but after the battle 
some thirty men were killed on both sides 
at the cost of nearly one thousand bullets 
each, .\lthough no American near the fir- 
ing-line was injured, stray bullets and ex- 
ploding shells killed and injured five Amer- 
icans far from the scenes of activity. 

That night in reporting the battle for 
the benefit of the reading public at large, 
our news instincts told us to dwell on the 
killing and injuring of the five Aniericans. 
which we did at $10.00 per column. Los 
-AiiKclcs and San Francisco papers issued 
"extra's" r.n that battle and some had even 
brought out "actual scenes" of the aflfray 
from their "morgues." To one familiar 
with the technical side of a newspaper this 
is not new, for he will readily understand 
how it is done. Any good battle picture 



will do. Mutilate the cut so that the lay 
reader will not recognize whether they arc 
Chinamen or Mexicans fighting, and you 
have a perfectly good war picture tTiat will 
do credit to any battle. 

Our exchanges for days afterward car- 
ried front-page- accounts of that battle. 
Editorially, sanctum editors denounced 
"the irresponsible guerillas of our neigh- 
boring country," and called upon the Pres- 
ident and Congress to send the armed 
forces of the United States across the 
border to "once and for all stop this shed- 
ding of innocent .American blood." 

-At the battle of Naco, of this year, wlun 
a stray bullet chanced to strike an Ameri- 
can sherifif who was on the wrong side of 
tiie line, newspapers demanded "all the 
facts" and very justly and with a decent 
degree of editorial bombast, again de- 
manded intervention. 

That the importance of the Mexican af- 
fair is grossly e.xaggerated is known by 
all who are or have been intimately con- 
nected with conditions. It must be a mys- 
lery to those who have depended on their 
knowledge from newspaper dispatches, 
why the United States has not intervened 
in Mexico; but a sifting of all the written 
material will reveal at a glance one of the 
chief reasons. 

Though there has been an iota of truth 
in much that has been printed, there is that 
much and no more. For reports of most 
of the conflicts, the newspaper correspon- 
dent depends entire!}' on the information 
given him by the agents of the contending 
forces. These are naturally colored to 
suit a purpose and only too often has a 
reporter been given entirely dififerent ac- 
counts of the same engagement by the 
agents of the dififerent parties. He had to 
choose, use it and do some good press- 
agenting for the side in whose graces he 
wished to be on the following day, or not 
to use it and take chances of being 
"scooped." Often he used neither account 
but compromised by sending out one of his 
own. With a little juggling of fibres, ex- 
cellent copy could be made of "reports" 
and they could even be sold at good prices 
to the news syndicates and the big news- 
papers. W^ith the exaggerated importanct 
of anything that happened beyond the bor- 
der and the demands of avaricious city edi- 
tors, is it any wonder that the hounded 
reporter occasionally manufactured a yarn 
all his own? 

-After three years our work finally dete- 
riorated into a mere farce. 

It was not long before we had to com- 
pete with the corner saloon in compelling 
public attention. The saloonists also had 
"exclusive bulletins." which were as avidly 
read as our own, but somehow the fake 
was evident on their surface. Nothing was 
too improbable and the mere killing of 
1,000 men required onlj' the time in mak- 
ing the figures. I think we fooled ourselves 
in believing that the public regarded us 
seriously, but it was a great circulation 
builder and Western newspapers at five 



cents a copy help pay salaries. 

I remember the time L — perpetrated 
the first decisive victory for the constitu- 
tionalists. It was the battle of Santa Ro- 
salia. Judging by former experiences with 
Mexican battles, the army could not pos- 
sibly have carried enough ammunition to 
kill the 1,200 men and injure some 2,000 
more as claimed in the story, yet when it 
appeared in the evening papers that very 
day they sold faster than the press could 
turn them out. 

On the following day even the Mexican 
dailies carried the story. Dispatches from 
Mexico City promptly came out claiming 
the victory for the federals. Later the 
constitutionalists confirmed L's original 
report. L, on being closely questioned, ad- 
mitted that It was but a piete of his imag- 
ination. An American sometime later 
claiming to have been in the vicinity of the 
"battle" on that very day said thkt not 
more than fifty were killed, possibly one 
hundred. He did not know who the vic- 
tors were. So astounding were the figures, 
that the Associated Press representative iii 
sending out his messages, toned them 
down to two hundred killed, three hundred 
wounded. After tossing a coin he decided 
to award the victory to the insurgents. 

Unfortunate was the day for him, how- 
ever, when he was "scooped" on the de- 
struction of the battleship Guerra in the 
harbor of Guaymas, followed by the mas- 
sacre of Americans. Of course -the battle- 
ship is still at Guajmias and still whoU 
and not an American was injured, but it 
resulted in the receipt of the following 
telegram: "Quit faking or resign. Oppo- 
sition scoops you two hours- How al)OHt 
it?" I believe the A. P. man was honest 
with himself that once. He resigned. I 
suppose he thought he couldn't stop fak- 
ing. The United Press had exclusive use 
oi that story and even pictured the death 
struggles of the drowning seamen. 

Though we worked on the idea that the 
public were fools, in so far as the Mexi- 
can situation was concerned, we at least 
benefited the insurgents' cause. I admit 
that all the border newspapers were par- 
tial toward them. They occasionally ac- 
credited them with a "victory" which 
greatly enhanced the cause, won them new 
recruits and helped to justify their de- 
mands for money from the large vested 
interests of Sonora. Newspapers in gen- 
eral espoused their cause by printing half- 
page cartoons of a voluptuous ihaiden gaz- 
ing sorrowfully on an assortment of arms 
and legs representing the dismembered 
parts of her Mexican countrymen. ~ Under- 
neath in heavy-faced letters would lie 
printed "How Long. O Mexico? CJh. How 
Long?" 

-Americans in Mexico howled at our an- 
tics just as they did two years previous- 
ly. They declared that wc were in league 
with the rebels, inciting attacks upon the 
government, driving the workers from the 
mines and shops and causing their ruina- 
tion, which we no doubt did. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 18, 1913 



"THE FIERCE LOGIC OF EVENTS" 



The fierce logic of events saj-s the New 
York "World" editorially, has justified 
President Wilson for having withheld rec- 
ognition of the Huerta Government. The 
'■fierce logic of events" has been as fol- 
lows : 

The government of Porfirio Diaz was the 
best that Mexico had ever had. Under it 
the country enjoyed tranquility and pros- 
perity. 

There remained and developed certain 
political and local abuses of power, soms 
of them inherent and ineradicable in the 
nature of the people, others that could 
have been remedied bj' evolution. 

American capital was welcomed by Por- 
firio Diaz for' the development of the com- 
merce and industry of Mexico, but just as 
the people of the United States have re- 
volted against the dominance of the great 
Trusts,, so did Porfirio Diaz seek to save 
his country from American monopolies, 
especially of railways and oil. 

.\ wealth}' and hair-brained agitator, 
Francisco Madero, went about the coun- 
try, arousing the cupidity and passions of 
the ignorant peons by promising them a 
millenium if he were elected President. 

He received the political, moral and 
financial support of the United States cap- 
italists who had been thwarted by Por- 
firio Diaz. 

He raised the standard of armed rebel- 
lion and called the people from the fields, 
the mines and the workshops and allied 
with him the worst bandits and brigands. 

Porfirio Diaz, seeing the handwriting on 
the wall and fearing that a protracted civil 
strife would result in United States inter- 
vention and the end of Mexican nationality 
patriotically resigned and became an exile. 

Madero and his relatives and followers, 
inheriting a full treasury and a splendid 
national credit, swilled like pigs at a 
trough, depleted one and destroyed the 
other in less than a year — and forgot their 
promises to the people. 

The spirit of rebellion and lawlessness 
dormant so long under Porfirio Diaz, once 
aroused, found an outlet in a reign of ter- 
ror and brigandage throughout Mexico. 
Madero did not guage and could not check 
the forces of anarchy he had brought into 
life. Meanwhile his relatives and camp 
followers looted the treasury. 

Weak, incompetent, demented, Madero 
was urged by those who were profiting un- 
der him to hold onto power at all costs, 
though it was plain to every one else that 
the country was doomed to destruction 
iMiless something were done at once to 
save it. 

Under Felix Diaz gild General Reyes 
part of the Army revolted and the streets 
of the capital were turned into streams of 
blood. General Huerta as head of the loyal 
soldiers defended the President who had 



on manj' occasions flouted and humiliated 
tlie .\rn13' and its leaders. 

The Senate, the diplomatic corps of for- 
eign nations, all who were not crazed and 
hysterical hangers-on of a crazed and hys- 
terical weakling, appealed to General 
Huerta to put an end to the carnage, to 
save the country and forestall American 
intervention. 

General Huerta at their behest arrested 
Madero, procured his resignation and him- 
self was declared Provisional President by 
Congress, according to Constitutional pro- 
visions. 

Madero and his Vice-President, Pino 
Suarez. were subsequently killed on their 
way from the National Palace to the Peni- 
tentiary. Provisional President Huerta 
was not the beneficiary of this crime, be- 
cause he was already President and Ma- 
dero and Suarez were private citizens. 
Neither has there been a shred of evidence 
to support the suspicion that President 
Huerta was directly or indirectly respon- 
sible for the killing. 

The Provisional President announced his 
plan and purpose to restore peace to the 
country and turn over the government to 
a duly elected successor. 

All the great Powers of the world rec- 
ognized the Provisional Government. 

The Madero family and adherents flocked 
to the United States and immediately 
started in Washington and in the ."Vmeri- 
can newspapers a campaign to prevent 
United States recognition. 

The Ambassador of the United States to 
Mexico believed that the only solution of 
the Mexican chaos was the support of the 
Provisional Government in its efforts to 
bring about peace and restore normal con- 
ditions. Lacking that, rebellion would fol- 
low rebellion, brigandage would be un- 
checked, anarchy would ensue. 

General Huerta's government found an 
empty treasury. The coimtry's resources 
would justify the loan that was necessary 
to prosecute the campaign against the state 
of disorder that had its inception with and 
its growth under the Madero regime, but 
United States recognition was considered 
necessarj' by bankers to insure the stabil- 
ity of the new government against any new 
rebellion that might be started from the 
United States. 

With little or no understanding of Mex- 
ican conditions and the problems with 
which the Mexican Government was con- 
fronted, the Washington Administration 
obviously influenced by the campaign of 
misrepresentations carried on by the Ma- 
dero family and its American financial 
connections, withheld its recognition of the 
Provisional Government. 

.'\s soon as this attitude of the .'\dminis- 
tration was well understood the leaders of 
the rebels and bandits in Mexico concluded 



that the United States Government was in 
sympathy with them or at least that the 
Huerta Government would be unable fur- 
ther to check them. 

In an e.xchange of- diplomatic notes the 
Mexican Government showed how thor- 
oughly its position and purposes were mis- 
understood by the Washington Adminis- 
tration, but the only result was that Wash- 
ington, instead of lending its moral sup- 
port, decided to stand by and watch every 
movement with suspicion and judge every 
act with prejudice aforethought. 

The embarrassment to the efforts of the 
Provisional Government caused by the at- 
tude of the Washington authorities was so 
inimical that it was seized upon, not only 
as encouragement to their further depre- 
dations by the rebel and bandit leaders, but 
as an opportunity for conspiracy against 
the government by the Maderist deputies 
in Congress, working hand in glove with 
the Maderists in the United States. 

General Huerta. facing treason in Con- 
gress, took the only step that the President 
of Mexico — or the President of the United 
•States, for that matter — could have taken 
under such circumstances. He arrested the 
conspiring deputies as traitors. 

Reports from Washington, following this 
proceeding, are that the Administration's 
policy of non-recognition has been justified, 
when that very policy was even more re- 
sponsible for the conditions in Mexico to- 
day than all the American filibustering, fo- 
menting of rebellion and all the financial 
support from the United States that have 
helped to reduce Mexico from its stand- 
ing as a country of peace and prosperity to 
a distracted, unhappy land. 

Now the "World's" "fierce logic of 
events" comes to this: President Wilson's 
refusal to recognize the Provisional Gov- 
ernment of Mexico was justified, forsooth, 
because as a result of that refusal President 
Huerta has been given the most monu- 
mental task that any President has had 
to face to bring peace to his countrj'. 
There may be some logic in the events but 
there isn't an iota of it in the policy of 
President Wilson or the perfervid efforts 
of the "World" to defend his rebel-inspir- 
ing course. 



By some members of the Administration 
the hope and belief have been expressed 
that foreign Governments will even go so 
far as to withdraw their recognition of the 
Huerta Government, accorded in most in- 
stances many months ago. At the State 
Department, however, it was held that this 
hardly is likely to happen, as recognition 
universally is regarded in international law 
as "absolute and irrevocable," according to 
the words used by Counsellor John Bas- 
sett Moore in his work on international 
law. The only exception, it is said, is 
when recognition is accompanied by a set 
of prescribed conditions. The recognition 
given to Mexico by other Governments 
was unqualified and unconditional. — New 
York "Sun." 



SiUurdav. October 18, 1913 



MEXICO 



Lobbygrams 

Washington, D. C, October 14. — The 
truth is out concei'ning that $500,000 of 
American capital dumped into the yawning 
coffers of the rebel junta in Sonora last 
week. And the truth is out in Washington, 
too. The junta here got the money from 
a representative of the Waters-Pierce Oil 
Company. That is the story going around. 
It is significant that when the receipt of 
the $500,000 was duly chronicled in the 
.Vmerican newspapers friendly to the enem- 
ies of the established Government in Mex- 
ico, it was Captain Hopkins who confirmed 
the contribution of the Waters-Pierce Oil 
Company, adding: "And there will be plen- 
ty more to prosecute the war in Mexico." 

As we told last week, Francisco Escu- 
dero carried the Waters-Pierce contribu- 
tion to Hermosillo, where Carranza, the 
rebel leader, has set up his "capital." Escu- 
dcro's reward was his app.jintment as Min- 
ister of Finance, with instructions to guard 
that $500,000 until it was used up in "buy- 
ing a navy" for the rebel government. 

The ambitii-ius navy pri^i^ram cuntem- 
plated the purchase of "an armed vessel" 
to prey upon the custom houses and com- 
mandeer — not steal — the receipts from cus- 
tom levies. Whetlier Captain Hopkins is 
to 1)6 Admiral of the Carranza fleet Wash- 
ington has not yet heard. As the big man 
in the Washington junta of the rebels, Don 
Sherby Hopkins is held high in the esteem 
of the Mexican rebel leaders and no honor 
is considered really commensurate with his 
distinguished services. 

"Highballito" Romero may be one of 
the Admiral's staff. He has been slated for 
recognition and his faithfulness to the 
Washington junta is to be rewarded. He 
is too good a Maderis; a and Carrancista to 
refuse to obey the call to serve the rebel 
fleet and drink "Vivas" to everything rebel- 
lious, but confusion to the peacemakers and 
the upljuilders of Mexico. 

How much longer will American financial 
interests be permitted to contribute funds 
to keep the turmoil going in Mexico in the 
hope of bringing about intervention by the 
United States? 



NAILING THEM! 



That the United States will not intervene 
by force of arms in Mexico is a settled 
proposition. In Congress the sentiment is 
overwhelmingly in favor of a settlement of 
the distressing situation brought about by 
the Administration's attitude. Prominent 
Senators and Members of the House are 
frank in their discussion of Mexico and 
her troubles. They know more of the 
facts in the case than they did several 
months ago. In the light of the facts 
borne in on the Senators and Representa- 
tives the feeling that the established gov- 
ernment should be recognized grows 
stronger from week to week. 

This is especially true as to the members 
of the House, the majority of whom wish 
to see peace restored in Me.xico without 
delay, the first step toward that end being 
recognition of the established government 
by the Washington Administration. The 
question of affronting the Administration 
is the serious obstacle to their taking an 
open stand as to the policy toward Mexico. 



The Plot. 
Mexico City, October 14. — One of the 
liberated deputies said lo-day that he had 
been approached several times and asked 
to take part in the plot, l)ut that he and 
twenty-nine others had refused to join. 
He said he knew that deputies had been in 
constant communication with revolution- 
ists and had their plans all made to over- 
throw the Huerta government when ar- 
rested. — N. Y. "American." 



Explanations. 

I'resident Wilson is not permitting himself to 
be misled concerning the actualities of the Mex- 
ican situation. lie recognizes that there is no 
hope of a compromise that would meet the ap- 
proval of all factions; he is not dealing in 
iridescent dreams. — New York "Herald." 

President Wilson has at all times made plain 
that the Administration policy is not one of per- 
sonality, save only in its firm determination not 
to recognize General Huerta. His objection to 
General Huerta, however, can hardly be regarded 
as one of personality, since it has been based 
not on the man but on the method by which he 
seized control of the Mexican Government. — New 
York "Herald." 

While no change in orders has been sent to 
Consuls about Americans leaving Mexico, the dis- 
position of President Wilson always has been to 
leave the question entirely to the discretion of 
the Americans in Mexico, while urging those in 
the troubled zones to depart and offering them 
pecuniary assistance. — New York "World." 

The foregoing show how easy it is to 
receive the wrong impression by a 
careless reading of newspapers and the 
failure to read between the lines of the 
-Administration's instructions and state- 
ments of policy. 

The general impression was that Presi- 
dent Wilson had believed in a compromise 
that would meet with the approval of all 
factions (Vide Instruction B. to Lind). 

That his objection to General Huerta 
was one of personality. 

That Americans in Mexico were ordered 
to leave at once — • 

Now the "Herald" and the "World" point 
out the general mistake. 

Loj'al apologists! 



Th( 



Inconsistent. 

establishment of a virtual dictatorship by 



Huerta through the use of military force is inter- 
preted as likely to have the most far reaching con- 
sequences to the Huerta regime. It also was held 
as a vindication of the attitude of the Washington 
administration that military assumption of power 
should not be recognized. — Chicago "Tribune" 
So military assumption of power should 
never be recognized. How about our rec- 
ognition of China, admittedly a military 
dictatorship disguised as a republic. The 
President of China was recently elected by 
the Congressional deputies gently prodded 
1)y the presence of the Provisional Presi- 
dent's armed detectives. 



Still Popular. 

Mexico City. — The stand taken by the United 
States was the subject of another protest by stu- 
dents and Huert^ sympathizers in the capital to- 
jiight. A fiery meeting in the Alameda was dis- 
persed by mounted gendarmes, but the students 
later reassembled in the unfinished National Thea- 
tre, where the troops dispersed them a second 
time.— New York "Sun." 

Yet we read that President Huerta's 
actions are destroying his popularity. 



An Artistic Touch. 

According to the revolutionary agents here, 

Huerta's army is on the verge of rebellion. Not 
one of his Generals except his brother-in-law. Gen. 

Maas, it is asserted, is loyal to the Huerta cause. — 

Washington "Herald." 

There are 183 generals in the Mexican 
Federal Army and 91,000 men. All of these 
generals, except General Maas, according 
to the junta, are disloyal. What a terrible 
situation! To think that a reputable news- 
paper would publish such truck and circu- 
late so obvious a lie. It may be noted in 
passing that General Maas is in no v/ay 
related to General Huerta. The artistic 
junta added that "brother-in-law" touch to 
suggest a reason for the lone general's 
loyalty- How charitable! 



Where Did He Get It? 

Where Huerta has procured his money so far 
is a matter of wonder in Washington. — New York 
"Tribune." 

In the first place, it's none of Washing- 
ton's btisiness. In the second place there's 
something ghoulish in Washington's dis- 
appointment that Huerta has made the 
l-.eadway he has against all the obstacles 
the Washington -Vdministration has put in 
his way. 



Going! 

Another im])ortant feature of the situation is the 
extent to which President Wilson intends to go in 
his insistence that Huerta shall refrain from bar- 
barous tactics. His warning that no harm should 
come to the Deputies is by far the longest step 
toward actual interference in Mexico's affairs that 
the President has taken. Plenty of warnings have 
been sent to the American Embassy that American 
citizens must be protected, but this is tlie first 
time anything has been said about treatment to 
be accorded to Mexicans. — New York "Tribune." 
The extent to which President Wilson 
will go in meddling in Mexico's affairs is 
only exceeded by his colossal inability tf> 
comprehend them. 



Distress Signals. 

Washington, Oct. 13- — Germany's decision to dis- 
patch a warship to Mexican waters attracted wide 
attention here to-night. President Wilson had re- 
ceived no intimation of Germany's intention. 

Other European Governments have had vessels 
cruising off the Mexican coasts during critical 
periods- 
Official Washington regards Germany's action as 
indicating a repudiation of her recognition of 
Huerta. 

Latest advices are that Great Britain is prepared 
to repudiate her recognition of Huerta if he fails 
to hold a constitutional election on October 20- 

Washington authorities believe the sending of a 
German vessel immediately after the arrest of the 
members of the Chamber of Deputies may have a 
sobering effect on Huerta and prevent his going to 
further extremes.- — New York "American." 

The distress signals wigwagged from 
Washington in the hope of enlisting the 
support of foreign nations in its bungling 
Mexican policy are really pathetic. No 
wonder in our conduct of foreign affairs we 
are the laughing-stock of European Chan- 
celleries. 



MEXICO 



Saturdav, October 18, 191.^ 



PUBLIC OPINION 



Mexican Methods and Ours. 

Tlicre is no new revelation of character 
in \'ictoriano Huerta's arliitrary action in 
sending troops into the Mexican House for 
the arrest and imprisonment of the major- 
ity of its members. This is no new reve- 
lation either of personal character or na- 
tional character. Such an act is not un- 
precedented in Mexican historj- nor can it 
be said to be uncontemplated in Me.xican 
organic law. A misunderstanding of the 
vital temperamental differences between 
the Anglo-Saxon and the Latin-American 
is responsible for the impatience with 
which many Americans regard phases oi 
Mexican politics which are indispensable 
to and inseparable from it. Differences be- 
tween the pure Teuton and the pure Latin 
are not fundamental. Civilization has been 
progressive in each stock, carrying both 
beyond archaic and anarchic methods in 
government, while maintaining some sharp 
distinctions in customs. The vital differ- 
ence between Latin America and Gothic 
America can not be traced to the root 
stocks. It springs out of widely differing 
conditions in life. Gothic races transplant- 
ed to North America have not amalgamat- 
ed with the native stock of the continent. 
Latin races transplanted to the central and 
south portions of the continent amalgamat- 
ed from the first, with the result that the 
primitive passions of the aborigines who 
have at all times been in a vast majority, 
have maintained themselves, and have 
stubbornly resisted the genius in govern- 
ment of the .\ryan race. In some of the 
countries of South America that genius has 
at last prevailed, very largely through the 
traditional policy of the United States in 
leaving them free to work out their own 
destinies and in protecting them against 
loss of their liberties to stronger powers. 
The Monroe doctrine is already justified 
b}- results in a number of South American 
republics. There is reason to hope that ii 
will yet be so justified in Mexico. 

The high-handedness of Huerta is cer- 
tain to be followed b}- renewal of the out- - 
cry that the president is vindicated in his 
refusal to recognize the Huerta Govern- 
ment. But that is beside the question. 
Recognition of Huerta ceased to be a part 
of the Me.xican question for us after our 
jjersistence in refusal had continued until 
the concurrent action of the ambassador- 
ial representatives in the City of Mexico. 
.■\fl(-r that, as we insisted at the time, it 
would be much more difficult for the Unit- 
ed States than it had been before then, to 
reverse its policy of nonrecognition. The 
administration has made no mistake in fail- 
ing to recognize a provisional government 
ii! Mexico after being diplomatically ad- 
vised by European powers that recognition 
might come to be the only alternative of 
intervention. The mistake was not made 
in rcfusin.g to abandon, under foreign prcs- 
.'■ure, a policj' previously determined on by 
the United Stales in discharging the obli- 
gations of its continental primacy, to the 
Mexican people, under the Monroe doc- 
trine. However mistaken the original re- 
fusal may have been, a sudden change, re- 
sponsive to European suggestion, would 
have been a graver error in continental 
P'dicy. The mistake was made in our 
dabbling in purely Me.xican politics, done 
to placate European opinion, through the 
extraordinary ambassadorship of Mr. John 
Lind, whose foreordained failure has made 
our diplomacj' ridiculous and has impaired 
the prestige of the Monroe doctrine, al- 



ways liitherlo maintained v.-ith diiinity and 
impressiveness. 

Mr. Lind is said to have reported to the 
president that the Mexican election set for 
October 28 can be nothing but a farce. 
When was a Mexican election anything 
else? The election of Madero was as far- 
cical as any of the others, in its failure to 
elicit a degree of support at the polls to 
stamp the majority candidate as tlie pop- 
ular choice. The danger in Mexico is again 
so threatening that we should at once 
cease dabbling in the politics of that coun- 
try and direct our efforts toward the pro- 
tection of Americans resident there. Can- 
non and barricades again appearing in the 
streets of the capital remind us poignantly 
that, when they last appeared, the United 
States was represented there by an ambas- 
sador of skill and influence whose patriotic 
work has been rewarded with contumely. 
We are now without ambassadorial repre- 
sentation at that capital and must await 
events with an anxiety which it would be 
but bluster to conceal. — St. Louis Globe- 
Democrat. 



The Lesson of Torreon. 

Late dispatches confirm the report of 
the massacres in Torreon, that ill-fated 
city in the rich laguna district of Mexico, 
where the Maderistas shot to death, three 
years ago, a large number of defenseless 
Chinese; where the followers of Orozco, 
in his rebellion against Madero, killed and 
maimed many more, and where one of the 
supposed patriot leaders arrayed against 
Gen. Huerta has now murdered the Federal 
commander and his staff and I7S residents 
of pure Spanish blood. The Mexicans of 
unmixed Spanish blood have not all sup- 
ported the Provisional Government very 
actively, but thej' favor law and order and 
are opposed to the methods of the banditti 
who constitute the only formidable factor 
in the present rebellion. Torreon is a 
modern city and the seat of many indus- 
tries. It has suffered in the recent civil 
wars more than any other Mexican city of 
large population. Lately it has been cut 
off from communication with the civilized 
world. 

The obvious lesson of Torreon is that 
the opponents of the Government in the 
Mexican capital are not the kind of men 
in whose support any foreign Government 
should intercede. The charge against Gen. 
Huerta is that his Government is founded 
on assassination. While there has never 
been a word to say in extenuation of the 
foul murder of Madero and Pino-Suarez. 
unprejudiced observers of the course of 
events have felt from the first that the 
charges against Huerta have lacked proof. 
The Government of Madero had fallen be- 
fore the Provisional Government was set 
up. The dispatches from Torreon, how- 
ever, show that the rebels of the north of 
Mexico are as murderous as their precious 
compatriots in the south and indicate that 
the republic cannot have peace untU- all 
are disarmed and punished. — New York 
"Times." 



Read "MEXICO" Once a week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



Mexico As It Is. 

The truth is that Mexico's greatest misfortune is 
that she has adopted a constitution unsuited to her 
needs and to the genius and character of her people. 
The instrument in question dates from the year 
1S57, ■ when feeling ran high between Clericals and 
Liberals. The latter, having for the time the upper 
hand, and admiring the greatness of the United 
States, but lacking a philosophical insight into 
the causes of that greatness patterned the new Mex- 
ican Constitution very largely on the Constitution 
of the United States, overlooking the fact that the 
Mexican people, of whom eighty per cent, are still 
illiterate, could not be expected to make an intel- 
ligent use of a political system devised for the most 
advanced and enlightened of modern democracies. 

General Porfirio Diaz undoubtedly realized the 
inadaptibility to Mexico's needs of the Constitution 
of 1857. But not even he, with all the immense 
authority which he at one time wielded, ever ven- 
tured to propose a radical reform of that Constitu- 
tion, so as to do away with the Federal system and 
establish in its stead a strong centralized govern- 
ment, with a restricted suffrage. And he did not 
venture on this step, because he knew that to the 
Liberals of Mexico the Constitution of 1S57 has 
ever been a fetish, and that to attempt to modify it 
radically, even though avowedly it remained largely 
a dead letter, would be to precipitate a civil war. 

De facto. General Diaz did establish a strong cen- 
tralized government, and, as for popular suffrage, 
he practically nullified it. But where the facts and 
theories of government are in chronic conflict, there 
can be no enduring political peace. A clamor will 
be raised from time to time for the strict enforce- 
ment of the Constitution, and reproaches will be 
launched against the government for its non-observ- 
ance. Such, in effect, was the outcry that gave 
force to the movement headed by Senor Madero. 

The history of Senor Madero's brief adminis- 
tration is a signal confutation of the illusion that 
the character of a people and the broad facts which 
make the governments of the earth what they are 
can be changed by a sudden upheaval such as an 
armed revolution. If Senor Madero was candid, he 
must, soon after his inauguration, have formed a just- 
er appreciation of the difficulties against which Por- 
firio Diaz had to contend and have been disposed to 
view with greater tolerance the shortcomings of the 
Diaz administration. 

The elevation to power of a legally elected 
President, far from putting an end to the revolution, 
seemed to throw the country into worse disorder. 

In his eagerness to overthrow the Diaz regime, 
Sefior Madero had accepted the co-operation of very 
promiscuous elements. And the results were what 
might have been expected. 

Some of the revolutionary leaders, little better 
than freebooters, were not willing, once their atavic 
appetitie for a life of adventure had been whetted, 
to return to peaceful avocations, simply because 
Sefior Madero, having attained his object, wanted 
them to. 

But seldom has a sorrier travesty of democracy 
been witnessed. ^ 

General Felix Diaz, though the nephew of Presi- 
dent Porfirio Diaz, was not in sympathy with the 
latter's administration. He was always, during 
the Diaz administration, regarded as an opposition 
factor; in various ways he encouraged the "anti- 
porfirista" sentiment; and it is, perhaps, not too 
much to say that he contributed indirectly to the 
downfall of his distinguished uncle. 

The financial problem, indeed, is one of ' the most 
delicate features of the situation. 

That one of the chief merits of the Diaz regime 
was the excellence of its financial administration, not 
even its enemies venture to deny. The finances of 
the country were handled with consummate skill 
by Diaz's Finance Minister, Senor Jose Yves Li- 
mantour, and even when Diaz resigned, after six 



Saturday, October 18, 1913 



MEXICO 



moiKlib of revolution, ihc credit of Mexico was al- 
most unimpaired on the Eureopean bourses ami there 
was still a surplus in the treasury of over G2,(XKJ,000 
pesos. 

But the edifice reared by the genius and probity 
of Limantour is now in ruins. 

Additional taxation can be resorted to only within 
comparatively narrow limits, unless new and danger- 
ous discontents are to be provoked. Obviously, then, 
Mexico's only expedient for the time being is to 
borrow. 

She has, in effect, adjusted with Paris bankers 
a loan of £16,000,000. But of this sum only £6,- 
000,000 was underwritten outright, Ihc balance being 
subject to options, and it seems there is some doubt 
whether the syndicate will take up these options. 
Their hesitancy is due in part to the continuance of 
disturbed conditions in Mexico, in part to American 
non-recognition, in part to the stringency of the 
European money-markets, but chiefly, it seems, to 
the desire of the French government that no for- 
eign issue shall stand in the way of the war-loan 
which France herself is about to launch. 

Furthermore, only a small part of the £0,000,000 
which Mexico received was available for the govern- 
ment's current needs. Liabilities of £4,000,000 to 
New York bankers had to be met and other floating 
indebtedness to be discharged. 

Thus, the government of General Huerta, in its 
efforts to restore peace, is greatly hampered by 
absolute shortness of funds. 

Such, in brief, is the lamentable situation to which 
this country, so prosperous and respected under the 
Diaz administration, has been reduced by three 
years of revolution. 

The relations of the United Slates to this situa- 
tion may be summed up under the heads of inter- 
vention and recognition. 

Peaceful intervention or mediation is unaccept- 
able, it seems, to both sides. And armed intervention 
is too huge an enterprise to be entered on lightly 
or indeed except in the last resort when every other 
means shall have been exhausted and no other 
honorable course is left open It is not a question 
how soon an American army of invasion, as in 1847, 
could reach the capital. If the United States inter- 
vene in Mexico, they will become responsible for 
her to the civilized world for an indefinite period. 
And Americans in Mexico, who know how heavy 
that responsibility would be, and how thankless the 
task, are the first to deprecate a policy of armed 
intervention on the part of their government, so 
long as, consistently with safety and honor, it can 
be avoided. 

There is nothing for it, then, if the idea of inler- 
vention be discarded, but to give Mexico time to 
work out her vexed internal problems and fight out 
her internal quarrels. This, of course, entails in- 
convenience on the United States, and losses to 
American citizens having interests in Mexico. But 
for a large proportion of the latter ultimate com- 
pensation can be obtained, and the former must be 
borne as the less of two evils. I speak, of course, 
on the assumption that disorder in Mexico will not 
become chronic, and that she will not be so unwise 
as deliberately to give to the United States provo- 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Win. L. Bass, Mgr. 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 

■.■.aioti .such as no self-respecting nation could toler- 

Mut, at the same time, it is manifestly unreason- 
able to apply Anglo-Saxon standards to conditions 
in Mexico. As well might one judge by the stand- 
ards of modern England the deposition and murder 
of Richard li by Henry of Bolinbroke or the assassi- 
nation of Prince Edward by the Yorkist chiefs on the 
field of Tewkesbury. The United States, which, on 
becoming independent, inherited all the political con- 
quests achieved by the English race through cen- 
turies of bloodshed and turmoil, is perhaps prone to 
judge rather unsympathelically these Latin-American 
rei'ublics, which, when they became independent, 
had had no experience in self-government and which 
inherited vicious and corrupt ideas of administration, 
as well as political, politico-religious, economic, eth- 
ical and social problems of the most perplexing and 
intricate character. 

In considering the question of recognition it is 
fair lo remember that constitutional forms were at 
least o!)served in the transfer of power to the present 
executive. And the administration of General Huerta 
is all that at present stands between Mexico and 
anarchy. If it were overthrown, the condition of 
this country would become simply hopeless. 

Presidential elections have been set for October 
•J(» next, but it may well happen that the country 
will not have been sufficiently pacified, by that time, 
lor valid elections to be held, and then the provisional 
term of General Huerta will have to be prolonged. 
Foreign residents, including Americans, know that 
elections held in the present disturbed conditions of 
the country would not only be an empty form, but 
also, far from allaying disorder, would fan it into 
a fiercer blaze of hatred and contention. 

General Huerla's task in any case will be of the 
most arduous kind, and inasmuch as on its successful 
accomplishment the well-being of a neighboring na- 
tion, still in the formative period and laboring under 
many difficulties, is at stake, it would seem to many 
unprejudiced observers in Mexico, a friendly act on 
the part of the United States to the Mexican people 
to give to the Huerta government, in the form of 
recognition, the moral support which it needs in 
the work before it. 

Huerta is winning more and more every day the 
confidence of the business community and the masses 
of the people. With the latter, in particular, he is 
steadily growing in favor. He is a man of the peo- 
jile, accessible to the people; he understands the 
people and the people understand him. Moreover, 
he is demonstrating many of the qualities needed in 
the man who is to rule Mexico. The ease with which 
he has temporarily eliminated, one by one, the mem- 
bers of the "felicista" faction recalls the methods of 
Porfirio Diaz in his most masterful days. Feliz Diaz 
has been sent on a special diplomatic mission to 
Japan, General Mondragon, the real leader of the 
"felicista" uprising, who for a time was Huerta's 
War Minister, was compelled to resign and was sent 
on a government commission to Europe. And so 
on, with some of the minor lights of the group. 
Thus, what would in the opinion of many, in the 
present circumstances, be a disturbing factor, has 
licen removed. 

It is almost a truism lo say that it is more import- 
ant that the President of Mexico should have the 
(|ualitications necessary to enable him to govern the 



Mexicans than that, in other respects, he should 
measure up to Anglo-Saxon standards. 

I am not defending either the military uprising of 
February last or the coup d'etat by which it was 
brought to an end. On the contrary, in principle, 
1 thing that both are severely to be condemned. But 
I look at things as they are at present and from 
the standpoint of Mexican conditions, and it seems 
to me the situation is simply this: Huerta or anarchy. 

Such being the case, it seems to follow that the 
I'nited States should recognize the Huerta regime, 
not for the sake of Huci-ta but for the sake of 
Mexico and the Mexican people, who, as everyone 
knowing them must concede, are worthy of better 
destinies than have hitherto been theirs. —Louis C. 
Simonds in "Atlantic Monthly." 



The 1848 Situation. 

The situations at the start are not just alike, how- 
ever. The rcvoUltionary movement in Northern 
Mexico is almost entirely an affair of the Mexicans. 
The Texas revolution was altogether an affair of peo- 
ple from the United States who hail settled in Texas. 
But the hand of manifest destiny will shape conclu- 
sions finally in the present Mexican turmoil, just as 
in the turmoil which terminated in 1848. The pres- 
ent situation — that of a military despotism, sur- 
rounded by enemies and with a revolution beating 
almost at the capital gates — cannot last long. But 
the problem of bringing about peace, order and pros- 
perity will not be solved simply by eliminating 
Huerta. — Baltimore "American." 



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MEXICO 



Saturday. Oiiobcr IS, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published fvery Saturday \>\ 

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Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 

Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $2.00 

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Lest we Forget 

Where's Huerta getting his money? 
Thought Washington decreed he shouldn't 
have any. 

If Huerta were overthrown by revolution 
or a coup d'etat, would President Wilson 
reccgnize the beneficiary? 

If not, are we going to keep on refus- 
ing to recognize every Mexican govern- 
ment until the Mexican electorate is edu- 
cated up to American standards? 

We've been educating the Filipinos fif- 
teen years but they are not citizens yet. 

Also the Porto Ricans. 

Henry Lane Wilson's muzzle has been 
removed automatically. He could tell a 
few interesting things if he would. Maybe 
he will. 

Foreign merriment has partly given way 
to concern — as to the lengths to which 
Washington's blunder may be carried. 

Those men who profess to be shocked 
by Huerta's "high-handed" methods swal- 
low the Sulzer impeachment whole. 

* -+ * 

Also the secret caucus. 

Not to mention the "Big Stick" of Pat- 
ronage. 

The Administration is just dying to say 
"I told you so!" 

A childish satisfaction. 

Oughtn't to be so much of a satisfaction 
considering that hurtdreds of human lives 
must contribute to make it possible. 

To speak of "moral force" and use finan- 
cial weapons is not hypocritical. 



Who's Dictator Now ? 

will' is the real diclatur — ihc man of 
action whose strong hand stands between 
his country and anarchy or the man of 
theories who seeks to impose his personal 
will on an alien people? 

\\"ho is the real dictator — the man whose 
[lassinn for result.-;, for the pacification of 
liis country, demands drastic measures or 
the alien man whose passion for theories 
leads him to equally drastic measures that 
interfere With the work of pacification. 

Who is the real dictator — the man who, 
knowing his country, its sickness, and how 
it can be cured, cuts with a surgeon's knife 
at the root of the disease or the foreign 
medicine man who insists that his incanta- 
tion of words is the only cure. 

\\'ho is the real dictator — the man who 
upholds the dignity and nationality of his 
native land or the man of another nation 
who would trail them in the dust that his 
"policj'" may be justified. 

Who is the real dictator — the ruler of a 
nation who understands its history, tradi- 
tions. Constitution and laws, and their ap- 
plication to the situation he faces, who acts 
accordingly, or the ruler of a neighboring 
nation who does not understand but pre- 
sumes to dictate how the past of the other 
country shall be interpreted and its future 
shaped. 

Who is the real dictator — the man in 
Mexico or the man in Washington? 

Think it over. 



that if he knew of one other man on whom 
all these political intriguants could unite 
for the benefit of the country he would 
gladly resign and turn the reins of power 
over to him. The fact is, as he said, that 
there would be as many contenders for his 
position as there are parties and groups in 
the Chamber. And that would mean an- 
archy. 

When the average American or the aver- 
age American newspaper discusses Ameri- 
can affairs it is usually in terms of our own 
conditions and institutions. This is not 
just, any more so than it would be for 
Europeans to judge our political progress 
merely on the fact that we do not permit 
the Filipinos any share in our government, 
and conclude we are not a democratic peo- 
ple. Our attitude toward the Huerta gov- 
ernment is one of suspicion and goading. 
And yet there are only three possibilities in 
Mexico at the present time: Huerta, an- 
archy, intervention — and intervention means 
war. 



With such evidences of desperation on the part 
of the usurper, the Constitutionalist forces ought 
not to be long in reaching the capital. They are 
the true liberators of Congress and they ought to 
be the sole avengers of the crimes that have dis- 
graced the age. — New York "World" Editorial. 
The "World" is shrieking for vengeance. 
Somehow it seems to us that there is 
more restraint shown by President Huerta 
in his actions than by some of his Ameri- 
can newspaper critics in their yowlings. 



Painfully Shocked 

If the Southern Congressmen before the 
Civil War had remained or been permitted 
to remain in Congress after the Secession, 
and had taken advantage of their position 
to conspire actively and openly against the 
Federal Government while drawing their 
pay from that Government, would they not 
liavc been arrested and held for treason? 
Considering the temper of those times and 
the aroused passions of North and South, 
it would not have been very surprising if 
they had even been summarily executed. 

.\nd yet we profess to be painfully 
shocked because President Huerta has 
jailed the Madcrist members of the 
Mexican Chamber of Deputies conspiring 
against the central government and the 
peace of the country. He wouldn't be 
much of a man if he had not taken the 
action he did. In fact, if he has made any 
mist;d<es al all it has been in the direction 
of too much leniency toward the antagon- 
istic political intrigues of these men. 

It is to be noted that in explaining his 
action, President Huerta inadc the point 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of "Mexico." * 

Dear Sir: Am enclosing you check for one year's 
subscription to "Mexico." It is the only paper 
which I have found that thoroughly understands 
Mexico and the Mexicans After eight years' resi- 
dence in that country, being associated with all 
sorts of Mexicans, from top to bottom, I have never 
been badly treated, nor molested by any Mexican; 
have, of course, never disputed with them or taken 
sides in their political parties, and I do not think 
any foreigner in any country should butt in. 

I came on just three weeks ago and you can 
gamble not at President Wilson's wish either, but 
because of his uninformed and biased policy, which 
has been the cause of all this trouble since he came 
into ofiice. 

In my opinion General Huerta is the only man at 
present who can settle this trouble, and I sincerely 
hope he will not have to step down. 

This city had us hung, starved and all kinds of 
things done to us at Dolores, about forty-live miles 
southwest of Madera, in the State of Chihuahua. 
We had a great laugh over it on arriving here. 

It seems that tjiese border papers cannot tell 



the 



ruth. 



Hoping that you will be able to convince the 
people of the north that Huerta is the "strong man 
of Mexico," I am. 

Yours truly. 
El Paso, Texas. J H. 

Editor of "Mexico." 

DTar Sir: I have just read your weekly "Mex- 
ico," and find some very interesting articles in il. 
I think you struck the keynote with the following 
articles: "The Right to Loot" and "The Work of 
the Clique." I hope you will continue with the 
good work of throwing light on the affairs in 
Mexico so they can be intelligently discussed by 
the American people. Judging from what has taken 
place in the towns of Mier, Camargo, Reynosa and 
Matamoras, it is an evident fact that the main 
principle moving General Lucio Blanco and his 
bands of robbers and cutthroats now in the State 
of Tamaulipas is that of looting. His men never pre- 
tend to be doing anything else. It is a shame the 
way they have pillaged the above mentioned places. 
After stealing everything they can carry aw.ay, they 
destroy what they can't carry away. 

Wishing you success, I beg to remain, 
Rio Grande City, Texas. V. S. A. 

Editor of "Mexico." 

Dear Sir: I enclose herewith one dollar to fos- 
ter your .selfish interests in the publishing of the 
paper "Mexico," also as a congratulatory proof of 
ihe great work you have done so far. 

Very truly yours, 
Montreal, Canada. J P- R- 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Buns Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly. — Oriental Proverb ' '■^'■\ 



VOL. 1.— NO. 10 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



REFORMS and 

REVOLUTIONS 

\ .SI null ami econuiuical stiuijLjle — not a 
political one — is taking place in Mexico. 

The masses are seeking redress of griev- 
ances of long standing. Some of these 
grievances are real and justified. The 
masses are seeking to attain a higher econ- 
omical status. The struggle is unconscious 
an<I because of this has been seized upon 
by self-seeking politicians to incite rebel- 
lion and further their personal ambitions. 
If the revolutionary movement may be 
said to liave been, in a measure, beneficial 
in so far as it convinced thinking men of 
the necessity of improving the lot of the 
common people, it has novif degenerated 
into brigandage. It has also assumed the 
aspect of a socialistic movement. The peo- 
ple ba\c liecn told that they own in com- 
mon the C('Uiitr_\-: lands, industries, chattels. 
.\nd they lielieve it. and seek to take pos- 
session irrespective of the rights of others. 
The country is on the path of self-destruc- 
tion. 

Justified as tlie demands for reform may 
be. no Government, irrespective of origin 
or components, can firing aliout these re- 
forms unless peace is restored first. It 
must have the opportunity of putting into 
practice the feasible and just reforms. This 
opportunity can come only with peace and 
time. 

If rebellions and brigandage are allowed 
to continue, Me.xico will soon be plunged 
into utter ruination. 

Piditical freedom will exist only after an 
improvement in economical conditions will 
have made possible the education and ad- 
vancement of the masses. 

There is ample evidence that the Huerta 
Government has the necessary strength to 
re-establish peace and that at the same 
time it realizes the needs of the people. In 
spite of enormous difficulties it has initi- 
ated reforms to alleviate the ills under 
which the people have been suffering. 

In this respect it has done more in eight 
months than the previous administration 
ever dreamt of doing in a much longer 
time. 

There is also unmistakable evidence and 
irrefutable proof that the present rebel 
leaders will not and cannot bring about the 
reforms demanded by the people. 



ELECTIONS 



Those who discourse on popular elec- 
tions in Mexico are dealing with shadows. 
Popular elections — in the sense which these 
are understood by .Americans — will not 
take place in Me-xico until the general 
apathy will be removed by education. Edu- 
cation of the masses — which does not mean 
the mere knowledge of reading and writing, 
but also a general training to the under- 
standing of the uses of the ballot — will not 
be swifter in Mexico than it has been else- 
where. It will come after economical bet- 
terment. 

Meanwhile Mexico is cursed with a Con- 
stitution framed by an enlightened minor- 
ity granting to the majority rights which 
they can neither understand nor enjoy. The 
necessity of the men in power — it has been 
the same under Juarez as under Diaz and 
under Madero — to adapt the enforcing of 
the laws to existing conditions has com- 
pelled every Mexican government to disre- 
gard in some way the Constitution. 

This fact has been seized upon by rogues 
and demagogues to accuse the government 
of breaking the laws of the country and in- 
cite the people to rebellion. 



-\ii e.xamination of all the "plans" (plat- 
forms) of revolutionary leaders — there have 
been hundreds — from Guerrero down to 
Madero, V'asquez Gomez and Carranza re- 
veal a striking sameness. The latter-day 
patriots have not even the merit of origi- 
nality. All the revolutionary leaders — in- 
cluding Porfirio Diaz when he was one — ■ 
have promised to uphold the Constitution, 
to hold free elections, and restore to the 
pefijile the freedom which they had lost. 

Tlu y iiavr .ippealeil to the people for 
armed support in order to overthrow the 
tyrants who had usurped the powers of the 
sovereign people. 

.\11 of them — absolutely all — have prom- 
ised the same things and regularly failed 
to keep their promises. What a pity that 
our newspaper writers do not know Mex- 
ican history! 

The greatest merit of General Huerta — 
who has never been, however, a revolution- 
ary leader — is that upon his assumption of 
power he made no promises except one: 
to restore peace or perish in the attempt. 



They have availed themselves of the so- 
cial unrest to make an attempt to seize 
again the reins of power. Their past per- 
formances as principal factors in the Ma- 
dero administration are lasting proofs of 
their bad faith and personal greed. 

Madero himself was confronted during 
all his administration by revolutionary 
movements far more formidable than the 
one he headed against Diaz. 

This is conclusive proof that should the 
Maderists regain power peace could not 
he restored by them. 

The Huerta Government has shown it 
has the honest purpose to carry out the 
reforms which will insure the maintenance 
of peace, once established. 



The Foreign Attitude 

MEXICO has endeavored to reflect the 
opinion of those numerous Americans who 
believe in fair play for Mexico and are 
opposed therefore to the .\dininistration 
policy toward that country. 

W'c have reproduced current European 
opinion but little, because we are mainly 
concerned with Latin-.America and the re- 
lations between the United States and 
Latin-America. 

However, inspired press reports make 
efforts to convey the impression that Eu- 
rope and European representatives in Mex- 
ico either support the policy of the United 
States or advocate American intervention. 
This is absolutely misleading and false and. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 25, 1913 



THE FOREIGN ATTITUDE-continued 

wc iiiiisl necessaril.v refer to European 
opinion, even ihoush we consider the rela- 
tions l)ei\veen the United States and Mex- 
ico an all-Anierican affair. 

As a matter of fact, European diplomats 
in Mexico have not expressed anj' censure 
for the steps taken by the Mexican execu- 
tive for fear of increased rebel activitj- be- 
cause i^\ ihose steps. They have expressed 
the .greatest alarm at the attitude of the 
United States Government as foreshadow- 
ing, in their opinion, war. They have ex- 
jiressed the greatest alarm at the evident 
moral support given by this attitude to all 
the elements of disorder and lawlessness in 
Mexico. With other foreigners and all 
Americans in Mexico they have expressed 
the opinion that the attitude of the Wash- 
ington Administration is responsible for 
the prolonged strife in Mexico and that the 
policy of non-xecognition of the Huerta 
Government has prevented an early restora- 
tion of peace. 

The following dispatch to the New York 
"Herald," a newspaper devoted to the de- 
fense of bandits and rebels in Mexico, sup- 
ports our contention: 
(By Mexican Cable to tlie X. Y. "Herald.") 

Mexico City, Mexico, via Galveston, Tex., 
Monday. — The continued intimation from 
Washington that the Wilson administration 
is disposed to give moral stipport to the 
constitutionalists and that recognition of 
their belligerency is being considered if the 
rebels will organize a government is caus- 
ing considerable anxiety here. 

Some foreign observers go so far as to 
say that recognition of belligerency of the 
rebels would force Huerta into a declara- 
tion of war against the United States, as 
recognition and moral support of the rebels 
probably would be interpreted as a hostile 
act against a friendly nation. 

Foreign diplomatists here are getting se- 
riously troubled over the fact that the rebels 
at Torreon have refused to permit their 
nationals to leave that place, extending that 
privilege to Americans only. I have it au- 
thoritatively that the German government 
has appealed to the United States to use 
its influence in seeing that her nationals, 
now virtual prisoners in Torreon, are re- 
leased by the rebels and promised safe con- 
duct out of the district under rebel control. 

The French and German colonies total 
about too, practically equally divided, while 
Italians and Spanish are numerous and there 
are about a dozen English. 

The French Minister, Paul Lefaivre, who 
has been greatly wrought up over the re- 
cent developments, has talked freely to his 
colleagues of the diplom.tic corps, even 
going to the extent of blamTng the Wash- 
ington policy in the handling of the Mexi- 
can situation as responsible for the revolu- 
tion against Huerta gaining such headway. 



Mellifluous Words to 
the Chinese Dictator 



(Pittsburgh Gazette-Times.) 
Yuan Shi Kai's ability to maintain him- 
self as provisional president of China since 
Sun Yat Sen yielded to him, the ease with 
which he subdued the attempted rebellion 
of the southern provinces and with which 
he had himself elected to the presidency 
for a five year terra is a considerable guar- 
antee that he will be able to maintain sat- 
isfactory conditions in the huge republic 
during his tenure of office. But that there 
will be great progress in democracy in 
that time is to be doubted. Yuan is no 
leader of democracy. Conditions have not 
much changed in China by transition from 
an imperial to a republican form of gov- 
ernment. China at the moment is little 
more than nominally a republic. He has 
ruled China as a dictator since the abdi- 
cation of the imperial family and no doubt 
will continue to do so. As to whether the 
Chinese are capable of self-government in 
the liberal Western sense there is no af- 
firmative evidence. There is more reason 
to doubt than to believe it. It is clear that 
Yuan does not believe it, or at least he 
does not believe that it is the best thing 
for them, and he will act in accordance 
with this belief. If all Chinese, or a con- 
siderable majority of them, were imbued 
with the spirit of Dr. Sun there would be 
a different story to tell, but the evidence 
of the course of history in China is that 
the vast mass of the people will be very 
well satisfied with small improvement over 
old conditions. 

Washington, Oct. 9.— President Wilson 
sent to-day the following congratulatory 
message to Yuan Shi Kai, the newly elect- 
ed president of China, whose inauguration 
takes place to-morrow: 

"On this auspicious occasion of your ex- 
cellency's inauguration as chief magistrate 
of the Chinese republic, I offer your ex- 
^eilency congratulations on the trust and 
confidence reposed in you by the national 
assembly and felicitate the assembly and 
the Chinese people on the selection for 
that high and honorable office of a gentle- 
man so eminently qualified as yourself. It 
is my hope and expectation that guided 
by the principles of right and justice and 
the high ideals of republican government, 
your excellency's administration will be so 
conducted as to assure the advancement of 
China and conduce to the peace, happiness 
and prosperity of her people. It will be 
my pleasure to co-operate with you in pre- 
serving and still more firmly cementing the 
friendly and cordial relations between the 
two countries." — .A. 1'. Dispatch. 



SOME OF MEXICO'S ENEMIES. 

A Willard Simpson has acquired a few 
hours' notoriety by attempting to prevent 
the passage of General Joaquin Maas 
through the United. States en route from 
Eagle Pass to Laredo. He has also been 
writing letters to newspapers in different 
parts of the country telling them what a 
patriot his old friend Carranza is. 

Willard Simpson belongs to the clique 
in which the publisher of the San Antonio 
"Light" and Senator Morris Sheppard are 
prominent. He was formerly a reporter on 
the San Antonio "E.xpress" and, having 
done some press work for Gustavo Madero 
during the Madero uprising, obtained after- 
wards some contracts from the Madero 
Government. 

Since the Madero downfall he has been 
active in the rebel junta in San Antonio. 
Simpson, Sam Belden, styled as attorney, 
and Felix Sommerfield, the erstwhile chief 
of Madero's secret service, have formed a 
close corporation to promote the liberty of 
the Mexican people. 

The Commissioner who ordered the ar- 
rest of General Maas despite the permis- 
sion .granted by the Washington Govern- 
ment, occupies the same offices as Sam 
Belden, the distinguished and widely 
known Texas jurist. 



Apropos of press work. When Gustavo 
Madero immediately upon the fall of Diaz 
asked the Mexican Government — his broth- 
er — for the payment of $700,000.00, he stat- 
ed that the sum was to reimburse him for 
expenses incurred to promote the revolu- 
tion which had liberated the Mexican peo- 
ple. He thought that the people should be 
glad to give him the money, which was a 
very small sum to pay for their freedom 
and the privilege of being governed b^' the 
Madero family. 

Requested to give some idea of the man- 
ner in which he had spent the money, he 
produced a rather mystifying statement. 
One item, however, was quite clear. He 
had spent $12,500.00 on the "American 
press." Questioned further, he said that 
the money had remained mostly in San An- 
tonio. 

It was clearly proven afterward that the 
San Antonio "Express" had never accept- 
ed a cent from the Maderists. The only 
other newspaper in San Antonio is the San 
Antonio "Light," backed, it is said, by 
Charles Taft and published by R. M. Beach 
a raving supporter of the Mexican Consti- 
tution. 



An "Understanding" with the bandits of North- 
ern Mexico would be a disgrace to civilization 



The Washington "Mirror" thinks that 
young Sherby Hopkins is descrying the 
end of his rope or more particularly that 
of his father — our old friend Captain Sher- 
by Hopkins — and that soon his affair de 
coeur with a Washington enchantress will 
be a thing of the past. 

We believe that the Washington "Mir- 
ror" is not familiar with the Captain's re- 
sources. Don Sherby is not worried by 
his son's extravagance and generosity. Oil 
companies and Mexican patriots are fruit- 
ful. Besides, there seems to be an almost 
inexhaustible supply of sinews from Guate- 
mala. This supply does not only help the 
chip of the old l)lock to get something out 
of life — it is said in Washington — but con- 
stituted a material assistance to the Mexi- 
can rebels to conduct their campaign of 
lil)eration of the Mexican people. The 
Guatemalan ruler, through his friend Don 
Sherby, gives evidence of his great love for 
freedom — in Mexico. 



Siiliirjny. Oclohrr 



MEXICO 



How Much the More Handsomely 



To the multitude of Americans who, from 
Ijoth an ethical and a practical standpoint, 
believe in Pan-Americanism, the expres- 
sions of mingled ignorance and ill-will to- 
ward Latin-Americans in ihc press of late 
must have come as a decided shock. 

True Pan- Americanism, as conceived and 
advocated first by James G. Blaine, and up- 
held by Root, Barrett and many Latin- 
American statesmen, can subsist only 
through mutual understanding and good- 
will, reciprocal respect, fair dealing and for- 
bearance. 

The progress of Pan-Americanism has 
been temporarily checked. Latin-Ameri- 
cans who had looked forward with hope 
and satisfaction to the election of Presi- 
dent W'ilson and welcomed the appoint- 
ment of Secretary Bryan are evincing keen 
disappointment. 

Of Woodrow Wilson while he was still 
a candidate they knew little or nothing. .\s 
a President, they believed he would uphold 
the supposed Deumcratic policy of anti-im- 
perialism and brotherly relations with all 
South .\merican Republics. 

Bryan they knew well. They had re- 
ceived him with open arms from the Rio 
Grande to the Plata. They had showered 
upon him tokens of sincere admiration. He 
had been the recipient of their most cour- 
teous and generous hospitality. 

With avidity they had drunk from his 
lips words of sincere friendship, brother- 
hood and fair plaj'. 

In the first days of the new Administra- 
tion came a declaration of policy from 
Washington fraught with the greatest dan- 
ger to Latin-Americans, because of the 
purely theoretical and often inapplicable 
principles expressed therein. And then fol- 
biwed the proposal of a protectorate over 
Nicaragua, the forcible and unwarranted at- 
tempt to establish a virtual protectorate 
over Mexico, and the profoundly ignorant, 
tactless and foolish declarations of men 
prominent in the Democratic Administra- 
tion. 

The smouldering feeling of mistrust 
and antagonism has been rekindled and the 
press of most Latin-American countries 
has reflected it. 

A fair example of the ignorance and, to 
say the least, carelessness of some of our 
statesmen in dealing with Latin-American 
affairs was contained in a "corrected inter- 
view" in the New York "Times" with Pitch- 
fork Benjamin Tillman, Senator of the 
United States. 

His pitchfork remarks, as well as those 
of other present-day statesmen of about 
the same calibre, are certain to increase the 
feeling of mistrust and indignation in Latin- 
.\mericans. 

Odious as they may be, comparisons are 
indispensable sometimes to inject even a 
small dose of knowledge and decency un- 
der the corneous epidermis of rhinocerial 



individuals who have an utter disregard for 
the sentiments and ri.ghts of other peoples. 

It is for this reason that we recall here 
a stale of affairs in South America existing 
only a few months ago. 

The parallel is not flattering to the pres- 
ent Washington .'\.dministration. It will 
serve, however, to arouse furthermore the 
feeling of those Americans — and, as we 
have said in other numbers, there are hosts 
of ihem — who entertain a sincere friendshij) 
for the other Americans and value fair play 
aljove brutal force, if for no other reason 
than because they know that in the end a 
policy of fair play will give higher moral 
and material results than a rough-siiod a)id 
all-rights-overriding policy. 

The relative position of Argentina toward 
Paraguay bears a striking resemblance to 
■.hai of the United States toward Mexico. 
It is interesting, therefore, to recall the at- 
titude and actions of .Argentina in reference 
to F'araguay about eighteen months ago 
when the latter country was torn by inter- 
nicinc strife, 

.\s in Mexico, the Indian stock is prepon- 
derant in the population of Paraguay. Para- 
guay borders on Argentina for more than 
one thousand miles. .Argentina, in joint ac- 
tion with Brazil, conducted a war of inva- 
sion against Paraguay in 1865.- 

.\rgenlina to-day takes more than one- 
half of the total exports from Paraguay. 
.\rgentine enterprise is the most important 
factor in the development of Paraguay. 
.\rgentine capital, or European capital rep- 
resented and managed by Argentines, has 
established and developed Paraguayan in- 
dustries, including all the railways, and 
most of the banks. 

Argentines own enormous extensions of 
land in Paraguay and the Argentine colony 
there is one of the most numerous. 

In short, Argentine interests in Paraguay 
are proportionately larger than American 
interests in Mexico. 

The prolonged revolution in Paraguay, 
with the consequent rapidly succeeding 
changes of governments, had caused great 
damage to Argentine interests and the grav- 
est concern to the Argentine Government. 

The situation had reached a crisis about 
eighteen months ago and the .Argentine 
newspapers printed long stories concerning 
the events in the neighboring republic, with 
emphasis on the terrible suffering of na- 
tionals and foreigners alike. The Argentine 
.government was called upon by European 
interests to remedy, as far as possible, the 
ills of the situation. 

Did the Argentine Government attempt 
to establish a protectorate over Paraguay? 
Did it send an emisarry to piopose an arm- 
istice with bandits and rebels? Did it at- 
tempt to dictate who should be and should 
not be the President of Paraguay? Did the 
newspapers of Argentine either advocate 
armed intervention or heap from day to 



day insults upon the people and government 
of Paraguay? 

Did the Argentines disret;ard the sover- 
eign rights of their neighuors or expect 
them to become peaceful, vote-understand- 
ing, vote-loving and vote-abiding citizens 
overnight? 

.\rgeiitine could easily have intervened, 
for in the twenty-live years of absolute 
peace which she has enjoyed she has built 
up a splendid regular army. 

But those Argentines, those .South .Amer- 
icans, as they are vaguely and dispargingly 
designated by some of our U,tlcr-day states- 
men, were anxious to respect the inalien- 
able rights of their neighbors, and were 
anxious to alleviate their sufferings. 

While the .Argentine Government en 
forced a real neutrality, it discouraged any 
assistance and moral support of the lawless 
elements. 

It encouraged, instead, the organization 
of a relief committee com^jsed mainly of 
society women of Buenos Aires. This com- 
mittee worked indefatigably to obtain sub- 
scrii)tions for a relief fund, which in a short 
time amounted to more than a million 
pesos. 

Tlic Gnvernnunt added a substantial sum 
and lielped in the organization of a relief 
expedition, appointing special commissioners 
for the purpose. Many of the Argentine 
ladies composing the committee joined the 
expedition, which went to Paraguay in a 
Government boat carrying clothing, sup- 
plies and medicines. 

Some of the commissioners appointed by 
the Goverunient were physicians. Others 
were commissioned to offer in the most 
delicate and secret manner their offices to 
bring about the reestablishment of peace. 

It has not been the purpose here to draw 
a comparison between Mexico and Para- 
guay, because the former country is infin- 
itely more advanced in almost every way. 
But rather between the attitude of .Argen- 
tina and thai of the United States toward 
a neighbor afflicted with domestic trouble. 

The Para,guayans, like the Mexicans, were 
too proud to beg, even though in the direst 
straits and experiencing extreme suffering. 
But the fact that they had not been villified 
by their neighbors and that true friendship 
had been shown by the Argentines made it 
possible for tliem to accept the proferred 
assistance. 

.Argentines understood and fulfilled their 
obligations as friends and neighbors, and 
could truly affirm that as Paraguay's 
friends they had triumphed sooner than 
they woiiUl as her enemy and "how much 
more handsomely, witli how much higher 
and finer satisfaction of conscience and of 
honor." 



Charles Taft's ranch in Mexico adjoins 
that of a great friend of the Administra- 
tion. 

The Pierce Oil Company chuckles and 
Standard Oil gets the blame. 

We love democracy. 

Oh 



MEXICO 



Saliirdav. October ;3r>, 191:', 



THE COST OF MEDDLING 



OIL IN WASHINGTON. 

Ri-a.l (his carefully. It is fruiii ti 



.\'t 



Viuic ■'World" of October 31; 



There are times when comparisons are 
anything but odious, and this is one of 
them. An invasion of Me.xico by the 
United States would repeat the e.xperience 
Great Britain had with the Boers in 1899- 
1902. Why this should be so can be 
summed up briefly and with effect. Firstly, 
the terrain in which the United States 
.\rmy would operate is even more difficult 
than that which tried the wits of the best 
British officers; secondly, the Mexicans are 
as much attached to their soil as were 
the Boers; thirdly, the United States mili- 
tary establishment is in no position at pres- 
ent to cope easily with the resistance a 
united Me.xico would ofTer. A fourth 
consideration does not better the picture, 
and this is that the natural resources of 
Me.xico are decidedly greater than those 
of the erstwhile Boer republics. Lastly, 
the South African Dutch were able to put 
only 35,000 men in the field, while Me.xico 
would have no difficulty placing 200,000 
men under arms. Conceding that the Mex- 
icans could not approach the fighting qual- 
ities of the Boers, we may, nevertheless, 
grant that this force would be the equal 
of at least 75,000 burghers. The statement 
that Great Britain had in the field during 
the war with the Boers no less than 325,000 
men, and employed at one time as many as 
275.000 in concerted efforts to overcome the 
burghers, should prove enlightening here, 
as should also the fact that the cost of 
the campaign to Great Britain was over 
a billion dollars. 

In Boer War and Knows Mexico. 

The writer begs forbearance with the 
remark that he participated in the late Boer 
War, is fairly familiar with the topography 
along the line of operation that would be 
followed in Mexico, knows the principal 
features of the plan of action decided upon 
some time ago by the United States Gen- 
eral StafT, and has had opportunity to study 
at least one essential of military opera- 
tions on the part of Mexico. 

Three years ago everybody would have 
laughed at the statement that it would take 
250,000 men to invade Mexico effectively. 
It was the habit then to assume that a com- 
pany of Te.xas rangers could cross the Rio 
(jrande and subdue the entire republic just as 
fast as their mounts could cover it. The Mex- 
ican army was then known as a most un- 
soldierly aggregate of "hombres" who had 
discarded the rags of the penitentiary for 
the cheap cotton trousers, gaudy tunics, and 
headpieces of the army. In a way this im- 
pression is yet held, though the continu- 
ous insurrections and revolutions of the 
last two years have modified it in at least 
one important respect. It is admitted to- 
day that the Me-xic'an can fight when he 
has a mind to do this. But something is 
likely to be overlooked here. The inces- 
sant turmoil has made soldiers out of Mex- 
icans who formerly were not soldiers. In 
the states of Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Tam- 
aulipas. Chihuahua, and elsewhere, there 
has come into an existence fighting material 
that is highly respected by all who know 
it — "los fuergos auxiliares," a sort of 
mounted police, under state supervision, 
that would be heard from most disagree- 
ably in case of intervention. 

The men forming this contingent are 
proljably superior to anything the repub- 
lic has in its military-establishment. The 
first demonstration of this was given when 
though recruited from the rural population 
in the insurrection districts, they refused 
to adhere to any but the de facto Govern- 
iiient. Like the regular army, this institu- 
tion recognizes nothing but "el gobicrno." 



What individual happens to be President 
does not matter. The "auxiliaries" of Nuevo 
Leon hunted Gen. Reyes until he thought it 
well to surrender, in spite of the fact that 
this old rebel had hoped to win them over 
to his side, as, according to all precedents 
south of the Rio Grande, he had good rea- 
son to hope. 

Every Native Loves Country. 

A word must be said here for the remain- 
ing human elements tliat would take up 
arms. Even the most prejiidiced must ad- 
mit that the Mexican, no matter what his 
station in life, is warmly attached to his 
aggregate — his "republica." So great is this 
love of country that only the supply of arms 
could limit the number that would go into 
the field in case of an invasion. Since this 
is estimated at over a million stands of 
rifles, there would be no dearth in that di- 
rection. In a united !NTexico, moreover, 
there would be no lack -. 1 ammunition for 
a long time. The republic not alone has 
acquired large stores of artillery and small- 
arms ammunition, but it has also the me- 
chanical equipment to manufacture these 
in case an inevitable blockade should make 
the importation of them impossible. 

The Mexican army would confine its ef- 
forts to the most trying sort of warfare — 
guerilla, a sort of military operation to 
which their kinsmen in Spain gave the 
name and with which the Mexicans them- 
selves are fully acquainted. To an army 
organized like that of the United States 
this is very disastrous until such time as 
the necessary modifications are made. Great 
Britain, to meet similar conditions in South 
Africa, had to convert her infantry into 
mounted infantry, the desideratum being- 
greater mobility. But the change involved 
was a slow and trying one, and led to the 
great protraction of the campaign. The 
United States would have to meet the same 
problem before it could hope for success. 
But the British infantryinan at least knew 
how to handle his rifle. The American 
militiaman and volunteer would have to be 
taught even that. — From an article by 
(jeorge ."Mbert .Shreiner in N. Y. "Evening- 
Post." 



DREAMING. 
President Wilson's theory that Mexico is to be 
brought out of her congenital barbarism and under 
the rule of the true and the beautiful in the sphere 
of politics by a process of moral suasion is even more 
than might have been expected from his tempera- 
ment and habits of looking at things. But thorns do 
not yield grapes nor thistles figs — not yet awhile. In 
the so-called republic of Mexico there are somewhere 
l>ctwcen eighteen and twenty millions of people, every 
man among them under the terms of the constitution 
possessed of full political rights. Of this host some 
live millions are Indians — mere savages — who do not 
even speak the Spanish language. All the rest, with 
the exception of perhaps two millions, are peons. 
And of the approximately two million who represent 
Spanish or mixed blood only about one-half can read 
and write. Now these being the conditions it is idle, 
even childish, to look for anything approaching con- 
stitutional government. The expectation on the jjart 
of the President is utoi}ian. He is merely dreaming, 
and the dreams he dreams are bound to pass through 
the ivory gate. There is but one way to pacify 
Mexico, and that is the way of the strong hand. To 
look for this consummation through any process of 
suasion is about as practicable as to seek for wealth 
at Ihc end of the rainbow. All this has been said 
over and over many times. It is the common knowl- 
edge of all who have any acquaintance with condi- 
tions in Mexico. Yet there are forever (hose— in- 
cluding our well-meaning President — who seem never 
iible to understa-d it. — San Francisco "Argonaut.'* 



The Administration here has information which 
leads to the belief that Lord Cowdray, better known 
as Sir Weetman Pearson, is responsible for the lat- 
est attitude of Britain and the action of Sir Lionel 
Garden. Lord Cowdray is regarded as one of the 
foremost financiers in the world, and has vast hold- 
ings individually and through corporations in Mexico. 
Much of the stock of his corporations is held by 
British subjects. He is interested in the Mexican 
National Railways, the Tehuantepec Railroad, and 
oil and mineral concessions. He was about to lose 
some of the latter concessions, when Francisco Ma- 
dero, late President of Mexico, was assassinated. 

Sir I^ionel Garden has long been known, accord- 
ing to the information held by American Govern- 
ment officials, as "Gowdray's man." Lord Cow- 
dray, since the American Government threw its 
moral support to Madero in the revolution against 
Porfirio Diaz, has done everything, possible to stim- 
ulate an anti-American feeling in Mexico. He was 
charged with contributing to the Oroczo-Salazar rev- 
olution in 1911. This revolution was directed against 
Madero. 

Lord Gowdray's campaign contributions to the 
Liberal party in England are notorious, according to 
advices here, and he is in high favor with the pres- 
ent British Government, especially with the British 
Foreign Office. Sir Lionel Garden was appointed 
Minister to Mexico at the solicitation of Lord Cow- 
dray, it is openly asserted. 

Sir Lionel was the only member of the foreign 
delegation which met in conference who did not 
agree that the situation was acute, and that it would 
be wise to suggest to their home governments that 
the United States be informed of the conditions in 
Mexico as they wei-e viewed by these representatives. 

All the members of the conference except Sir Lionel 
were of the opinion that the United States should 
intervene in Mexico. Mr. O'Shaughnessy informed 
the State Department that the manner in which Sir 
■ Lionel Garden presented his credentials while not 
strictly anti-American was most displeasing, and not 
conducive to pleasant relations between the American 
t^hargc and Gen. Huerta. 

Nov.-, wouldn't you say that this vv'as in- 
spired? Would it surprise you, gentle 
reader, to learn that it was carefully pre- 
pared by a notorious Washington attor- 
ney representing- 'one of the large Ameri- 
can oil companies, say, for instance, the 
Pierce Oil Corporation? It would not? Of 
course not. Neither would it surprise us. 
It sounds like him. .And, by the way, don't 
you envy the "VN'orld" for having a pipe 
line tapping the centre of the oil question? 



THE RIGHTS OF A NEIGHBOR. 

(Mexico City Despatch to N. V. -Herald.") 
* * * So far as can be learned, however, no 
su'ch optimism is entertained in the inner Govern- 
ment circles here. 

High Government officials, according to persons 
claiming to have inside connections, no longer ex- 
pect even moral assistance from Washington, 
liolding that such moral support really is going 
to the rebels, and merely hope that Mexico will 
be permitted to work out her own salvation. 

That is all that Mexico has asked of the 
Government of the United States: That 
she be allowed to work out her own salva- 
tion, that the Washington .-Xdministration 
should not lend its moral support to rebels 
and bandits. 

That Federal autliMiities mi llie bordei 
enforce the neutrality laws. 

That iti dealing with the Mexican situa- 
tion, the Washington .•Xdmiiiistration re- 
spect the sovereignty of a friendly nation, 
and the rights of a neighbnr. \ot inuoh le 
ask — but— 



Siitiirdav. October 25, 1913 



MEXICO 



Nailing: Them 

PIQUED BY ENGLAND'S ATTITUDE. 
(Ireat Britain's attitude of regarding the recent hap- 
penings in Mexico as matters of domestic concern that 
do not call for any new policy on the part of foreign 
Governments has not been received with favor here, 
although officials have been extremely careful to avoid 
any comment that would seem like a reflection upon 
the British Government. In the opinion of some, and 
perhaps most, of the officials in Washington, foreign 
Governments should do nothing that would in any 
manner embarass the United States ; and it is said 
that the virtual support given to President Huerta by 
Great Britain's attitude is a manifestation of a dis- 
position not entirely considerate. — Kew ^'ork 
"Times." 

"Not entirely considerate." Oh, dear, 
have we reached a point where in our hand- 
ling of foreign affairs we must be patted on 
the l:)ack l)y other nations to be reassured in 
our own attitude? The reason the Adminis- 
tration is so anxious to get foreign approval 
of its course in Mexico is because it knows 
deep down in its Democratic heart that it is 
wrong. But admit it? Never! 



There is some reason to believe that the sympa- 
thies and also the hopes of the Administration now 
lie with the constitutionalists or revolutionists con- 
trolling several of the northern and middle States. 
Statements made to-day in official quarters indicated 
that the Administration would welcome some action 
by the revolutionists, which would give a new turn 
to the present unsatisfactory situation. 

This is construed as meaning that the overthrow 
of the Huerta Government by violence and the tri- 
umph of the rebel leaders would be regarded as a 
soUition which ihe United States might be able to 
accept until its original plan of satisfactory elections 
may be carried out. It has already demonstrated that 
it will not accept elections held under existing circum- 
stances in Mexico City through the domination of 
Huerta and the subjection of the Congress. — New 
York "Sun." 

So Washington would welcome the vio- 
lent overthrow of the Huerta Government, 
though its professed abhorrence for that 
(iovernment is based on its revolutionary 
inception. Strange to what extremes of 
inconsistency and hypocrisy personal preju- 
dice and a meddling disposition will carry 
men of friendly words and unfriendly hearts. 



As far as this Government is concerned the vol- 
untary elimination of Huerta will not be regarded as 
improving the situation, unless American participation 
in the adjustment is permitted in a satisfactory way. 

There is only a faint hope that if Huerta actually 
quits office the new Administration, although com- 
posed of Huerta partisans, may decide 'that it can 
get along without his direction and proceed to take 
measures which will mark his downfall from power. 

However, this is the merest surmise and a case 
of the wish being father to the thought. — Philadelphia 
"Public Ledger." 

The wish has been father to the thought 
in Washington all along. Some very ideal- 
istic gentlemen of the Administration are 
reported — of course unjustly — as retiring 
every night with the kindly wish that the 
Mexican despatches in the morning will tell 
of the assassination of President Huerta. 



Discussing the Madero regime, Mr. Wilson said 
that eighty-four Americans had been killed in Mex- 
ico, and not one murderer had been punished, and 
that six months prior to the overthrow of Madero 
the entire country wanted it, yet "the death of the 
two Maderos seems to have agitated the United 
States Government more than the murder of the 
Americans." — Xew York Evening "Post." 

There is increasing evidence, however, 
that outside the White House and Secretary 
Bryan's private office the maudlin sentiment 
over the death of the Maderos is nil. Th^ 
day of the sob stuff has passed. 



DOWN WITH EVERYBODY! 



THAT'S CARRANZA'S IDEA. 



CARRANZA'S STATEMENT. 
(Sptcial Ucspalcli to the X. V. "HeralJ."; 

Hermosillo, Mexico, Monday. — General Carranza 
to-day made this statement: — "I have several times 
made a declaration to tiie press of my resolution 
to continue the fight against the so-called government 
of Huerta, because I am fully convinced that we 
cannot establish peace if we should try to .solve the 
actual situation by any other means than force, and 
until we eliminate Huerta and have control over any 
other party of intriguing civilians who try to put 
themselves forward. 

"If such a party should api»ear the constitutional- 
ists would treat it witli equal or greater rigor than 
the Huerta party." 

CARRANZA'S "PLATFORM" OR PLAN DE 
GUADALUPE. 

First — We repudiate General Victo[iano Huerta as 
President of the Republic. 

Second — We repudiate also the legislative and ju- 
dicial powers of the federation. 

Third — W'e repudiate the governments of the 
States, which thirty days hence shall recognize the 
federal authorities, which form the present adminis- 
tration. 

Fourth — For the organization of the military 
forces necessary to make compliance with our pur- 
poses we name as first chief of the forces, which shall 
be called "constitutionalists," Don Venustiano Car- 
ranza, Governor of the State of Coahuila. 

Fifth — On the occupation by the constitutionalist 
forces of the City of Mexico the executive power 
shall be taken charge of by Don Venustiano Car- 
ranza, first chief of the forces, or whoever may be 
substituted in command. 

Sixth — The President ad interim of the republic 
shall convoke general elections as soon as peace 
shall have been established, delivering the power to 
the person who shall be elected. 

Seventh — The person acting as first chief of Ihe 
constitutionalist forces will assume charge as pro- 
visional Ciovernor of such States as have recognized 
Huerta and shall convoke local elections, after which 
the persons elected shall assume their duties. 

In view of tlu- frequently iterated press 
reports of the last two weeks that the Ad- 
ministration is seriously considering the 
e.xpediency of establishing cordial relations 
with the "constitutionalists," it is worth 
while to analyze the foregoing statement 
and platform. These have been made and 
proclaimed by Venustiano Carranza, who 
affirms he is the chief of the "constitution- 
alists," one of the many rebel groups exist- 
ing at present in Me.xico. 

It is sufficient to point out that from 
Carranza's statement it is clear that the 
"constitutionalists" will not recognize the 
right of any one individual or party to 
strive even peacefully for power, that the 
"constitutionalists" are struggling to attain 
power by force of arms to the exclusion of 
any other group or party, whether civilian 
or military. 

The Carranza platform states that he re- 
pudiates the legislative and judicial powers 
of the federation as well as all the State 
governments and that he will assume the 
executive as well as the other powers upon 
the occupation of the City of Mexico. 

Thus Mr. Carranza and followers in their 
atteinpt to gain power go much further 
than President Huerta has gone, for they 
repudiate the judicial power as well as the 
legislative power, which means that they 



would not only dissolve Congress l)Ut als. > 
dismiss all the judges of the Republic and 
assume their functions. 

Now, the supporters of the Administra- 
tion in Washington have often asserted 
that the objection to President Huerta is 
not a personal one. That if there is any 
ol)jection to him personally it is due to 
the belief that he was at least morally re- 
sponsible for the murder of two men. 
That it is based on the manner in which 
he is said by the Administration to have 
gone into power by force. That the latest 
reason for objection to him is his assump- 
tion of dictatorial powers. 

Yet we understand from reports which 
the correspondents assert reflect the inten- 
tions of the .'Administration that it intends 
to throw its influence to the "constitutional- 
ist" faction and recognize it as a bellig- 
erent. Therefore to their leader who has 
given orders to shoot on sight all Gov- 
ernment supporters, who has revived the 
inhumane law of 1862 which sanctions the 
wholesale murdering of all prisoners with- 
out trial. Who has sanctioned the horrors 
of Durango and Torreon. Wliose "plan of 
Gaudalupe" contemplates his assuming dic- 
tatorial powers far more drastic than tliose 
of President Huerta. 

Will the Administration recognize and 
lend its moral support to a government 
based on proven murder and rapine when 
it has refused recognition to a constitu- 
tional government merely on the supposi- 
tion of responsibility in a murder? Will 
it lend its moral support to and recognize a 
successor to General Huerta who would go 
in by force only? 

This leader is the chief of a faction that 
has adopted the name of "constitutional- 
ist" and claims to be fighting for the rights 
and freedom of the people, for democracy! 

.\nd this faction finds supporters even in 
the United States Senate! 

Oh, that somebody would "take a fall" 
out of Senator Fall before snow-fall, this 
fall; 'twould be the greatest wind-fall that 
could befall the country, and would save it 
from at least one pit-fall. Poor Senator 
Fall! That's all. 



The Mexican question looks too large to 
be handled successfully between Chautau- 
qua lectures. — St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 



Pointed messages may harass Senor 
Huerta, but they don't solve a complex 
problem. — St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 



MEXICAN RAILWAYS FIRMER. 
London — Home rails, although inactive, 
were inclined to higher values. Mining 
shares advanced with copper stocks espe- 
cially strong. Mexican Railway Company, 
Ltd., issues were firmer, but foreigners 
were generally weak. — New York "Evening 
Sun," October 20. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, October 25, 1913 



FIRSr=HAND INFORMATION 

The Opinion of All Americans Who Know Mexico. 



That any attempt to hold a "full and 
free" election in Mexico such as demanded 
by President Wilson would be a farce, while 
to succeed in holding one would be a 
"crime against humanity," is the contention 
of leading American residents of Mexico 
set forth in a memorial addressed to Presi- 
dent Wilson and Congress. 

-A. "full and free" election would result 
in peon domination. Peon domination, these 
memorialists insist, would fasten upon Mex- 
ico all the horrors of negro rule in the 
Southern States during the "carpet bag" 
reconstruction regime multiplied a thou- 
sandfold. 

American intervention can have but one 
meaning, they say, and this is American 
invasion. Any man elected by the peon 
vote would have to be kept in office by 
American arms — he would be cliosen by 
force and supported by force just as com- 
pletely as was Porfirio Diaz or Victoriano 
Huerta. And the results, so far as Mexico 
is concerned, would be to make bad mat- 
ters infinitely worse. 

Copies of this memorial, signed by Major 
Cassius E. Gillette, formerly an officer of 
the Engineer Corps of the United States 
Army and now a consulting engineer, with 
headquarters in Mexico City, and twenty 
other Americans, most of them men of long 
residence in Mexico, have been received in 
Washington. It was erroneously asserted 
in some despatches from Mexico City that 
the memorial was addressed to Provisional 
President Huerta. It is addressed to Presi- 
dent Wilson and the members of Congress 
of the United States. 

"We believe the administration is en- 
tirely sincere. It is simply misinforrned, 
and trying to apply a sound principle which, 
unfortunately is wholly inapplicable, to 
Mexico now. The remedy would be infin- 
itely worse than the disease," these Ameri- 
cans assert. "If there could be literally a 
'full and free' election in Mexico to-morrow 
there is not a shadow of doubt that Gaona, 
the leading bull-fighter, would be over- 
whelmingly elected President, just as 'Jack' 
Johnson, the negro prizefighter, would be 
overwhelmingly elected Governor of Miss- 
issippi under similar conditions. 

"Nothing is so easy to start as a rebellion 
in Mexico. The peon comes from a warlike 
ancestry, to whom the shedding of human 
blood was a routine part of his religious 
life, and in a 'rebellion' he has nothing to 
lose and everything to gain. He can loot 
to his heart's content from lone haciendas 
or small villages, live a free life on horse- 
back and drink and eat without working, 
carry off women and steal clothing, horses 
and equipment without difficulty. If 
pressed by the government forces his 
"troops" scatter to the mountains in prac- 
tical safety. There are plenty of leaders for 
such bands of 'bandit-rebels,' men of intel- 
ligence and nerve, of the Quantrell or Jesse 
James, Chris Evans, 'bad-man' type. Under 
a strong government able and ready to 
throw heavy forces at once around a soli- 
tary outbreak banditism does not thrive, 
but under a weak government, like that of 
Madero, it spreads like wildfire." 

This is the i-lenicnt thai would be placed 
in power in any "full and free" election. 
"Why should the United States try to force 
upon Mexico a 'full and-free' election, with 
all the horrors of peon government?" these 
.-\mericans ask. And continuing, they say: 

"The Southern negro was duly enfran- 
chised by the national government. The 
Southern people have deliberately disfran- 
chised him, and President Wilson does not 



raise a hand for a 'full and free' election 
there. He knows he would ruin the South. 
We can only assume that he does not want 
to ruin Mexico, and that his appearing to 
do so is because he does not understand 
that peon domination would be far worse 
than one time slave domination in the 
South. The latter would mean only State 
control; here it would be both State and 
nation. 

"After fifty years of blood chaos in an 
attempt to make a stable republican gov- 
ernment out of a population three-fourths 
peon the intelligent people of Me.xico under 
the Diaz regime tacitly consented to dis- 
franchisement to save themselves from 
peon domination, essentially the same as 
the citizens of the District of Columbia 
consented to disfranchisement to save our 
capital city from negro domination, the 
difference being that the people of Mexico 
kept up a form of voting while Washington 
people don't vote at all, even in their own 
civic affairs. 

"President Wilson takes the self-disfran- 
chisement of Washington as a matter of 
course. Why should he object to it in Mex- 
ico? 

"Under conditions existing in Mexico a 
man who would start a rebellion among the 
peons is a thousand times more a knave 
or a fool than one who smokes cigarettes 
in a powder factory. Yet this is exactly 
what Madero did, offering the peons a vote 
and free distribution of land. 

"Suppose some wealthy white man in Ala- 
bama had started in arming the negroes 
a few years after the war, offering each 
a pure democracy and 'forty acres and a 
mule' if they would make him Governor, 
how long would the intelligent whites de- 
lay in stringing him up to the nearest tele- 
graph pole, especially if the negroes there 
outnumbered the whites three to one? 

"And if, supposing conditions were such 
that he succeeded, he sat supine in his 
gubernatorial chair, while the black co- 
horts kept on robbing farm houses, wreck- 
ing trains and paralyzing business, and 
when people went to him with demands for 
some action, he blithely chattered: 'Well, 
if you have not got peace you have liberty, 
haven't you?' — how long would the Vigi- 
lance Committee of Southern gentlemen 
postpone his lynching? 

"This is an exact parallel to conditions 
here, due to the Madero misguided or crim- 
inal performance. 

"And would the President of the United 
States decline to recognize the situation 
and help stop the rapine and robbery be- 
cause the succeeding Governor of Alabama 
was suspected of having belonged to the 
lynching committee, and in any event, had 
obtained his office 'by force?' Would he 
demand an armistice and a "full and free' 
election?" 

That the present revolution is a continu- 
ation of that started by Madero is one of 
the proudest assertions of those who are 
supporting it. These Americans agree that 
it is. 

"Madero," tliey say, "unlocked the cage 
and released the tigers that he was helpless 
to tame or to recapture. They are in the 
field now. Practically every one that Ma- 
dero started against Diaz stayed right on 
in rebellion through his two years in of- 
fice, with only a slight change in their '])a- 
triotic' shibboleths, and dozens of new 
bands have taken to the warpath during 
and since his administration. 

"Madero laid the torch that has rekin- 
dled the conflagration it took fifty years to 



extinguish, and the present policy of our 
government seems to be to withdraw all 
friendly assistance to help put out the 
flames because they do not approve of the 
way General Huerta became fire marshal 
nor his alleged treatment of the incendiary. 
The Huerta troops are welcomed every- 
where as representing law and order; the 
constitutionalists, the self-styled 'patriots,' 
are abhorred and feared by decent people 
all over Mexico. The people are every- 
where arming against them." 

What will European Powers do to look 
after the interests of their people in Mex- 
ico? This is the view taken by the Ameri- 
cans who have submitted their views to 
President Wilson: 

"The previous fifty year period of war 
and waste was tolerated by the United 
States and Europe because their interests 
here were trifling; now they are measured 
by hundreds of millions of capital and hun- 
dreds of thousands of lives. European 
countries surely will not stand by indefi- 
nitely and see their people's properties de- 
stroyed and their lives jeopardized, and 
they will seize the opportunity of encroach- 
ment upon the country. Then the United 
States must either abandon its boldly and 
justly proclaimed right to try the experi- 
ment of popular government on this conti- 
nent unhampered and uncontaminated by 
aggression of European monarchial systems 
or else commit the crime of an armed inva- 
sion of Mexico. 

"It seems to us that should such invasion 
occur and the administration later were ac- 
cused, no matter how unjustly, of having 
taken this action in the interest of cor- 
porate or financial influence, and of having 
so manoeuvred as to make it appear that 
intervention had been forced upon it, we 
cannot conceive of any defence that could 
be made. We cannot conceive of any ac- 
tion that has been taken, or any action 
that has been avoided, that would not have 
been so taken or so avoided had the in- 
tention been to be forced into an invasion. 

"We use the word 'invasion' advisedly, 
because there can be no such thing as 'in- 
tervention' between an established govern- 
ment and dozens of bands of bandits mas- 
querading as rebels and pretending alle- 
giance to a fake patriot operating a thou- 
sand miles away and of whose personality 
and principles they know nothing and care 
less. 

"If any American undertook to 'inter- 
vene' or 'mediate' with any one of the doz- 
ens of bands of rebels the chances are that 
he would be entirely unable to find them 
at all, unless he went unguarded, and then 
if he did find one of the bands he would 
be lucky if he could 'mediate' with enough 
success to come out with his shirt or his 
shoes. 

"The struggle really is between civiliza- 
tion and savagery, with the United States, 
unfortunately, now ranged on the side of 
savagery." 

The attitude of some oflicials in regard- 
ing as of no value the views of Americans 
having interests in Mexico and knowing 
most about the country is criticized. 

"We understand," say the memorialists, 
"that the Secretary of State discredits all 
information and advice from persons inter- 
ested in Mexico, like ourselves, saying all 
we think of is 'what we have lost and ex- 
pect to lose.' Is that the right point of 
view for the Foreign Affairs Department 
to take? Is it not one of the functions to 
take the proper cognizance of American 
losses in foreign countries? 

"We believe that control of the coun- 
try by the United States would alone vast- 
ly increase our material welfare; but Mex- 
ico owns this country, and to take it just 
because we are big enough would not only 
leave our country with a problem not its 
own, but would be utterly repugnant to 
the principles that have given us our stand- 
ing among nations." 



Saturday, October 25, 1913 



MEXICO 



Lest We Forget 

Our own Indians are not granted the 
rights of citizenship. We have been edu- 
cating them for thirty-five years. 



Do we want to take under our govern- 
mental wing the millions of Mexican Indians 
and train them for citizenship? 

Strange how Huerta hangs onto the 
Presidency, when the big interests and their 
newspapers have told him to resign. 

The cat is out! Huerta's exit from Mex- 
ico by the "underground route," that is the 
grave, is wished by the big interests. 

And what does Washington wish for 
him? 

* * * 

And for Mexico and her people? 
Huerta has resigned. 

Huerta has not resigned. 

* * * 

Huerta is preparing to flee. 
« * * 

Huerta will not flee. 

» ♦ • 

How long will Washington continue to 
inspire this sort of thing? 

+ * * 

Who can tell who is not on the "inside"? 

* * * 

Good Heavens! Three years, four 
months and ten days more!! 
Poor Mexico! 
Poor US! 

* * * 

Because of the horror which is pro-, 
fessed to be felt at the death of one guilty 
man, the killing of thousands of innocent 
ones — some of them Americans — is encour- 
aged. 

* * * 

Gomez is still absolute ruler of Vene- 
zuela. No message has been sent to him 
stating that the results of the next elec- 
tions will not be accepted by the Washing- 
ton Administration. 

* * * 

Perhaps there will be no elections. 

» * * 

What? And we still keep a Minister 
there? 

And our indignation at any one who 
stabs the Constitution in Latin America? 

And our love of freedom in other coun- 
tries? 

* * * 

Also the Asphalt Trust is very largely 
interested in Venezuela. 

Trusts? Why, we hate them in Wash- 
ington. 

* * * 

And our marines are still in Nicaragua 
propping a government opposed by two- 
thirds of the people. 

"God made us neighbors. Let justice 
make us friends." 
Fine! Say that again. 



LOBBYQRAMS 



Both President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan "are turning over in their minds," 
says a Washington despatch in the Denver 
"Times." The phrase looks queer but 
there must have been some accident befall 
tlie type which resulted in the loss of the 
explanatory part of the sentence. Certain 
newspaper correspondents in Washington, 
however, have been doing that wonderful 
stunt attributed by a typographical inadver- 
tence to President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan. These correspondents are, for lack 
of real information, seeking to make it ap- 
pear that the Administration is thinking 
out a plan for "more aggressive" treat- 
ment of the Mexican situation. Spirit of 
Senator Fall! What can they mean? Fall 
himself could ask for nothing more than 
invasion of Mexico and the dreadful cost in 
lives and money it would entail to protect 
his interests and those of his friends. 

But why newspapers in New York, 
Washington and elsewhere, not allied with 
the border States newspapers should per- 
sistently "turn over in their minds" at the 
behest of Senator Fall and others who seek 
to force a war can only be surmised. Sen- 
ators and members of the House of Rep- 
resentatives who might throw real light on 
the local view of the Mexican situation are 
not quoted in these newspapers. Neither 
is there printed any news from these 
sources which would tend to show the feel- 
ing of a majority of Senators and Repre- 
sentatives is turning against the Mexican 
policy (?) of the Administration. Are the 
newspapers riding for a Fall? 

Reading the statements in the news and 
editorial columns, the National legislators 
are puzzled to know where the informa- 
tion comes from. They themselves have 
tried in vain to get reliable information 
and are now sitting back watching the 
course of events. The fact has been told 
in this column that the important Senators 
and Representatives, outside of the few 
who want intervention, are chafing under 
the secret methods of the Administration 
in dealing with the situation south of the 
Rio Grande. It is suggested they might 
welcome the presence of a lobby which 
would give them the real information. But 
the Administration abhors lobbies of all 
kinds, good or bad — and maintains its pol- 
icy of silence toward the lawmakers. Not 
that the lawmakers wish to have the scene 
of action moved from the White House 
to Capitol Hill, but that if the situation 
"grows more tense" and "more serious" 
and "relations with Mexico are broken oft," 
as certain newspapers keep saying, the leg- 
islators want to be officially informed. 

Senator Hamilton Lewis — perhaps his 
admirers may be puzzled that the James 
has b'een dropped, but he himself has done 
it — is bristling for intervention. But "Jim 
Ham" does not want any fighting. He has 
no desire for war. He wants United States 



troops massed in Mexico so as to frighten 
the combatants into making peace. 

"I think we ought to stop the trouble 
down in Mexicoy" said Senator Lewis, 
fondling his pink whiskers. "It has gone 
on too long and we are big enough to go 
down there and, by show of force, put an 
end to the disturbances. I do not say wc 
should make war, but we should by moral 
suasion induce all the contending elements 
to unite in the interest of the peace ana 
prosperity of this country as well as Mex- 
ico. I think there will be a peaceable set- 
tlement of the trouble very shortly and 
tliat there is not the least danger of war 
with the neighboring republic." 

That move would make the .Administra- 
tion policy look truly rural. 

WHAT THE PAPERS PREDICTED. 

That Huerta would resign. 

* * * 

That he would be assassinated. 

* * * 

That the Mexican Army would revolt 
against Huerta. 

* * * 

That another ten days' fight would take 
place in the City of Mexico. 

That Huerta did not have money to pay 
the Army and the Government employees. 

* * * 

That Huerta was at the end of his rope. 

That the whole of Mexico would rise 
against the Huerta Government because of 
the dissolving of Congress. 
» * * 

That the arrested deputies would be 
killed. 

* * * 

That Felix Diaz would be assassinated. 

* * * 

That the Judges of the Supreme Court 
had resigned. 

* * * 

That England would appiove and follow 
the policy of the United States. 

* • * 

That the European diplomats in Mexico 
had met for the purpose of asking Ameri- 
can intervention. 

* * * 

That they had asked for warships to be 
sent to Mexican ports. 

* * * 

That they had asked for marines to guard 
their legations. 

WHAT HAS HAPPENED? 
THINK IT OVER. 

Subscribe to "MEXICO" 



MEXICO 



Satiirdav, October 35, 1913 



VICE VERSA 



A Dream. 



Tlie Potomac flowed imid(l'l> past the 
shadow of the White House. President 
Wilson was gazing out over the lawn and 
his ej-es rested musingly on the green hills 
of Virginia beyond the river. He was 
thinking how much more pleasant it was to 
view those green hills and let fancy run 
licit than to hear the strident voices of the 
horde of office-seekers and kickers against 
his policies gathered without the Execu- 
tive Chamber. 

It was unusually tranquil within the 
Chamber. For the moment there was no 
bothering news on the Mexican situation 
and the Senators and Representatives were 
behaving well under suasion of the birchen 
rod. 

Suddenly a troubled look came into the 
tace of the Executive. He recalled that 
there had come to him that day, disquiet- 
ing rumora of an uprising against his rule 
somewhere in Wisconsin. He recalled, 
too, that Senator La Follette had been 
talKiiig of setting up his own government. 
Would he have the hardihood to pain and 
shock the President so? Tut, tut! Like- 
wise Fie! 

Just as he was settling down to the en- 
joyment of the green hills of Virginia 
'cross the sward — Pop! His muse was 
scattered as Secretary Tumulty burst in 
with a report that General La Follettte 
(they all become generals when they turn 
rebels) had taken the field with Generals 
Ollie James, Farr and Vardaman. The re- 
port ran to the effect that the rebels had 
stL up a government in Wisconsin; had 
captured all the important cities and were 
on a triumphal march to Washington. The 
Mexican correspondents were already 
shooting to their newspapers alarming 
stories about Me.xican intervention and 
there was great indignation throughout the 
land. Several Mexican papers took up the 
cudgels for the insurrectos. 

The news was startling, to be sure. Sec- 
retary Tumulty was dreadfully excited. 
Xaturally. So was the President. Also 
naturally. He w'as angry, too. His lips 
trembled and his hand shook as he read 
the message. Recovering himself readily, 
he gave his orders rapidly. In calm tones 
he commanded the Secretary: 

"Call the Secretary of State at once — if 
he is not out on the circuit," he added as 
an afterthought. 

The hotfooted summons sped across to 
the State, War and Navy Building. No, 
the Secretary of State was not on the cir- 
cuit. He was on the jump, though, in a 
jifify. The rear end of his coat stood out 
straight and the usual armful of documents 
looked like a white streak on a sombre 
background as the Secretary of State sped 
like a cyclone to obey the sutnmons. He 
bumped into the President's Secretary and 
the Secret Service men as he whirled into 
the Secretary's office. Bang! went the 
door. Everybody looked startled. How 
could the insurgents have reached Wash- 
ington so soon? Foolish! 

The President and Secretary of State 
went into conference which Was interrupt- 
ed in a few minutes by another despatch in 
code telling of the wrecking of railroads 
by the rebels. Rumors of sympathy with 
the rebels and financial aid from Mexico 
were contained in the.dispatch. The Pres- 
ident was thoughtfuT and very obviously 
agitated. 

'"What shall we do, Chief?" trembled the 
Secretary of State. 

The President frowned long and directed 



that the Secretary of War and his chief 
aides be sent for. They arrived. Then a 
council of war. Plans were laid to crush 
the rebellion at once. Information came 
that there were secret sympathizers with 
the rebels hatcliing conspiracy at the other 
end of Pennsylvania avenue, on Capitol Hill. 
They refused to vote for the President's 
currency reform bill and a committee was 
holding up the tariff measure. 

Funds were low and secret influences — 
Me.xico being' under suspicion — were work- 
ing to prevent the negotiation of a large 
loan. Things did look squally. In a few 
days the Mexican Minister gave notice his 
government had summoned him home for 
a conference. He departed for Me.xico 
City amid great excitement. The Mexican 
President sent a message through the 
Charge d'.\ffaires that order must be re- 
stored and the intimation that the E.xecu- 
tive of Mexico, while having a very kindly 
feeling for Americans, could not tolerate 
their President. 

There was a long conference over this 
message and the decision was that its tone 
was positively insolent and could not be 
tolerated. A reply was sent to the Amer- 
ican Charge in Mexico City couched in 
friendly terms but putting it pretty plain- 
ly that if Mexico would attend to her own 
business Washington would take care of 
affairs in the United States. 

Messages were interchanged for several 
days and in one of them the Secretary of 
State told the Mexican President that the 
demand for new elections and the retire- 
ment of the American President were ques- 
tions which would be decided by the au- 
thorities in Washington and the people of 
the United States. That terminated the 
negotiations and the newspapers along the 
Mexican border published wild stories con- 
cocted for profit by the correspondents. 
These papers and reports found their way 
into Washington and were the subject of 
grave consideration in the councils. 

"It is these unfriendly reports in the 
Me.xican newspapers that are keeping us 
back in meeting this situation," said the 
Secretary of the Navy. 

"Yes, and some of our own papers print 
them," said the Secretary of War. 

"Suppress them," thundered the Presi- 
dent, "and imprison the owners and edi- 
tors." 

Soldiers were sent forthwith to carry out 
the order. 

There was little activity on the part of 
the rebels, Init the Mexican newspapers 
were exaggerating drunken brawls into 
massacres of Mexicans, and raids by ho- 
boes following the rebel army into des- 
perate battles. Washington, being fully 
aware of the actual conditions, was beset 
and harried. The false reports were sift- 
ing over to Europe, wdiere the secret in- 
fluences had, to an extent, availed to block 
negotiations with the bankers of London, 
Paris and Berlin, The Me.xican bankers al- 
ready had refused to participate in the loan, 

.\11 this time the rumors of plot and trea- 
son right in the Capital had been heard. 
The President, worried by the aggression 
from the outside, forebore inviting added 
hostility from abroad, and deferred action. 
So flagrant were the conspirators that ac- 
tion at last became a necessity. In a Cab- 
inet conference, at which the list of con- 
spirators was considered, orders were is- 
sued for the arrest of 84 members of Con- 
gress. They were surrounded and the pa- 
pers and documents in tlicir desks seized, 



proving their treason. But the rebels were 
making no progress. The Federal arms 
were victorious everywhere. 

Yet the untruthful reports were circulat- 
ed more furiously than ever in Mexico and 
other countries. The arrest of the Meni- 
bers of Congress was denounced by Mexi- 
can newspaper editorial writers who, know- 
ing nothing of the conditions, accepted the 
untruthful reports and made them the 
basis of inflammatory comments. The 
.American President decided to ignore tli,e 
Mexican Charge and also a confidential 
agent who had been sent to Washington 
with a special invitation to the President 
to step aside for his successor. Americans 
generally shared the indignation of the 
President and his Cabinet. His refusal to 
abdicate started the Mexican newspapers 
shrieking again. They howled and de- 
manded the President be done away with. 
Justifiable indignation rent the soul of the 
"President. The people held their feelings 
in check. Never had the country needed 
sympathy and friendly aid more. Things 
were surely sombre. 



The President started suddenly as his 
Secretar}' bustled into the room with some 
documents. Without noticing the Secre- 
tary, his eyes wandered to the green hills of 
Virginia, now darkening, but whose sum- 
mits were still tipped by the sun. 

Mechanically the President asked his 
Secretary: 

"Any news on Mexico?" 

"No, Mr. President, It is still drifting," 
was the answer. 

"Very well. I think I must have dozed." 

The boot was not on the other leg, as 
he had dreamed. 



FAKE AND FACT. 

Not since the palmy days of the Cuban 
"liberation" has such a harvest been reaped 
by the story faker as in the last two weeks. 

He has called down his fervent bless- 
ings on Mexico and on Washington alike. 
The newspapers fairly "devoured" every- 
thing that he put on the wire. 

His fiery brains exploded. His imagina- 
tion soared. He ran the gamut up and 
down and back again to his heart's con- 
tent. Assassinations, treasons, escapes, 
mutinies, arrests, plots and counterplots, 
clima.xes, denouements, tragedy, drama, 
comedy — all — he' manipulated feverishly, 
unhindered, unchecked. 

He plunged into an orgy of fakinjg and 
now lies panting, dazzled; somewhat ex- 
hausted, but ready to absorb new strength 
and start all over again. 

The correspondent that sent over that 
story that General Herta was auctioneering 
the candidates for the Presidency carried 
the day. 

Too bad he missed the real story! .\nd 
yet because it contains more truth, it might 
seem to him less interesting. 

.-\ Carranza follower has let the cat out 
of the bag in San .Antonio. Some of the 
"constitutionalist" leaders are bargaining 
with Charles P. Taft and John Hays Ham- 
mond — this Carranzista afiirms — for the 
sale of a large part of Northern Me.xico. 
He affirms that the support given the Car- 
ranzistas by the San .Antonio "Light," by 
its publisher, Mr. Beach, and by his friend. 
Senator Morris Sheppard, of Te.xas, is due 
to the fact that Charles Taft is the "back- 
er" of the San .A.ntonio "Light." 

If this is true a ready explanation may 
be found for many past events which until 
now have remained somewhat in the dark. 

This particular Carranzista, upon learn- 
ing that his leaders were bargaining for the 
sale of part of his country, became disgust- 
ed and abandoned them. He is ready to 
support his assertions with evidence. 

We wonder why the New York "World" 

has not garri?d this story! 



Satttrday, October 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 



WHERE WILL IT COME OUT? 

There must be a good d«al of curiosity 
as to where President Wilson's method of 
liaiidling Mexico is coming out. General 
Huerta's assumption of dictatorial powers 
has changed the Mexican situation. This 
change lias been gladly seized upon by 
President Wilson's friends as evidence that 
he has lieen well informed and has taken 
the right course from the l)eginning. It 
may be, however, that our refusal to recog- 
nize Huerta strengthened the opposition 
1(1 him in the Mexican national assembly, 
and so raised ihe direct question which he 
has now undertaken to solve by declaring 
himself dictator. If our government had 
promptlj' recognized the provisional Mexi- 
can government, as all the other import- 
ant governments of the world did, no one 
can be sure that the provisional govern- 
ment would not have pulled through within 
constitutional lines, as such lines are under- 
stood in Mexico. But, whether our atti- 
tude helped to bring about this change or 
not, there is no doubt that General Huerta 
as dictator is different from General Huerta 
as the Provisional President. 

President Wilson lias n^et this change 
by sending his personal opinion of it to 
General Huerta. Xhe first lesson that a 
capable diplomat learns is that he must 
have no personal opinions, but our new 
Washington diplomacy is pretty much all 
personal. President Wilson has instructed 
Mr. O'Shaughnessy, who is acting as our 
.Embassador at Mexico Citj'. to say to Gen- 
eral Huerta that he (Wilson) "is shocked 
at the lawlessness of the methods employed 
by General Huerta. and as a sincere friend 
of Mexico is deeply distressed at the situa- 
tion which has arisen." This may or may 
not please Huerta; but at any rate he will 
learn from it what Dr. Wilson thinks of 
him. He will not learn from it, however, 
the worst ihat Dr. Wilson thinks of him; 
for these instructions to Mr. O'Shaugh- 
nessy explain further, that he (Wilson) 
finds it impossil)le to regard otherwise than 
as an act of l)ad faith towards the United 
States Huer.a's course in dissolving the 
Congress and arresting the deputies." For 
the head of one independent state to charge 
tlie head of anotlier independent state, even 
if the latter is only the acting head, with 
"lawlessness" and "bad faith," is an entire- 
ly new kind of diplomacy. Indeed, many 
will fail to find this kind of language diplo- 
matic at all. It appears to proceed from 
the necessarily autocratic schoolroom rather 
than from the responsible offices of state. 
"Johnny," says the lord of the ferule, "you 
have been a very bad boy; you are always 
bad. Now go and stand in the corner with 
your face to the wall until I say that you 
may go home." This is the spirit which is 
directing and shaping our relations to Mex- 
ico. 

If thi.^ country had assumed a definite 
respoiis liility for the conduct of political 
affairs in Mexico, and if this country were 
prepared and intended to enforce that re- 
sponsibility, such an autocratic tone, how- 
ever unusual and unpleasant, could be un- 
derstood. In the current phase, it would 
mean business. It woald l)e the iron hand 
of power without the velvet glove, of a 
friendly manner. It would not be diplo- 
macy even in that case, for all diplomats 



keep the velvet glove on, no matter how 
strong iheir position may be, under the 
rule that states are fairly permanent fix- 
tures on the map. that when they are 
neighboring states they cannot get away 
from each other, and that to plant seeds 
of continuous ill feeling between them by 
coarse language is to thw-art the real pur- 
pose for which international relations are 
maintained. But President Wilson appar- 
ently has no idea of placing this country 
in a posiiion of definite responsibility for 
Mexican behavior. (Jn the contrary, his 
words indicate that he means to place us 
in a position of definite irresponsibility. 
For his instructions to Mr. O'Shaughnessy 
proceed in this wise: — 

"It (this act of bad faith in dissolving the 
Congress and arresting the deputies) is 
not only a violation of constitutional guar- 
antees but destroys all possibility of a free 
and fair election. 

"The President believes that an election 
held at this time and under the condi- 
tions as now existing would have none of 
the sanctity with which law surrounds the 
ballot, and that the result therefore could 
not be regarded as representing the will of 
the people. 

"The President would not feel justified 
in accepting the results of such an election 
or in recognizing the President so chosen." 

The meaning of this official declaration — 
assuming that President Wilson is able to 
carry out in cold blood what he says in 
passion — is that Mexico cannot be received 
by this country under the normal relations 
of a friendly state until the Huerta govern- 
ment and the government that comes after 
it are both out of the way. Really, you 
know, this does not appear to be 
getting on a little bit. It not only shuts 
the door to-day, as to which most people 
are agreed as a fact that cannot be changed, 
but it shuts the door for an uncertain and 
prolonged to-morrow. 

The United Siates will remain on the 
map, and Mexico will remain on the map, 
and they will continue to be close neigh- 
bors. As close neighbors, each witli its 
own characteristics in temperature and soil 
and lines of production, the order of nature 
has made them in a sense supplementary to 
each other. We can produce things that 
the Mexicans need — including trained men 
and capital — and Mexico can produce things 
that we are glad to buy. These commercial 
exchanges amounted in the fiscal year of 
1912 — not a peaceful year in Mexico — to 
$1x8,000,000. That is not a tremendous sum, 
but, reduced to the day's work, it does rep- 
resent a considerable amount of profitable 
labor on both sides. But the Mexicans 
have their own peculiar way of ruling them- 
selves or being ruled, just as we have; and. 
fortunatel}' for us, we are much better sat- 
isfied with our way than with their w-ay. 
One method of improving their way would 
be to let our friendly association with them 
in the natural lines of friendly dealings 
teach them by example. .Another metliod 
is to say that we will have nothing to do 
with them until their government and other 
public methods suit us. We can under- 
stand how the method of trade and friend- 
ly relations would w-ork out; but how is 
the other me, hod to work out. and wlieii? 
President Wilson's new rule in the manage- 
ment of our relations with Mexico may be 
as just and holy and beautiful as you please; 
but we should like to know when Mexico 
is likely to be capable of applying it, and 
whether standing her in the corner is likely 
to shorten the time. — Hartford "Courant." 



WATTERSON SAYS: 

in the course of a statement to the New 
York "Herald" last week, Colonel Henry 
Watterson said: 

"Easy is sometimes wiser than hard," said 
the Colonel. "Perhaps we had better have 
joined the other Powers in promptly recog- 
nizing Huerta's Presidency. How he get 
there was no concern of ours. The Porti- 
.guese murders were as heinous as the Mex- 
ican murders, yet we recognized the new 
regime in Lisbon without delay. 

"Since we have interposed moral consid- 
erations wholly foreign to international re- 
lations we are at the mercy of events. 

"There's nothing here committing the 
United States to police territory or collect 
debts of Latin-Americans, yet if we should 
.go it alone in a policy of Mexican inter- 
vention we should not only embark upon 
an endless and costly war, with nothing at 
the close of it to reimburse us, but we 
should put fuel to the flame of anti-Yankee 
prejudice already seething in Central and 
South America. 

"Yet for thirty odd years we have been 
trying to lay the ghost of the Monroe Doc- 
trine in the minds of our southerly neigh- 
l)ors. We established the Pan-American 
L'liion, we set up a Bureau at Washington 
and built a palace to house it. Mr. Root 
travelled all the way to Buenos Ayres, Chiii 
and Brazil to disabuse the minds of those 
countries touching our intentions and as- 
sure them of our disinterested friendship. 

" 'We consider,' said Mr. Root, with the 
approval of his countrymen, 'that tlie inde- 
pendence and equal rights of the smallest 
and weakest member of the family of na- 
tions deserve as much respect as those cf 
.great empires. We pretend to no right, 
privilege or power that we do not freely 
concede to each one of the American re- 
publics.' 

"This was to meet and if possible to di.~- 
pel the ever-growing suspicion of the Unite 1 
States, which was discrediting our relations 
and destroying our commerce. 

"Yet by one sweeping act of intervention 
in Mexico, having already dismembere 1 
Colombia of Panama, we should do away 
with all that has lieen done to reach a bet- 
ter understanding and again raise hniorc. 
the eyes of the Latins the old, odious, black 
flag bearing the hated words 'Monroe Doc- 
trine,' that would simply confirm their 
fears and enrage them further, to our loss 
and the gain of our trade rivals." 



MEXICO AND A GENERAL BALLOT. 

The sympathetic person who is in- 
clined to unthinking approval of the de- 
mand in .\merican government circles fcr 
a "popular" election in Mexico which shad 
express "the will of the whole people," will 
do w'ell to sit alone awhile and cogitate on 
the actualities as they e.xist below the Rio 
Grande before he joins in any mad outcry 
of censure which may follow announce- 
ment of the result of the balloting on Oc- 
tober 36. 

He may be assisted to a reasonable view 
<>i the situation by recollecting that the 
peon who makes up T5 to 80 per cent, of 
the population of Mexico knows nothing 
and cares nothing about governmental 
problems. In such matters he is no more 
tlian a savage individualist asking only to 
be let alone to till his ground, and grate- 
ful if the local magistrate refrains from ex- 
tortion. 

(Continued on Page 10.) 



MEXICO 



Saliirdav, October 25, lOlH 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 



It would be as reasonable for the United 
Stales to confer the vote on the sava.ne 
outlaw Moros as it is to demand that these 
peons be given their untrammeled will on 
election day. It would be quite as reason- 
able to demand that boys and girls of eight 
and ten years be suddenly given sufifrage 
in the United States as it is to expect that 
the great mass of the Mexican Indians and 
crossbreeds be driven to the polls to select 
a president for their country. 

The Mexican peon wouldn't know what 
lo do when he .got there and, unlike tlic 
.American cliild. he probably couldn't be 
taught. 

For many 3-ears there can Ije no such 
thing as a national election by the people 
of Mexico, and it is the veriest flubdub to 
demand or e.^peet it. 

England and her people passed through 
a good many centuries of development be- 
fore the degree of freedom guaranteed by 
the great charter blossomed into genuine 
representative government, and we have no 
jiight to expect anything difJerent in Mex- 
ico. — Detroit '"Free Press." 



HUERTA A DICTATOR. 

•According to advices from the city of 
Mexico, President Huerta has practically 
declared himself dic.ator, as in dissolving 
Congress he announced the suspension of 
the immunities granted congressmen, as 
well as the fact that he would by proclama- 
tion, from time to time, put into effect such 
laws as the situation demanded. It is also 
announced that the note of the United 
States Government warning Huerta that it 
would look with displeasure on any mal- 
treatment of the imprisoned deputies is 
regarded as impertinent by the powers that 
be in Mexico and that a rather tart reply 
may be expected at Washington. 

President Huerta has evidently copied 
the methods of former President Diaz 
closelj'. When that able statesman found 
himself embarrassed and impeded by either 
Congress or individual politicians he 
promptly eliminated the opposition and 
ruled Mexico witli a hand of iron for a 
quarter of a century. The coup d'etat re- 
sorted to by Huerta was evidently for the 
I)urpose of controlling the approaching elec- 
tions, but whether he will throw his support 
to one of the avowed candidates or brush 
them all aside and elect himself remains to 
be seen. If the candidate of the Clericals 
is elected Huerta will be the power l)ehind 
the throne, with a reversionary right to the 
office as soon as he judges the time ripe. 

.As distasteful as Huerta's methods may 
appear to Americans, past history shows 
that ihey are about the only methods likely 
to succeed in Mexico. The great mass of 
the people have little or no comprehension 
of representative government and are per- 
fectly willing to accept the rule of any one 
strong enough to maintain himself in power. 
The only red trouble-makers are the revo- 
lutionists, many of whom find it profitalilc 
to live by virtual brigandage. If Huerta 
is forced from power, either by the efforts 
of the United States or any other influence, 
some other dictator of practically the same 
stripe will eventually arise and seize the 
reins of power, as Mexico can only be gov- 
erned Ijy the strong hand. — New Orleans 
" Picayune." 



GOOD MEDICINE FOR REVOLUTIONISTS. 

Tweiily-five yc.irs in the Texas penitentiary for 
young Serrano, the . first of the gun-runners and 
Industrial Worker revolutionists planning to start 
another revolution in unhappy Mexico, was the re- 
sult of the trial of the first case of the group at 
Pearsall. Twenty-live years at hard labor will be 
some punishment for this man's participation in the 
killing of the Texas officer, Ortiz, and it will afford 
liitn ami)le time to get the revolutionary microbe 
out of his system. He ought to be able to sober 
down and come forth as a reasonably staid citizen at 
I he end of his career in the Texas penal institution. 
.*\nd the probabilities are that his associates in crime 
will bear him company — he will not be lonesome dur- 
ing the period of his long incarceration. 

The revolutionary microbe has been most active 
in Texas. It has been perniciously active from one 
end of the border to the other, and thousands of men 
have suffered from its presence. In this case it 
invaded the Texas cotton fields and got in its work 
among cotton pickers, who became imbued with The 
idea that it was their duty to contribute to the state 
of anarchy already existing in poor old Mexico by 
starting another revolution. Having made up their 
minds to revolute, these men cared nothing for the 
laws that were supposed to exist on both sides of the 
border. They regarded human life as something very 
cheap on both sides of the border, but fortunately 
they were brought to before they had progressed very 
far on their chosen career. 

If penitentiary doors could be closed on the entire 
group of revolution promoters on this side of the 
Rio Grande it would do much to discourage such 
activity, for there is no quicker and surer method of 
administering a quietus to revolutionists than by the 
mixing of that medicine which puts them where 
they can not defy the laws for a good long season. — 
El Paso "Times." 



KNOX ON LATIN AMERICA. 



It 



Insurgents have gCCn greatly encouraged 
by reports tliat President Wilson will prob- 
ably recognize the Constitutionalists. In 
that event all the freebooters will become 
nominal Constitutionalists for the purpose 
of obtaining arms. — New \<»rk "h'.vening 
Sun." 



ell in the heat of feeling over the condition 
of affairs below the border for the American people 
to have called to their minds by that master diplo- 
matist. Philander C. Knox, former secretary of state, 
the basic nature of this country's good will, sym- 
pathy and practical helpfulness toward the Latin- 
American states. * * * 

Mr. Knox pointed out that in contrast to the 
Northern territories of the hemisphere, the Southern 
territories were not colonized, but conquered. This 
fact gave a prenatal impress to the republics that 
grew up in the Latin-American area. Together with 
the incidents of their subordination and lack of na- 
tional expression or ability to frame true national 
ideals, their conditions constituted a burden of ad- 
verse heritage that they carried into their constitu- 
tional era. The habits of centuries are not lightly 
thrown aside and the feeling of getting what one 
can out of the country — the strongly ingrained spirit 
of exploitation for personal gain — is hard to get rid 
of. 

It would be shameful, Mr. Knox avers, for this 
country to repeat the phrase-making and non-action 
policy of Spain when grievous, complaints were 
brought to it from her colonies. The United States 
must not trifle with serious appeals for substantial 
moral and material aid from weaker nations. It must 
n(jt treat flipi)antly with smug indifference cases of 
evident distress or halt or enfeeble performance by 
a repetition of vain words concerning theories of 
international duty and least of all to adjust its 
policies to the exigencies of domestic politics. * * * 

Mr. Knox very properly indicates the line of action 
of the United Stales to be, first and last, practical 
assistance, forbearance without harshness, considera- 
tion of all the factors that enter into a given case 
:ind an undeviable effort lo make every contact of 
this country with Latin America promote the best 
interests of the lesser republics. Encroachment upon 
the sovereignty of any of these peoples he regards 
as deplorable and respect for their amour proprc most 
important. Only by so acting can the United Stales 
round out the glory of its past in relation to the 
lesser republics and make its unselfishness clear and 
yet bring greater glory upon it in the future. " * * — 
Italtimorc "American." 



AMERICANS IN MEXICO. 

"Americans in Mexico want recognition of tlie 
Huerta Government. 'The solution of the problem is 
such recognition, which has been accorded by the 
powerful European nations. Why should the United 
States go into Mexico to clear up the situation at 
the cost of many lives and more dollars, when Huerta 
is able to do it himself with the slight aid of official 
recognition?" This question was asked by Harold 
Sturges, mine engineer and mine owner, who has 
liv.ed in the troubled Republic for sixteen years and 
who is spending a few days in Galveston before pro- 
ceeding to his former home in Chicago. Mr. Stur- 
ges, accompanied by his wife, left the interior of 
Mexico more than a week ago, coming by rail to 
San Antonio and thence to Treasure Island. 

Mr. Sturges has been in all parts of Mexico dur- 
ing his stay there. His mining work has necessi- 
tated frequent trips from one part of the country 
to the other and he feels as familiar with it as the 
resident natives. Mrs. Sturges has been with him 
for the past six years, moving about from place to 
place in the interior of the country. 

"Of course the country is in a bad state," he re- 
plied to a question, "but it is now much better than 
what it was sixty or ninety days ago. Huerta has 
00,000 men in the field in various parts of Mexico, 
this including the volunteers who are playing an 
important part in the fighting with the regulars. 

"Ninety-eight per cent, of the Americans living in 
Mexico — the people with interests there that need 
protection — agree with Ambassador Wilson. 

"Huerta is the strongest man in the entire country. 
He can clean it up and is doing so to a large extent. 
With the help of foreign loans which he could easily 
secure provided the United States Government would 
recognize him, he could proceed steadily with the 
work and would have conditions bettered in a short 

"I don't think there is any danger of a general 
uprising against the Americans or anybody else. I 
have not heard of a single case where the Federals 
have harmed a foreigner, but, of course, there have 
been instances where the rebels have done so. In 
Durango and other isolated points they are damaging 
property, but around Mexico City, Tampico, Laredo 
and other big towns are rather quiet. — Galveston 
"News," 



Rox Underwood, a mining man of Mex- 
ico, now on a business trip to New York, 
harshly criticized the attitude of this coun- 
try toward the stricken republic in a state- 
ment given to "The Tribune." Mr. Under- 
wood, who was seen at the Harvard Club, 
is in close touch with Mexican affairs, hav- 
ing married a Mexican woman and spent 
more than twenty years in that country. 

"Mexico," Mr. Underwood said, "is one 
of the proudest nations on earth, and will 
accept no help from a country which, like 
the United States, views it with openly ex- 
pressed contempt. Our administration re- 
fused recognition to the de facto govern- 
ment; it sent patronizing- notes to the Mex- 
ican Foreign Minister, saying that this 
country will view 'with extreme disfavor' 
certain possible courses of the Mexican Ex- 
ecutive. It acts, in short, as if we had al- 
ready established a Mexican protectorate. 
Our press is even worse, and refers to the 
Mexican President as a murderer, usurper 
and tyrant, and is ever harping on the 
'necessity' of intervention. Press and gov- 
ernment have combined to wound bitterly 
Mexican pride. 

"What is the result? Though the misery 
of llie country absolutely beggars descrip- 
tion, the people will ask us for no help." — 
Nrvv Ynvk "Tribune." 



President Huerta locks refractory Depu- 
ties in prison. President Wilson locks in 
the Capitol building the Congressmen whc 
decline to do his bidding. Tliere is a dif- 
ference in the place of imprisonment, but 
is there any difference in principle? — 
"Town Topics." 



Salurday. October 3.i, ]9i:i 



MEXICO 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 



The Editor o( "Me 



De 



Sir: 



Tlie Kdilur of Mexico: 

Dear Sir: I am very much in favor of your pub- 
lication, because I think you arc doing a Kood work 



The press hints that President Wilson will recog- 
nize the belligerency of the' revolutionists and permit 
them to receive every kind of war material across 
the frontier: rifles, cannon, machine guns, car- 
tridges, and even men. By doing this Mr. Wilson 
would exjiect to give the advantage to so-called 
"constitutionalists." and entrust them with the tre- 
mendous task of restoring order in Mexico. 

Knowing the possibility that President Wilson 
might decide to do this, the revolutionary agents in 
the United States are circulating news to the effect 
that they have eighty thousand men and that they 
are in possession of two-thirds of the country, and 
that as soon as they gel the necessary supplies that 
within ninety days they would put an end to General 
llutrta and establish on the ruins of his government 
the rule of perfect peace and harmony, an ideal dem- 
ocracy of purest splendor. 

If President Wilson thinks that the great conflict 
could be terminated in this way, he is most lament- 
ably mistaken. The remedy would be worse than the 
disease. Supijlying arms and ammunition to the 
rebels would only have the result of prolonging the 
present combat and increasing the slaughter, adding 
Tiew fuel to the flames and making the catastrophe 
more serious. 

As a general rule, any interference in the internal 
affairs of Mexico would produce bad results. Ameri- 
can intervention is not desired in any form whatso- 
ever by Mexico, and Mexico is not composed entire- 
ly — as Mr. Wilson thinks — of the fifteen or twenty 
thousand men who are fighting the present govern- 
ment. 

Mr. Wils.m has manifested a desire that General 
Huerta resign, and this in itself has been suflicient 
to make him appear to the people of Mexico as a 
true symbol of our autonomy. If Mr. Wilson should 
recognize the revolutionists as belligerents the Mex- 
ican people would look upon them as despised beg- 
gars seeking the favor of Washington, as vile traitors 
and outcasts, and would attack them just as they 
would attack an invading force from this side of the 
Kit! Grande. 

To recognize the rebels as belligerents is to admit 
that they have the right to rebel, that they are 
regularly organized and that they are callable of 
settling grave national problems, and this would 
be the most fatal emu that the- While House could 
make. 

Intervention in this form would arouse in every 
Mexican a feeling of profound hatred of the United 
States; the great majority of the people capable of 
bearing arms would hasten to the standard of the 
government, which would stand simply for the na- 
tional honor and the pride of autonomous Mexico. 

Recognition of the rebels from a moral standpoint 
would represent greatest possible injustice and show 
lack of every idea of probity or respect for the 
rights of individuals. It would seem impossible that 
Mr. Woodrow Wilson, the scrupulous, could grant 
recognition to such as the Zapatistas, who for three 
years have been an insult to civilization in the new 
world. How could the serious and honorable Mr. 
Woodrow Wilson defend his action in recognizing 
those who assaulted Durango, robbing its banks, 
sacking its stores and burning its factories? Could 
the upright Mr. Woodrow Wilson logically give 
his approval to the disorganized bands of robbers and 
anarchists now roaming over Northern Mexico? 

But, even it moral reasons are not sufficient to 
deter him from granting recognition to the bandits 
of Morelos, the thieves of Durango and the am- 
bitious rebels of Sonora, he should not forget that 
such action would only serve to make President 
Huerta more popular and cause more and more Mex- 
icans to flock to his support to show the unconquer- 
able spirit of a people determined to brook no for- 
eign interference in their domestic affairs. 
Baltimore, Md. T. MUECAS. 

The Kditor of -.Mexico": 

Dear Sir: The truth on the Mexican question as 
expressed weekly in your paper is so at variance with 
the general news reports of the dailies that wc 
wonder how soon pressure will be brought to coax 
you to give up telling the truth— and your paper. 

I am wishing you success to hold out. 
New York City. T. LEDYARD SMITH, 



Angeles, Cal. 



A. H. 



MEXICAN CADETS TO RAID REBELS IN AIR. 

Eighteen little Mexican cadets who will form the 
aerial corps of the Federal army when they return 
to their native land arrived yesterday in the first 
cabin of the American liner "New York" from Cher- 
bourg. They are graduates of the National Military 
School at Chapultepec and are of varying shades of 
complexion from olive to dark brown. 

.^11 were dressed in the latest mode of young 
Parisians and all were cheerful, but suspicious of 
strangers. 

They have been studying and diligently ]iractising 
fiying in the school of the French army at Versailles 
and I.ieut. J. F. Jiminez, who has charge of them, 
says they have developed a wonderful efficiency after 
four months' steady training. 

The aeroplane corps, or, as it is otherwise called, 
the "flying artillery," will go into ser\-ice imineilialcly 
after reporting to the Federal Government at Mcxic.i 
City. 

The airmen and boys will sail for Vera Cruz on 
Thursday by the Ward liner Morro Castle. While 
here they will stop at the Chelsea. 

Lieut. Jiminez hopes the corps will liave much 
to do in breaking up bands of revolutionists and 
putting Mexico in a more tranquil condition. 

The young airmen have a mighty faith in the 
efficacy of the light French monoplane as a destruc- 
tive agent. They have seen experiments by French 
army fliers with bombs filled with a powerful French 
explosive and they will utilize this or something 
like it in their aerial raids on the rebel camps. 

The aeroplanes that the young men will use will 
be sent from France by a French line freighter di- 
rectly from Havre or Marseilles to Vera Cruz. 

It would not be so safe to bring them to New 
York and transship them and besides it might be 
regarded in an unfavorable light by the United 
States.— New York "Sun." October (1. 

MEXICO AS MRS. TALBOT SEES IT. 

Of the many who have written or siiokcn of 
.Mexico, in American journals and magazines, or on 
the platform, a very small pro|iortion have presented 
the country to the American imblic in its true 
light, impartially, accurately and with intelligent 
apin-eciation of its wonderful natural resources and 
equally wonderful achievements in the arts and 
sciences and material development. 

Ignorance regarding real conditions; prejudice 
against a people of whom they know little or noth- 
ing; a desire to be sensational; utter disregard of 
the truth; the greed lor gain — one or all of these 
must be held responsible for this most regrettable 
circumstance, which it is to be sincerely ho|)ed time 
will remedy. But we are glad to say that no part 
of this charge can be laid at the door of Mrs. Ada 
Brown Talbot, whose course of lectures — "Mexico, 
Yesterday and To-day" — which she is giving under 
the auspices of the New York City Board of Educa- 
tion, was inaugurated recently i-v one of the lecture 
"centers" of Greater New York. 

Mrs. Talbot's sources of information have been 
authentic, and her impressions arc the result of 
long periods of residence and extensive travel in 
the republic, and of actual contact wNth all classes 



and conditions. She portrays the real Mexico, leav- 
ing to others the unenviable privilege of undeserved 
criticism and inexcusable misrepresentation. 

In this lecture, which is fully illustrated by beau- 
tifully colored stereoptican views representing every 
liha.se of the real commercial and intellectual life in 
Mexico, the country's wonderful substantial re- 
sources, its public institutions, its home life, its 
natural beauties and the tragedy and romance of 
its remarkable history, Mrs. Talbot shows an inti- 
mate and correct knowledge of her subject, which 
unfortunately is not possessed by the majority of 
lecturers and writers on Mexico, here in the United 
States. Too often these purveyors of the sensational 
at the expense of justice and truth have only seen 
the country from a car window and judged its real 
home life from a surface investigation of its slums, 
which are no more repugnant there than here. 



Do you think Mexico is going 
to the bow-wows ? 

Well, think again. 

Mexico is all right antj there is a lot 
of business done there. 

We have a fine transfer business for 
:;ale. 

Making money right along, revolu 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We will give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO. 15 Broad St.. New York City 



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WAR THAT IS NOT WAR. 

Why deceive ourselves; We have not 
sent a soldier across the border, we have 
niit landed a man at Vera Cruz or Tam- 
p.co, but we have a force of mercenaries 
ai.d bandits in Mexico who with tlie moral 
support of the United States Government 
avd blinded by ignorance and greed are 
seeking to destroy Mexican nationality. 

Never before could it be said that when 
tl.e .\merican fights he will not go to the 
front himself but avails himself of the law- 
less, ignorant masses of another country to 
fi:^;ht his battles for him. Secretary Bryan 
hr.s said that there will Ijc no war fouglil 
Ijy the L'nited States during the Wilson 
Alministration. But encouraged by that 
.Administration the rebel and bandit chiefs 
oi Mexico are waging a warfare with 
American support and .American money. 

Wliat is this war? Is it a war for the 
rights of .Ainerican citizens? No. The 
.Administration has in effect said that 
.American citizens have no riglits in Mex- 
ico and has told them to flee the country. 
Is it a war against the encroachments or 
animosity of another nation? No, there 
has been nothing of the kind. Mexico has 
only asked to be let alone and has no 
(I'larrel with the American people. Is it 
a war for territory? The .Administration 
denies with righteous indignation that it 
h:.s any imperialistic tendencies or ambi- 
tions. Is it a war for American honor? 
No, American lionor has not been touched 
or threatened. 

It is a battle of personality. It is a bat- 
tle of personal intolerance and personal 
vindictiveness. It is a battle born of blun- 
der and prejudice, fomented by special in- 
terests, cloaked in hypocrisy. Is it any 
wonder that in this war against Mexico the 
American regular soldier, tlie American 
vf.Iuntccr, the AmecJcan people are not 
taking part? That it must be conducted 
o;-. the sly? That its generals campaign un- 
d' rground? That it is financed in secret 
:r,d veiled in verbiage? That it has aroused 
in all Latin-America and foreign nations 



a profound distrust of our motives luul 
methods? 

It will ni.it do us any good to give to 
the world the impression that to accom- 
plish our ends we will not fight but will 
hire a gang of thugs to do our fighting foi 
us. 

It is un-.American. 

If we want to overthrow the govern- 
ment of Mexico, destroy Mexican nation- 
ality and control Mexico, let us come out 
in the open and say so and fight for what 
we want. 

That's .American. 



HELPING HUERTA. 

If General Huerta had no other ambi- 
tion save that of personal power he would 
be greatly indebted to tlie Washington Ad- 
luinistration for having forced him into a 
dictatorship. 

If General Huerta did not concern him- 
self as to the future of his country and tlie 
consequences which the attitude of the 
Washington Administration may entail, he 
would be grateful to the latter for having 
forced him to remain in power. 

If the Huerta Government had been rec- 
ognized by this country the various rebel- 
lions in Mexico would have been practic- 
ally destroyed by this time. Only widely 
scattered bands of brigands would now 
remain to be exterminated. 

The Maderist deputies would not have 
lieen encouraged to conspire against the 
Government. There would not have arisen 
tlic necessity for dissolving Congress nor 
for resorting to extreme remedies to dc- 
.slriiy an extreme evil. There would lie no 
question as to the possiljility of holding 
general elections and obtaining an expres- 
sion of popular will as far as that can be 
obtained at present in Mexico under even 
the most favorable circumstances. 

Who is responsible for the continuance 
of his .government more than President 
Wilson? It may be the best for Mexico 
after all. 

General Huerta would not have been 
even thought of in the elections. He would 
shortly have relinquished the reins of 
government and passed them into the 
hands of an elected President. 

The most practical way to have "elimi- 
nated" him was to have helped him to stay 
in fur the time being. 

Can you tell us what Grant would have 
said if England had proposed to him that 
he should have entered solemnly into an 
armistice and observed it scrupulously 
with Mosby, Quantrell and Jesse James? 

Can you tell us who President Wilson 
will recognize? Carranza? Villa? Za- 
ppta? Urbina? Natera? CaraveoJ- May- 
torena? Pesquiera? Flores Magon? Ger- 
trudis Sanchez? Genovivo de la O.? Lu- 
cio Blanco? etc.? etc.? etc.? etc.? etc.? 

Read "MEXICO" Once a week 

and Learn What's What 

Below the Rio Grande 



POOR ADVERTISING. 

(Jne of tlie a.xioms of modern advertis- 
ing is that no matter how alluringly you 
may offer your wares to the public you 
must have the real goods to sell or in the 
end you will be found out and the suppos- 
edly gullible public will have nothing to do 
with you or your product. 

The .Administration has played to the 
patriotism and ideals of the pulilic by in- 
spiring the feeling that its course in hand- 
ling the Mexican situation has been with 
the object of bringing about a peaceful set- 
tlement of Mexico's difficulties. Whereas 
the real fact is every attitude, every 
thought, every move or policy of the Ad- 
ministration from day to day has been 
based on a simple negation: "I won't rec- 
ognize Huerta. I don't like Huerta or his 
metliods. He's not a nice man." 

All the fine words and phrases, all the 
diplomatic fudge, all the protestations ut 
mighty principles have been only the ne- 
cessities of the moments when something 
had to be said or done to justify the inev- 
itable consequences of this first unalter- 
able prejudice. 

There are many fair-minded, thinking 
.Americans who have not been deceived 
for a moment l)y the .Administration's ma- 
noeuverings, who can see beyond words, 
and even inspired press reports, into the 
world of facts as they are. These people 
are going to find out eventually that they 
were right in assuming that the truth can- 
not ]>e hidden under a bushel of stock 
plirases. Also that tlie goods advertised 
(Uj not come up to tlie beautifully illus- 
Iraled ])roniiscs of the ad. 



Wa:;hington wants to know Carranza's 
plans. "Kin Huerta and everybody who 
recognizes him," says Carranza. A Satur- 
nalia. 

Latest toast,, drunk in grape juice: 
"Here's hopin' something'll happen to 
Huerta." 

If the Administration allies itself any 
more than it has already with the rebels 
and bandits it will deserve and get the cen- 
sure of the civilized world. 
* ♦ ♦ 

One great lesson has been learned that 
may save us from other and even graver 
blunders: "It's bad business and almost 
criminal statesmanship to make up your 
mind before you know the facts." 

:i: * * 

Also the danger of trusting to one or 
two favored advisers. No man living, even 
with the best intentions, can possibly know 
everything about a complex country and 
nationality. 

Some folks seem to think that an open 
mind is a sign of weakness. So they fol- 
low the single track — to destruction. 

We understand that Hale is still sending 
in confidential reports. He isn't in Mexico, 
but that doesn't make any difference tg 
Hale. He knows it all, 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Inteliitient Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Run* Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1.— NO. 11. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



A CONTRAST 



WHAT THE PAPERS ANNOUNCED 
OR STATED. 

That Mexican guns had stopped an 
American ship. 

That Mexico had seized an American 
ship. 

That the capital of Mexico on the eve 
of elections was resting on a volcano. 

That a Felicista uprising would take 
place in Mexico City and there would be 
a recurrence on election day of the scenes 
of last February. 

That Monterrey had been captured by 
the rebels, who had shown great "strat- 
egy." 

That anti-American riots would take 
place on the day of elections. 

That these would be marked by blood- 
shed and disorder. 

That General Huerta would elect him- 
self. 

WHAT HAPPENED. 

Clearance papers to the "Morro Cas- 
tle" were issued with a few hours' delay, 
because the Mexican authorities at the 
last moment had learned that fugitives 
from justice were hiding on the ship. 

Mexico did not seize an American 
ship. It merely exercised a right granted 
by international law and custom. 

The volcano only existed in the mind 
of the correspondent who flashed the 
portentous news. 

No Felicista uprising or any other ris- 
ing took place on election day. As us- 
ual, the people flocked to the bull fight 
and had a good time. 

Likewise there were no anti-American 
riots or any other anti-riots. 

The troops that had been held in readi- 
ness to guarantee the safety of foreign- 
ers and Mexicans alike were idle all day. 

The strategy of the rebels was news- 
paper strategy and Monterrey remains in 
the hands of the federals, on whom the 
grateful people of the city showered 
flowers. 

General Huerta did not elect himself, 
and the Minister of the Interior an- 
nounces officially that all votes cast for 
General Huerta are null and void. 



BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL 

WORDS 



"The future, ladies and gentlemen, is going 
to be very different for this hemisphere from 
the past. The States lying to the south of us, 
which have always been our neighbors, will now 
be drawn closer to us by innumerable ties, and, 
I hope, chief of all by the tie of a common under- 
standing of each other. 

"Interest does not tie nations together. It 
Mtmetiraes separates them, but sympathy an<l un- 



derstanding do unite them, 
one peculiarity 



r:r 



rstandr 
""pile re 



the history of 



'Latin-American States which 1 am sii 
keenly aware of. You hear of 
'to foreign capitalists in Latin America. You do 
not hear of concessions to foreign capitalists in 
the United States. They are not granted conces- 
sions. They are invited to make investments. 
The work is ours, though they are welcome to 
invest in it. We do not ask them to supply the 
capital and do the work. It is an invitation, not 
a privilege, and States that are obliged, because 
iheir territory does not lie within the main field 
of modern enterprise and action, to grant con- 
cessions, are in this condition, that foreign in- 
terests are apt to dominate their domestic af- 
fairs, a condition of affairs always dangerous and 
apt to become intolerable. 

"What these States are going to seek, therefore, 
is an emancipation from the subordination which 
has been inevitable to foreign enterprise and an 
assertion of the splendid character which, in 
spite of these dificulties, they have again and 
again been able to demonstrate. The dignity, the 
coun'.ge, the self-possession, the respect of the 
F.atin-American States, their achievements in the 
face of all these adverse circumstances, deserve 
nothing but the admiration and applau: 
world. They have had harder bargaii 
with them in the matter of loans than ; 
peoples in the world. Interest has beei 
of them that was not exacted of anybody else, be- 
cause the risk was said to be greater, and then 
securities were taken that destroyed the risks. An 
admirable arrangement for those who were forc- 



ni the 



iy other 
exacted 



the 



rms ! 



"I rejoice in nothing so much as in the pros- 
pect that they will now be emancipated from these 
conditions, and we ought to be the first to take 
part in assisting that emancipation. I think some 
of these gentlemen have already had occasion to 
bear witness that the Department of State in re- 
cent months has tried to serve them in that wise. 



In the future they will draw closer and closer 
to us because of circumstances of which I wish 
to speak with moderation and, I hope, without 
indiscretion. 

"We must prove ourselves their friends and 
champions, upon terms of equality and honor. You 
cannot be friends upon any other terms than 
upon the terms of equality. You cannot be 
friends at all except upon the terms of honor, and 
we must show ourselves friends by comprehend 
ing their interest, whether it squares with our 
interest or not. It is a very perilous thing In 
determine the foreign policy of a nation in the 
terms of material interest. It not only is unfair 
to those with whom you' are dealing, but it is 
degrading on the part of your own actions. 

"Comprehension must be the soil in which shall 
grow all the fruits of friendship, because there is 
a reason and a compulsion lying behind all this 
which are dearer than anything else to the 
thoughtful men of America; 1 mean the develop- 
ment of constitutional liberty in the world. Hu- 
man rights, national integrity, and opportunity, as 
against material interests — that, ladies and gen- 
tlemen, is the issue which we now have to face. 

"I want to take this occasion to say that the 
United States will never again seek one additional 
foot of territory by conquest. She will devote 
herself to showing that she knows how to make 
honorable and fruitful use of the territory she 
has. And she must regard it as one of the duties 
of friendship to see that from no quarter are ma- 
terial interests made superior to human liberty 
and national opportunity. I say this, not with 
a single thought that any one will gainsay it, 
but merely to fix in our consciousness what our 
real relationship with the rest of America is. It 
is the relationship of a family of mankind devoted 
to the development of true constitutional libertv. 
We know that that is the soil out of which the 
best enterprise springs. We know that this is a 
cause which we are making in common with them 
because we have had to make it for ourselves. 

"Reference has been made here to-day to some 
of the national problems which confront us as a 
nation. What is the heart of all our national 
problems? It is that we have seen the hand of 
material interests sometimes about to close upon 
our dearest interests and possessions. We have 
seen material interests threaten constitutional 
freedom in America. Therefore, we will now 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 



BEAUTIFUL WORDS— Continued. 

know how lo sympathize with those in America 
who have to contend with that, not only within 
tlieir borders, but from outside their borders also. 
i know what the response of the thought and 
heart of j\merica will be to a programme like 
that, because America was created to realize a 
programme like that. 

"This is not America because it is rich. This 
is not America because it has set ui) for a great 
population great opportunities of a material pros- 
perity. America is- a name which sounds in the 
cars of man everywhere as a synonym of indi- 
vidual opportunity, as a synonym of individual 
liberty. I would rather belong to a poor nation 
that was free than to a rich nation that had ceased 
to be in love with liberty. But we shall not be 
poor if we love liberty, because the nation that 
love."; liberty truly sets every man free to do his 
best and be his best; and that means the release 
of all the splendid energies of a great people who 
think for themselves. A nation of employees can- 
not be free any more than a nation of employers 
can be. 

"So, in emphasizing the points which must 
unite us in sympathy and in spiritual interest with 
the Latin-American people we are only emphasiz- 
ing the points of our own life, and we should 
prove ourselves untrue to our own traditions if 
we proved ourselves untrue friends to-day. Do 
not think, therefore, gentlemen, that questions 
of the day are mere questions of policy and 
diplomacy. They are shot through with 
the principles of life. We dare not turn from 
the principle that morality and not expediency is 
the thing that must guide us, and that we will 
never condone iniquity because it is most con- 
venient to do so. 

Seldom, if ever, has a President of the 
United States expressed more beauti- 
fully loftj' sentiments of equity or enun- 
ciated greater truths concerning the 
people of other nations than President 
Wilson in his speech before the South- 
ern Commercial Congress at Mobile. 

Shorn of its beauty of expression, the 
policy toward the Latin-.\merican re- 
publics announced by President Wilson 
can be reduced to this: The United 
Slates will assist those sister republics 
to emancipate themselves from any per- 
nicious and degrading influence of for- 
eign financial interests. 

Unfortunately a jnost important point 
lias been left obscure. That is wliether 
■ 'resident Wilson meant to include 
American interests or referred only to 
European interests. Most important, 
we say, because it leaves the way open 
for Latin-.\niericans to put two diamet- 
rically opposed interpretations on the 
announced policy. 

If President Wilson referred to Eu- 
ropean interests only, then his policy— 
although worded very difTerently — is 
merely a repetition of the Monroe Doc- 
trine — the opposition to European force 
"i arms in Latin .\merica having been 
supplemented by the opposition to force 
of money. 

President Monroe in his message to 
Congress announced a policy opposing 
any attempt by European powers to 
colonize, invade or conquer Latin-.^mer- 
ican territory, or to change, by force of 
arms, the republican form of govern- 
ment adopted by Latin-American coun- 
tries. 

President Wilson in his speech at Mo- 
bile announces a policy which .in sub- 
stance means opposition by this coun- 
try to conquest or domination bv Eu- 
ropean financial interests in Latin- 
.American countries. This, at least, 
seems to be the interpretation put on 
the President's 'words bv most news- 
papers. 

Should this be the correct interpreta- 
tion, the new policy will undoubtedly 
arouse more than ever the .suspicion.s 
and antagonism of the Latin-American 
republics. 



The Monroe Doctrine, as interpreted 
in late years by this country, has been 
ii,e greatest obstacle to a better under- 
standing and close friendship between 
lUis country and the other republics on 
the American Continent. Latin-Ameri- 
ccins have resented the tutelage implied 
.n the Monroe Doctrine and the belief 
has prevailed among them that the Mon- 
r, e Doctrine simply meant an enforce- 
ment of American predominance. 

They have believed and believe that 
the Monroe Doctrine, while affirming 
that America must be for Americans, 
has meant in efiect that America must 
be for the North Americans. 

The Wilson doctrine, if it docs not 
exclude American financial domination 
as well as European, will be interpreted 
by Latin-Americans as meaning that this 
c_untrj' intends to exercise a financial 
tutelage over them to the exclusion of 
Europeans. 

Any one at all familiar with Latin 
America knows that while Latin- 
.•\mericans object to the Monroe 
Doctrine as humiliating and threaten- 
ing a North American aegis over the 
whole continent, they would object still 
more to a policy which would mean the 
same protectorate under a different cov- 
er. 

For years Central Americans, Mexi- 
cans, Cubans and Venezuelans have de- 
clared that they would rather be con- 
quered by force of arms than by a peace- 
ful invasion of predaceous American 
capital. President Wilson's assertion 
that he would rather belong to a poor 
nation that was free than to a rich na- 
tion that had ceased to be in love with 
liberty expresses exactly the feeling of 
the people of those countries. It does 
not matter to them whether their bond- 
age is disguised under the cloak of au- 
tonomy; they feel that financial con- 
quest and the consequent subjugation of 
their domestic rights is inore degrading 
to them than armed conquest. If con- 
quered by arms they could at least pre- 
serve their self-respect with the knowl- 
edge that only superior force had con- 
quered them. If under bondage through 
financial conquest they cannot keep even 
their self-respect. 

We predict that President Wilson's 
declaration of policy, unless cleared of 
the uncertainty as to American financial 
supremacy — undue supremacy, of course 
— will arouse the antagonism of Latin 
.\merica more than the attitude of any 
United States Government has ever 
done. 

Financial domination by Europeans is 
not so objectionable to the Latin-.\mer- 
icans as that of .American interests be- 
cause the Europeans have never claimed 
the right of political influence over 
Latin America. In efifect Latin-Amer- 
icans have welcomed the European in- 
fluence as a means of defense against 
the domineering policy of this country. 
It was to ward ofif the danger of Mex- 
ico's becoming an adjunct and subsid- 
iary of certain American interests that 
the Diaz Government granted conces- 
sions to British interests for the ex- 
ploitation of the oil industry and ef- 
fected the nationalization of the Mexi- 
can Railways. 

If, however, President Wilson should 
see fit to declare explicitly that he will 
not favor the domination of Latin^Amer- 
ican domestic afTairs l)y .'\merican inter- 
ests any more than he will the domina- 
tion by other interests, his declaration 
will serve to alleviate in a .great meas- 
ure the fcclin.u- which is sure to be 
caused by the new policy. 

Such feeling will not entirely disap- 
pear, however, until actions shall have 
proven the words. 

That there may be a vast contrast 
|)etween words as interpreted and real 



facts makes some statement as to Amer- 
ican financial conquest necessary to con- 
vince Latin-<Americans that our pur- 
poses are really friendly. That .\merican 
mterests are not included in those "ma- 
terial interests" considered by President 
Wilson is the assertion made by the 
New York "Times," one of President 
Wilson's most influential supporters, in 
the following item: 

NICARAGUA'S "EMANCIPATION." 
State Department's Loan Plan a Part of the 
Wilson Policy. 
(Special to The N^^ York "Times.") 
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27.— President Wilson's 
reference at Mobile to-day to recent efforts of tlie 
State Department to free a Latin-American coun- 
try from its foreign concessionaires is understood 
here to refer to the arrangement by which Brown 
Brothers Co. and J. & W. Seligman will advance 
certain funds to aid that republic in untangling 
its foreign obligations. This loan, which was 
brought about with the moral support of the 
State Department, is thought to be intended as a 
stop-gap until the Nicaraguan treaty, which was 
held up in the Senate some months ago, can be 
ratified. 

By the new arrangement the American bankers 
take over and discount $1,060,000 of 6 per cent. 
Nicaraguan Treasury bills maturing next October. 
They also purchased 51 per cent, of the capital 
stocks of the National Bank of Nicaragua, a cor- 
poration organized under the laws of the State of 
Connecticut, and 51 per cent, of the Pacific Rail- 
ways of Nicaragua, a corporation organized in 
Maine. Both these corporations are Government 
concerns and the Government retains possession 
of 49 per cent, of the stock. 

To secure the funds advanced by the American 
bankers they have taken a lien on the Nicaraguan 
customs, subject to a small prior claim of British 
concessionaires, and have placed an American col- 
lector-general in charge. The arrangement goes 
far toward obviating the need of the treaty, 
though should the treaty be ratified the UniteJ 
States would at once pay Nicaragua $3,000,000 
for a canal right-of-way and for a site for a 
nav;'.l station on Fonseca Bay. 

The treaty with Nicaragua establish- 
ing over that country in practice an 
.American protectorate, proposed by Sec- 
retary Bryan with the supposed approv- 
al of the President, has not only greatly 
aroused all Central America, but also 
the other countries to the south, as we 
iave shown in a past number in which 
we reproduced an editorial of "La 
Frensa," of Buenos Aires. 

This has been accentuated by the 
knowledge that this country while ad- 
vocating elections and deprecating tem- 
porary dictatorship in Mexico continues 
to^ maintain the most friendly relations 
with President Gomez of Venezuela, 
who has declared himself Dictator, sup- 
pressing Congress and suspending the 
constitutional elections which were to 
be held last month. And President Go- 
mez has repeatedly been accused of 
maintaining himself in power by the sup- 
port of the Asphalt Trust, which is said 
to have obtained blanket concessions 
covering almost every natural resource 
of Venezuela. 

The same in regard to Santo Do- 
mingo, where the government is said to 
be subservient to American interests 
which have leased the national railroad 
and control the whole trade of that re- 
public. 

.'\s to Mexico, it will be necessary for 
the Washington .Administration to dem- 
onstrate that its policy is not intended 
to support American interests in that 
country that are endeavoring to set up a 
uovernment absolutely subservient to 
their wishes. It is now a well-known 
lact that, although unintentionally, the 
attitude of the Washington Administra- 
tion is serving admirably the purposes 
of these interests. 



Saturdav. November 1, 1913 



MEXICO 



BEAUTIFUL WORDS— Continued. 

While the newspapers in this country 
have tried to make it appear that the 
pohcy of European powers toward Mex- 
ico is dictated by consideration of ma- 
terial interests only, in Europe it is 
openly stated that the policy of Wash- 
ington toward the Mexican Government 
is influenced by American interests who 
are seeking a restoration of a regime 
that will give them absolute control over 
Mexico. 

This refers especially to the figiit 
wliicli has taken place between the var- 
ious oil interests, in which the prota- 
gonists have been the British Cowdray, 
or Pearson, interests and the .'\merican 
Pierce Oil interests. 

President Wilson put his linger on 
;lie sore spot wlien he said that thi: 
Latin-American countries had been 
obliged to grant concessions because 
they did not lie within the main field 
of modern enterprise and actions. 

But that necessity will continue to ex- 
ist for a long time in some of the Latin- 
.Vnierican countries where industries of 
all kinds and the development of nat- 
ural resources must yet be encouraged. 

For the enforcement of the high mor- 
al principles enunciated by President 
Wilson, for the benefit of base material 
considerations, as those referring to the 
increase of jur trade with all of Latin 
America, we hope that the Wilson Ad- 
ministration will make its policy more 
clear and that with actions and deeds it 
will demonstrate its opposition to pre- 
(Iacei>us interests, whether American or 
European. 

Then and then only will Latin Amer- 
ica being to breathe freelv. 



AT THE BAR OF CIVILIZATION 



CONSENT IN PORTO RICO. 

It is all very well for President Wil- 
son to have said, in his speech deliv- 
ered at Swarthniore, Pa., that "no gov- 
ernment can endure without the consent 
of the governed," but what about Porto 
Rico, for which he has recently ap- 
pointed a Governor and several other 
public functionaries unknown to the 
people there and without consulting 
their wishes? If that is so, and we 
Porto Ricans believe it is, the govern- 
ment of the "carpet-baggers" is certain- 
ly doomed in our island, as we have 
been unanimously protesting against it, 
and to no avail, under the very same 
theorist who utters such elevating 
thoughts! 

The trouble with American public 
men like Messrs. Wilson and Bryan is 
lliat they preach in their orations very 
beautiful doctrines which may impress 
the people here, but which to us Porto 
Ricans are inconsistent with the treat- 
ment accorded to our island. — Letter 
from Manes de Betances in N. Y. 
"l'"venin.g Post." 



NAILING THEM. 

Tuxpam will be used as an oil station for the 
British Navy, and oil vessels are now carrying 
oil from thai point to England.— New York 
"Tribune." 

Another lie which the Mexican Gov- 
ernment has officially denied, but which, 
nevertheless, has been circulated freely 
in the American press. 

England will not have an oil station in 
Mexico as it is stated here with the in- 
tent of arousing American public senti- 
ment against Mexico. 

Iingland will use Mexican fuel oil for 
its warships, as other nations will use 
Mexican oil for that and other purposes. 



This country stands at the bar ol civ- 
ilization. The eyes of the world are fo- 
cused upon this part of the American 
Continent and events, facts — not words 
— are being accepted as evidence. 

Our neighbor — a weaker neighbor — 
the only close neighbor with customs 
and language different from ours — is in 
trouble. Internal dissensions, armed 
strife, brigandage, lawlessness are 
threatening its very life. 

What is our attitude? .\re we doing 
anythinL: to help our neighbor? Or are 
we doing much to increase the troubles 
of our neighbor? 

We — rather tlian Mexico — are stand- 
ing trial because everywhere it is an 
accepted belief that we have the power 
to help or to destroy, to make or to un- 
make. 

The charges against us can be ex- 
pressed comprehensively thus: The 
United States is pursuing a policy tend- 
ing to the undermining of Mexico so 
as to render conquest possible and easy, 
or if not conquest, the estal)lishment by 
the United States of a protectorate 
which will give free field to domination 
in Mexico by American "big business." 

In defense of our purposes exist the 
utterances of President Wilson whose 
e.Kpressions of friendship and lofty ideals 
are regarded everywhere as sincere. 
There the defense seems to end. 

The accusation is on many counts and 
presents an array of facts and circum- 
stantial evidence for which there seems 
to be no rebuttal. 

What are these facts? 

The American Government has re- 
fused "on moral grounds" recognition 
and support to the Mexican Government 
which, good or bad, stained or not 
stained, represents law and order as op- 
posed to anarchy and lawlessness in 
Me-xico. 

It has, moreover, shown a marked fa- 
voritism for the forces opposed to the 
Government. It is admitted that the 
central government stands for order 
and the protection of nationals and for- 
eigners. It is admitted that its oppon- 
ents comprise all shades of bandits and 
looters, in proof of this stands the fact 
that everywhere the Federal forces in 
Mexico are hailed as saviours by a 
.grateful population. That the rebels 
and bandits perform daily savage acts 
of depredation. We quote from the 
newspapers: 

Mexico City, Oct. 23. — Revolutionists yesterday 
murdered the entire population, numbering about 
fifty, of the village of Chcran Atzicurin, in the 
State of Michoacan, while they were defending the 
village church against looters. 

The villagers fought until their ammunition was 
exhausted and then used machetes, stones and 
clubs to beat off their assailants, but they were 
eventually overcome and killed and the village was 
burned to the ground. — New York "Sun." 

Rebels tortured Lieut. Jose Bracamontes and 
two soldiers belonging to a small Federal garrison 
stationed near Camaron, to the south of Nueva 
Laredo, after killing the remainder of the Federal 
troops. The rebels skinned the soles off the feet 
of their three prisoners, walked them several miles, 
and then beheaded them with machetes because 
they refused K) shout for Carranza, — New York 
"Evening Post." 

It has been asserted by high officials 
in Washington that the policy of the 
United States tends to discourage rebel- 
lions and is opposed to any government 
established by force and based on mili- 
tary rule. Yet support is advocated and 



.given to rebels whose chiefs order the 
wholesale murder of Federal prisoners, 
conimit the most despicable outrages 
against women of all ages. 

Here is what tlie "Herald" says of 
one of them: 

farranza has abandoned his idea of establishing 
a ]>rovisional government as did Madero. In- 
stead, he intends to declare for a military govern- 
ment after the Hueria party has been overthrown. 
This military regime will select a committee of 
safety composed of ten military men whose first 
duty will be to try General Hueria and his Cab- 
inet on charges of high treason. Death wHI be 
the ijenalty, and there will be no civil courts to 
delay the execution of the sentence, C.eneral Car- 
ranza has declared to his followers. 

In spite of the embargo on arms and 
ammunition large quantities are still 
smuggled across the border with the 
connivance in many cases of local au- 
thorities. The .-Xmerican army forces — 
honest in the discharge of their duties — 
are insufficient to enforce the neutrality 
laws. 

But far more significant is the fact 
that the lifting of the embargo on arms 
and ammunition is advocated even by 
members of the United States Sen- 
ate and House. This would be 
an open crime against liumanity and civ- 
ilization, for it would provide more am- 
l)ly and openly to our neighbor the 
means of destroying itself! 

It has been accepted as a fact beyond 
dispute that no rebellion can be long 
conducted in Mexico unless it receives 
material and moral support from this 
side of the border. And we see the mem- 
bers of juntas accotnpanied by Senator 
Morris Sheppard from Texas, received 
by the chairman of the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate. ,\nd 
part of the press of the United States 
lends its support to these rebels and 
bandits. 

We quote from the New York 
"World," an out-and-out Administration 
newspaper: 

According to an .\dministration official, the 
President has under consideration a plan which 
provides for a recognition of the Revolutionists as 
a de facto power, putting them on ecpial footing 
with the government in Mexico City. Also the 
plan provides for the lifting of the embargo against 
the Revolutionists obtaining arms and ammunition 
in the United States. 

Persons in the United States and Europe who 
cannot understand President Wilson's policy south 
of the Rio Grande may find enlightenment in the 
study of conditions in the Mexican States that are 
controlled by the Constitutionalists. In that sec- 
tion Huerta does not rule outside of his camps. 
When they shall have expelled him altogether it 
is possible the purposes of the Administration at 
Washington will be clearer than they are to-day. 
The President may wage war against 
the dominant money interests that 
have threatened eveit the constitutional 
life of this country but our policy fits in 
exactly with the aims of these interests 
ill Mexico. The Water-Pierce Oil 
Company has long been linked in the 
mind of Mexicans and Americans alike 
with the rebellion that overthrew Por- 
firio Diaz and with the present Maderist 
rebellion of the north. The Phelps- 
1-^odge Company, ownin.g entjrmous in- 
terests in northern Mexico, was indict- 
ed a few days ago, in Phoenix, .Arizona, 
according to the N. Y. "World," on a 
charge of conspiracy to send arms and 
ammunition of war to the Mexican 
revolutionists. 

(Continued on Next Page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 



NO COERCION 



ELECTIONS IN MEXICO. 

All newspapers supporting the Admin- 
istration's policy (?) toward Mexico 
have made great efforts to impress upon 
their readers the belief that the elec- 
tions held last Sunday in Mexico were 
"a farce" because of coercion on the 
part of the Mexican Government. 

This they have done by means of 
headlines, editorials, or reports from 
Washington. They have undoubtedly 
succeeded, at least in a measure, for the 
average reader is ignorant cf Mexican 
conditions past and present. 

Reports from Mexico appeared to be 
fairly accurate and stated that the elec- 
tions had been free and devoid of coer- 
cion. 

From all reliable sources it has been 
shown that election day in Mexico 
passed off without disturbance of any 
kind despite predictions to the con- 
trary made by the newspapers here. 

As a matter of fact, Mexican elections 
have always been "a farce" from the 
American standpoint, which, however, is 
not the right one from which to judge 
Mexican affairs. 

The "farce" was especially true in the 
Madero elections, which were supposed 
to be the only free elections ever held 
in Mexico. 

Apathy was general then, it has al- 
ways been and will continue to be for 
some time. 

In the case of the last elections we 
should be greatly surprised if it should 
be true that as many as 10,000 votes 



AT THE BAR OF CIVILIZATION— 
Continued. 

The same newspaper on October 19 
published the following: 

Senator Fall, representing the Phelps-Dodge in- 
terests, is backing the Constitutionalists in their 
move to establish a Northern Mexican republic. 

We are accused of unduly interfering 
in the domestic affairs and politics of a 
sovereign neighboring republic. In fact, 
the Washington Administration has 
tried to dictate to Mexico how the elec- 
tions should be conducted, who should 
not be elected, what the Government 
should do and so on. 

Our neighbors are in distress, under- 
gcing countless and untold sufferings. 

We claim to be a humane nation. But 
we stand by indifferently. 

What interest have the advocates of 
peace taken in their suffering neighbors? 
What interest ministers of the various 
churches? What has been done by or- 
ganizations and associations at least to 
offer assistance? 

Here and there a few voices have been 
heard from the pulpits, but very few. 
Yet Mexico is at our very doors. It 
may be that at tliis late date, after the 
Mexicans have been covered with insults 
by a part of the American press, assis- 
tance would be refused if offered, but 
how can we clear ourselves of this 
charge of crimirral and inhumane indif- 
ference? 

Beautiful words will not be sufficient 
to defend our attitude, our actions. The 
world is passing its judgment upon us 
and it will need more than words to as- 
sure a verdict of not guilty. 



were cast in Mexico City out of a pos- 
sible total of SO. 000. This would show a 
much larger vote that has ever been 
cast in that city. 

It is difficult for an .American who 
does not know Mexico to understand 
how the voting takes place there. The 
writer was in Mexico City at the time 
of the Madero elections and visited per- 
haps a hundred booths. In most cases 
he witnessed the following scene: 

A voter would arrive at one of the 
booths. One of the officials would in- 
quire: "Do you know how to read?" 
"No, senor." "Whom do you vote for?" 
"Pues, I don't know." A representative 
of the Madero part}' would speak up: 
"Don't you vote for Madero?" "Bueno, 
senor, yes." A ballot with Madero's 
name would be handed to him and he 
in his turn would hand it to the official, 
then with a sheepish look he would 
scamper away. 

In a few of the booths there were 
friends of de la Barra urging the voters 
to cast their ballot for tliat candidate. 
But in most of them only Madero's 
friends were in attendance. Sometimes 
more than an hour would elapse without 
a voter appearing at the booth. 

Certainly the total vote cast on that 
occasion was much lighter than the one 
reported for last Sunday. 

In regard to these elections here are 
some of the reports sent to different 
newspapers: 

There are 80,000 voters in Mexico City, but 
more of them turned out this afternoon to attend 
the usual Sunday bull fight than chose to exer- 
cise their right of franchise at the Presidential 
election. 

The election passed off without excitement. 
Troops patrolled the city to quell threatened dis- 
order, but there was not the slightest apparent 
interest taken by the average Mexican in what was 
going on at the polls. 

Observations made at thirty polling places by 
the "World" correspondent showed no effort by the 
authorities to influence the vote. The election, 
so far as the capital was concerned, was uneventful. 
To a person who has been through two Presi- 
dential elections in Mexico, no additional evidence 
is needed to show that a greater part of Mexican 
citizens do not care enough about exercising the 
right of franchise to go to the polls. — New York 
•■World." 

The Tribune correspondent visited numerous 
polling booths and watched the proceedings at 
each of them for some time. Each booth was 
superintended by representatives of the different 
parties, who checked one another in turn. 

At some of the booths in the West End, in- 
habited by the well-to-do classes, tliere was a 
pretty steady stream of voters between 10 o'clock 
and noon. 

There was no coercion, and neither military nor 
police were near any of the booths, though small 
cavalry detachments patrolled the city and gen- 
darmes were held in readiness at the police sta- 
tions to respond to any call that might be made; 
'i'lieir services were not needed. 

The West End polling booths were the only 
ones in which some slight interest wasT noted. 
I II tile centre of the city, and to a large extent in 
the East End, the polling officers sat smoking cig- 
arettes and cracking jokes, waiting for voters who 
(lid not come.— New York "Tribune." 

Reports from the embassy at Mexico City stated 
that no violence occurred during the election on 
Sunday and that "the vote cast was light, due to 
general apathy on the part of the public." — New 
York "Tribune." 



Only the middle class is showing any special 
interest in the elections, for the very rich and 
very poor are indifferent to politics and take things 
as they come, unless their particular class interests 
are affected. — New York "Herald." 

From three to five officials, one of whom was 
designated "president," were in attendance at each 
polling place. These officials represented the 
various parties and assisted in the preparation of 
the ballot when necessary, but offered no coercion 
or suggestion as to how the applicant should vote. 

The election officials appeared to be a repre- 
sentative class of citizens — clerks, small business 
men, railroad employees and shopkeepers of aver- 
age intelligence. So far as could be ascertained 
no Government employees served in this capacity. 
— Philadelphia "Ledger." 

The widely published statement that 
the elections will be declared void be- 
cause less than one-half of the total 
vote was cast is false and misleading. 
The Mexican law does not take into ac- 
count the number of votes received by 
a nominee for the Presidency, but mere- 
ly that returns be received from a ma- 
jorit3' of electoral districts of the cou/i- 
try. 

Likewise the ballots are not furnished 
by the Government, but by the repre- 
sentatives of the various candidates. 



ATTACKS WILSON PLAN. 

(Special Cable to New York "Ameri- 
can.") 

Paris, Oct. 37. — Another attack upon 
Wilson's policy in Mexico appears in 
the French press to-day. Writing to 
Gaulois from Mexico City, "an impar- 
tial spectator" says: 

"The United States does not under- 
stand conditions in Mexico. Washing- 
ton cannot see what is happening in 
the different Mexican provinces. 

"The Constitutionalists are bandit pil- 
lagers confined to one corner of the 
country. Three parts of Mexico accept 
the present regime. Huerta is just the 
strong man required in the present sit- 
uation. 

"The American Government, which is 
probably being pushed to action by the 
gold, silver and oil interests, does not 
realize Huerta's ' difficulties, and the 
ideas of a university professor are in- 
applicable to people consisting of many 
races and speaking forty different dia- 
lects and all born fighters. .A military 
government is necessary, each province 
to have a strong man at the head of an 
army. When anarchy is quelled the 
time will be ripe to tr3' gentler methods, 
but the moment has not come to test 
Wilson's idealistic system." 

Gaulois supports these views and says 
Europe would not look with a favorable 
eve on American intervention. 



Dr. Vasquez Gomez, Provisional Vice-President 
of Mexico under Madero and one of the most 
noted publicists of the republic, gave his version 
of the episode back of the attempt to hold 
Captain Huff this afternoon.— New York "Her- 
ald." 

This is a fair example of the "ac- 
curacy" and knowledge of the "Herald" 
concerning Mexican affairs. Vastiucz 
Gomez was a candidate for the Vice- 
Presidency with Madero and his nomi- 
nation was defeated by the Madero ad- 
herents themselves. He was never Pro- 
visional Vice President. Neither was 
Madero Provisional President. Thai Go- 
mez was a noted publicist is news to us 
and to all Americans. Vasquez G: mez 
was known as a physician, but no one 
has ever read any of the doctor's literary 
or journalistic productions. Perhaps the 
"Herald" has their copyright. 



Saturdav, November 1. ^'.)\:. 



MEXICO 



Stop the Goading 

li there is to be a war between Mex- 
ico and the United States there are 
many, very many, Amerieans who with- 
out losing a jot of their patriotism will 
denounce the war as unjust, unneces- 
sary and criminal. 1 am one of them. 

Ihcsc Americans arc of the number 
who through social and business rela- 
tiuns or residence in Me-xico have some 
knowledge ol the country, its people 
and its problems. Who liave watched 
rresident Wilson's unprecedented and 
wholly tutile meddling in Mexican af- 
fairs as one would watch a man handling 
ilynaiiiitc — as carelessly as a ping-pong 
ball. 

The newspapers are beginning to run 
scareheads, suggesting war just as they 
did before the Spanish-.\merican con- 
flict. Crowds surr;.und the news-stands 
and bulletin boards where the latest re- 
ports are displayed. There is tension 
in every move among the nations. 
There is the old- uniformity in tue rela- 
tion between the feeling in Wall Street 
and the pounding of the press, i'here is 
no popular feeling against Mexico, but 
every effort is being made to focus feel- 
ing in that direction. 

Why this atmosphere of war when 
the people of the country are not in a 
warlike mood, when nothing has oc- 
curred to wound American honor or in- 
cite American animosity? when the 
avowed purpose of the Administration 
has been to avoid the very situation that 
exists. 

I assert, with thousands of others 
who know the Me.\ican situation at hrst 
hand, and history will support ih.s 
slatement, that President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan, with perhaps tne best 
intentions in their theoretical minds 
have been blind, absolutely blmd to the 
true status of affairs in Mexico and by 
a perverse and vindictive personal pol- 
icy of anger, contempt and goading 
have interfered unjustly and arbitrarily 
in the affairs of Mexico, to an extent 
that makes a defense of nationality and 
sovereignty the onlj- patriotic course for 
the President of Mexico to pursue. 

History will record, if war really 
comes, that the Administration in its 
handling of relations with Mexico was 
amateurish and ill-advised, and may' re- 
cord that its amateurishness and ignor- 
ance w-ere played upon by certain inter- 
ests to bring about results contrary to 
the intention of the .Administration. 

But this blot on our history can be 
avoided if at this crucial m:;ment the 
people of the United States will only 
realize that Mexico is a distinct and 
sovereign nation, that it can not and 
should not l)e ruled from Washington, 
that we must be fair and just toward 
other countries if we expect justice our- 
selves, and that Mexico wants and 
should get a fair chance to work out its 
own problems. That instead of helping 
we have thwarted the Mexican govern- 
ment in restoring peaceful conditions. 
That the responsibility for this and for 
war if it comes will rest not with the 
.American people but with President 
Wilson, Secretary Bryan, apostle of 
peace, and those who have so perni- 
ciously advised them. — Lett,er m New 
^'ork "Tribune." 



THE PLEA OF AMERICANS IN MEXICO 



THE GROWTH OF INACCURACY. 

There has not been a political campaign of re- 
cent years in which there has been so much 
misrepresentation as in the one now pending.— 
.Xew York "Herald." 

Poor Mexico has been making the 
same complaint in regard to the publica- 
tion of false or twisted news of her 
affairs and the "Herald" has been one 
of the chief offenders in this respect. 



\\ e. the undersigned .Vnierican citi- 
zens, residing permanent or temporarily 
in Mexico, respectfully represent to the 
President and the Congress of the 
United States that, in our judginent, the 
following fairly represents the actual 
conditions in Mexico, and the distress- 
ing plight in which recent acts of our 
Government, based, we believe, on mis- 
understanding, have placed us. The 
subject, we think, is of great importance, 
so we will elaborate it at some length. 

.\ little preliminary history is neces- 
sary to make the matter clear. 

When the Spaniards came to Mexico 
four centuries ago they found a race far 
in advance of anything native to Amer- 
ica, culminating in a highly organized 
civilization in Me-xico City and a few 
other points, but grading off into var- 
ious less highly organized communities, 
down to tribes on a par w-ith our 
-Apaches, Mokis, etc. 

The Spaniards intermarried with the 
best native families and practically made 
slaves of most of the rest of the people. 
Four centuries of this has produced a 
people consisting, at the top, of a high 
grade, essentially Latin race, cultured, 
high-spirited and ambitious, but grading 
off into a small intermediate class into 
the peon or laboring class- whose lot, 
owing principally to an unfortunate and 
unwise land system fastened upon the 
country by the Spaniards, is still one of 
poverty, ignorance and improvidence, 
and whose political capacity is not one 
whit better than that of our unfran- 
chised reservation Indians, and is really 
below that of our disfranchised South- 
ern plantation negroes. 

There is no strong body of property 
holding people of moderate means, with- 
out which no Republic ever has en- 
dured, or ever can endure. There is a 
small class of people who are neither 
peons nor property holders, whose lot 
is an unfortunate one, but who have ed- 
ucation enough to be discontented with 
it. From those come mostly the "cab- 
ecillas," tlie leaders of the rebel-bandit 
bands, which will be explained further 
on. 

When the Mexican people threw off 
the Spanish yoke in 1831, they tried to 
establish a Republic but found it im- 
possible. For fifty years after that the 
country was continuously torn by "rev- 
olutions," revolts, banditism, war and 
strife generally. It was twice an em- 
pire, several times a military dictator- 
ship, sometimes for a short period it 
was under the form of a constitutional 
government, but never an actual Re- 
'public for a moment. One President, 
General Comonfort, rebelled and actual- 
ly took the field against his own admin- 
istration on the ground that government 
under the then constitution was impos^ 



sible. During this period the govern- 
ment was never changed except by 
force. .At that time the lynching of a 
Madcro would not have caused a ripple 
on the political sea. Every man's 
house had to be literally his castle, 
closed with heavy doors and bars of 
iron. This is still largely so, for no 
man knows when the mob may "break 
loose." The National Palace is a bas- 
tioncd fort with heavy walls pierced 
with port holes. It has never been 
without a garrison. 

In our country an outbreak of our 
ex-slaves would be a "race war," fore- 
doomed in advance. Here it is different. 
Despite the vast gap between the top 
and the bottom, they are all Mexicans 
and there is a sentiment to treat them- 
selves as one race. Such an outbreak, 
whatever its object, is therefore always 
political, hence more difficult to quell. 
For these reasons the turmoil continued 
for fifty years in the attempt to make 
a Republic of impossible materials. 

Finally a genius appeared in the per- 
son of Porfirio Diaz, who, by sheer 
force of arms, coupled with skillful di- 
plomacy, and by a continuous and 
prompt use of rope and rifle on bandits 
and other leaders, pacified the country 
and worked the miracle of a benevolent 
military dictatorship under the forms of 
a pure democracy. This brought peace 
and the prosperity that befits a country 
of its marvelous mineral and agricul- 
tural resources. * * * 

Madero obtained his temporarily en- 
thusiastic popularity not by the pros- 
pects of the right to vote but by the 
prospects of what was essentially the 
"forty acres and a mule," that our freed- 
men so insistently expected after the 
war. This is demonstrated by the fact 
that when given a "full and free" chance 
to vote at the Madero election only 
23,000 out of a total population of four- 
teen millions took advantage of the op- 
portunity. 

In spite of the widespread "rebel- 
bandit" outbreaks, and tlie attendant 
expense of government, in spite of the 
handicap of non-recognition and the re- 
sulting difficulties of getting funds, in 
spite of the low state of the Treasury 
left by Madero, we see more work be- 
ing done lunv in this city for the benefit 
nf the public health and other benefits, 
especially those affecting the poor, than 
we have seen for many years, and the 
recent celebration of Independence Day, 
Scpteml)er 16, was the most orderly we 
have ever seen. 

For these reasons we are utterly un- 
able to account for the personal preju- 
dice against General Huerta that seems 
to exist in Washington, except on the 
gcore of misapprehension of the facts. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 



THE PLEA OF AMERICANS IN MEXICO -Continued 



As to the army, its action was, of 
course, controlled by its officers, and it 
is doubtful if any body of honorable 
men ever had a more difficult role. To 
be loyal to the people of Mexico, to 
their country, or to the unbalanced 
dreamer, under whom the treasury was 
being ruthlessly looted and the country 
going to anarchy from unquelled rebel- 
banditism, which had been put in action 
by Madero, and whose bullets had made 
him de facto President, was a hard 
problem. As a matter of fact too, Ma- 
dero's "election" had never been con- 
stitutionally legal, in that the Constitu- 
tion provided that a legal election can- 
not occur unless the electoral law is 
complied with, and in Madero's "elec- 
tion" important provisions of the law 
were deliberately violated over the pre- 
ceding protest of the supporters of Gen- 
eral Reyes, who therefore declined to be 
a candidate. At least one Congressman 
was driven to exile by Madero for main- 
taining this sound principle. It seems 
to us then that the loyalty of the offi- 
cers who helped Felix Diaz was essen- 
tially sound. * * * 

Apparently the net results of the 
withdrawal of the United States under 
the wholly erroneous idea that it is let- 
ting "two factions" fight it out, will be 
simply to do all it can to increase the 
present several dozen revolutionary 
bands of bandits and to help start the 
fifty year fire all over again. 

We are all ordered to get out of the 
country and abandon our property to 
the flames. Yet many of us prefer, nay, 
MUST remain to try and save our all 
even though the rules of the fire de- 
partment forbid us helping to man the 
pumps. Meanwhile, our Government, 
by non-recognition is trying to put out 
of business the only concern interested 
in or capable of insuring our property or 
our lives. 

Yet, when we cast our lot or invest- 
ed our money in Mexico we thought the 
Monroe Doctrine would be upheld to 
protect us against the results of Euro- 
pean aggression from abroad, or from 
anarchy in Mexico. * * * 

So the net results, if the elections 
were declared valid, would be an in- 
crease in the conflagration and a change 
in fire marshals. No matter who were 
declared elected, this would be nothing 
short of a national calamity. 

Anyone who could listen to the tales 
told by the seventy-five American ref- 
ugees, including women and children 
just in from Durango after a six day 
overland trip, reciting the horrors of 
the avowed Madcrista "government" 
there without wanting to do something 
desperate at once to help the real gov- 
ernment of Mexico to quell the tragic 
force, would have, to be a dullard or an 
inhuman brute. If the American people 
could listen to these tales and get the 
real situation here fixed in their minds, 
the^ would b? hprrificcl iri th? ghastly 



error in our government's attitude and 
its misguided efforts tending to put 
Mexico under the control of the stupid 
fiends who have sacked and wantonly 
wrecked the beautiful City of Durango, 
accompanied by horrors too awful to re- 
late. * * * 

It is not a job for a squeamish man. 
It requires a true patriot with an iron 
nerve and an iron fist. One with red 
blood in his veins. We are not parti- 
sans in any sense of the word, but we 
know the kind of a man absolutely need- 
ed, and we know of none more efficient 
than General Huerta, and he has the 
added prestige arising from the actual 
holding of office and the settled confi- 
dence of the people who are looking for 
peace. He is certainly cordially sup- 
ported by the best people of Mexico 
and he has had half a year of experience 
with the problem, in addition to a life- 
long knowledge of the army, by which 
most of the work must be done, as well 
as having done the necessary sifting 
process to get both the military and 
civil organizations in effective shape. 

It would be a crime to force a change 
now piled on top of the infinite damage 
to the cause of law and order that has 
resulted from the unfortunate failure to 
recognize him promptly. Had this been 
done, we firmly believe the country 
would now be far on the road to paci- 
fication. It is not yet too late. The 
Huerta government is far stronger than 
all the so-called "governments," rebel 
bands and bandits put together, and this 
in spite of the shortage of money, due 
largely to non-recognition and the un- 
fortunate encouragement it has given to 
the "patriotic" bandits. 

Representations to the country so lib- 
erally furnished Washington are simplv 
not true. The work is slow because of 
the rough topography and difficulties of 
transportation. It took our government 
many years to catch Geronimo in the 
same kind of country, and Jesse James 
plied his similar trade for a long time. 

We understand that one of the under- 
lying factors in Washington's view of 
the situation is that the peons are ex- 
ploited by American, Mexican and for- 
eign predatory rich. 

An ignorant man and an ignorant 



NAME 
CAS.SITTS E. CTT.LETTK 
C. H. M. V AORAMONTE 
W, L. VATT, 
C. A. HAMILTON 
CHAS. F. YEA HER 
PATTE S, T.ETTZ 
ARTHT'R W P.r.AND 
W. A. PARKER 
PATTE HITn.SON 
C. McGETHAM 
W. T. McCAVOrK 
T. FRANK MOHEER 
TUAN COEDMAN 
H. M. DTFFENnAriT 
E. A. MARR 
W. R. TTTn?;ON 
a. A. TTTTTrTTTNSnN 

A. w. riTRZEr. 
r. s. NEwroMR 

VTCTOR M. BRASCni 
E. T. KIMBAEE 
R. T. M. PAULEY 
CLAUDIO DUNNING, 



class are always exploited bj' smarter 
people. While there is doubtless such 
exploitation here, there is positively no 
more than there is of the Southern ne- 
gro in the United States. All the ex- 
ploitation here is really in low wages. 
The remedy both here and there is to 
gradually increase the knowledge and 
the material requirements of the ex- 
ploited. 

In the above we have said little of 
business, assuming that as a matter too 
sordid for consideration in a discussion 
of the political rights of the peon, but 
some points seem worthy of mention. 
Thousands of our working people in the 
United States are to-day hungry and ill 
paid. The vast Latin-American trade is 
capable of doubling all our manufac- 
tures if we controlled it as we naturally 
should. The future requirements of 
Mexico alone are incalculable. The re- 
cent acts of our Government have al- 
ready hurt our Mexican and other Latin- 
American trade beyond conception. The 
people resent our President's refusal to 
help their government in the country's 
dire distress by according it recogni- 
tion as Europe has done, and as a con- 
sequence Mexican trade is rapidly go- 
ing to Europe. 

Unless this is remedied the trade will 
go to Europe for years. This may be 
gross materialism, but many American 
factory hands will go hungry because 
of it. 

Our people have to pay enormous beef 
trust prices for beef and the poor get 
none of it. Mexico can produce beef 
for all North .'\merica. It is the only 
great pasture land left on the continent. 
Establish peace here and the United 
States can again have cheap beef. 

Finally, while it is admitted that Mex- 
ico needs reforms, it is a fact that noth- 
ing can be done until peace is estab- 
lished, and the only just and feasible 
way to establish peace is to recognize 
the Huerta government at once, and we 
believe that such recognition will do 
more to save life, lessen want, and pro- 
mote prosperity than any act within 
the power of the President and the Con- 
gress of the United States. 

Respectfully submitted: 
(Signed) 





Number of 




years 


since first 


Occupation 


came 


to Mexico 


Consulting Engineer 




G years 


Attornev 




26 •• 


Real Estate 




19 '• 


Mining 




28 " 


Manager American Club 




15 " 


Contractor 






Manager Printing Office 




10 " 


Merchant 




17 " 


Editor 




17 " 


Contractor 




15 " 


Contractor 




32 " 


Merchant 




18 '• 


Mines 




30 ■■ 


Mining 




25 " 


Exporter 




IS " 


Mechanical Engineer 




12 " 


Contractor 




R '■ 


Actuary (British subject) 




7 " 


Mechanical Engineer 




12 " 


Machinery 




23 " 


Mining 




12 " 


V. P. SuUepcc Electric Co, 




11 " 


Fanner 




?0 " 



Saturdav, November 1, 1913 



MEXICO 



Lest We Forget 

Our ideals are shot through with 
"material interests." 

Maybe Henry Clay Pierce has done 
some of the shooting through. 

* * * 

Or the Phelps-Dodge combine. 

* * * 

Or a favored group of bankers. 

If we are going to restrict the Money 
Power in the United States, why not 
encourage its activity in Mexico? That 
seems to be the brilliant idea. 

It must have some field for exploita- 
tion, some outlet for its energies. 

Also it must be placated for the good 
of Democratic policies and the Demo- 
cratic party. 

But England outgeneraled us. 

* * * 

Therefore words — while we consider 
the next move. 

* * * 

Words were devised to conceal poli- 
cies. 

* * * 

Meanwhile Mexico's the sufferer. 

And the apostles of peace in their 
wrath would arm the rebels and bandits. 
Pax vobiscum. 

* * * 

Pax grapejuiceibus. 

Morality — not expediency. 

Is it moral to support lawless upris- 
ings in Mexico, to encourage the gentle 
bandits? 

* * * 

The bandit leaders dearly love this 
morality. 

* « * 

A policy of expediency would put 
them all out of business. 



Gentle bandits! 

* » * 

If words could solve Mexico's troubles 
Madero would have solved them. 

* * + 

He chattered volubly while his camp- 
followers looted the treasury and the 
country went to the dogs. 

Mexico needs the silent man of action. 

* * * 

We think Huerta's that sort. 



STANDARD OIL ACCUSED. 

German Paper Says Britain Seeks to 

Check Monopoly. 

(Special Cable Despatch to the New 
York "Sun.") 

Berlin, Oct. 33. — The "Vossische Zei- 
tiing" prints a letter from a Mexican 
correspondent, who charges that the 
Standard Oil Company has been the 
real instigator and fomentor of revo- 
lutions in Mexico for the last three 
years. The correspondent says Presi- 
dent Wilson is an unwitting puppet in 
the hands of the company. 

The "Vossische Zeitung" in comment- 
ing on this expresses the opinion that 
Great Britain is concerned alone in the 
development of her commerce, and her 
energetic attitude is influenced by a de- 
sire not to allow the Mexican oil to 
fall wholly into the control of the Rocke- 
feller monopoly. The paper concludes: 

"The German interests, which are 
likewise concerned solely in fostering 
the commercial relations, coincide in 
this instance with those of Great Brit- 
ain," 



THE OIL WAR 



Cliicago, Oct. 33. — 'i'lic continuous 
performance of revolutions in Mexico 
lor more than decade has been the re- 
sult of a bitter fight between British 
and American oil interests for control 
of the rich fields in the southern repub- 
lic, according to a story told to-day by 
Henry Lane Wilson. The former Unit- 
ed States .Embassador to Mexico is in 
this city paying a visit to a son who will 
l)e graduated from tlie University of 
Chicago next spring. 

Mr. Wilson was prompted to make 
comment by published despatches from 
London relative to Great Britain's re- 
ported disapproval of President Wil- 
son's Mexican policy and references in 
the despatches to the struggle for the 
control of the oil fields. 

"Let me say by way of preface," said 
Mr. Wilson, "that this story is one the 
accuracy of which I do not vouch for 
personally. It is current talk in Mexico 
and is to some extent to be found in 
the testimony which was taken before 
the Smith Senatorial committee inves- 
tigating the Mexican situation and which 
has not so far been made public. 

English Company Held Concessions. 

"At the time of the Gen. Porfirio Diaz 
regime, an English company — and I 
wish to avoid names as far as possible 
— controlled the oil situation in Mexico. 
This company had all the concessions 
and contracts with the railroads and 
also with the other oil consumers con- 
trolled by the Government. 

"The benefits which it obtained for 
this control were viewed with .disfavor 
by other large oil concerns. Two of 
these were 'outsiders,' one with world- 
wide business ramifications (and 1 
guess you know which that is), and 
the other, a subsidiary of this lar,ger 
company, contributed with influence and 
money to the overthrow of Porfirio 
Diaz. 

"As a result of the aid these two com- 
panies had furnished Madero they took 
a leading position in the oil industry of 
Mexico. They then got all the conces- 



sions and contracts and the Englisli 
company fell outside the breastworks. 
"In the meantime the larger .'\merican 
oil concern ceased to hold relations with 
its subsidiary company in Mexico and 
it identified itself with the company 
which had been hampered by the Ma- 
dero Government. This new alliance in 
its turn began to intrigue against the 
Government of Madero and to furnish 
arms and ammunition for his overthrow. 

Rival Companies Helped Huerta. 

"In the meantime the revolution in 
the city of Mexico, in which the oil 
companies had no part, took place, but 
it was in a measure originated and aid- 
ed by Spaniards. The utifavorcd oil 
companies were quick to take advantage 
of the situation and in the earlier stages 
contributed materially to the establish- 
ment of the prestige of Huerta and the 
new Mexican administration abroad. 

"Again the p*;ndulum swung outward, 
however, and now, according to the 
story told by many well posted persons, 
we find the agents of the oil companies 
which were favored under Madero fo- 
menting revolution in Mexico and it is 
said that these agents have actually 
wormed themselves into the confidence 
of President Wilson's advisers on Mex- 
ican matters. 

"These advisers have been secretly in- 
vestigating conditions in Mexico and 
are not to be understood as identified 
with the mission of John Lind in Mex- 
ico." — New York "Sun." 

NOT SO POOR 

Mexico City. — The Mexican Govern- 
ment is believed to have large balances 
here as a result of loans secured in Eu- 
rope. Just what these amount to is not 
known, but with the recent loan ob- 
tained in Paris, the credit balances of 
the Mexican Government in New York, 
London and Paris are believed to ex- 
ceed $20,000,000 gold, even allowing for 
the direct gold shipments to Vera Cruz. 
— New York "Evening Post." 



WHAT IS MORALITY? 

It is the feeling that you are right 
when everybody knows you are wrong. 

It is the feeling that you and your 
works are beyond criticism, removed 
from the commonplace. 

It is the feeling that everybody who 
does not conform to your standards is 
vicious. 

It is the feeling that hynotizes you 
into the belief that your mission is to 
do others good. 

It is the feeling that is shocked by 
facts and warmed by platitudes. 

It is the feeling that in His inscrut- 
able wisdom the Creator has singled 
you out as a model for others. 

It is the feeling that makes you im- 
patient of others' human frailty while 
losJ: in contemplation of your own sub- 
lime righteousness. 

It is the feeling that is so naive that 
clever men find it an effective cloak or 
0, powerful weapon. 



WHAT IS EXPEDIENCY? 

To help your neighbor when he's 
down no matter how he got there. 

To buckle down to work with things 
as they are and do your best to improve 
them. 

To be chary of criticism, to be toler- 
ant and open-minded. 

To know the facts before you pass 
judgment on them. 

To give everybody else a fair chance 
while openly helping yourself. 

To fight straight from the shoulder 
when fight is necessary. 

To play the game according to the 
rules and not to whimper when you're 
beaten. 

To assume no obligation that you 
cannot fulfill. 

To realize that there are some few 
thousands of millions of people besides 
yourself. 

To act on the knowledge that RoniQ 
was not built in a day. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 




Washinglon, D. C. — There seems to 
be trouble in diplomatic circles. It is 
not difficult to leason out the underly- 
ing cause. That "drifting" policy of the 
.•\dministration in respect to Mexico was 
predicted long ago to be one that would 
make things bad for the States as well 
as Mexico. Long ago members of the 
Senate and House of Representatives, 
who were farsighted enough to descry 
the breakers ahead, predicted trouble 
unless a real policy in conformity with 
established diplomatic usage and inter- 
national law were substituted for the 
"moral" one w'hich has sw'ayed the Ad- 
ministration in handling the Me.xican 
situation. 

As the affair has drifted along the 
rapidly moving events have brought 
other Senators and Representatives to 
see the situation in its proper light. It 
can be said that if the question of rec- 
ognition of the established government 
in Mexico could be submitted to the 
Senate and House the vote in favor 
would be cverwhel.-ning. Perhaps it is 
probable that there are few persons in 
Washington, outside tlie .Administration, 
who do not think the Mexican Govern- 
ment should be recognized. There is 
not so much open expression along this 
line, for the reason that there is a hesi- 
tation to criticize the President, but 
there is constant discussion in private 
gatherings of the subject that is fore- 
most in the pul.ilic mind. There may 
l.)c found Senators and I^eprcsentatives 
in these gatherings earnestly discussing" 
the Mexican situation and advocating 
recognition. 

One Senator, and it might be told that 
he was for a long time an upholder of 
the Administration's position — said the 
other day that he had lost patience and 
wished the matter could be brought be- 
fore the Sei'.ate and the House for final 
disposition. 

This Senator, who conies from south 
of Mason and Dixon's line, is a very 
warm friend and admirer of the Presi- 
dent, but he disagrees with him as to 
the Me.xican policy, so called. His view 
is shared by more than a majority of 
both branches of the National Legisla- 
ture. 

Several Senators an<l Representatives 
discussing privately the foreign muddle 
into which the thing had drifted, 
look the view that the lime has 
about come when the .\dminislrali(jn 
should take steps to get out of an un- 
tenable position, which would be laugh- 
able if it were not so serious. The sum 
of their opinions was that opposition to 
Hucrta should be withdrawn, that he 
may be unhampered in his efforts to 
restore peace. 'They held too. that if 
the people want Hucrta to rule they 
are entitled to have him, and it is no 
part of our duty lo interfere. 



The legislators are annoyed by the 
foreign complications growing out of 
the Administration's attitude. The 
laughter from foreign diplomatic cen- 
ters is getting on their nerves. .-V prom- 
inent Senator §aid: 

"()nly my respect for the Administra- 
tion deters me from speaking my mind 
on this Mexican situation. It is to be 
regretted we have become embroiled in 
this affair for, it seems to me, we are in 
a position we cannot continue long to 
maintain, in view of the attitude of the 
great nations which have recognized 
Mexico. I am aware that they are se- 
cretly laughing at our position. We 
ought to take steps to straighten it out 
and without delay." 

This may be said to be a fair example 
of the sentiment in Washington at 
present. Constant irritation will wear 
on the nerves of tlie most finished dip- 
lomats. Irritation is showing among 
the legislators. 



Secretary Bryan, who made a cam- 
paign tour last week in New Jersey, 
by direction of President Wilscn in the 
interest of Governor Fielder's candi- 
dacy for re-election, found the people 
alive to the Me.xican situation. In a 
speech at Camden he was discussing" 
nali nal issues, avoiding discussion of 
Mexico. 

"How about Mexico?" called out a 
half-score of men. Bryan's eyes blazed 
and his jaws set. It was plainly evi- 
dent he was angered by the queslioners. 
Shaking a linger in the direction of sev- 
eral of the questioners, the Secretary 
said: 

"If the gentlemen Vv ho asked that are 
Democrats they will trust the Demo- 
cratic party. If they are Repulilicans 
or others, I will not permit them to 
interrupt a Democratic meeting." 

It was evident to everybody that the 
very pertinent question rasped a ten- 
der spot in the Secretary's cuticle. The 
irreverent and prone to be vulgar ones 
said it had "got his goat." Strange Mr. 
Bryan should be so sensitive when asked 
by the commoners to discuss a national 
question that is in the minds of the 
whole people. What is the matter 
with the "Great Commoner?" Why so 
touchy? 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE 



HENNESSY TO INVESTIGATE? 

The rebel juntas in New York have 
lieen thrown into deep consternation. 
The rumor is persistent that John A. 
Hennessy has consented to make an in- 
vestigation of the workings of the juntas 
in connecticn with certain .American in- 
terests. It is reported that he will be- 
gin after hearing New York's "amen" at 
the burial of Tammany on Tuesday 
next. 

Members of the juntas have doubled 
their confabs with the memliers of the 
Madero family at their office in 115 
Broadway, trying to devise ways and 
means to ward off the telling blow which 
is sure to fall upon them if Hennessy 
undertakes to unearth the plots engi- 
neered to make Mexico a dependency 
of certain .\merican oil and railroad in- 
terests. 

Tlie head of the Madero family, Mr. 
Francisco Madero. and the head of the 
Pierce Oil Corporation are said to have 
held several conferences last week in 
the Waldorf-.\storia. It is not known 
whether these conferences were caused 
by the rumor of Hennessy's probable in- 
vestigation or were simply a national 
consequence of the intimate relations ex- 
isting between the Madero family and 
the Pierce Oil interests. 

However, John A. Hennessj' may be 
prevailed upon to forego for a while the 
pleasure of exposing graft and grafters 
in New York State to conduct a graft 
investigation of national and interna- 
tional scope. In that case, little hope 
is left to the rebel juntas and allies, for 
they will no longer lie able to make a 
portion of the .American public believe 
that their onl}' aim is to uphold the 
Mexican Constitution. 

It will be a close McCall, anyway. 



COLLEGE IDEALS. 

"So it seems to me that there is no 
great difference between the ideals of 
the college and the ideals of the State." 
— The President's Swarthmore speech. 

But there is a great difference be- 
tween the ideals of a man's or a mili- 
tary college — like West Point — and 
those of a young ladies' seminary. 



JAPANESE REBELS. 

Many Mexican refugees and a large number of 
Japanese were refused admission to the United 
States. It was said tliat the Mexicans were 
likely lo become public charges and that the Jap- 
anese had not made proper applicalion. An appeal 
to W^ashington for excejilion in the latter case 
will allege that the Japanese are in danger of 
dealh from the Federals for having aided the 
(■onslitulionalists.-..\merican Tress Desiiatch. 

.\ short lime ago the jingo newspapers 
were shouling that Japan and the Mexi- 
can Government were acting in cahoots. 
Now we learn that all along Japanese 
have been fighting against the Federals 
on the side of the rebels. They must have 
misunderstood lliC instructions from 
Tokio, 



Siittird,iy. Xov,-mh,-r 1. 191.1 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 



THE DANGER. 

"Public opinion in Europe, for which 
the President's doctrine possesses only 
an academic interest, recognizes the 
high ideals from which it is derived, but 
it is to be doubted if the moral indig- 
nation of a section of the American 
press against Huerta's "blood-stained 
dictatorship' springs from the same 
sources as those which inspire President 
Wilson. 

"The danger in the Mexican situation 
is that which is always found lurking 
where idealism mingles with politics. 
Idealists seem fated to stir up trouble, 
and their idealism, if only for its trans- 
parent honesty, is more deadly in its ef- 
fect if there are forces behind it, which 
are by no means idealistic, but are only 
seeking to use it to serve their own 
earthly ends.e" — London "Daily Mail." 

THE DIPLOMATIC CRISIS. 

I'lungins blindly on. without plan, 
without guide, without destination, re- 
fusing information, trying to sulistitutc 
imagination for knowledge, and fanati- 
cism for practical judgment, damning to 
increasing injury or total destruction 
our people in Mexico, sacrificing Amer- 
ican lives, vast material possessions, and 
even the national honor to satisfy his 
I ersonal notion of propriety, W'oodrow 
Wilson, with his secretary of state, has 
succeeded in precipitating upon this na- 
tion a crisis more threatening to our na- 
tional prestige, more pregnant with 
moral if not physical disaster, than any 
crisis since the V'enezuela crisis in 1895. 
when President Cleveland and Secre- 
tary Olney threatened to make war on 
the British Empire notwithstanding that 
the United States at that time did not 
have a single modern coast defence gun 
in position, did not have a single mod- 
ern fortification on 5,000 miles of coast, 
and had the merest skeleton of an army. 
The sai\ie picayunish spirit of slavish 
obedience to partisan demands as the 
demagogs of that day displayed, has re- 
cently been manifested by political 
leaders at Washington, in and out of 
Congress. The best example of the 
worst taste in this connection is fur- 
nished by Josephus Daniels, Secretary 
of the Navy, who, speaking at Indian- 
apolis, "laid down the principle that 
when the interests of the nation are at 
stake in an international controversy, 
like the present Mexican situation, the 
President's voice ought to be accepted 
by the newspapers as that of a united 
nation." 

"The rights of the whole people," said Secre- 
tary Daniels, "restrict irtdividual freedom of 
speech and freedom of the press in international 
matters, though free and unrestrained in the 
domestic or internal policies. 

"The President is at any time liable to fail to 
effect a program of peace with any nation unless 
the people— more particularly the press, through 
which their views find best expression — admit the 
principle that the President having announced a 
foreign policy, his will thereby, until congress 
acts, becomes the will of the nation. Any other 
course is necessarily disastrous to the world 
power of the American people." 

That is exactly the mistaken idea of 



patriotism that has prevailed all these 
three years in both Houses of Congress 
at Washington. Discussion of the Mex- 
ican situation has been tabooed because 
it "might tend to embarrass the .\dmin- 
istration in working out its plans." The 
suppression principle has been carried 
so far that the President has refused to 
furnish general information to the Sen- 
ate on the Senate's formal request by 
resolution. 

The El Paso "Plerald" is not bound 
by any partisan obligation that blinds it 
to the truth of the situation, or that 
crushes patriotic impulse, or that pre- 
vents it from speaking out in behalf of 
peace as well as in behalf of saving the 
naii.'iKil hoiiiir. The Administration at 
Washington, and the Congress of the 
United States, are fomenting war; they 
have lightly sacrificed the lives and 
property of our nationals abroad; with- 
out any justification they have meddled 
in the domestic affairs of a friendly 
power; they have habitually violated the 
spirit and the law of neutrality by open- 
ly taking sides for or against Mexican 
factions; by such failure to secure pro- 
tection to our nationals, and by such di- 
rect interference in Mexican domestic 
affairs, they have abdicated the first duty 
of a self respecting government, they 
have abandoned the plain path of na- 
tional duty, and they have reversed the 
honorable precedents of our whole na- 
tional existence; they have promoted in- 
ternational ill feeling, and have pro- 
voked strife; they have destroyed the 
prestige of the United States in Latin- 
America; and they have overturned the 
basis of all our international friendships 
on this continent. The indictment ap- 
plies equally to the present Administra- 
tion and Congress, and to the Talt .\d- 
ministration and the Congress that ac- 
companied it. 

Under both Administrations, the 
L'nited States has habitually meddled 
with Mexico's internal aflfairs, and has 
habitually neglected those matters le- 
gitimately coming within the scope of 
the American government's internation- 
al activity. 

Now the reckoning is coming. The 
L"nited States has tempted fate for three 
years, by consistently pursuing a wrong 
course with regard to the Mexican situ- 
ation, i'ractically every diplomatic 
move and formal declaration has served 
only to add fuel to the fires of hostile 
feeling that Washington itself originally 
created and continually fostered. The 
future bodes ill. a'nd it is the fault of 
the Washington government of the last 
three years that this is so. 

The European powers have been sin- 
gularly forbearing. Now the hand of 
the United States is to be forced. The 
most significant fact in the news of the 
last few weeks relating to Mexico is 
the attitude of England. The American 
policy is lending toward anarchy and 
chaos. .\t least it can be said that Eng- 
land has a definite and positive policy, 
while the .\nieriean . policy has been at 
all times fundamentally wrong in the- 
ory and futile in practice — either nega- 
tive or else indecisive, impudent, and 
ifisincere; impulsive, ignorant and weak; 
vaseillating, evasive and erratic; destruc- 
tive and inhtnnan. — El Paso "Herald." 



A MISSIONARY NATION. 

In Mr. Wilson's scinewhat curious 
Swarthmore speech the most curious 
passage is this; 

"But the extent of the .Vinerican con- 
quest is not what gives America distinc- 
tion in the annals of the world. It is 
the professed purpose of the eoiuiuest. 
which was to see to it that every fool 
of that land should be the home of free, 
self-governed people, who should have 
no governnienl whatever which did not 
rest upon the consent of the governed. 
1 would like to believe that all this 
hemisphere is devoted to the same sac- 
red purpose, and that nowhere can any 
government endure which is stained by 
blood or supported by anything but 
the consent of the governed." 

.\s a historian Mr. Wilson must re- 
member that the real if not the pro- 
fessed purpose of the Mexican war. 
brought on by the Democratic parly, 
was a conquest for the purpose of ex- 
tending slavery. Unkind foreign ob- 
servers might perhaps find a State or 
two in the United States where the con- 
sent of the governed means what it 
means in some republics to the south, 
the dominance of a small class. Unkind 
observers in those republics reproach 
the United States with violence and 
bloodshed, with its lynchings, its fre- 
quent homicides, its massacres of Ital- 
ians and Chinese. Possibly it might be 
well for the United States to revise its 
own morality before assuming the part, 
naturally offensive to other nations on 
this hemisphere, of radiating moral in- 
fluences on them. 

The generous feeling in Mr. Wilson's 
words is evident, but how many gov- 
ernments are not "stained by blood"? 
If no bloodstained governments are to 
endure, what an overturning, what a 
world of revolution must result! 

Mr. Wilson will remember that Dante 
punishes fraud more severely than vio- 
lence. If the boot had been on the 
other leg, might not Don Porfirio Diaz, 
instead of having to wait long for rec- 
ognition by the Hayes Administration, 
have refused to recognize an Executive 
who. as the elder Charles Francis 
.\dams wrote, "must forever bear on his 
brow the stamp of fraud for the first 
time tritnnphant in our history"? 

These remarks are made in no spirit 
of captious criticism. A college address 
is not an official policy. Mr. Wilson ex- 
presses his aspirations for the future of 
his country. .A country that should 
make it its business to mind that of 
other nations might have to find in the 
consciousness of a high ethical volun- 
teer missionary spirit recompense lor a 
pack of trouble. — New York "Sun." 



Subscribe to "MEXICO" 



MEXICO AND TAMMANY. 
(From Public f.cdger Bureau.) 
NEW VORK, Oct. 27.— United States .Sen- 
ator William E. Borah, a member of the Foreign 
Relations Committee of the Senate, who ar- 
rived here today, was asked his opinion on the 
Mexic:m situation and political situation in New 
York. He found a sort of similarity in the two. 
"The political situation in New York city 
today," he said, "would be interpreted by the 
whole world as being just as much a travesty 
on decent popular government as would the 
political conditions in Mexico. In the greatest 
(Continued on Page Ten) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 



city oi our country, a city which wields a tre- 
mendous influence throughout the whole coun- 
try, the only arguments which we can read of 
as being addressed to the voters are "Liar!' 
■Thief!' "Embezzler!" 'Corruptionist !' 'Perjurer I' 
•Judgeships bought and sold!' "Justice auctioned 
off like the drunken Consul auctioned the Dicta- 
torship from the Roman ramparts.' 

"What grim humorist Huerta must be learning 
to regard us, as we dilate on the beauty and effi- 
ciency of our way of doing business, and our 
benevolent and kindly desire to have all countries 
imitate our example. 

""Mexico is not prepared to give us a New 
York election. It takes time, it takes a higher 
civilization, it takes years and years of training 
under the most favorable advantages of self- 
government to give us a New York campaign. 
How can Mexico, Nicaragua and Guatemala and 
the less experienced republics be expected to 
reach our ideals so swiftly?" 

""What do you think of the situation with re- 
spect to Mexico?" Senator Borah was asked. 

■"I am not speaking of Me-xico alone, but gen- 
erally, when I say that as a government and as 
a nation, we are without a foreign policy," said 
Senator Borah. "I do not now refer particularly 
to the Administration, but I refer to our attitude 
as a people. Our foreign policy is nebulous, hesi- 
tating, undefined. There was a time when the 
Monroe doctrine had a definite meaning. As 
Monroe announced it, and as it was then thor- 
oughly understood, it was a wise, useful and 
definite policy. 

"■But its modern additions, and, what is worse, 
its modern possibilities, leave us in doubt, and 
every Central American country in dread. No 
one who is familiar with the situation can doubt 
for a moment that our standing with the other 
countries of this continent is greatly in peril." 



MEXICAN DIPLOMACY. 

With the best of sentiment for the 
earnest endeavors of President Wilson 
to guide the difficult matters of Mexi- 
can relations wisely, the fact must be 
faced that this country has been out- 
generaled by England and has been 
placed in that peculiarly ineffective con- 
dition that is well known in European 
statecraft as isolation. This situation is-^ 
primarily due to the fact that the doI- 
icy of the United States, as outlined_in 
the ethical standards of the Department 
of State and of the President, has de- 
prived the country of proper represen- 
tation at the Mexican capital. 

This condition of affairs has made it 
necessary for the representatives of the 
other powers to get close together in 
marking out a common line of action, 
looking, as they believe, to the best pro- 
tection of foreign interests and persons. 
England is fortunate in having at the 
seat of trouble a highly qualified minis- 
ter in the person of Sir Lionel Garden, 
whose long residence in the country has 
made him familiar with the land and 
the people, and who has been peculiarly 
effective in his relations with I^atin- 
.'\mericans at Cuba and Guatemala. 

The question is, What is the United 
States to do about it? Tlie administra- 
tion made a bid for the support of h'u- 
rope ffir its policies instead of simply 
adhering to the Monroe Doctrine and 
letting the other countries govern them- 
selves accordingly. TJic rebuff is iimr- 
tifying and the outcome is apt to be 
troublesome. Huerta has abundant sup- 
port and Europe would not synipatliize 
with intervention, even if this country 
were forced to it. — Baltiinore "Ameri- 
can." 



FROM THE CHURCH VIEWPOINT. 

Kansas City, Octolier 27. — Defense of 
Provisional President Huerta's admin- 
istration in Mexico and denial that the 
Me-xican executive had a siiare in the 
murder of former President Madero and 
Vice-President Suarez were made by 
Rev. John Howland of Guadalaj'ara, a 
missionar)', in an address before tlie an- 
nual meeting of the American board of 
commissioners for foreign missions held 
in connection with the national council 
of the Congregational churches to-day. 

Dr. Howland has lived for thirty-one 
years in Mexico as head of the College 
Internacional at Guadalajara. 

"The widespread idea that Gen. 
Huerta seized the presidency," he said, 
"or that he came in through the door 
of assassination is entirely incorrect. 
His acceptance of the provisional presi- 
dency precluded his being a candidate 
in the present election and his govern- 
ment was established and both officially 
and popularly accepted days before the 
death of President Madero. Huerta 
had nothing to gain by the death of 
Madero. 

"President Madero left the treasury 
bankrupt and revenues were immensely 
reduced by the closing of most of the 
ports of entry, the interruption of traf- 
fic and general disturbance. The hos- 
tile attitude of American authorities 
against Gen. Huerta caused the l)ankers 
who arranged a large loan to delay the 
promised payments and this has greatly 
iinpeded the pacification of the country. 
Mexico should be left alone. It is well 
able to take care of itself." — New York 
"Herald." 



It is the opinion of the Re^. Samuel Salinas, 
a Mexican and an Episcopalian clergyman, that 
the United States government is strangling Mex- 
ico. 

Mr. Salinas has been attending the General 
Convention of the Episcopal Church and has been 
.staying at No. 415 West llSth street. For 
twenty years he has been a missionary clergy- 
man in Southern Mexico, Zapata's country, but 
his travels have extended throughout the land, 
and he thinks, therefore, that he knows the views 
of representative Americans in every section. 

"'I am not a politician," said Dr. Salinas, "'but 
even clergymen have a right at times to utter 
political truths. The United States is strangling 
Mexico. When I say the United States I do not 
mean, and the people of Mexico do not mean, 
the American people. They mean the present 
government, that stands on one side and adopts 
the holier-than-thou attitude towards Mexico. 

"All factions in Mexico are against interven- 
tion," said the Rev. Samuel Salinas. "I hope to 
God there will be no intervention. It will mean 
desperate fighting and frightful chaos. We Mex- 
icans are very jealous of our national honor. If 
an American army invaded our country all classes 
and factions would unite to fight it. Under such 
conditions a general truce would be formed be- 
tween bandits and honest men, political enemies, 
social outcasts and the flower of our country to 
repel the common invader. 

"Mexico does not dislike Americans, but we 
feel doubtful of the acts of their Government 
officials."— New York "Sun." 



DO NOT WANT INTERVENTION. 

Tliat the only thing holding back peace and 
prosperity is the lack of recognition by the 
United States is the emphatic declarations uf I. 
H. (Tom) Sutton, a former Denver man, win. 
arrived Saturday fvmi Tampico on his wedding 
trip. 

"Huerta is backed up by i:vi:ry big man in 
the country," said .Sutton yesterday. "Just be- 
fore I left he negotiated a loan from the big 



ranchmen of several million dollars. That is the 
way they are showing their support of the presi- 
dent now. 

'"In spite of the warning of President Wilson 
the thinking American people are not leaving 
Mexico at all. No representative American or 
foreigner is leaving on account of the present 
conditions. They are enraged at Wa:shington. The 
Mexican people ask with wonder why it is that 
almost every American in that country is flat 
against the Washington administration. 

"And they ask why it was that when Ambas- 
sador Wilson, the one man who was familiar with 
the situation, when he advised the government 
here to recognize Huerta, he was recalled? They 
can't see why the administration takes these 
attitudes. 

""The great question that is bothering them 
down there, Me.xicans and Americans alike, is: 
Do the people of the United States want inter- 
vention? The Americans down there certainly do 
not. And if those up here want it, they wonder 
why it is. Intervention will inean a tremendous 
war, with 113,000,000 Mexicans fighting shoulder 
to shoulder against a common invading foe. 

"'Business now is simply being held up on 
account of the lack of recognition of Huerta 
by the Washington administration. This, of 
course, will force Huerta from the presidency and 
work a great injustice upon the Mexican people 
as well as upon the Americans now in Mexico 
and all other foreigners. It would be a great 
mistake now to throw Huerta out of office. He 
now has the real support of the best interests 
and is believed to be the one man who can con- 
trol the situation — or at least can do more to- 
ward controlling it than any other." — Denver 
"Republican." 



BAD ADVICE FROM GENERAL 
SHERWOOD. 

Representative Sherwood of Ohio was not so 
faithful a supporter of President Wilson's Mexico 
policy as he believed himself to be when he said 
in the House on Friday that "one of three 
courses is open to us" ; to raise the embargo on 
arms, to intervene, or to share with other na- 
tions a military protectorate over Mexico until 
a stable Government is established. 

Public opinion would not tolerate the last 
course for a moment ; to allow the exportation 
of munitions of war to Mexico would be equiv- 
alent to promoting the cause of the Constitution- 
alists and would incense the Federalists, with 
the probable result that American citizens would 
be in greater peril tlian ever — our army officers, 
by the way, have sounded the warning that if we 
allow arms to go into Mexico freely they may 
in the end be used against us ; and intervention 
should be the last resort, when no other course 
remains. 

It does not seem to occur to public men of 
a certain type that Mr. Wilson's policy of neu- 
trality between the combatants has at least an 
even chance of working out successfully and per- 
haps very soon. If the Constitutionalist cause is 
as strong as it is represented to be, and if the 
Huerta Government is stumbling to a fall, as 
many believe, the end may come as swiftly as 
the retirement of Porfirio Diaz came. At any 
rate, this seems to be no time to talk of inter- 
vention or of pouring rifles, cartridges and field 
guns into Mexico. Has it ever occurred to mil- 
itary men like General Sherwood that to the 
cost of armed intervention, that is to say, of war, 
the charges of an enormous pension list would 
have lo be added?— New York "Sun." 



NOTHING ON THEM, 
ll must be admitted thai, no matter how 
wicked and treacherous Huerta may have been, 
he has put nothing over on the constitutionalists 
in the way of bloodshed and assassination. — Hous- 
ton "Chronicle." 



Saturday, November 1, 1913 



MEXICO 



BRITISH SEE MORE DANGER. 

Think Wilson is Drifting Toward Inter- 
vention in Mexico. 

(By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless 

Telegraph to the New York 

"Times.") 

London, Tuesday, Oct. 28.— With the 
news of the Mexican elections pointing 
to Gen. Hnerta's continued control of 
affairs, the danger of the situation, ac- 
cording to the British view, has in- 
creased. 

One paper compares President Wil- 
son to Gladstone, who, "after innum- 
erable philippics on the wickedness of 
a spirited foreign policy, was driven to 
the bombardment of Alexandria and the 
addition of the Nile Valley to British 
responsibilities. Nothing is more con- 
ducive to foreign complications than the 
presence of a declared man of peace at 
ihe head of affairs. It tempts (Uher peo- 
ple to take chances and ultimately to 
cross tlie limit which no degree of na- 
tional self-restraint can allow to lie in- 
fringed." 

The eventual necessity of a recourse 
to force by the United States is also 
foreseen by "The Chronicle," which 
asks: "Will President Wilson continue 
to press for Huerta's deposition, and, if 
so, by what means? One still hesitates 
to credit him with the intention of em- 
barking on such a risky advenure as 
military intervention; yet unless fortune 
favors him or he gradually shifts his 
course, that is what he seems heading 
toward; and there are not a few resem- 
blances between the present aspect of 
things in the United States and that 
which preceded the Cubar war." 



CROWD TALKS OF MEXICO 
TROUBLE. 

.Approximately ."■ Odd persons assem- 
bled in the rain la welcome President 
Wilson on his arrival in the city for the 
re-dedication of Congress Hall. Tlie 
President was received cordially. Init 
without marked enthusiasm. 

.\ surprising feature to be noticed in 
a tour of the thronged streets iu the 
vicinity of Broad Street Station was the 
frequent discussion of the Mexican sit- 
uation to be overheard. In a period of 
ten minutes seven separate groups of 
men in the crowd were overheard talk- 
ing of Mexico, and the situation which 
confronts the federal government in its 
attitude toward the southern rcpuldic. 

The general tone of the comment was 
condemnatory toward the administra- 
tion for its apparent lack of confidence 
in the .\merican people and its failure 
to lake the public into its confidence. — 
l^hiladelphia "Evening Bulletin." 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON. D. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: The reljels in the North of Mexico 
seek to form a "new Republic," cast aside the 
country of their same race and traditions and 
traitorously give away some of its territory to 
certain American rapacity. 

The credulous public has lieen entertained 
with pretty stories long enough in regard to 
tlie aims of the separatists, but the plain truth is 
that they arc not seeking independence of the 
Northern states in any emulation of the heroes 
of LSIO and 1S21 ; they are actuated only by hate. 
IliHicst public opinion should recognize the plain 
truth of this affair in all its ugliness. 

The United States will never declare war on 
Mexico; the cost has been mathematically cal- 
culated ; they know that all their fabulous riches 
and hundreds of thousands of soldiers would not 
suffice for the subjugation of two million square 
kilometers of territory, and with all of their 
enormous power, in case of intervention, they 
would only be masters of the camps which their 
soldiers might occupy. How then to proceed '^ 
To divide the enemy, just as they did in 1.S47 — 
first aid the desire for separation of the rebels, 
then the actual separation, then — annexation. 
"History repeats itself" and the procedure in the 
case of Texas is being repeated to-day with ter- 
rible exactness, as if the spirit of some traitorous 
Elizondo, an ancestor of Madero, were guiding 
the rebel mobs in their work of infamy. 

Facts are elociuent and it is sufficient to nar- 
rate them truthfully to learn useful teaching. 
No one, not even the Maderists, can deny that 
the L'nited Slates aided Madero in every way 
against the great Porfirio Diaz, and that the 
Madero government was quite intimate at the 
White House and even went so far as to try 
tu suppress — to please Washington — the propa- 
ganda in Mexico made by the poet Manuel Ugarte 
in favor of a imion of the Latin peoples in Amer- 
ica. Nor can any one deny that the revolution 
headed by Orozco fell through because the 
.\merican authorities would not permit the 
snuiggling of arms and ammunition against Ma- 
dero, yet the same authorities are now suddenly 
incapable of stopping this traffic now that it is 
m favor of the rebels of the North and even 
the bandits in the South. 

In addition the United States fjovcnuiunl is 
using every effort to effect the triumph of the 
rebellion by refusing to recognize the legitimate 
government and trying to embarass and hinder 
Mexico at every step. No one forgets that some 
American consuls have been openly conniving 
with the rebels and thai the American warshii)S 
in the harbor of Guaymas turned their search- 
lights on the government fortification so that the 
rebels were able to make a night attack. What 
does all this mean? Simply that the LTnited 



WANTED— Bright young Mexi- 
can who speaks English, with $5,000. 
Will pay salary of $40.00 a week and 
give interest in a business that 
should net him $10,000 yearly. Will 
stand close investigation. Answer 
by letter only. W. J. D., 1476 Broad- 
way, N Y. City, Room 410. 



.States has quite decided to support the revolu- 
tion, and why? To favor the formation of a 
buffer republic an<l to end by annexing it — so 
much easier than "intervention" — quite a "policy 
of peace" indeed. 
Baltimore, Md. T. MUECAS. 



The Editor of ME.XICO. 

Dear Sir ; I have been reading your paper 
since the first number and I am so pleased with 
it that through some friends 1 have secured 
many copies which I have distributed. I found 
many that would like to subscribe. Nearly every 
business man here has interests in Mexico and 
Ihey would like to take MEXICO regularly. 
Calexico, Cal. C. R. 



Do you think Mexico is going 
to the bow-wows ? 

Well, think again. 

Mexico is all right and there is a lot 
of business done there. 

We have a fine transfer business for 
sale. 

Making money right along, revolu- 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We will give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO, IS Broad St., New York City 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, November 1, uu:! 



"MEXICO" 

I'lihlislu'd every .S;iturda\' by 

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.Managing EJitor, Tliomas O'Halloran 

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A DISTINCTION. 

In editing a publication frankly op- 
posed to the Administration's Mexican 
policy we find ourselves constantly 
drawing a mental distinction between 
President Wilson himself and those in- 
terests and individuals who are snpport- 
ing his policy though not actuated by 
his high motives and ideals. 

Whatever personal criticism may have 
been leveled at President Wilson by 
those who have questioned the wisdom 
of his methods, the fact remains that 
President Wilson is absolutely untaint- 
ed with anything approaching even sus- 
picion of his motives. These are uni- 
versally recognized as pure, sincere, ad- 
mirable and inspiring. It is in tlie very 
nature of the President to be above sor- 
did considerations. He simply could 
not be anything else. 

Against the beauty of the President's 
sentiments, the good will inspiring his 
policies, his earnest desire for peace in 
Mexico, nothing can be said in truth. 

But at this point the distinction must 
be made and the people of the United 
States must make this distinction if 
they are to understand the true, under- 
lying reason for our and others' oppo- 
sition to President Wilson's Mexican 
policy. If certain large American in- 
terests and certain American newspa- 
pers, who for reasons best known to 
themselves want control of Mexico, had 
dictated every move that President Wil- 
son has made in the Mexican matter, 
they would be no better suited than they 
are now. And it must be understood 
that they are not actuated or inspired by 
the lofty morality or the spiritual aspi- 
rations of President Wilson. 

W'liat lliey want and have wanted 
since the day that Porlirio Diaz under- 
took to free Mexico from the rapacity 
and dominance of American oil, rail- 
rtt'.d and financial interests, is control of 
Mexico, by hook or crook. By war, if 
necessary. By "moral diplomacy," if 
that serves their purpose. 

W'lien we attack President Wilson's 
Me.xican policy let it be understood by 
our readers that we are not attacking 
President Wilson, Jhe man or the Pres- 
ident. He is immiTnc to any attack. We 
arc attacking those who have with the 
most sordid, unworthy motive decided 
on the death of Mexico as a nation, who 
have applauded President Wilson's ni.)- 
ralily because it has best furthered their 
immorality. 



THE POET SPEAKS. 

Nobody can possibly object to Presi- 
dent Wilson's felicitous expression of 
sincere and beautiful principles. When 
a poet in exquisite numbers thrills us 
with the glory and the ennoblement of 
life, in our emotional satisfaction we 
may lose sight of the brutal reality of 
facts. It is the province of the poet 
to lift us above the contemplation of 
sordid reality and into the realms of 
harmony, to focus our mental gaze on 
the precious metal to the exclusion of 
the ugly ore. We expect this from the 
poet, recognize it as his mission, and 
applaud his success in sublimating" na- 
ture. We all wish we could be poets, 
but facts tug cruelly and relentlessly 
at our coat tails when we would ride 
Pegasus. 

When we want a railroad built 
across mountains and desert, when the 
world trade cries for a union of ocean 
and ocean, when the task awaits man 
to subdue and apply the dumb forces 
of nature and of other man, when dan- 
.ger stalks and the floodgates of human 
passion are unlocked, when a vortex of 
destructive forces must be leashed and 
stilled, do we call upon the poet to take 
the job? With all due respect to the 
poet, we could not, would not, trust 
him not to botch it. 

Matters in Mexico cannot be solved 
or handled by a poet. From a safe dis- 
tance a poet may interpret them to his 
own satisfaction. But when that poeti- 
cal self-satisfaction involves the des- 
tiny of at least two nations and 'mil- 
lions of human beings, it takes on a 
power of peril that cannot be exagger- 
ated. 

That is why nations do not usually 
choose poets as rulers. Why Mexico 
does not relish the most perfect poeti- 
cal phrases, while it must battle with 
the most painful matters of fact. 

It is a pity that the rhapsodical 
word, the ecstatic phrase does not reap 
its sowing of good intention. It is a 
pity that President Wilson cannot 
"think" our country and all other na- 
tions into a state of blissful, righteous 
Xirvana. That he cannot by one "good 
thought" resolve the heritage of cen- 
turies into the lily-while purity of 
dreams. 

It is a pity — but, great Scott! — wlicn 
liave we let poets handle sucli things 
before? 



It used to be the iron hand and the 
velvet glove. 

Now it is the iron heart and the vel- 
vet words. 

Mexico does not want words. 

It wants peace. 

But behind the words may lurk — who 
knows? 

Beautiful principles and ideals shot 
through with "material interests." 



SERVICE TO HUMANITY. 

Let us give President Hucrta a laii 
chance. Not to prove what's in hiir. — 
for he has already shown to the world 
aplenty of strength, courage, statesman 
ship and patriotism. He has been tra- 
duced, maligned, misrepresented, libeled, 
stung, goaded, harrassed and hampered 
by his enemies who have had the ready 
ear of the Washington Administration, 
He lias stood the acid test of adversity 
and maintained poise and dignity with 
out losing in power. But let us give 
him a chance to prove what he can do 
for Mexico. 

Is it a "square deal" when our Wash- 
ington "high officials," and a particular- 
ly virulent group of the American press, 
rail impotently at the personality and 
performance of the man as though the 
success of his program to pacify Mex- 
ico would be a bitter dose for them to 
swallow? While they profess to desire, 
and loudly demand, peaceful conditions 
across the border? 

Is it not a significant fact that all the 
nations of the world with diplomatic 
representatives in Mexico City express 
unanimous faith in President Huerta's 
ability to accomplish what the world 
wants in Mexico? That the United 
States is isolated in its suspicions and 
belittling attitude? Those foreign dip- 
lomats have had ample opportunity to 
measure the stature of the man and his 
every-day record has favorably im- 
pressed them. Can you blame them or 
blame Mexicans for seeing in our con- 
tinued antagonism either lilind perver- 
sity, studied ulterior purpose, or per- 
sonal pique. 

"Service to huinanity" is the criter- 
ion of action so ably expounded by 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan. 
Is it not possible that service to human- 
ity may take many forms? That hu- 
manity maj' be served by President 
Huerta if, whatever his real or imagined 
faults, he brings peace again to Mexico 
after three years of volcanic disorder, if 
on the foundation of that peace he or 
those who come after him may in a 
practical way solve the sociological 
problems that are clamoring for solu- 
tion? Clamoring perhaps more violent- 
ly in' Mexico than elsewhere, but to a 
certain extent in all the nations? 

Let us work out the problems of our 
"wn national life with patience and pa- 
trir)tism; deny with spirit the right of 
other countries officiously and unsym- 
pathetically to meddle here, and give 
to Mexico and all other countries our 
moral support and sympathy in their 
travail. 

Nothing can be accomplished of last- 
ing good in Mexico unless peace is first 
established. And if President Huerta 
cannot establish peace, who can? If 
the United States should undertake the 
l.isk the "stain of blood" would be a 
lake of gore. Let us give President 
Huerta a fair chance, 



UCU i"* '•" 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Inteliident Discussion of Mexican Ailairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1— NO. 12. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



THE PRESS GAME 



Whatever criticism may be made of 
the .-Vdministration's course in dealing 
with Mexico it must be acknowledged 
by all impartial observers that remark- 
able ability in playing the "press game" 
has been displayed by Washington offi- 
cials. 

Critics of Mr. Bryan have undoubted- 
ly underestimated his shrewdness. The 
manner in which news columns have 
been used to "throw out feelers"- — to 
sound public opinion — and to impress 
the Mexican officials has revealed the 
machiavellic hand of a past master in 
press-agenting. 

Take, for instance, the incident of the 
ultimatum tp the Mexican President. 
The news came through the Associated 
Press, the semi-official news agency in 
all international matters. The dispatch 
stating that an ultimatum had been pre- 
sented was couched in the most positive 
terms. It did not, however, reveal the 
source of information. 

Endeavoring to obtain official confir- 
mation or denial, Washington corre- 
spondents informed Secretary Bryan of 
its tenor the same night it was received. 
Secretary Bryan did not show any sur- 
prise and refused to either deny or con- 
firm the news, allowing this fact to be 
published everywhere and to be cabled 
back to Mexico City. As was to be ex- 
pected the news created great alarm and 
drew from all quarters expressions of 
opinions mostly adverse to the step. 

The following day Secretary Bryan de- 
nied the ultimatum. Why had he not 
done so the night before? 

It would be interesting to receive an 
explanation from Secretary Bryan him- 
self but in the absence of such expla- 
nation it must be concluded that Bryan 
had intended that the news should be 
published. 

Likewise it would be interesting to 
know exactly why the Administration 
allowed stories about intervention and 
military preparations to be published all 
over the country during several days 
and denied them only after public sen- 
timent had revealed itself strongly op- 
posed to such intervention. 



USING THE REBELS AS A 

CATSPAW 



By recognizing the belligerency of the 
Mexican rebels and giving them openly 
material and moral support, the Wash- 
ington Government may or may not 
succeed in imposing upon Mexico a gov- 
ernment of United States choice. If 
successful, however, it will not be able 
to maintain that government in power 
and permanent peace will not be re- 
stored to Mexico. 

Besides the moral aspect of a recog- 
nition of rebels and of lending support 
not only to "bona fide" rebels — and they 
are not many — but principally to numer- 
ous bands of brigands, the practical 
aspect of the question must be consid- 
ered. 

That the support found by Mexican 
rebels on this side of the Rio Grande 
has always been largely instrumental in 
preventing Mexican governments from 
crushing rebellions no one doubts. 

That this country, on the other hand, 
has the power of making unsuccessful any 
revolution in Northern Mexico was am- 
ply demonstrated at the time the Orozco 
revolution threatened the Madero Gov- 
ernment, when an effective embargo was 
placed by tlie Taft .Administration on 
arms and ammunition for the Orozco 
forces. 

But in the case of Madero it was also 
clearly demonstrated that while the 
Washington Government may have the 
PQwer of establishing in Mexico a gov- 
ernment of its own choice it cannot 
maintain that government in power. 
Madero was assisted before and after 
his assumption of power by American 
interests backed by the American Gov- 
ernment, Madero obtained all the 



money he wanted from .American bank- 
ers. 

The Orozco movement collapsed be- 
cause after the defeat inflicted by the 
government forces commanded by Gen- 
eral Huerta it could not recover by 
drawing supplies and ammunition from 
this side of the Rio Grande. 

Yet Madero was overthrown. The 
cause of his fall can be found not only 
in the fact that he failed utterly to keep 
the promises made to the people, but 
mainly in the fact that his Administra- 
tion was generally known to be subser- 
vient to special American interests. 

'1 hose rebel leaders who at this junc- 
ture would welcome American support 
are very-short-sighted if they do not re- 
alize that if successful in seizing the 
reins of power they will not be able to 
hold them because they will be consid- 
ered as puppets of American interests. 

They would find themselves con- 
fronted by the same opposition which 
confronted Madero, and brigandage and 
revolutions would persist in the future 
as tliey have in the last three years. 

The people of Mexico will never ac- 
cept the imposition of a government sub- 
servient to privileged American interests. 

If the present rebel leaders should be- 
come heads of the government they 
would be forced by public opinion to 
show themselves independent of Ameri- 
can domination. In that case, they 
would find themselves in the same pre- 
dicament in which the Huerta Govern- 
ment finds itself to-day. 

It is not here a question of defending 
the Huerta Government. It is a question 
of defending the independence of any 
(Continued on Next Page) 



2 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



THE SUPPORT OF BANDITS— 

Continued. 

Mexican government and the right of 

the Mexican people to be respected in 

their sovereignty and national integrity. 

We believe that commercial supremacj' 
of the United States in Mexico and other 
Latin-American countries is desirable 
and we are anxious to see it established 
but not by might. By right. 

It is only by respecting the sover- 
eignty of, our neighbors that we can 
hope to maintain permanently friendly 
relations with the Mexican and other 
Latin-American peoples. 

Unfortunately the attempt to establish 
a protectorate over Mexico has been 
made. Intervention in Mexico — if not 
by force of arms, by meddling in her 
domestic politics and giving support to 
rebels — is an accomplished fact. 

The Washington Administration has 
entered upon a dangerous course, one 
fraught with many dangers, the greatest 
not being that of war but that of dem- 
onstrating to the world that with us 
might counts more than right. 

As we deal with others so will they 
deal with us. 



SELFISH PERSONS. 

Mr. Frisbie. who has spent thirty-seven years 
in Me.xico, was asked who on the boat favored 
President Wilson's policy regarding Me-xico, and 
he answered : 

"Mrs. Lind. I know of nobody else." 
Not even Mr. and Mrs. William Blair Flan- 
dreau, formerly of St. Paul, who are accompany- 
ing Mrs. Lind, have a kind word to say for the 
administration's course. Mrs. Flandreau went so 
far as to say that not a foreigner in Mexico 
agreed with Wilson, all believing that he should 
have supported Huerta. Mr. Flandreau is a min- 
ing man. 

Of course Mr. Frisbie and Mr. and 
Mrs. Flandreau, as well as all other 
Americans who have expressed thesame 
views, are selfish persons who care not 
for the high moral principles involved in 
the question. Perhaps they have some 
property in Mexico, perhaps they own 
a ranch or a hacienda or a mine and 
they are so devoid of all humanitarian 
principles that they think of their cows 
and calves and of their ore. Their de- 
sire to see their property safeguarded 
reveals the depths of infamy to which 
they arc willing to go. Fortunately Sec- 
retary Bryan did not mince his words 
when he upbraided some time ago a 
committee of Americans from northern 
Mexico who had the impudence to re- 
quest from him a policy that would pre- 
vent the destruction of their interests. 
He made it clear to them that their sel- 
fish attitude could not be countenanced 
by him. He could not understand how 
anyone could be so selfish as to think of 
money. But those men were evidently 
hardened to mcrfal appeal and the Sec- 
retary's finger of scorn pointed at them 
did not have the desired cfifect. They 
could not be induced to follow Bryan's 
example in renouncing all thought of 
increased earnings. 



THE WASHINGTON MORALISTS. 

They Are Bitterly Assailed for Their Policy 
in Mexico. 
To the Editor of the New York "Tribune." 

Sir: It is plain to be seen that President Wil- 
son's Mexican policy, stripped of its occasional 
outbursts of verbiage and glittering generalities, 
is simply one of waiting and hoping that some- 
thing will happen to Huerta. The inspired press 
dispatches from Washington daily assert without 
denial that the Administration would welcome the 
overthrow of Huerta by force. An assassination 
is force, must it be gathered from these dispatches 
that if to-morrow some political enemy or fanatic 
assassinated the President of Mexico in cold blood 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan would be 
pleased? 

And they go about the country talking morality 
and spiritual aspirations, and deep and abiding 
sympathy among nations and all that sort of 
buncombe ! Their works don't gee with their 
words. Morality ! Is it morality to encourage 
every brigand and looting outlaw in Mexico by 
taking a stand against the government which is 
trying to put them down? If that's morality. 
Heaven help us ! 

Some of these days individuals who have suf- 
fered, their relatives and friends and civilized na- 
tions of the world are going to hurl ugly accusa- 
tions at those who are shaping the Mexican pol- 
icy at -Washington, concrete accusations of con- 
crete wrong that will compare with those so 
viciously and maliciously flung at President 
Huerta by some of the American newspapers. It's 
mighty serious when you know that there are hun- 
dreds who are nursing these accusations with 
reason and holding them back because they realize 
their seriousness more than the moralists at Wash- 
ington seem to. 

MORRO CASTLE PASSENGER. 
New York, Nov. 3, 1913. 



Mexico City, Oct. 27. — "El Pais," one of the 
newspapers through which the policy of the 
Huerta Administration is given to the public as 
far as the Administration desires that the public 
should be informed, has this to say to-day of 
yesterday's election : 

"All the candidates for the Presidency and Vice- 
Presidency of the republic, with the exception of 
Gen. Felix Diaz, signed a manifesto promising to 
abide by the result of the election and to support 
the present Government in case the election is 
declared void by Congress. 

"Great surprise has been caused by the news 
that the result in the districts from which definite 
reports have been received was wholly favorable 
to the Huerta-Blanquet ticket. It is the general 
opinion that Congress will nullify the result of 
this election, because, according to the Constitu- 
tion, the provisional President cannot be elected. 

"Up to now all the details have not been re- 
ceived, and it is impossible to say definitely what 
the result has been. The people have shown the 
utmost indifference toward the election. This is 
explained by three causes : 

"First — The people of Mexico are convinced that 
the great problem of the moment is the pacifica- 
tion of the country and for this purpose nobody 
but a competent military man, a man of national 
prestige, should occupy the executive seat, and 
none of the candidates satisfies this condition. 

"Second — Mexico is not yet ready for the exer- 
cise of the suffrage, and even the election of Ma- 
dero was looked on by persons of good sense as 
a joke. 

"Third — Gen. Huerta has constituted himself 
the defender of public order and the bulwark of 
society, and the revolution is considered as an 
anti-social movement." — New York "Sun." 

Some time ago the "Sun" correspon- 
dent, quoting "E! Pais." said that this 
was the only truly independent news- 
paper in Mexico City. But every time a 
Mexican newspaper expresses itself fav- 
orably to the Government it is referred 
to as a Government newspaper, as in 
this case. 



FAIRNESS— YES? 

Major Gillette, in an address at the 
Belasco Theatre in Washington, last 
week, bitterly complained that he had 
been unsuccessful in, obtaining a hear- 
ing either from President Wilson or 
from Secretary Bryan. It was known 
in advance that Major Gillette's views 
on the Me.xican question did not coin- 
cide with those of the Administration — - 
and that was sufficient to close all offi- 
cial doors to him. He met the fate of 
hundreds of other Americans who have 
tried to get evidence and opinions be- 
fore the Washington officials. 

Americans living in Mexico, personal 
representatives of the Mexican Presi- 
dent, and all other persons holding the 
opinion that the only government ex- 
isting in Mexico should be recognized 
and supported have butted against a 
stone wall of prejudice. 

On the other hand, full hearing has 
been given to all persons representing 
the rebels or interests opposed to the 
Me.xican Government. 

We learn from the daily press that 
even President Wilson made it clear to 
the newspapermen that while commun- 
ications from the rebels would not be 
received officially, some way would be 
found by which their views could be laid 
before the Administration. 

The chairman of the Committee on 
Foreign Relations of the Senate has lent 
a willing and sympathetic hearing to 
Captain Hopkins and other representa- 
tives of the mentioned rebels and inter- 
ests. All appeals from Senator Morris 
Sheppard, of Texas, have been benevo- 
lently accepted. Members of the Wash- 
ington junta have even been able to se- 
cure copies of telegrams sent to the 
Committee on Foreign Relations. 

But if an American citizen happening 
to possess opinions at variance with 
those of the Washington officials tries 
to make them known he is ostracized 
and is compelled to rent a theatre and 
give a public lecture to make himself 
heard! 

Fairness, fairness, where hast thou 
been hidden? 

And Senator Hoke Smith, one of 
President Wilson's close advisers, with- 
drew a previously offered Senate bill 
that would benefit Major Gillette. 

Personal spite! 



THE FUNDAMENTAL ERROR. 

Had the government at Washington recognized 
the government of Huerta in the beginning, as 
almost every civilized nation in the world did, 
there is little doubt that comparative peace and 
order would have been restored in Mexico by this 
time. 

President Wilson's fundamental error lay in his 
failure to understand the fact, realized by almost 
all. who know the subject intimately, that Mexico 
is not, and probably never can be, a democracy 
in the sense that the United States is a democracy. 

His mind, like the minds of others who have 
made the same mistake, has been misled by the 
resemblance in essentials of the Mexican consti- 
tution to the constitution of the United States, 
wholly unmindful of the many times demonstrated 
incapacity of the masses of the Mexican people 
to sympathize with or live according to Anglo- 
Saxon ideas of law-regulated liberty based on loyal 
obedience to the will of the majority. 

And now what are we going to do about 
wrecked and bleeding Mexico? 

We have refused to recognize any government 
there and we have announced that we will not 
recognize any government resulting from an elec- 
tion held under the dictatorship of Huerta. 

Is wholesome brigandage and bloodshed, under 
whatever pretense of patriotism, to reduce a great 
country on our own frontier to conditions of bar- 
barism? — James Creclman in the New York 
"Srealng Mail." 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



MEXICO 



WE SHOULD BE SHOCKED. 

(Herald Bureau, Legation Quarter, Pekin, Tues- 
day.) 

President Yuan Shih-kai has issued a mandate 
abolishing from Parliament the Kuo Ming Tang, 
which is the radical party. 

This action does not come as a surprise and 
is welcomed by the President's supporters as 
evidence that at last he is taking a strong stand 
to establish himself the active ruler which the 
Kuo Ming Tang originally aimed at making him. 

The excitement in political circles wU be only 
temporary if the police are restrained. 

Even the Kuo Ming Tang's supporters, includ- 
ing many American students, are accepting their 
conge as the inevitable result of the criminal ac- 
tion of the leaders in precipitating the rebellion. 

Yuan Shih-kai now completely controls Parlia- 
ment, and it is expected that very soon all out- 
standing questions will be settled and several loan 
agreements otherwise impossible of acceptance 
will be confirmed. 

This drastic action of the President was taken 
at midnight, when long proclamations were issued 
abolishing from Parliament the Kuo Ming Tang, 
which numbers more than three hundred members. 

The proclamations recouni me difficulties with 
which the government has been struggling since 
the Manchu regime and describe disasters which 
are certain to follow if parties such as the Kuo 
Ming Tang are permitted to exist. 

The Kuo Ming Tang party formerly was headed 
by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the first Provisional President 
of China, who is now in exile, but during the 
recent rebellion was required by Yuan Shih-kai 
lo dismiss its southern leaders. 

A crisis in the situation was reported last week, 
when the draft of the proposed constitution made 
the President absolutely dependent upon the Par- 
liament. Martial law is in operation in Pekin; 
the authorities are engaged in making arrests and 
summary executions, which have been numerous 
since the rebellion began, it is understood, will 
continue. Preparations are under way for the 
Elder Statesmen, who served under the Manchus, 
to resume their positions in the Cabinet. 

This is the government that President 
Wilson recognized in such mellifluous 
piirases a few months ago. It is rumored 
here in official and semi-official circles 
tliat he now contemplates sending a note 
to the Chinese Dictator telling him that 
he (Wilson) is painfully shocked and 
much distressed. It is even suggested 
that Dr. Wilson will withdraw United 
States recognition. John Bassett Moore 
has advised him that this is not possible 
according to international law. But what 
is international law to Doctor Wilson? 



THE OSTRICH POLICY 



"FAILURE," SAYS H. L. WILSON. 

Ann Arbor,, Mich., Oct. 31.— "I said at the 
beginning lliat President Wilson's foreign policy 
would not succeed and I repeat now that it will 
not succeed," said Henry Lane Wilson, former 
United States Ambassador to Mexico, to the 
Michigan State Teachers* Association to-day. 

"The nature of the country and the nature of 
its people are such that Wilson's policies can 
never make good. If this country were filled 
with Princeton graduates there might be fruitful 
ground for the President's altruistic ideals," con- 
tinued Mr. Wilson. 

He gave a minute history of his experiences in 
Mexico and made a .comprehensive outline of 
condtiions in that republic as he saw them. 

Mr. Wilson showed that he did not take sides 
as is charged against him. He said : 

"When Madero was arrested I went before 
the provisional President and asked that Madero's 
life might be spared and conditions made better 
for him in prison. I had every member of the 
Cabinet released from prison. 

"Everything that a human being could do under 
these circumstances I did. If I have ever done 
anything humanitarian in my seventeen years of 
diplomatic service, it was in Mexico during the 
recent troubles, and still I was accused of inter- 
fering with the policies of other Powers." — New 
York "Sun." 



Writing immediately upon reading 
President Wilson's Mobile speech, we 
predicted in our last number that those 
beautiful, beautiful words embodied a 
policy whicli would add to the antagon- 
ism of Latin-Americans for the United 
States. 

Already this declaration of policy has 
drawn severe criticism from Europe. It 
is too early to learn the impression cre- 
ated throughout Latin America by 
President Wilson's words. We repeat 
our prediction, however, that it will be 
one of indignation and renewed mis- 
trust. The fact is that the Latin-Amer- 
ican republics shy at the "protection" 
wliich, volis or nolis, the United States 
insists on extending to them. 

The oilers of protection have been in 
most cases translated in fact into an ag- 
gressive policy which has gained for us 
the antagonism of the people we have 
professed to protect. Latin-Americans 
would feel greatly relieved if the United 
States would not insist on protecting 
them so much. 

It is well for us to realize fully and 
acknowledge that Latin-Americans have 
invited and welcomed Eiyopean invest- 
ments as a means of defense against the 
aggressive and domineering attitude of 
the United States. 

While we have been telling them how 
much we love them and how we want to 
protect them against outside interference 
of any kind they have been tightening 
the bonds of friendship with Europeans, 
seeking protection against us. This is 
the truth and we may as well under- 
stand it. 

Our attitude has cost and is costing 
us much in trade and in friendship. 
Latin-Americans even now would wel- 
come .'\merican investments and a 
greater commercial intercourse with the 
United States if they did not fear the 
encroachment of this country upon 
their rights as sovereign people and 
our domination in their domestic aflfairs. 

Their long-e.xisting fears have been 
increased a thousandfold — in spite of the 
beautifully sounding words of President 
Wilson and Secretary Bryan — -by the 
attitude of this country toward Mexico. 

A cry of protest and warning has 
been sounded by the press of Latin 
-Vmerica against the unwarranted inter- 
ference of the Washington Administra- 
tion in Mexican domestic affairs. One 
of the most authoritative newspapers in 
South America. "La Prensa." lias reflect- 
ed the sentiment of .Argentines, declar- 
ing that President Wilson has the right 
not to recognize the President of Mex- 
ico but has not the right to interfere in 
the politics of Mexico and impose his 
own will on a free and sovereign people. 

This meddling in Mexican affairs is 
going to prove very costly to us. Euro- 
peans have already been quick in avail- 
ing themselves of the impression of dis- 
gust created by our policy to further 
their own interests throughout Latin 
.•\merica. 

But then that is expediency. 

Here is what the German press has 
to say about the announced policy: 

The Neustc-Nachrichten, being the mouthpiece 
of Pan-Germanism, speaks somewhat more vocif- 
erously than other journals, but its reasoning is 
typical of the general comment taking place in 
Germany. It says : 

"President Wilson has climbed to the summit 
of Puritanism by extending the Monroe Doctrine 
so that European capital shall henceforth be for- 
bidden to acquire concessions in Latin-America — 



that is to say, to attend to its own affairs — be- 
cause such operations violate these countries' in- 
dependence of Europe. Inasmuch as no such pro- 
hibition is imposed on North American capital. 
President Wilson's pretense amounts to colossal 
arrogance, and is aimed not only at the European 
powers, but also against the Central and South 
American republics themselves. 

"No Parliament and no Government of Argen- 
tina, Brazil, Chile, or Venezuela may henceforth 
grant to European business men the right to ex- 
ploit mines, build railways, or establish slaughter 
houses. 

"In such places as Mexico, where concessions 
have nevertheless been granted, the President of 
the United States, in the fullness of his autocratic 
power, simply annuls them. He seems to argue : 
'The Monroe Doctrine clothes men with authority 
to rule over everything that breathes in the 
Western Hemisphere. Everything tliat has come 
into existence between the Atlantic and the Pacific 
belongs to me. I am the almighty shepherd and 
pope of all the American peoples. 

"Thus the ideological Wilsonian puritanism 
mounts to the level of imperialistic delirium, to 
a megolomania, which becomes a challenge sim- 
ultaneously to both the Old and the New Worlds. 

"It is to be hoped, nevertheless, that Presi- 
dent Wilson's flights of political imagination will 
remain the vaporings of a pretentious dreamer. A 
growing hatred of the American hegemony is 
manifesting itself throughout South America. It 
has already crystalized public sentiment in favor 
of a defensive league against the Yankees. 

"The European powers are indicating, moreover, 
that in Mexico they are in no respect willing to 
submit to the naive claims to supremacy set up 
by Wilsonism. 

"America's military resources are limited. Her 
capacity to widen her influence in Latin America 
is constantly on the decline. If, therefore, the 
various antagonistic forces now at work remain 
firm, it will not prove very difficult to force Wil- 
sonism back into the confines behind which it is 
essential it should be kept, if the peoples of the 
earth are to live together, but which Wilsonism, 
in its high-browed lordliness, does not see or will 
not see." 

Another common view here of the American 
policy in Mexico is that it is conceived exclusively 
in the interests of the Standard Oil Company. 
The Berliner Morgen-Post, which is as opposite 
to the Neuste-Nachrichten politically as one pole 
to the other, says; 

"Notwithstanding that the whole world knows 
only too well that the American-Mexican conflict 
owes both its origin and its aggravation to the 
struggle of the petroleum interests to maintain 
their monopolistic position south of the Rio 
Grande, President Wilson still pretends to believe 
that the attitude of the United States is dictated 
by strictly moral motives. 

"Nobody doubts the good faith of the states- 
man and idealist now at the helm in Washington, 
but we do not think that anybody ought to stick 
his head in the sand so deep as to overlook the 
real root of the evil. This ostrich policy of 
President Wilson has brought the United States 
into an extremely precarious position." 



The National Academy of Medicine in 
Mexico City has opened a competition to 
all the doctors of the world for the cure 
of typhus. 

A prize of 15,000 pesos will be awarded 
to the person discovering the way in 
which the disease is transmitted. An- 
other prize of 15,000 pesos will be given 
to the person discovering an efficacious 
cure for tlie disease. 

All papers entered in this competition 
must be presented before May 31, 19x5. 

Subscribe to "MEXICO" 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November S, 1913 




Should the constitutionalisls become 
victors in the present struggle, I believe 
they ought to award all the border news- 
papermen with some valuable positions. 
We of Douglas should have nothing less 
than an ambassadorship. I should like 
to go to Venezuela or some such peace- 
ful country because I have learned to 
understand the Latin type and I like it. 

We of Douglas first named the rebels 
Maderists, but when the common Mexi- 
can people, used to killing from infancy, 
failed to respond with the proper spirit 
with "Viva Madero" after he was dead, 
w^e renamed them the "constitutionalists." 
After several more experiments, our 
press-agenting bringing splendid results, 
the cause had spread through the inter- 
ior, resulting in the grand meeting at 
Piedras Negras and the election of Ve- 
nustiano Carranza as leader. The cor- 
respondent at Eagle Pass christened 
them the Carranzistas after several 
weeks' delay, but Maderistas and Con- 
stitutionalists they have been to most 
of the papers ever since. 

Not only were we experts in military 
tactics — we also became advisers in in- 
ternational law. What the Constitution- 
alists ought to do and did do we 
promptly anticipated. 

For instance, was it not at our sug- 
gestion that the lands of the Cientificos 
were seized to be parceled out among 
the people? Did we not help to pass a 
sort of alien land law and declare Mex- 
ico for the Mexicans? What good did' 
it all do us, anyway, except to give us 
something to talk about, for after Gov- 
ernor Maytorena resumed his office af- 
ter several months absence in the United 
States on account of failing health, he 
promptly declared all the laws null and 
void. 

It really became a job to supply out- 
side papers with "exclusive dispatches" 
that they might head it "from our own 
staff correspondents." To do this, Mex- 
ican papers of both rebel and Federal 
sympathies were closely watched, their 
contents rewritten in English and sent 
out with the local date line. I see the 
Eagle Pass and Laredo correspondents 
are still doing this. 

As we became purveyors of war news 
we frequently stimulated trade by 
promises of "battles" and "endangering 
of .'Vmerican lives." After weeks of re- 
peated faking we had to make good our 
promises and once an original corre- 
spondent did stage a fight between 
American and Mexican soldiers. It was 
in March, when the whole country 
awaited what appeared to be the first 
pitched battle between the two coun- 
tries. An American officer was fired 
upon. His bodyguard returned the fire. 
Reserves were called out, so the papers 
stated, and many were killed and wound- 
ed. The truth of it all was that a stray 
bullet from a Mexican gun killed a 
burro, some several hundred feet from 
where the officer stood. 



Th;it this little incident did more in 
promising immediate war between the 
two countries may be remembered, for 
a commission was appointed . to inves- 
tigate the affair. Papers echoed with 
"the battle" for days afterward. 

Newspapermen were not responsible 
for all the fakes that crept out of 
IJouglass. Many of the citizens wrote 
liome, enlarging upon the details. These 
letters somehow reached the newspapers 
of their home towns and with the usual 
journalistic high lights they became 
very serious affairs. 

1 suppose we on the border would 
still be measuring our "strings" by the 
yard, but we are responsible for our 
own undoing. Bill Henry, with his re- 
port of a battle that took four days to 
materialize, and Shad with his smug- 
gling stories helped to spoil the game. 
Shad invented the idea of smuggliuL, 
ammunition across the border by at- 
taching toy balloons to each bullet. 
Woods with his killing of Obregon, the 
famous Constitutionalist general, Hayes' 
aeroplane stories in which he daily anni- 
hilated the Federal army for more than 
a month, and my human interest stor- 
ies of the cruelties perpetrated on Amer- 
icans hastened the death. The scenes 
have shifted to. other parts but the same 
methods are being used. 

If al! this talk about Mexico has done 
nothing more, it has centered attrac- 
tion on our own Southwest. That coun- 
try which has come in for publicity 
through the Mexican trouble has been 
built up by leaps and bounds within the 
past three years. 

If by our reports of the war we drove 
the Americans from Mexico, they came 
to the United States and built substan- 
tial homes in El Paso, Nogales, Douglas 
and Galveston. Population has more 
than doubled. In 1910 Douglas was a 
town of 6,000. To-day it contains near- 
ly three times that many people. 

Business has grown, too. I know of 
one large wholesale house in Galves- 
ton which was gradually going under 
when Uncle Sam came to its rescue, 
sent 15,000 soldiers down there ,who 
bought cargoes of 65-cent tan socks at 
72J/2 cents special. 

Do Americans want to stop this Mex- 
ican revolution? On the border and the 
coast, invariably, no. It has proven too 
great an advertising medium for the 
town and l)usiness. An enterprising 
Chamber of Commerce can get a wide- 
awake newspaperman any time. With 
a little originality and the invariable 
rule that should an American be impris- 
oned for making himself obnoxious in 
Mexico it's a good story, he ought to 
make pretty good money if he can run 
to the telegraph office fast enough. 



RIDING ROUGH-SHOD. 

"The Monroe Doctrine, An Obselcte 
.Shibboleth," a recently published book by 
Dr. Hiram Bingham, contains the follow- 
ing passages: 

"In i8gi we again overstepped the rules 
of international law-, and denied the right 
of one of the contestants in the civil war 
in Chile to purchase arms on the Pacific 
Coast. It has always been considered 
lawful for merchants to sell arms to all 
the world, at peace or at war. Arms 
were sold and shipped by the steamer 
"Itata." The transaction was not a guilty 
one, but one of our men-of-war chased 
the "Itata" for thousands of miles and 
finally brought her back to San Diego, 
where she was kept several months 
awaiting trial. The case against her was 
eventually dismissed, for she had com- 
mitted no breach of international law in 
the judgment of our own courts. The 
seizure of the "Itata" was the cause of 
very bitter feeling arising in Chile. Aided 
by other events which it is not neces- 
sary to go into here, it resulted in the 
"Baltimore" episode, when two of our 
sailors on shore leave were killed in the 
streets of Valparaiso. We did not like 
the dilatory tactics of Chilean law and 
procedure. We refused to respect the 
decision of the Chilean courts, and we 
issued an ultimatum which, although ex- 
tremely distasteful to Chile, forced her 
to take our view of the case. There is 
no question that the American people 
took an immense amount of satisfaction 
in riding rough-shod over Chile at that 
time, and did it without the slightest no- 
tion that we had given the Chileans 
abundant cause to feel that with us 
MIGHT meant right. In commenting 
on this episode in 1892 Professor Wool- 
sey very justly said: "* * * It means, in 
the first place, a departure from the old 
safe policy of the fathers. It means 
courting rather than avoiding foreign en- 
tanglements. It means one collision after 
another, each with its sulphurous^ war- 
cloud about it. It means the violation of 
former precedents, setting up new ones 
in their stead which may prove awkward, 
even dangerous. It will encourage ag- 
gressions upon weak neighbors. It will 
make this country hated and distrusted 
by its natural friends. It will weaken its 
commercial position on this continent, 
throwing trade into other channels 
than our own. Years must pass be- 
fore Chile can forget her bitter experi- 
ences at the hands of the United States 
and open her arms to our trade freely. 
International trade is largely based on 
sentiment." 

In subsequent issues we shall quote 
more extensively from Dr. Bingham's 
enlightening volume. The very rough- 
shod methods he condemns in our past 
Latin-American relations are to the fore 
again in President Wilson's dealings with 
Mexico, only in more flagrant forms. We 
are acting the bully and pretending dis- 
interested friendship. 



We wonder how it feels to have the 
power of committing 100,000,000 people 
to an unjust war because one man dis- 
likes another. 

A tremendous responsibility. 

* * * 

But it rests lightly on our theorists. 

* * * 
Wasn't Bryan a colonel once? 

Perhaps he wants to lead an army of 
invasion with Colquitt. 

* + =*■ 

Has all his peace talk been humbug? 

* * * 

Or just the effects of grape juice? 



Sahi'ddy. A' ikciiiIh'i- ». I'.m: 



MEXICO 



THE RELIGIOUS ELEMENT. 

Mrs. John I.ind came in for a good deal of 
criticism to-day for what is construed her ex- 
ceedingly undiplomatic act in aiding two refugee 
Deputies of the Vera Cruz Assembly to make 
their escape on board the steamship "Morro 
Castle." 

Is it possible thiat any undiplomatic 
act should be criticized in Washington 
nowadays? The criticism must have 
come from some careless official un- 
mindful of his surroundings. 

Frankly, we think that Mrs. Lind's 
undiplomatic act in aiding two Mexican 
refugees can be explained as the nat- 
ural impulse of a woman whose feel- 
ings are easily worked upon. 

But we do not think there could be 
any excuse found for Mrs. Lind's lack 
of knowledge of the most elementary 
rules of tact and propriety in boasting 
.•I the act. Nor is there any excuse pos- 
silile for the wife of a special and per- 
sonal envoy of the President of the 
United .States in making her views 
known either through the press or in 
semi-public conversations, as Mrs. Lind 
has done since her departure from Mex- 
ico. 

While on her way to New York on 
board the "Morro Castle" Mrs. Lind 
freely expressed views which were in- 
terpreted by her fellow passengers as re- 
llccting those of her iiusband. She as- 
cribed all the troubles of Mexico to the 
Catholic priests and suggested as a rem- 
edy the sending of Protestant mission- 
aries to Mexico from this country to 
"show them." 

.Since reaching this country she has 
.given interviews expressing all sorts of 
opinions which reveal in the main a 
narrow and prejudiced mind. This is 
not surprising and it is only one more 
proof of the peculiarly happy faculty 
possessed by Secretary Bryan in select- 
ing the Administration's special repre- 
sentatives in Mexico. 

"Why did you shield the two Deputies?" re- 
porters asked Mrs. Lind. 

"I believed that if captured they would he 
hanged. I knew they had not committed an 
offence for which they should pay the penalty 
of their lives. 

We should like to ask Mrs. Lind on 
what experience she based ^her belief. 
Did she see any innocent or guilty per- 
son hanged while she was in Mexico? 
.'Vnd since when has the wife of a spe- ' 
cia! envoy constituted herself judge and 
tribunal in a foreign country? 



TUPPER BOBS UP AGAIN. 

We note that the Reverend Tuppcr, 
l>. D., "special peace commissioner" of 
ihe International Peace Forum, has 
lurned up again in Tucson, .\rizona. 
Iresh from another banquet and confab 
with the Carranza bandits. Tupper is 
the remarkable "man of peace" who sug- 
gested blithely that the United States 
should arm the rebels and liandits. Of 
course to all classes of Mexicans Tup- 
Jicr has been and is a joke, but really it 
IS about time that the honest men of the 
Peace Forum should rescue him from 
Ihe crowd who have made an ass of him 
along the border, incidentally injuring 
the reputation of the Peace Forum 
and the cause of peace. 



THE DEAFNESS OF EGOTISM 



Washington, Nov. 2. — Major Cassius 
E. Gillette, an ex-oliicer of the United 
States army, who has resided in Mex- 
ico many years, made the charge in a 
public speech delivered here to-night 
that President Wilson and Secretary of 
State Bryan had decided upon a policy 
of non-recognition of the Huerta Gov- 
einnicnt for the reason that they are 
absolutely ignorant of actual conditions 
and events in the .southern reiniblic. 

Major Gillette charged further that 
the Administration officers had repeated- 
ly declined to receive information as to 
conditions in Mexico from persons well 
mformed and, failing to recognize 
Huerta, were in large part responsible 
for the state of chaos that obtains in 
the republic. Major Gillette told his au- 
dience that he had been denied access to 
the President and that he had found it 
impossible to see the Secretary of State. 
He eulogized Huerta as a patriot. 

Major Gillette was one of the twenty- 
one .'\m_ericans wlio recently signed a 
communication addressed to the Presi- 
dent protesting against the .-Administra- 
tion's Mexican policy. 

At the conclusion of his speech Major 
Gillette publicly invited the President to 
listen to another speech on the subject 
of Mexico that he will deliver in this 
city on next Sunday night. 

"I shall have the Presidential box re- 
served for Mr. Wilson," said Major Gil- 
lette, "and I hope that he will do me the 
honor of being present. The only way 
I can get my views before him is 
through public speech." 

The speaker told his audience that 
when he first came to Washington he 
called at the White House with a view 
to rliscussing Mexican affairs with Pres- 
ident Wilson. "I was told by Secretary 
Tumulty that I could not see the Presi- 
dent unless 1 presented a letter from 
the Secretary of State," said Major Gil- 
lette. "I went to the State Department. 
I found that Mr. Bryan was delivering 
Cliautauqua lectures in the West." 

Continuing. Major Gillette said: 

"The trouble with this Mexican situ- 
ation so far as the United States is con- 
cerned is that President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan do not understand con- 
ditions in Mexico. They are working 
in the dark. Huerta is 'hobbled' in his 
efforts to restore order by reason of the 
failure of this Government to recognize 
him." 

Major Gillette insisted that Huerta 
was a worthy man, well qualified to 
cope with the situation in Mexico and 
having the respect of the only classes 
in Mexico who are entitled to a voice in 
the affairs of the Government. 

"Huerta has always been loyal to the 
Government of Mexico," said Major 
Gillette. "He was loyal to Porfirio Diaz 
and to Francisco Madero. He had noth- 
ing to do with the assassination of Ma- 
dero." 

Major Gilletet declared that Madero 
was the idol of the savage peons, who, 
according to Major Gillette, were not fit 
to govern through the suffrage. "Con- 
dition? in Mexico under Madero were 
intolerable," said the speaker. "Madero 
disregarded his promises to the people 
and his relatives plundered the public 
treasury." 

Major Gillette went on to say that 
when trouble came in Mexico under 



Madero the Congress asked Madero to 
resign. Madero refused to receive rep- 
resentatives of the Congress. Accord- 
ing to Major Gillette Huerta then sent 
a Mexican army officer to Madero noti- 
fying him of the desires of the Congrcs.s. 
"Madero shot this officer dead," said 
Major Gillette, "He killed him in cold 
blood. He could have been tried and 
convicted of murder for the offence." 

Major Gillette insisted that when men 
prominent in the affairs of Mexico de- 
cided that Madero would have to relin- 
quish the Presidency Huerta raised his 
voice against the death sentence. Others 
insisted that he would be a menace to 
the Government as long as he lived. 

Major Gillette expressed doubt that 
Madero was the victim of an organized 
conspiracy and warranted the various 
versions of Madero's death. 

Discussing political conditions in 
Mexico, Major Gillette declared there 
never had been an honest election in 
Mexico and that under present condi- 
tions there never would be. He likened 
affairs in Mexico to the situation that 
obtains in many of the Southern States. 
"Take Mississippi as an example," 
said Major Gillette. "If the negroes of 
that State were permitted to follow their 
nwn devices at the ballot box Jack John- 
son would be elected Governor. The 
peons of Mexico are not as well fitted 
as the Mississippi negroes to pick out 
candidates for office." 

In eulogizing Huerta, Major Gillette 
compared the provisional President to 
Gen. Robert E. Lee. He said that he 
had heard Huerta upheld as a "traitor," 
whereas, according to the speaker, 
Huerta is a patriot. 



A CATHOLIC MISSIONARY. 

Rev. P. J. O'Reilly, a Catholic missionary of 
Austin, Tex., who is at the Planters' Hotel, last 
night said hundreds of poor and rich Mexicans 
are crossing the border line into Texas because 
they fear their country will not be in a settled 
condition for many years. 

Father O'Reilly said most of the inhabitants 
of Mexico feel the United States should give rec- 
ognition to Huerta. He said there seems to be 
little real danger of a war between the two 
countries. 

"Having recently returned from Mexico, where 
I was associated with the peons as well as the 
wealthy classes, I am in a position to know the 
country needs another Diaz and a constitutional 
form of government will not suffice," said Father 
O'Reilly. "It takes the mailed hand to rule suc- 
cessfully. Huerta is a good man, as was Am- 
bassador Wilson. This country can not afford to 
interfere in Mexico, as our neighbor is in a state 
of great unrest." 

Father O'Reilly is here visiting St. Louis 
friends. — St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 



The Mexican regular army is at pres- 
ent composed of 182 generals, 1,081 chiefs 
of battalions, 5,537 officers and 84,985 
privates, a total of 91,785 men. 

Under the Department of the Interior 
there are, besides, 10,000 rural policemen. 
4,000 city policemen and 16,200 regional 
State militia, making a total of 30,200 
men. 



The soft word and the concrete heart. 

* * ♦ 

For us, wre prefer the strgight-from- 
the-shoulder fighter. 



MEXICO 




Saturday, November 8, 1913 



Aside from the "personal" element, 
which undoubtedly has had most to do 
wi.h the strained relations between Mex- 
ico and the United States, there are other 
elements entering into the Administra- 
uon's attitude which are more or less 
iielnilous but which are brought forward 
now and then when it is deemed neces- 
sary to excuse, obfuscate or explain the 
purely personal. They are as follows: 

I.— The necessity for establishing per- 
manent peace in Mexico. 

J.— The discouragement of revolutions 
in Latin-America. 

J. — The maintenance of United States 
prestige and supremacy at all costs. 

4._The spreading of constitutional lib- 
erty in the Western Hemisphere. 

l^ermanent peace in Mexico is as de- 
sirable as permanent peace in the United 
States and among all the nations. Por- 
lirio Diaz wanted permanent peace in 
Mexico and came as near establishing it 
as any human instrument could. The 
dogs of war were unleashed by the Ma- 
dero crowd of ambitious and unscrupu- 
lous men, backed by American financial 
interests, whose continued machinations 
tQ-day are so "morally" supported by 
llic Washington Administration. 

President Huerta wants permanent 
peace in Mexico quite as much as the 
most ardent peace apostle on this side 
of the border, but finds himself ham- 
pered and hobbled by Washington's an- 
tagonism toward him and encouragement 
of his enemies. If as a consequence 
Huerta is overthrown and a puppet of the 
Washington Administration and Ameri- 
can financial interests is put in power, 
Mexico will seethe with a national revolt 
against foreign domination that ^ will 
mean nothing but ultimate armed inva- 
sion by the United States and a long and 
costly war. Mexicans would never sub- 
mit to a United States-made President. 

In the end peace might be restored, 
1)ut it will be maintained only by con- 
stant force of arms. Rebellion and brig- 
andage will lie dormant but not extinct. 
Meanwhile a nation will have been cru- 
fUy and needlessly destroyed and a tre- 
mendous and costly imperial and racial 
problem added to our own great internal 
problems. Would it not be saner, more 
just and honorable to aid the govern- 
ment of Mexico in its efforts to establish 
permanent peace while maintaining Mex- 
ican national dignity and Mexico for the 
Mexicans? 

.\s to the professed purpose of the 
Washington Administration to discour- 
age revolutions generally in Mexico and 
ail Latin— American countries, it must be 
admitted that it is a beautifully conceived 
ideal. But ideals are only valuable when 
they are translated into action. Nobody 
with the slightest knowledge of the situ- 
ation in Mexico to-day_ can deny that 
revolution, far from being discouraged 
l)y Washington's attitude, is materially 
aided. Not only does every sclieming 
politician see in it an opportunity for 
.-'mljitious revolt against the unrecog- 
nized government but actually a prem- 
•iini is set on the overthrowing of Huerta 
— the premium of United States support 
,-nd recognition. More than this — every 
I'ttcrly lawless Jesse James type of ban^ 
(lit leader feels tRat he has the sympathy 
i>f tlic Washington government, that the 
United States is his friend, and he goes 
aliout his work of pillage, blftckmail and 
rapine with the moral sanction of our en- 
lightened country. This f;».ct is too ob- 
vious to need elaboration. ' As to dis^ 



couraging revolutions in other Latin- 
American countries, do we want to dis- 
courage a revolution that would over- 
throw those really diabolical dictators of 
Guatemala and Venezuela? Are we go- 
ing to back them against the democratic 
aspirations of the great majority of the 
people in those countries? Armed revo- 
lution is the only method by which the 
people under certain circumstances can 
free themselves from intolerable condi- 
tions. But it would seem that we are for 
revolution when it serves our purposes 
and against it when it doesn't. 

"Maintenance of United States prestige 
and supremacy at all costs!" This is a 
glowing phrase and one designed to ap- 
peal to the "patriotism" of those who do 
not believe that just dealing is the high- 
est and most lasting prestige and that 
supremacy based on injustice and might 
signifies the beginning of the end for the 
Republic of the United States. With 
might we can overrule and overlord all 
the little comparatively powerless na- 
tions of Latin-America, but in the end we 
shall get back a thousandfold from the 
more powerful of them and from Europe 
and the Orient an avalanche of the very 
force we have applied. That's the law, 
and in the light of history it is the in- 
evitable result of power abused. 

Every true American wants to see the 
prestige of the United States increased 
and multiplied in all the countries to the 
south of us. The opening of the Panama 
Canal makes this almost imperative from 
the standpoint of our trade and our com- 
petition with the other great commercial 
countries of the world. But the last pos- 
sible way in which to gain prestige 
among the Latin-American countries is 
to acf the bully or the patronizing doc- 
trinaire toward them, which for a long 
time and never so much as now has been 
our unwarranted position. We are doing 
more by our Mexican policy to destroy 
American prestige in Latin-America 
than we can undo in a generation. We 
are not frank. We are not_ informed. 
We are positive in perpetuating a mis- 
take, and negative when a positive course 
would be powerful for good. 

The spreading of constitutional liberty 
in the Western Hemisphere is another of 
those self-imposed and self-satisfied 
ideals that are pernicious in practice. _As 
a generous people and a liberty-loving 
nation it is natural that we should within 
certain limits seek to influence in other 
countries of the New World the devel- 
ment of the principles of democracy. But 
we must remember that the principles of 
democracy are being applied with con- 
siderable difliculty and obstacles to pro- 
cress in our own land: that the greatest 
influence is the influence of example; that 
all peoples are not equally receptive to or 
ready for democratic government, that 
democratic forms of eovernment are one 
thing and the conditions for applying 
them another, and finally that the force- 
ful imposition of our forms and ideas on 
a people of a sovereign and independent 
nation, who either do not want them_ or 
are not readv to use them, is a crime 
atrainst something greater than "constitu- 
t^oTial liberty" — -and that is national 
liberty. 

For the honor of the United Statse, for 
our good name among the nations, for 
the future welfare of our country, let us 
cease this throwing of a glamour of fine 
words and phrases about an ugly fact. It 
would he so much finer, so much more 
Iiotieat and honorable to announce to the 



WHAT "INVASION" WOULD. 

MEAN. 

(Herald Bureau, No. 1,502 H Street, N. 
W., Washington, D. C, Friday.) 

That a force of not less than 560,000 
men would be required to furnish ade- 
quate "police" protection to foreign prop- 
erties in Mexico is the conclusion reached 
by the Army General Staff. 

This estimate is based upon a careful 
investigation made by the Army War 
College of enterprises owned and con- 
trolled by foreigners of all nationalities 
in Me.xico. The information from which 
the report of the War College has been 
compiled was gathered with great care 
from official reports of the Mexican gov- 
ernment and from other sources consid- 
ered reliable. 

In making up the list of foreign prop- 
erties that would have to be given ade- 
quate protection in case the United States 
assumed the responsibility for policing 
Mexico, none has been considered that 
did not represent an investment or cap- 
italization of at least one million dollars. 

Upon a carefully prepared map accom- 
panying its report the War College has 
indicated the location of each of the en- 
terprises — mines, water power plants, 
railways, electric railways, oil conces- 
sions, large agricultural estates and other 
concessions — that are strictly legitimate- 
ly "foreign." The map is closely dotted 
with the signs that indicate location and 
nationality of ownership of these prop- 
erties. 

American enterprises largely predomi- 
nate, but European nations are liberally 
represented. The interest of the for- 
eigner in Mexico extends from the 
northern border to the Guatemala and 
British Honduras boundaries, from the 
Gulf of Mexico to the shores of the Pa- 
cific, 

The fact that the War College has 
taken into consideration only enterprises 
representing $1,000,000 as a minimum, 
not only reveals the vast foreign invest- 
ment in Mexico, but serves to emphasize 
the magnitude of the problem of giving 
adequate protection to foreign interests 
should there be an attempt b}' the Unit- 
ed States, or the United States and other 
nations directly interested, to solve the 
Ale.xican situation by armed interven- 
tion. 

That this would mean war with a 
piactically united Mexico is admitted, 
even by those who advocate armed in- 
tervention. Some politicians talk blithe- 
ly of such a war as "easy." No mil.- 
tary expert looks upon it in that light. 
Without in the least undervaluing the 
superiority of the American soldier and 
the American army, officers of the army 
familiar with Mexico and its people are 
of the opinion that the conditions in 
that country make possible a guerilla 
warfare that would pale into compara- 
tive insignificance the historic contest 
between the British and the Boers of 
South Africa. 



That the Catholics of Mexico have ap- 
proved Huerta's course must come as a 
shock to the devout Joseph Patrick Tu- 
multy. 

Oh, but we love the people of Central 
America! 

world that we are a narrow-minded, 
stubborn, ignorant, self-glorying nation 
of brag.garts and hypocrites and that we 
don't give a hoot wdiat anybody thinks 
about it. That we don't pretend to have 
any attitude toward Mexico except one 
of intolerance and personal dislike plus 
a natural desire to gobble up all we can 
and take advantage of a neighbor in dis- 
tress. Let us cut out the hypocrisy. 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



MEXICO 



THE SITUATION IN A NUTSHELL 

President Wilson will not recognize 
the government of President Huerta al- 
thougli all other Powers have 



He has announced in advance tliat lie 
will not recognize any other government 
elected during Huerta's Presidency. 

He will not recognize any President 
in V hose favor Huerta might resign. 



He will not recognize any government 
founded on revolutionary force. 



Therefore it is not possible for Mex- 
ico to do anything to please President 
Wilson. 



He makes no suggestions, he ofTers no 
lelp, he simply scolds and goads and 
antsgonizes. 



Is it any wonder foreign governments 
with national and huge interests in 
Mexico should be appalled by the trucu- 
lent dog-in-the-manger policy of Presi- 
dent Wilson and feel called upon to 
give their moral support to the only 
government in Mexico as a buffer 
against anarchy? 



If President Wilson has any plan for 
Mexico save an absolute and complete 
overnight change in the nature of the 
country and its people nobody has an 
inkling of what it is. 



Or does he really want an excuse for 
armed intervention and territorial ag- 
j;randizement? 



LOOTERS. 

The only Mexicans who are not loyal 
to the Huerta Government are the ban- 
dits and brigands who overrun certain 
sections of the Republic and the disgrun- 
tled crowd of ex-office holders whose ac- 
tivities consist in proclaiming from the 
border and in Washington for the benefit 
of Mr. Wilson that each sacking and 
looting of a town by these numerous 
bands of brigands is a victory of patriotic 
"constitutionalists" against the usurpa- 
tion of a military dictator. The tragic 
part of it is that they have so cleverely 
misled the Washington Administration 
that the latter finds itself now in the 
strange position of professing it wants 
peace in Mexico and taking the side of 
the bandits who are causing all the trou- 
ble. 



THE MONSTER! 
"Returning from a banquet in Tlal- 
pam. President Huerta made an informal 
visit to the Country Club yesterday af- 
ternoon, displaying the genial side of 
his character. He surveyed the golf 
links, but played only one shot with a 
few friends. He piled his automobile 
full of little children for a short turn 
and sent them off rejoicing, each with 
8 peso,"— New York "Herald," Nov. g, 



THE MADERO CRIME 

(Further Extracts from the Memorial Address by American Residents of 
Mexico to the President and Congress of the United States.) 



Had Madero been set free he would 
have had a new "revolution" started fif- 
teen minutes after he could get to San 
.\iitunio. Had he been kept a prisoner 
tliere was always a menace of his es- 
cape. He could easily have been tried, 
convicted and executed for shooting in 
cold blood an officer who went to rea- 
son with him during the destructive 
liombardmenl, but every day he lived 
the greater menace he became. A lynch- 
ing is not a noble spectacle, but they oc- 
cur daily in the United States for com- 
paratively trivial causes, and in this case 
a nation's life was at stake. 

But it is argued that the Diaz regime 
had become corrupt, that grafters had 
crept in, that the "Cientificos" were rob- 
bing the people and that it was Ma- 
dero's plan to remedy it. Granting, for 
the sake of argument, that such was 
the case, we submit that during the 
same period in the United States, the 
proven graft there was greater than the 
asserted graft in Mexico, and that the 
undoubted public land and railroad graft 
there was very much greater than pos- 
sible in Mexico; and we also submit that 
Madero's remedy was colossal in its 
ghastly absurdity. It was like burning 
down the house to drive out a few rats. 
And it appears that there were "more rata 
in the bizarre new structure he erected 
in its place than in the one he burned. 

Whether his performance was a 
yhastly blunder or a crime is really un- 
impiirtant. That it was a blunder is in- 
dicated by the fact tliat he was prob- 
ably mentally unbalanced. This is the 
belief of many people. It was indicat- 
ed by a habitual sudden jumping from 
one topic to another, wholly disconnect- 
ed; by his frequent consultation of spir- 
itualistic mediums; by his giving the 
same importance to trivialties as to mat- 
ters of serious moment; by an astonish- 
ing sort of absent-minded tactlessness 
and discourtesy, and by many other 
things. 

That it was deliberately criminal is 
strongly indicated by the following par- 
tial list of his own relatives whom he 
put into office promptly on his acces- 
sion to the Presidency: 

Name Relationship 

Oustavo Mailero 

Ernesto Madero 

Alfonso Madero 

Emilio Madero 

Raul Madero 

R?.fael Hernandez Madero 

Antonio U. Hernandez 

Manuel Perez 

Jose Aguilar 

.Salvador Benavides 

Rodriguez Aguilar Campos 

Adrian Aguirre lienavides 



Juvcncio Gonzalez 
Jose Gonzalez 
Rafael Aguirre, Sr. 
Rafael Aguirre, Jr. 
Francisco Olivares 
n Ravmundo N 
Andres' Felistos 
Jesus Villareal 
\>. Marcos Benavidos 
And many otheri, 



Nepotism like that is not a normal 
accompaniment of a disinterested at- 
tempt to make Mexico a pure democ- 
racy. 

That it was a crime is further indi- 
cated by the fact that, while during his 
two years in office, nearly four hundred 
million pesos came into the Mcxicon 
Treasury, only three hundred and twen- 
ty millions can be accounted for. 
eighty millions having disappeared. 

A clue to this may possibly be af- 
forded by the fact that there is reliable 
information to the effect that Madero's 
private secretary, who had been a local 
newspaper reporter and whose only ex- 
travagance had been to the extent ot 
about fifty centavos borrowed from the 
editor about two or three times a week 
and expended for pulque and enchiladas 
in a little Mexican tienda, whereas, dur- 
ing his incumbency as private secretary 
to the President, his bill at a single 
French restaurant alone was from $.3,000 
to $4,000 a month, on a salary of $480.00 
a month, and there is no doubt that 
someone is spending lots of money dis- 
tributing Madierista misinformation in 
Washington. 

An example of Madero's irrational 
tactlessness may be cited in an address 
he made to the army officers who gave 
him a banquet about the time' of his in- 
auguration. He upbraided them for hav- 
ing remained loyal to the long-estab- 
lished government. He said that they 
should have turned and helped him, in 
other words, he thought that they 
should Iiave committed treason. * * * 

The rebels whom Madero led against 
Diaz upon capturing a town immediately 
did two things; they released all the 
criminals in jail and burned the public 
records and archives, the latter strik- 
ingly similar to the performance of the 
negro office holders of the Alabama 
.State Government in "carpet b'ag""3ays, 
of which any old resident of Montgom- 
i-rv can give the facts. * * * 



to Made 


o Position 


Brother 


Deputy and Ambassador 


Uncle 


Cabinet Minister 


Brother 


Deputy 


Brother 


General 


Brother 


Colonel 


Cousin 


Cabinet Minister 


Uncle 


Senator 


Brother- 


n-law ■ Deputy 


Cousin 


Deputy 


Cousin 


Deputy 


Cousin 


Hospital General 


Cousin 


Deputy 


Cousin 


Minister of Supreme Court 


Cousin 


Employee Dept. Pub. Works 


Cousin 


Employee Dept. Fomento 




Administrator, Puebia 




Intervener, Torreon 


Uncle w 


ife's brother Intervenor, Tampico 


Cousin 


Chief of Rurales, Coahuila 


Cousin 


Employee Monterey 




Chief ot Hacienda 


Cousin 


Administrator, Saltillo 



MEXICO 



Salurday, November 8, 1913 



NAILING THEM 



THAT S ALL. 

Some recent exhibitions of European diplomacy 
in the vicinity of Mexico City tend to make 
Americans proud of the United States brand, even 
if it has been cliaracterized in some of the Euro- 
jican capitals as "amateurish." 

(_)ne of the strange things in connectiun with 
the Mexican situation is that anybody at all wants 
to be President. It's a job any sane man would 
f.iU over himself getting away from. 

The British government may be a little cold 
toward President Wilson's Mexican policy now, 
but it will not be when it finds out more about 
it. Nobody wants to conclude that that policy 
was adopted without due consideration. That is 
not the Wilson way. 

The above are little "digs" from the 
Raleigh, N. C, "News and Observer," 
Secretarj' of the Navy Daniels' paper, 
which may be accepted as reflecting the 
.•Administration's point of view. The piti- 
ful attomp;s to defend the "ainateurish" 
diplomacy of Washington and to create 
the impression that there is something 
mighty deep and portentous in the Mex- 
ican "policy" are obvious. The Wilson 
way — that's all. 



NO CO-OPERATION PROMISED. 

Instead oi having assented to co-operate with 
the United Stales in any policy it may adopt, 
foreign nations, notably Great Britain, France 
and Germany, have merely assented to await the 
enunciation of a policy by this government be- 
fore taking further action. — News item. 

Well, well, how the news from Wash- 
ington changes from day to day! All 
newspapers had declared previously that 
the Washington Administration had re- 
ceived assurances from all European 
powers that they would abide by any 
policy adopted by this country. In 
most of th^ dope sent out from Wash- 
ington the wish is father of the tliought. 



HUFF AMUSED. 

Capf. Huff of the 'Morro Castle" was inclined 
to make light of his ship's detention at Vera 
Cruz. He said it was a tempest in a teapot, and 
tliat reading the stories in the newspapers about 
it scared him much more than the incident itself. 

He was much amused over the report that the 
Mexican gunboat "Zaragoza" had lain across liis 
bows with her guns trained on his ship. The 
"Zaragoza," he said, occupied the same position 
that night that she had all along in the harbor, 
and in no way threatened him. 

We often wonder whether present 
histor3' will ever be written from news- 
paper reports. The extent to which 
some newspapers will go to sell a few 
more copies speaks evil for the poor 
devils involved. 

Even the once reliable New York 
".Sun" published the story with this 
headline: "Mexican guns halt United 
.Slates liner with Mrs. Lind on board!" 
Tut! Ttil! roared the cannons! 



COMPLACENTLY. 

Now, even in the conversation of public men, 
one bears American intervention also spoken of 
as if it were inevitable. It is also spoken of 
complacenlly, and even such conservative Ad- 
ministration j.tipporters as Senator Bacon talk of 
the possibility of the landing of marines in Mex- 
ico. * 

It is beginning to crop out. That 
"complacently" is quite sipnificani. Wo 
liave had a faint suspicion for some 
time. 



NEVER BACKS OUT. 

The conviction apparently has settled down in 
the last Jew days over all Washington, both in 
Administration circles and at the Capitol, that 
there are only two ways out of the Mexican tan- 
gle — one is by retreating and the other is by the 
use of force or a threat of force. President Wil- 
son said only a few days ago that he never 
backed out of anything. 

The logical conclusion then is that 
there will be use of force. And this is 
precisely what we have been predicting: 
that to enforce the Administration's un- 
reasonable demands in regard to Mex- 
ico nothing short of war would avail. 

And the people of this country do not 
want war with Mexico, do not want to 
interfere in the private affairs of Mex- 
ico. The large majority is convinced 
that the Administration's blunders and 
stubbornness are drawing the country 
into a conflict for which no excuse can 
be found. 



MORALITY! 

There is a strong impression that the Presi- 
dent's new policy will embody the removal of the 
embargo on the exportation of arms to the revo- 
lutionists. The suggestion that this course may 
be pursued has revived reports that the Admin- 
istration contemplates taking sides with the Con- 
stitutional Party, and seek to end Mexico's trou- 
bles by giving Huerta's enemies such material aid 
that the Dictator will be driven from power by 
force of arms. 

What a spectacle we would offer to 
tlie world if the foregoing should prove 
to be true! The United States taking 
sides with the rebels against the estab- 
lished governrnent of a neighbor and 
lending them arms and ammunition so 
that brother could kill brother with 
more ease and expedition. 

But why be shocked even at the 
thought of such a course, since a mem- 
ber of the United States Senate, the 
Honorable Mr. Bristow, has openly 
su.ggested it, introducing into the rec- 
ords of the Senate a letter from a friend 
of his advocating the frank and open 
giving of arms to rebels and bandits? 

By the way. would that be morality or 
expediency? 



It is logical to assume that the objective of the 
President's policy will be to turn out of Mexico 
City either Huerta or the man who succeeds him. 

Good Heavens! Who then will be at 
the head of the Mexican Government? 
Or arc we to look forward to a headless 
.government? 



The solution of the Mexican problem is in the 
hands of the President of the tinited States, and 
President Wilson is insistent that the dictatorial 
government of Huerta must be overthrown.T— 
New ■york "Herald" Editorial. 

Which suggests that the Mexican 
"problem" is bigger than any one man; 
that we have a sufficiency of problems 
right here awaiting solution; and that 
nothing shows that the "overthrow" of 
Huerta would be anything but purely 
destructive. 



MORE MALICIOUS LIES. 

In their attempt to misrepresent the 
facts regarding the recent Mexican elec- 
tions, many of the newspapers have pub- 
lished an El Pasogram stating that the 
Juarez garrison had been compelled to 
vote for President Huerta to a man. 

Also that the soldiers at Eagle Pass 
had been commanded to do the same. 
We quote from the El Paso "Times," 
which cannot be accused of undue fav- 
oritism toward any Mexican Govern- 
ment: 

Election day passed off in Juarez without the 
semblance of a disturbance. 

Felix Diaz, candidate for the presidency, and 
Federico Gamboa, candidate for the Vice-Presi- 
dency, received 90 per cent, of the vote cast, which 
was light. 

An unexpected feature of the election in Juarez 
was the refusal of the garrison authorities to per- 
mit the troops to vote. Officers voted, but not a 
single soldier in the ranks wat, allowed to cast a 
ballot. 

The total number of votes in the city districts, 
officials of the town stated, will not total more 
than 300 or 400. The exact vote had not been 
learned last night by the Juarez officials, and 
will not be definitely known until Tuesday, when 
the votes will be officially counted by the city 

Juarez, almost to a man, was in favor of Presi- 
dent Huerta for president and for General Aureli- 
ano Blanquet for vice-president, but the citizens 
did not vote for them, because of Huerta's an- 
nouncement that he would not accept election. 

Judge Luis G. Martinez, of the civil court of 
Juarez, was almost unanimously elected to repre- 
sent the district of Bravos, which includes Juarez, 
in the national house of deputies. 

Eagle Pass, Tex., Oct. 26.— Victoriana Huerta 
was the overwhelming choice for president of 
Mexico in the votes cast in to-day's election at 
Piedras Negras, Mexico. 

Felix Diaz was the only rival of the provisional 
president, and he received less than 100 votes. Of 
2,:^00 votes cast. General Huerta is shown in un- 
official figures to have received more than 95 per 
cent., or 2,200. 

The day passed without material disorder. Sol- 
diers were voted first. Their officers cast their 
votes for them, asking each man his choice after 
the soldier had been told they might vote for whom 
they pleased. Without exception, so far as is 
known, the men replied "Huerta." It is probable 
that not enough precincts were opened and votes 
cast in Piedras Negras to comply with the consti- 
tutional requirements to 'make the election here 
legal. 



THE NORTH. 

In the northern States of Mexico, in which are 
centci'cd most of the intelligence and wealth of 
the country, to say nothing of foreign invest- 
ments, there is a constitutionalism which res*-s 
upon bayonets. — New York "World." 

The foreign investments in northern 
Mexico are American — almost entirely — 
and thereby may hang an interesting tale 
as to the support received by the rebels. 
As to the statement that in the northern 
States are centred most of the intelli- 
gence and wealth of Mexico will come 
as a great surprise even to the northern 
Mexicans themselves. 

While it is true that the peon is in a 
measure more advanced in norlhern 
Mexico than in some parts of the south, 
the wealth and intelligence of the coun- 
try are not centered there. States like 
\'era Cruz. Jalisco. Tabasco, Yucatan and 
Oaxaca boast of having given to Mexico 
some of its most brilliant statesmen. If 
the circulation of newspapers can tie 
taken as a criterion of intelligence ami 
culture, tlic State of V'cra Cruz ranks 
lir.st in (he number of rcaditig citizens. 

In any case, we note with interest the 
assertion of the "World" that "a consti- 
tutionalism in northern Mexico is sus- 
tained by bayonets," 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 



BRAVE HUERTA— Y EL OTRO 
HOMBRE. 

PresidLiit Wilson had the gall to send 
a message to the Mexican President that 
lie (Wilson) was "shocked" at the ar- 
rest of 110 members of the Mexican 
Chamber of Deputies, and found it im- 
possible to regard it as otherwise than 
an act of bad faith toward the United 
States. How? What duty rested upon 
the United States to guard the persons 
of the Mexican Congress from arrest? 
Suppose Hucrta had wired Wilson that 
he regarded the conviction of Gov. Sul- 
zer as an act of bad faith toward the 
republic of Mexico. Will President Wil- 
son never discontinue violating the elev- 
enth commandment, "Thou shall mind 
thy own business?" Will he never take 
a tumble to the fact that he is not the 
United States, and that if he were he 
should not further complicate the situ- 
ation in Mexico, and bring evil upon our 
countrymen there, by continuing to 
thrust his meddlesomeness into the tan- 
gle of Mexican politics? 

The intimation in the telegrams that 
"President Wilson feels that the time 
has come when he may well investigate 
the purposes inspiring those in arms 
against the Huerta government," and the 
suggestion that this will be followed by 
negotiations with Gov. Carranza, is so 
utterly and outrageously absurd that it 
is difficult to comment upon it in lan- 
guage fit to be used concerning the 
President of the United States. It needs 
no "investigation" to ascertain "the pur- 
poses of those in arms against the 
Huerta Government." From Carranza 
down to the lowest unbreeched, drunken 
soldado in his army their purposes are 
robbery, rapine and murder. For Presi- 
dent VVilson to recognize or hold com- 
munication with these bandits would be 
an unspeakable folly, and would invite 
depredations upon .\merican property 
and life which the Huerta Govern- 
ment has to a great extent thus far suc- 
ceeded in checking. 

From the meager and conflicting ac- 
counts which have come over the wires, 
the assumption of dictatorial powers by 
Huerta, and the arrest of Congressmen 
who were arranging to sell valuable 
concessions to British capitalists, was 
warranted by the exigencies of the situ- 
ation. Whether so or not, it was not 
the business of President Wilson to sit 
in judgment upon the acts of President 
Huerta. 

President Huerta is a brave soldier 
who has succeeded in preserving the 
government of the republic of Mexico 
from utter destruction, American prop- 
erty from seizure, and many Americans 
from torture and death. In doing this 
he has not been helped by the United 
States, but has been hindered by the 
strange and unwarranted action of 
President Wilson, who. in defiance of 
the laws and usages of nations, not only 
refused to recognize him as President 
de facto, but with immeasurable impu- 
dence demanded that he should not be 
a candidate for President at the com- 
ing election. 

President Hucrta is the only man in 
Mexico who has exhibited the disposi- 
tion and the ability to suppress the dis- 
orders there in the only way they can 
be suppressed — by the strong hand. It 
is the opinion of those most familiar 
with the situation that if President Wil- 
son had performed his plain duty and 



followed the example of all the powers 
of Europe by recognizing Huerta as 
provisional President months ago, 
Huerta would by this time have crushed 
the bandits and restored peace and order 
to distracted Mexico. The blood of 
Americans who have been murdered by 
Carranza's bandits cries out from the 
ground against Woodrow Wilson, whose 
egotism and whose folly contributed to 
their taking off. 

Those who think that anything Presi- 
dent Wilson may do or leave undone 
will cause Huerta to sway to the right 
or the left do not know the old warrior. 
Somehow, somewhere he has obtained 
the money to keep an army in the field, 
and he will remain the ruler of Mexico 
unless and until the voters of the repub- 
lic shall set another man in his place. 
His bold, outspoken, timely utterances, 
as reported in an Associated Press dis- 
patch published in ''The Times" of yes- 
terdaj', show the poise, courage and rug- 
ged patriotism of this veteran Mexican 
soldier, who is more nearly a Porfirio 
Diaz in times of sore trial than any man 
of his now distracted country. — Los An- 
geles "Times." 



"NOT OUR BUSINESS." 

The "\cw York Evening Post," in its 
powerful desire to approve of everything 
done at Washington in these democratic 
days, has said a good many mushy and 
muddy things, first and last, about Gen- 
eral Huerta and his government in Mex- 
ico. But last Monday it momentarily 
got down to hardpan and said this: — 

Yesterday's so-called Mexican elections 
give no promise of real relief. Even if 
there had been anything like a Constitu- 
tional vote in the states taking part, half 
the territory of the republic would not 
abide by the result. But while this gov- 
ernment is waiting, it is of the highest 
importance to have it in mind what we 
are waiting for. It is not for the emer- 
gence of a morally impeccable President 
of Mexico. It is not our business to 
teach Mexicans morals or even self-gov- 
ernment, e.xcept as we may be able to 
do so indirectly by example. All that 
we can ask is a settled government in 
Mexico, capable of uniting the country 
and of discharging all international obli- 
gations. To demand more — and even 
this minimum is, unhappily, not in sight 
— would be both futile and dangerous. 

Yet President Wilson and the fantastic 
Bryan are demanding this identical "fu- 
tile and dangerous" thing. They are 
using the power of the United States as 
a kind of school-master's ferule "to teach 
Mexicans morals." and to give instruction 
to that neighboring and independent 
country in the art of "self-government." 
Not having been able thus far to make 
their teachings effective, but only to 
stimulate sedition and promote rapine in 
Mexico, with a good deal of slaughter of 
innocent Mexicans thrown in as a side 
line, tliey now plan, according to the 
shifty Bryan, to form a European coali- 
tion against the only responsible or vis- 
ible government that Mexico has. 

Just how this proposed European coali- 
tion could convey instruction to the Mex- 
icans in morals, but it would at least 
serve the purpose of securing time for the 
Carranza and Madero bandit groups 'to 
rob and burn and murder for a while 
longer. Europe may be persuaded to 
wait for all this — although Mr. Bryan is 



the poorest authority for what the old- 
fashioned trained statesman of Europe 
will do that we know of. But when Eu- 
rope finds out, in the phrase of the 
"Post," what they are "waiting for," then 
this bubble of teaching morality and self- 
government to a foreign independent na- 
tion will burst over there, just as it al- 
ready has collapsed here as a proper or 
safe method of promoting peace and 
good-will between adjoining and inde- 
pendent countries. — Hartford (Conn.) 
"Daily Courant." 



NARROW SHOULDERS. 

The truth is that Dr. Wilson has 
taken too much upon his narrow shoul- 
ders. His policy of negation and sus- 
picion — and, not being Sir Lionel Car- 
den, we will add, ignorancc^ — -in regard 
to Mexico, has already caused an in- 
creasing disruption of order in that 
friendly and independent State, and has 
cost hundreds of Mexican lives. He 
may call this morality or what he 
pleases; but neither the law of nations 
nor good customs give him any right, 
as President of the United States, to 
take a line with a neighboring and con- 
cededly backward country whereby sedi- 
tion and rebellion, war and rapine, are 
actually encouraged and promoted as 
against the best and only existing pub- 
lic authority that that country has been 
or is able to produce. Let President 
Wilson reserve all his fancied morality 
for this country, which is strong enough 
and hopeful enough to stand it, and leave 
our weak and inferior and struggling 
neighbors in peace. A change of this 
sort on his part would combine expedi- 
ency with sound morality, and this is a 
very happy combination, even if it does 
sometimes add material security to the 
satisfactions of conscience. — Hartford 
(Conn.) "Courant." 



MORE BLUNDERING IN MEXICAN 
RELATIONS. 

Amateur diplomacy at Washington and the 
Democratic Administration's long series of blun- 
ders in dealing with the Mexican crisis have 
brought about a result foreseen and foretold by 
well-informed observers from the first. The 
other Powers, which in other I^atin-American 
crises have relied with entire security upon the 
United States to protect the interests of all for- 
eigners as well as its own citizens, have taken 
matters into their own hands. 

A German warship is already in the harbor of 
Vera Cruz and another is under orders to join 
her in Mexican waters. France has detailed a 
cruiser to the same duty. And now the British 
Government, by curtly telling us that it entirely 
approves of the course of its anti-American Min- 
ister at Mexico City, makes it clear that London 
too finds the Democratic Administration at Wash- 
ington unable to perform those duties in Latin- 
America which all other Administrations have ex- 
ercised to the entire satisfaction of everybody 
interested. 

If the other Powers do not choose to co- 
operate with us in Mexico that is their affair. 
Such concern as will be felt in the United States 
over the latest developments as regards Mexican 
affairs is purely domestic. The humiliating fea- 
ture of our position is that the Democratic Ad- 
ministration has shown itself hopelessly unable to 
deal effectively with this situation and that as 
a result our prestige as the one great American 
Power has been seriously impaired and the re- 
spect of other nations temporarily forfeited. — 
Philadelphia "Press." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 



PERSONAL SPITE. 

Sir Lionel Garden, the British Min- 
ister to Mexico, with the double author- 
ity of personal investigation and official 
position, says: "I am not sure that 
Washington understands the serious 
problem that Mexico is facing. Strictly 
speaking there is no revolution in Mex- 
ico, for revolution means an armed pro- 
test against present conditions, is in- 
spired by political ideas and possesses 
some sort of organization, with recog- 
nized leaders. Mexico, on the contrarj', 
is suflfering from social unrest, which re- 
sults in outbreaks in this and that part 
of the countrj', without any particular 
connection or anj' fixed political aim. 
Punitive methods must go hand in hand 
with remedial measures. It seems ridic- 
ulous to me that the selection of a 
strong man and a statesman is expected 
to come from such an election as it will 
be possible to hold under existing con- 
ditions." Sir Lionel speaks diplomatic- 
ally, but the position assumed by Presi- 
dent Wilson — "No Huerta! Anybody 
but Huerta!" is as ridiculous to every- 
body else as it is to Sir Lionel. There 
is only one obstacle to the immediate 
pacification of Mexico, and that is the 
stubborn, obstinate, perverse self-suffi- 
ciency of President Wilson, who refuses 
to acknowledge himself in the wrong, 
though he has been put right a thousand 
times. For whatever may happen in 
Mexico he will be solely responsible, 
and if the American, English, German, 
French and Japanese residents are sub- 
jected to heavy losses, and bring suits 
against the United States, our own Su- 
preme Court will have to decide that we 
must pay them, because of the Wilson 
bitter prejudice against Huerta. There- 
fore I urge Congress to take Mexican 
aflFairs out of the hands of Mr. Wilson. 
We shall never have peace while he 
meddles and muddles. If we are to have 
war, let us have it now, before all the 
other Powers are leagued against us. It 
will be cheaper than paj'ing damages for 
Mr. Wilson's personal spite against 
President Huerta, who has done won- 
ders and will quiet his country if Mr. 
Wilson will let him alone. — "Town Top-~ 
ics." 



MR. WILSON'S OPPORTUNITY. 

A reason why there is no force of public opin- 
ion in Mexico is that there is no public opinion 
in Me-xico. That elemental fact once grasped, 
intelligence which is without prejudice will be 
better able to understand the difficulties of the 
abler men in Mexican affairs who bear the bur- 
den of official responsibility in such a country. 
In the polling on Sunday, for the choice of a 
president, the election appears to have gone by 
default through a failure to open polls in a 
majority of the voting precincts. In precincts 
where polls were open, the vote was less than 
would be polled in any ward in any American 
city at a special election for alderman. In the 
City of Mexico, the capital of the country, where 
Mexican public opinion can be assumed to be 
moi-e active than elsewhere, less than 5,000 of 
80,000 voters voted. There is no charge of intimi- 
dation or obstruction. In fact, this sort of thing 
is not exceptional. Madero, hailed as the suc- 
cessful candidate of a ' people said to be strug- 
gling to redeem themselves from oppression, had 
a total of less than 20,000 votes. 

Huerta was elected pT-ovisional president of 
Mexico by the practically unanimous voice of 
Congress voting under Mexican constitutional 
forms. He was chosen in conformity with the 
strict letter of the Mexican law, and only because 
(a fact of which it is now time to speak freely) 



a canvass of the Congress had shown it impos- 
sible to elect Felix Diaz, then an avowed candi- 
date for the presidency, -and against whom, politi- 
cally if not personally, many elements of opposi-. 
tion had been aroused, for that reason. Huerta 
assumed office reluctantly, a fact which, to those 
conversant with it, has served as offset to the 
immense amount of blatherskiting and rhodo- 
montade we have since been compelled to hear. 
Jumpers at conclusions jumped at once to the one 
that his provisional presidency was to be but an 
interregnum between two reigns of the Diaz 
family, and that the military, and other forces of 
his administration, were to be used for the elec- 
tion and seating of Felix Diaz. Their disappoint- 
ment has not been their confounding. On finding 
the Huerta administration not more friendly to a 
Diaz candidacy than to any other, they have at- 
tributed the fact to Huerta's fear of Diaz's elec- 
tion and the defeat of his plan to have nobody 
elected. * * * 

We may, of course, refuse to recognize, diplo- 
matically, the government they ordain. Our ma- 
terial interests will suffer from such a policy, but 
we agree with Mr. Wilson's statement made at 
Mobile that material interests are not the high- 
est. Higher than anything else are the rights 
of man, among which is that of the Mexican to 
govern himself in his own way. That has been 
our traditional policy in protecting the Latin- 
American republics, and it is one from which 
we should not depart. — St. Louis "Globe-Demo- 



WILSON RESPONSIBLE. 

All who are conversant with the facts of the 
political situation in Mexico and have intelligently 
followed the momentous developments of the last 
months, which are culminating in one of the 
gravest, if not the gravest, crisis which Mexico 
has had to face, cannot fail to place a large meas- 
ure of responsibility for it all on the mistaken 
policy of President Wilson. 

The consequence of this policy have been dis- 
astrous not only to the hopes and aspirations of a 
people who are bravely struggling for the salvation 
of their country, but also to the prestige of the 
United States in Latin-America. In Mexico Pres- 
ident Wilson's policy of non-recognition, besides 
the incidental moral support which it has given 
to the rebels, has also made it impossible for the 
Mexican government to obtain the urgently needed 
foreign loan and so has prevented the Government 
from being able to carry out its pledge to end 
the revolution and to establish peaceful conditions. 

President Wilson has also made the mistake of 
trying to impose upon Mexico the standards of 
elections in this country, an impossible thing, 
which can only come through the development 
and the education of the lower orders. * • * 
There is no intimation whatever which can ration- 
ally be interpreted as an investiture of the United 
States with the right of interference with the 
domestic affairs of any of the independent nations 
in this hemisphere, whose liberties and whose in- 
dependence are as dear and as sacred to them as 
are its liberties and independence to the United 
States.— T. M. P. C. in Philadelphia "Public Led- 
ger." 



REFUSAL NO POLICY. 

Affairs in Mexico are placing upon 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan 
a responsil)ility that neither is fitted to 
meet cither by training or by tempera- 
ment. That they both realize this fact is 
evident from their having shirked the 
responsibility until forced b}' the repre- 
sentations of foreign governments to 
take some definite stand in the matter. 
Under the circumstances they can hardly 
be blamed for having delayed as long as 
possible in the hope that somehow or 
other there might be a turn for the bet- 
ter in the situation. The Lind mission, 



obviously destined to failure from the 
start, at least served its purpose in quiet- 
ing for the time being the friendly 
powers who have shown every disposi- 
tion to accept our leadership if we will 
only really lead. Now for a second time 
the Administration is forced by foreign 
pressure to perform the duty imposed 
upon it by the Monroe Doctrine and de- 
cide upon some definite policy. Mere re- 
fusal to recognize Huerta is not such a 
policy. The idealistic declarations of the 
President in recent addresses do not con- 
stitute such a policy. It is to be hoped 
that the promised statement now in 
course of preparation may at last meet 
existing conditions squarely, as continued 
delay is likely to prove dangerous — 
Bridgeport (Conn.) "Daily Standard." 



WAR MUST BE AVOIDED. 

A representative of the "Press" called 
on Rabbi J. Leonard Levy this morning 
to request an interview on the subject 
of Me.xico from the viewpoint of the 
Peace Party in the United States. The 
rabbi is the founder of the local move- 
ment for international peace and is a 
prominent figure in the world of ^e 
peacemakers, being the vice-president of 
the Universal Peace Union and a mem- 
ber of the executive committee of the 
Pennsylvania Peace and Arbitration So- 
city. 

"Do you not believe that war with 
Mexico is unavoidable?" asked the 
"Press" reporter. "Not only do I think 
that it is avoidable," said the divine, 
"but I think that it must be avoided at 
all costs. Nothing has happened in 
Mexico to warrant any interference in 
her affairs by our nation; that is to say 
armed interference. The Mexican peo- 
ple are quite able to look after them- 
selves without the advice of the LTnited 
States, and certainly without the sug- 
gestions of a bloodthirsty character em- 
anating from the realms of financiers 
of a brutally selfish order or from vast 
landowners who are citizens of the 
United States who wish to involve a 
whose nation in cruel war for the pro- 
tection of their private interests."- — 
Pittsburgh "Press." 



MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS. 

.Another point will occur as important : The 
President says we shall not seek any further ter- 
ritory by conquest. This does not mean that an 
armed invasion of Mexico would not result even- 
tually in annexation. Intent is one thing, but 
the outcome and consequences of an act may be 
very different.. One 'may suggest an intervention 
solely in the interest of freedom and morality, 
and with a view to an early restoration of power 
to the Mexican people, but any such possibility 
must be surveyed with grave concern. To sub- 
due Mexico and erect a governmental structure 
that would endure independently of props main- 
tained by the L^nited States, is far easier said 
tlian done. Excellent as is the tone and diction 
of the Mobile speech, it should blind no American 
to the untold cost and dangers of any such excur- 
sion, however lofty its purpose. Whether we re- 
gard ourselves in the light of an evangel among 
our Southern neighbors, or as an international 
policeman, we cannot afford to divest ourselves 
rashly of that virtue regarded by President Wash- 
ington as cardinal with us, that represented by 
the happy art of minding our own business. — 
Springfield (Mass.) "Union." 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



MEXICO 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

We have received an interesting con- 
fidential letter from a noted peace advo- 
cate, who has asked us to withhold his 
name. He says that he has been inter- 
ester in our argument favoring recogni- 
tion of the Huerta Government as the 
one course to bring about peace in Mex- 
ico and prevent war with Mexico. He 
questions whether such recognition will 
be granted and then goes on to say: 

Beyond all doubt the Administration desires 
peace, but it must bring joy to the jingo press 
to note the unmistakable drift of events in the 
opposite direction. However, there are news- 
papers, such as the New York "Post," which 
(although this particular paper is partial to the 
business interests) are sincere advocates of peace. 
If such papers could be made to see the drift 
of events, no doubt they would be willing to 
devote space to setting forth a just recital of 
the news. For example, the elections held Sun- 
day in Mexico passed off in most orderly manner. 
There was an entire absence of lawlessness, or 
rioting, or bloodshed. Due credit should be 
given for this, and if presented properly, it 
would influence public sentiment. 

The press almost universally refers to the situ- 
ation as "the crisis in Mexico." This is to me 
an entirely erroneous point of view. Small rebel- 
lions have existed for three years. No crisis 
exists. It is unreasonable to expect that order 
throughout the country may be established im- 
mediately or on short notice. The passions that 
have been aroused must run their course like a 
fever. This point presented properly should allay 
the excitement that is beginning to manifest itself 
on the part of the American public, and would 
gain time, which is what our southern neighbor 
needs, in which to work out her problems. 

The idea, advanced by some of the newspapers, 
of sending so-called legation guards to Mexico 
should also be placed in its true light. To me, 
a student of the character of the Mexican people, 
their pride will not brook the landing of even 
one armed foreigner on Mexican soil. Such an 
attempt would mean war, and I find it difficult 
to believe that any intelligent newspaper could 
advance such a proposition otherwise than mal- 
iciously. Certainly if it does not show malice, it 
shows unpardonable ignorance. Let those who 
wish for war, advocate the sending of legation 
guards, for it is a certain and a speedy way to 
bring it on. 

Another fetish of the press is that the Huerta 
Government is tottering. How long may a gov- 
ernment continue to totter, and still exercise 
such control as was shown during the elections 
of Sunday? The false claim of the rebels that 
they had taken Monterrey was published in large 
headlines by the cosmopolitan newspapers, the 
denial from authentic sources was published in 
small type on the inside page. 1 fail to see 
how the capture and looting of this important city 
by the bandits of the north would fit in with 
America's desire for peace with Mexico and for 
peace in Mexico. 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON. D. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I just read a copy of your weekly, 
MEXICO, and was very gladly surprised to find 
truth and justice in every one of its articles. 

In three years personal experience in the U. S., 
I have found out how little U. S. people in gen- 
eral know about Mexican affairs, and how ut- 
terly they are misled on this particular point by 
most of their leaders, such as newspaper editors, 
public speakers, writers, moving-picture man- 
agers, etc. 

I just came back from my vacation trip to 
Guadalajara, Mex., and can assure you that the 
feeling of all the good, sensible Mexicans agree 
with your words. 

I can not help congratulating you for your 
"square dealing" with Mexican affairs and con- 
ditions. It assures me once more than the U. S. 
people are not to be blamed for what they judge 
and feel about Mexico, because if they were only 
told the bare truth in a fair way, they would un- 
doubtedly display the principle of justice which 
they have so deeply rooted in their hearts. 

I am enclosing $1.00, price of the subscription 
for six months. 

Sincerely, 
JOSE AGUILAR FIGUEROA, 
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis. 



The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: That the Carrancistas are really in 
favQr of intervention there is not much doubt. 
They disguise their desire for direct aid from 
the United States by saying that they are only 
seeking recognition of belligerent rights, or at 
least so says Manuel Perez Romero. (Mr. Ro- 
mero is the brother-in-law of the late Francisco 
Madero and in addition to fraudulent credentials 
as Congressman was favored by a railway con- 
cession and several other snaps.) 

But in international law the recognition of the 
belligerency of an insurgent signifies a sort of 
tacit support, a directly hostile act toward the 
government against which the insurrection is di- 
rected, so that what the Carrancistas are asking 
for, is that the United States commit an act of 
hostility against Mexico, which country would 
then have no other dignified course to pursue 
other than breaking off all relations with Wash- 
ington. 

In support of this contention, it will be remem- 
bered that the United States was careful about 
recognizing the belligerency of the Cubans 
against Spain, even though they eventually went 
to war with that country. The Republic of Col- 
umbia, even after six years, is not satisfied for 
the injustice of the recognition of the handful of 
rebels who improvised the Republic of Panama 
and mutilated the integrity of Columbian terri- 
tory, and so Mexico could not consider the recog- 
nition of any of the revolutionary leaders except 
in the light of an openly hostile act. 



WANTED— Bright young Mexi- 
can who speaks English, with $5,000. 
Will pay salary of $40.00 a week and 
give interest in a business that 
should net him $10,000 yearly. Will 
stand close investigation. Answer 
by letter only. W. J. D., 1476 Broad- 
way, N. y. City, Room 410. 



The Carrancistas do not hesitate in favoring in- 
tervention, with the hope that the United States, 
,-.fter a long and costly war, will deliver the gov- 
ernment of the country over to Carranza, rein- 
stall Earnest Madero and the rest of the family 
in positions of trust, etc. Thus Carranza and 
the new Madero party seek to enter the city of 
Mexico in triumph, even though they are pre- 
ceded by foreign soldiers. 

But President Wilson has refused to recognize 
General Huerta because his government sprung 
from an act of violence, and supposing for a 
moment that the Carranza rebellion should finally 
triumph, could Mr. Wilson consistently recognize 
the ensuing government which would also em- 
enate from violence? Truly an embarassing posi- 
tion for the President of the United States. 

C. METUSA. 
Baltimore, Md. 



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sale. 

Making money right along, revolu- 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We will give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO, 15 Broad St., New York City 



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Beginning with 

number 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 8, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'llalloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $2.00 

TO ADVERTISERS: 

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SERVICE 

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"A RUN ON THE BANK." 

The words send a shiver of dread 
through every banker. He realizes the 
tremendous pov*'er of ignorance and 
panic. The strongest institution in the 
world is at the mercy of these forces. 
It is a crime to bring them to life. It is 
a greater crime to use them purposely, 
through a spirit of revenge, to destroy 
an institution that is solvent. The man 
who starts a "run on a bank" to de- 
stroy a banker is worse than a mur- 
derer. 

Mexico, a country of tremendous 
wealth and resources, is inherently sol- 
vent. True, internal dissensions have 
embarrassed her .but the Washington 
Administration has taken advantage of 
this condition to start a "run on the 
bank," to destroy an individual it does 
not like, in reality to destroy a neigh- 
boring nation. 

We have said that a man who deliber- 
ately starts a run on a bank is worse 
than a murderer. He is diabolical. 
Draw your own conclusion as to what 
the civilized world may think of a 
Washington Administration which docs 
the same thing. 

The more one delves into the words, 
the motives and the actions of the men 
who are shaping the Administration's 
Mexican policy the more hypocritically 
impossible they appear. 



LIBERTY OR LICENSE? 

We would like to ask our idealistic 
autocrats in Washington if they have 
•been or are in sympathy with the I. W. 
\V., with syndicalism, with the rioters of 
Lawrence and Paterson, N. J., with dy- 
namiters of the McNamara stamp, with 
llic gangsters of New York, with the 
negroes who ravish in the South, the 
bad men of the _West, the yeggmen of 
the East, the Black Hand and the 
Mafia? All these organizations, move- 
ments and men seek the kind of lib- 
erty that the Adminisration yearns to 
see in Mexico, and by the same violent 
methods. 



Fortunately for the United States, the 
hand of the law is strong and the great 
mass of the people are law-abiding, 
blessed with more peaceful history and 
traditions than the unfortunate people 
of Mexico. It is comparatively easy to 
hold the violent outbreaks here in check 
and scattered. But were circumstances 
different, were conditions such as they 
are in Mexico, would the Administration 
attempt to deal with them by "moral 
suasion"? We wonder what President 
Wilson would do if he were ruler of 
Mexico to-day. If he had the nerve he 
would rule by force to put down vio- 
lence and disorder, and with peace re- 
stored, seek to get at the root of the 
evil. Precisely what President Huerta 
purposes to do. Precisely what Presi- 
dent Wilson will have to do at the sac- 
rifice of thousands of American lives and 
millions, possibly billions of dollars, if 
he follows his present intolerant, an- 
tagonistic attitude toward the govern- 
ment of Mexico. 



LEST WE FORGET. 
"Get rid of Huerta." 

* * » 

The Administration's "policy" in the 
last analysis. 

* * * 

A personal policy. 

* * * 

Which may lead to the death of thou- 
sands of American young men. 

* * * 

Because two Mexicans, Madero and 
Suarez, were killed. 

* * * 

Were they worth one American life? 

* * * 

Peace has been delayed by this "pol- 
icy." 

* * * 

Hundreds of lives and millions in 
property have paid for this "policy." 

* * * 

Is that morality, expediency, or just 
plain hypocrisy? 

"Be sure you're right — then go ahead" 
has been translated into "Go ahead and 
then try to convince yourself you are 
right." 

If Huerta is "eliminated" what then? 

* * * 

Chaos, anarchy and United States in- 
tervention. 

Which means WAR. 

* * » 

So it's war or Huerta, one way or the 
other. 

* ♦ * 

A war of Personal Grudge and 
Grouch. 

Our foreign friends and enemies could 
wish us no worse luck. 

* * » 

Japan, for instance — quick to take ad- 
vantage. 



England and Germany, whose pres- 
tige in Latin America would increase as 
Latin-America fear of us proved justi- 
fied. 

There are also some embarrassing 
matters in reference to the Panama Ca- 
nal that would be pressed for settlement. 

A nice kettle of trouble for a peace- 
ful nation. 

All because — 

* * * 

Have you anything against Huerta? 

Have you any feeling that Mexico 
should not govern herself? 

Have you any quarrel with the Mexi- 
can people? 

* * * 

Then why war? 

* * * 

Because certain Big Interests want it 
and an amateurish Administration has 
played into their hands. 

Talking morality. 

Dreaming dreams. 

Acting vindictively. 

And committing 100,000,000 people. 



THREE OF A KIND. 

"My dear!" and "My gracious!" the rev- 
erend cried. 

"They threw out Madero and were glad 
when he died — 

"And turned down me oil friends," he 
added aside. 

Three heads drooped in sorrow, ex- 
pressed or implied, 

Of Wilson and Bryan and Hale. 

"They tell me that Huerta drinks 

brandy and such, 
"And not only that but awfully much. 
"I cannot abide the demon rum's 

clutch" — 
The Commoner spoke in tones that 

would touch 

Wilson and Bryan and Hale. 

"Never, no, never, will I clasp the fist 
"Of one whom no Y. M. C. A. would 

enlist. 
"I'll slap him as hard as I can on the 

wrist. 
"Good night, my dear friends, the class 

is dismissed" — 

Wilson to Bryan and Hale. 



Those newspapers in this country 
which profess to be profoundly shocked 
at Mexican elections as held Sunday be- 
fore last may do well to reflect that both 
under Diaz and under Madero there 
wire many deputies who had never been 
in the districts they were supposed to 
irprescnt in Congress and some of them 
did not even know where their districts 
were. 



uci- 10 iyi3 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly. — Oriental Proverb 



VOL. I— No. 13 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



Anybody under the delusion that the Administration's Mexican policy is supported by a united 
press and people, should read the expressions of public opinion we publish this week. — The Editor. 



THE CRIME OF ARMING 

BANDITS 



Most amazing of the latest develop- 
ments in the so-called "Mexican situa- 
tion" is the pressure brought to bear on 
President Wilson in favor of his lifting 
the embargo on arms for the Mexican 
rebels and the open advocacy of such a 
course by some editors and public men. 

Not less amazing is the fact that the 
opposition to lifting the embargo has 
been based in most cases on considera- 
tions of a material character and not on 
consideration of the moral principle in- 
volved in the proposed course. It must 
be conceded, however, that two influen- 
tial New York newspapers, the "Evening 
Mail" and the "Sun"- — particularly the 
former — have strongly opposed the lift- 
ing of the embargo, on moral principles. 

It is also most gratifying to notice 
that President Wilson, despite reports to 
the contrary, has until now resisted all 
attempts to induce him to let arms and 
ammunition enter into Mexico freely 

Nevertheless in many newspapers a 
compaign — by whom inspired we know 
not — is being conducted to force the 
President to change his mind. 

That lifting the embargo on arms 
and ammunition for the rebels would be 
a crime against humanity and civilization 
and would be neither moral nor expe- 
dient we can easily demonstrate. Only 
persons unacquainted with conditions as 
they exist in Me.xico — or those beyond 
the pale of civilization — could fail to 
realize the strength of our contention. 

Let us leave aside for the moment the 
argument advanced against the proposed 
measure by military men: namely, that 
those arms and munitions of war might 
eventually be used by the Mexicans 
against .\mericans. 

Let us consider the lack of morality 
and expediency in the proposed course, 
viewed in the light of social and political 
conditions in Me.xico. 



MORALITY. 

It is sufficient to have even a slight 
knowledge and understanding of events 
as they have occurred since the fall of 
Porfirio Diaz to realize fully the moral 
principles involved in allowing rebels 
and bandits to receive arms freely from 
this country. 

We did not intend to touch upon these 
events because they are too revolting 
even to be mentioned under ordinary 
circumstances, but since efforts are being 
made by part of the press and even by 
some of our Democratic statesmen to 
create a sentiment favorable to letting 
the so-called rebels get arms and ammu- 
nition freely in this country we find it 
absolutely necessary to relate a few of 
the incidents even though this is repug- 
nant to us. 

The Covadonga incident, which has 
been forgotten until a few days ago when 
the news came that after nearly three 
years justice had finally been meted out 
to the guilty persons, is typical of many 
others that have occurred since. 

At Covadonga a band of Maderist 
rebels attacked a factory and, after kill- 
ing many of the workmen and assault- 
ing several of the working-girls, reached 
the apartment of a German foreman. 
They found him with his wife in his 
bed-room, tied him up at the foot of the 
bed, with his face toward the bed, and 
more than twenty rebels surrounded by 
their laughing and jeering fellows 
assaulted the wife before the eyes of the 
powerless husband. 

Then they killed her and with diabol- 
ical glee they outraged even the corpse 
with other bestial indignities. 

The husband saw it all until they killed 
him. too. 

The capture of Sombrerete was wit- 
nessed by a reporter of one of the Mex- 
ico City newspapers, who had joined the 



rebels in order to get his news first 
hand- This is what the reporter saw: 
A band of a hundred rebels entered the 
house of a well-to-do inhabitant. They 
demanded money and he gave them all 
he had. They helped themselves, besides, 
to all objects of any value that were 
around. The wife and daughter — 
a young girl about fifteen years old — 
were taken to one of the bed-rooms and 
{ilthough the}' had both fainted they 
were outraged by more than thirty 
rebels while the husband and father 
— gagged — was held and forced to look 
on by their companions. The reporter 
protested and entreated the drunken men 
to stop the horror. He was threatened 
and forced to keep quiet. One of the 
assaulting rebels finally discovered that 
the wife was dead. The horror stopped 
when the husband had been killed. The 
daughter was left there in a comatose 
condition. The reporter made his way 
out of the town and returned to Mex- 
ico City. 

Instances like these have been fre- 
quent. Not scores but hundreds of girls, 
some of them belonging to good fam- 
ilies, have been outraged in this man- 
ner. Often the rebels belonging to 
bands after living for several weeks in 
the woods refuse to continue in the 
ranks unless women are provided for 
them. The leader will then approach an 
unprotected village and send a messen- 
ger to the men of the village to send all 
their women irrespective of age to their 
camp- The messenger serves notice 
that if the order is not complied with 
immediately the village will be razed to 
the ground and all the men killed. 
W^henever the men of the village at- 
tempt resistance the threat is carried 
out. In some cases no resistance is 
even attempted and all the women 
irrespective of age are sent to the rebel 
camp. Some of the women are sent 
back after they have served the purpose, 
others are carried away into the moun- 
tains. 

This may sound exaggerated but 
it is not. In fact, it is impossible 
for us to describe completely the hor- 
rors to which peaceful Mexicans have 
been subjected by bands of self-styled 
rebels. We do not mention here in 
detail the work of pillage and looting 
perpetrated daily by these men be- 
cause much has been published in the 
daily press about this. We wish, how- 
ever, to call again attention to the fact 
that besides Mexicans themselves many 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



THE CRIME OF ARMING BANDITS-Continued 



Americans and other foreigners have 
been victims of this work and that to 
allow the rebels to buy freely arms and 
ammunition in this country would be 
giving them further means to destroy 
the lives and property of those Ameri- 
cans and foreigners left in Mexico, to 
say nothing, of course, of the lives and 
property of peaceful Mexicans. 

The numerous bands of brigands op- 
erating in the northern states under the 
name of rebels, the very men responsi- 
ble for the outrages mentioned, would 
benefit bj' the lifting of the embargo. 
Those men would be encouraged by this 
country to continue their infamous 
work. A recrudescence of loot and ra- 
pine would be the immediate conse- 
quence of the order. 

If there were no other proof of the 
terror which those bandits under the ■ 
name of rebels have spread through- 
out Mexico, the fact that tue Federals 
are hailed wherever they go and helped 
by the citizens of the attacked towns 
would be sufficient proof. 

In the recent defense of Monterrey 
and Chihuahua the Federal forces were 
most effectively supported by citizens of 
those cities, who were defending not 
only their property but the honor of 
their families. The women showed 
their gratitude to the Federal forces by 
furnishing them food, lending assistance 
in the hospitals and showering the vic- 
torious soldiers with flowers. 

Now, we wish to ask the Senators 
and the editors who have advocated the 
giving of arms to the rebels to put 
themselves in the place of these peace- 
ful Mexicans. We ask them to think 
of their wives and daughters, to imag- 
ine them in the place of the unfortu- 
nate Mexican wives and daughters, 
and then if they still advocate the giv- 
ing of arms to the rebels, well, we shall 
have little more to say. 

But we do not believe that in this 
enlightened country, that prides itself 
on being foremost in the progress of 
civilization, there are many persons that 
after investigating the conditions as 
they actually exist in Mexico, can view 
■with complacency the giving of arms to 
bandits and monsters who call them- 
selves rebels. 

That a few men who, even though 
perfectly aware of the mentioned condi- 
tions, recommend this crime against civil- 
ization is only one more indication that 
even in the most civilized communities 
there are those whose selfish interests 
are the dominant factor in their actions. 

The blot upon Mexico for the exist- 
ence of savage outlaws capable of the 
deeds we have described is perhaps no 
greater than that upon the people of 
this country for the existence of men 
who consciously wish to arm and en- 
courage those savages. 

That .ijross ignorance and ignorance 
alone is responsible for the attitude of 
certain Senators and Congressmen who 
favor so inhuman and criminal a course 
must be the fervent hope of the people 
whom they represent. 

We do not say that all the rebels and 
all their leaders are capal)lc of perper- 
trating the horrors outlined here but we 
do affirm that those leaders who claim 
to be fighting for a principle must rely 
for their success on the cooperation of 
the bandits that are daily committing 
these crimes- And jthe leaders know it. 
Carranza is not sincere when he says 
that all leaders are under his orders and 
would afford protection to the lives and 
property and honor of foreigners and 
nationals alike. Besides, Carranza states 



that such protection will be given to allMe.vico, we shall make disappear once 

forever that loathsome monster: the 
Federal Army." 

An army of ninety thousand men with 
five thousand officers, cannot be made to 
disappear. 

Besides being part of the army, the 
irregular corps are formed by forces (as 
those under Orozco) that were rebel 
forces against Madero and upon the as- 
sumption of power by the Maderists 
they would again become rebels. 

There is another factor never consid- 
ered in this country and that is the an- 
tagonism existing between the northern 
men and those from the central and 
southern parts of Mexico. The Centre 
and the South will never submit to a 
Government composed exclusively of 
northern men as the Government of 
Carranza and allies would be. 

But the strongest reason why it would 
not be expedient to facilitate the as- 
sumption of power by a rebel leader lies 
in the fact that a rebel leader cannot 
make a successful Government head, un- 
less he be an exceptional man like Por- 
firio Diaz. 

A successful destroyer is seldom a 
successful constructor. And a revolu- 
tionary leader cannot re-establish peace 
and govern successfully because he can- 
not surround himself when in power by 
the men who can assist him on the road 
to success. This also is self-evident and 
was very clearly demonstrated during 
the Madero Administration. 

In order to start a revolution and 
bring it to a successful finish a leader 
must use all and any elements that he 
may have at hand. These elements are 
usually the worst in the country, be- 
cause the best elements of the Mexican 
population do not take part in revolu- 
tions. Bandit leaders, fugitives from 
justice, and ne'er-do-wells are the main 
supporters of a revolutionary leader, 
especially at the incipiency of the revo- 
lution. .A.nd the leader who is successful 
owes his success to these men more 
than any one else who may have joined 
him later. 

Each of these early friends considers 
himself as the one who most contributed 
to the chief's triumph and seldom does 
he think that the compensation he re- 
ceives is adequate to '"he service ren- 
dered. 

When in power the revolutionary 
leader must take care of his friends- If 
he does not they immediate!}' start an- 
other revolution against him. 



those foreigners or nationals who do 
not and will not give any support to 
the Huerta Government. This in other 
words means that the great majority 
of people in Mexico and almost all for- 
eigners will be without protection what- 
ever should Carranza and his forces 
have the upper hand. 

It is. indeed, inconceivable that the 
men who constitute the Legislative and 
the Executive power of this country 
should adopt a course which would leave 
an indelible stain upon the fair name of 
the American people. 

We cannot but feel that a man of such 
high moral principles as President Wil- 
son, wrong as we think him in his policy 
of non-recognition, will continue to re- 
sist the pressure brought to bear upon 
him to lift the embargo on arms. 

Great responsibility rests already 
upon the Administration for having 
failed to recognize the only Government 
in Mexico that could guarantee protec- 
tion to life, honor and property. 

Non-recognition has meant moral en- 
couragement to elements of lawlessness 
in Mexico. How could the Administra- 
tion assume the greater responsibility of 
materially encouraging, nay, supporting 
those elements? 

EXPEDIENCY. 

To every one familiar with Mexican 
political and social conditions the as- 
sertion that helping the rebels to gain 
power by force of arms would be inex- 
pedient is self-evident. 

The statement made by rebel leaders 
that if victorious they would re-estab- 
lish peace within one or two months is 
ridiculous on the face of it. 

In the first place, in so far as any 
popular support they may have from 
certain classes of Mexicans is concerned, 
the rebels would be completely weak- 
ened in their struggle by the spreading 
knowledge that they were being helped 
by this country. Because behind each 
rebel the people of Mexico would see a 
Yankee. 

.\r\A the Federal forces would find 
ready help from the people themselves, 
even more so than they find at present. 

The fight would be more furious and 
bloody than ever and the outcome would 
be favorable to the Federal Government- 
Supposing, but not admitting for a 
moment, that the rebels should win, 
what then? The rebels become Federals 
would not be able to control the numer- 
ous bands of free-lances and bandits 
now operating throughout the North. 
By free-lances we mean tlie Magonistas. 
who are as much opposed to the Car- 
ranza forces as they are to the Federals 
because they consider Carranza, Pes- 
quiera. Maytorena and other leaders as 
much their oppressors as the men con- 
stituting the Central Government. The 
Magonistas are communists whose fight 
is waged against all property-holders. 

What could the now rebel leaders do 
with the present Federal army? They 
might be able to defeat it temporarily, 
but they could not destroy it. And the 
army would never submit to the gov- 
ernment of men who vanquished them. 
No government in Mexico can last 
without the support of the army. This was 
demonstrated by the fall of Madero and 
many times in Mexican history before 
Madero. Do you think for a moment 
that the army would submit to the pres- 
ent rebels, one of whose leaders — .\lvaro 
Obregon — in a recent manifesto ad- 
dressed to the people of Sonora de- 
clared that, "Even though we shall have 
to roll in a wave of blood our 'dear' 



Really, if there is any Administration 
policy, it is one designed to help Huerta. 

We are forcing him to stick by insist- 
ing that he get out. 

* * * 

The Administration tried to influence 
the recent elections by appealing to the 
loyalty of the voters. 

* * * 

Continued misunderstanding with Mex- 
ico might be used the same way at the 
next Congressional elections. 

* * * 

Dangerous politics that! Criminal. 

* ♦ * 

But what are Mexican lives and Amer- 
ican property to our moral opportunists? 

* * * 

The people are getting sick of the 
whole business already. 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO 



NO INCONSISTENCY. 

Informal comment on Huerla's statement, 
however, emphasized that, while the election* 
of the President and Vice-President were to 
Le declared null and void, Huerta intenjcd 1o 
consider the election of Congress valid. By 
the Washington Government that is regarded 
as an inconsistency of which foreign nations 
miist take cognizance, and the impression pre- 
vailed that the repudiation of all acts of the 
new Congress would be forthcoming by the 
United States. 

If the Washington Government really 
regards it inconsistent that the Presiden- 
tial elections should be declared null and 
void and those of Congressmen valid, 
then it manifests once more that ignor- 
ance of Mexican laws and conditions 
which has been responsible for so many 
blunders. 

The Mexican Constitution provides 
that a presidential candidate, irrespec- 
tive of the number of candidates in the 
field, must receive at least a majority 
of the total votes in order to be duly 
elected. 

In the recent election votes were cast 
for five different persons, including 
General Huerta, who was not a candi- 
date. The latter seems to have received 
the largest vote and it is therefore 
probable that no one of the others re- 
ceived sufficient votes to constitute an 
absolute majority of the total votes 
cast. In that case the elections must 
be declared null and void. But this 
condition does not affect in the least 
the status of the Congressmen and Sen- 
ators, who are elected by districts. Even 
though many districts under rebel con- 
trol may have failed to send in re- 
turns there is no doubt that returns 
were received from the majority of dis- 
tricts in the .Republic. This because 
the number of congressional districts 
is based on the number of population 
and more than five-sixths of the entire 
population of Mexico lives in the dis- 
tricts under Federal control. Each 
district having the right to elect one 
Congressman and one substitute, and 
each State two Senators, there is no 
legal reason why according to Mexi- 
can laws there should not have been 
elected a Congress representing at least 
five-sixths of the entire Mexican popu- 
lation. 

In other words, a perfectly legal 
Congress can have been elected even 
if the elections for President and Vice- 
President should have proved void. 

It may be added here that in case no 
one candidate has received a majority 
of the Presidential vote. Congress has 
the power of either choosing a Presi- 
dent, selecting from the two candidates 
who have received the largest vote, or 
declaring the election void and calling 
for a new one. 

In tjiis case, as one of the men 
receiving the largest vote is General 
Huerta — who is excluded by the Con- 
stitution — it is probable that Congress 
will call for new elections. 




Say, gentle reader, between you, me 
and the Washington Monument, that 
man Huerta certainly is a grand totterer! 
If we are to believe all the Mexican pa- 
triots, including Sherby Hopkins and 
Munsey, he has been tottering for eight 
inonths and it looks as if he would con- 
tinue to totter for a powerful long time 

yet! 

* * * 

Huerta must disappear and with him 
all his supporters. Fiat! 

The exodus of the Israelites from 
Egypt will pale into insignificance, but 
where are the Mexicans to find a new 
Palestine? 

* * * 

Official Washington wants to know the 
exact strength and length of the insur- 
rectionary movement against Huerta — 
says the "World." 

Of course the proper source of infor- 
mation is Carranza. He will give official 
Washington all the reliable data, as he 
gave it to the "World." 

As to his moral standing and purposes, 
ex-reverend Hale will report on that. The 
latter is the person best qualified to re- 
port on the moral status and moral as- 
piration of the rebels. No one could un- 
derstand morality as well as William 
Bayard Hale. Ardmore, Pa., can vouch 
for that. 

* * * 

The EI Paso Liar was bafifled but not 
daunted last week. El Pasograms have 
had to make rooin for Washygrams of 
late, l)Ut it looks as if El Pasograms will 
come into their own again. 

Too bad, though, that "General" Villa 
chose to go south after being defeated 
at Chihuahua. If he had gone north the 
El Paso Liar could have made a little 
more money by starting all over again 
the series of attacks on Juarez liy that 
greatest of all patriots, Pancho Villa. 

His proposed attacks on Juarez fur- 
nished copy for three months last sum- 
mer, from June until September, and 
there is no reason whj' the same should 
not happen again during the winter. 

The EI Paso Liar, however, scored an 
inning in the New York "American" re- 
cently when he ascribed to Villa the fac- 
ulty of ubiquity, for according to the 
cheerful El Paso history-recorder Villa 
led an attack on Monterrey and on Chi- 
huahua on the same day. 

* * * 

Whenever a Mexican newspaper ap- 
proves an act of the Huerta Government 
it is qualified in the Ainerican press as a 
"Governinent newspaper." Whenever it 
criticizes the Government it is qualified 
as an "independent newspaper." 

Thus "El Pais" was referred to as a 



Government newspaper and an independ- 
ent newspaper several times during the 
last few days. 

* * * 

The Venezuelan Constitution still lies 
buried in her grave, where she was laid 
by President Gomez, but not a voice of 
protest has been raised by the Constitu- 
tion-lovers of this country. And the 
Washington Administration maintains 
the most friendly intercourse with Dic- 
tator Gomez. 

Is it because .A.sphalt cannot be frozen? 

* ♦ * 

The Chinese President has proclaimed 
himself dictator after dismissing about 
three hundred opposition members of 
Congress. That same Congress which 
had elected him under the moral suasion 
of his detectives who surrounded them 
while their votes were being cast. The 
Washington Administration accorded full 
recognition to the Chinese "President." 

Evidently the Administration's enthu- 
siasm for the Constitution of other na- 
tions does not reach beyond Mexico City. 

* * * 

Our delightful, cheerful, history-re- 
corders — the ponderous scribes — prate 
lightly of seizing the Mexican Custom 
Houses and of blockading the Mexican 
Ports just to make it clear to President 
Huerta that he must gracefully submit to 
the requests of the Washington Admin- 
istration. 

As if those would not be acts of vvar! 

But then our cheerful history-recorders 
take their cue from .Alfalfa Bill. And it 
looks as if .Alfalfa Diplomacy was to be 
the latest Brvan-.'\merican fashion. 



Shh ! Shh 1 the Administration 

has a Mexican policy! 

What? No, I am not going on. You 
have not read the New York "Evening 
Post," that's all. Not worth three cents, 
you say? Well, may be, but you don't 
know what you miss, I tell you the 
"Post" has discovered the Mexican pol- 
icy. It is the "glacial movement," other- 
wise the "freeze out." likewise the "icy 
stare." Yes, sir, this movement — like that 
of the Grand Pacific Glacier is to con- 
tinue its slow but inexorable course. 

A third Pole is to be added to this dis- 
mal globe of ours, the Mexican Pole, and 
Dr. Cook is getting ready to discover it. 
* * * 

Switzerland is donning her mourning 
garb. She will not be "in it" for the icy 
stare slowly but inexorably — just like 
fate — is to convert the tropical jungles 
and the mesas of Mexico into rising gla- 
ciers and the Midnight Sun will frown 
upon the land of the Aztecs. 

Good night! The "Post" says so. 



MEXICO 



Saturdav, Xovcmbcr 15, 1913 



COURTING WAR 



The Washington Administration, for 
reasons best known to itself, refuses to 
recognize the government of President 
Hucrta, refuses to recognize any govern- 
ment established by the recent elections 
or any elections conducted under the 
Huerta Government, refuses lo recog- 
nize as President of Mexico any man who 
might be considered an ally, follower or 
friend of President Huerta. Whatever 
may be said of the arbitrary aspect of 
this policy, it is strictly within President 
Wilson's rights. 

But he goes even farther in his intol- 
erance of anything and anybody con- 
nected with the present Government of 
Mexico. He demands that President 
Huerta and his official family and "un- 
official coterie" eliminate themselves en- 
tirely from Mexican political life. This 
he has no right to do. 

In making this demand he leaves no 
alternative for the Mexican president ex- 
cept refusal. To enforce this demand 
means war. Did President Wilson think 
for an instant that President Huerta 
would yield on a point that involves the 
national sovereignty and integrity of 
Mexico? If he had yielded he would be 
a traitor to his countrj-, and Mexico as a 
nation would no longer exist. It would 
become a dependency of the United 
States and of the financial interests of 
this country. He would be surrendering 
the liberty of the Mexican people, their 
right to govern themselves in their own 
way, without outside interference or dic- 
tation. 

The demand of President Wilson is so 
stupendous a piece of arrogance and so 
opposed to all principles of international 
fair dealing that it could not possibly 
have been made except on the principle 
that might makes right. In the last an- 
alysis it is an act of open hostility and 
war. 

The people of the United States are 
going to ask the question with increasing 
insistence: "Why war?" and they are 
going to demand an answer that will sat- 
isfy them. If the answer is that Presi- 
dent Huerta is personally obnoxious to 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan — 
that is not going to satisfy. If the an- 
swer is that by taking advice £rom some 
persons and refusing information from 
others, the Administration has been led 
into a situation that could have been 
avoided — that is not going to satisfy. If 
the answer is that certain American fi- 
nancial interests want control of Mexico 
— that is not going to satisfy. If the 
answer is that this country wants to grab 
Mexico, or as much of it as possible — 
that is not going to satisfy. And all the 
glittering verbiage' about constitutional 
liberty, democratic ideals, etc., is not go- 
ing to satisfy' a people who will have 
to pay a tremendous price for helping to 
work out impractical theories. 



President Wilson in his Swarthmore 
speech said that he would like to believe 
that "nowhere can any government en- 
dure which is stained by blood or sup- 
ported by anything but the consent of 
the governed." That is all very well, an 
admirable sentiment. But if President 
W^ilson, either by American invasion or 
the open support of the Northern rebels, 
imposes a government on Mexico more 
to his liking than the present, will it not 
be stained by blood? 

Every person loving peace does sin- 
cerely want to believe the President's 
words, but it is terribly disconcerting to 
find his course of action and threatened 
courses of action so out of harmony with 
his expressions. It may be that the 
warlike reports and analyses of domi- 
neering Presidential purposes that come 
by the ream from Washington emanate 
from sources that do not truly represent 
the President's point of view or inten- 
tions. It may be that they are given out 
and circulated by interests and instru- 
ments who are really enemies of the 
President's ideals. It may be that they 
are designed for purely political pur- 
poses. 

In any of these cases, would it not 
seem that to clear up a complicated and 
dangerous situation the President should 
deny that he is actuated by the motives 
and ideas that are ascribed to him? Deny 
also that he is attempting to interfere in 
the affairs of Mexico? State if he will that 
he does not intend to recognize any gov- 
ernment in Mexico that does not suit 
him, but that beyond that point he can 
not and will not go. That he does not 
consider that he has any right to meddle 
in Mexico's politics. That he does not 
intend to sacrifice American lives to 
enforce his personal wislies or work out 
his theories. That he does not intend 
to arm rebels and bandits to turn Mex- 
ico into a shambles. That he, himself, 
cannot be forced to do something he 
does not want to do, but that on the 
other hand he will not try to force his 
personal will on a weaker though sov- 
ereign and independent nation. 

The world would understand him then 
and an end would be put to the rumors 
and reports from Washington that are 
designed to inflame the passions of the 
people of the United States and insult 
and goad the Government of Mexico. 

There is peril in permitting the circula- 
tion of reports that are not consistent 
v/ith the President's announced ideals. 
The impression is growing that the Ad- 
ministration, without committing itself 
to any definite stand, is letting the press, 
by methods that are not strictly unques- 
tionable, fight the Administration's bat- 
tle. When it is a matter of a possible 
international war, this is too much power 
to place in the hands of those to whom, 



LET US KEEP OUT. 

Nine persons out of ten declare they 
do not want this country to get mixed 
up in the Mexican mess and then at 
least five of them will add: "But even- 
tually it will be necessary for us to go 
down there and clean things up and es- 
tablish order just as we did in Cuba." 

The constant repetition of this in 
newspapers, speeches and conversations 
is creating the possibility of one of the 
greatest perils that ever confronted this 
Government. It is doing more to lead 
to intervention than any logic or any 
group of influences. It is preparing the 
public mind to be ready for something 
that is not right. 

Those w-ho are guilty do not realize 
their error. Intervention in Mexico is 
comparable to no experience that this 
country has ever known. Mexico is so 
much larger than Cuba, the difficulties 
are so much more complicated and the 
whole problem is so much vaster that 
there can be no approximation between 
the two tasks. It would cost tens of 
thousands of lives, hundreds of millions 
of dollars and be a sad page in the na- 
tion's history. It must not be done. 

The careless speaking of intervention 
needs to be corrected. It is not a new 
folly. A generation ago people were 
saying that eventually we must take all 
the West Indies. At another time there 
was a widespread demand that we go 
beyond the St. Lawrence and absorb 
Canada. Much was said about "manifest 
destiny" and all that sort of thing. But 
the fevers passed. So also should the 
idea that because Mexico has internal 
troubles we should hazard our happiness 
by interfering. Let us keep out. — Phila- 
delphia "Public Ledger." 

naturally, the "storj'" and the sensational 
features are the first considerations. 
Moreover, no matter how patriotic their 
intentions, they have not the strict re- 
sponsibility and accountabilit}^ to the 
people of the country to which the offi- 
cials of the Government are sworn. 

There has been too much small-poli- 
tician shiftiness about this whole Mex- 
ican matter from the very beginning of 
the Wilson Administration. First, too 
much- secrecy as to the Administration's 
purposes and sources of information, and 
then when something had to be said to 
satisfy the impatience of the world, that 
something couched in flowery phrases 
and followed by actions inconsistent 
therewith. And in the newspapers too 
much of speculation and rumors that 
for months have been ascribed to high 
officials of the Administration and sub- 
sequently shown to be unfounded and 
untrue, but always suggesting that the 
Administration's wish has been father to 
the thought. There has been something 
subterranean about the whole Mexican 
policy of this Administration. The light 
must be turned into the dark places be- 
fore many days. 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO 



MORALITY. 

Some newspaper has stated that the 
Administration, in dealing with Mexico, 
is sacrificing expediency to morality. 

We contend that the Administration 
is sacrificing expediency and moralitj' 
both — in fact, morality more than ex- 
pediency. 

If certain interests ar ik-, ■ ■ 
terial benefits from the A . ,<\'- li 

policy — or hope to derive i m i '.hich 
would be a result of expediency — no 
moral benefit is derived by any one 
from that policy. 

It is the immorality of the policy 
which will weigli against this country 
in the judgment of the world. Be- 
cause of the determination to bring 
about the elimination of one man a 
whole people is made to suffer. 

Because of the belief that the Mexi- 
can Government is stained with the 
blood of one man, the blood of thou- 
sands of other men — most of them inno- 
cent and none of them responsible as 
that man for Mexico's ills — is made to 
flow. 

Because of the belief that the Mexi- 
can Government was responsible for the 
killing of one man — a political criminal 
if ever there was one — brigandage is 
encouraged — more: actually propped — 
and as a consequence thousands of 
Americans and other foreigners have 
lost their property and some their lives. 

Morality? Great Scott! Is it moral to 
contemplate with indifference the mas- 
sacre of your neighbors? Is it moral to 
suggest that further means be given to 
these neighbors to destroy one another 
more rapidly, to increase the flow of 
blood in your neighbor's home on the 
plea that you are horrified at the killing 
of one man? 

Morality! 



LEST WE FORGET 



GOING UP! 

According to the bordergrams pub- 
lished in the New York newspapers in 
the last two weeks the rebel army is 
growing by leaps and bounds. A few 
days ago the "World" published a state- 
ment by Carranza saying that the rebel 
forces numbered eiglity thousand men. 
Immediately the "Herald's" correspond- 
ent in Nogales, piqued by the "World's" 
scoop, telegraphed to his paper that the 
rebels had a total of one hundred thou- 
sand men under arms. Then the 
"Times" correspondent learned of this 
and, not to be outdone, went the "Her- 
ald" a few better. On November I2th, 
he telegraphed his paper a detailed state- 
ment of rebel forces in the various Mex- 
ican States — the statement was compiled 
in Nogales — the result being that the 
"Times" very seriously — the "Times" is 
always serious, even when it cracks a 
few jokes — stated: "Rebels have 136,000." 

By the time this number of MEXICO 
reaches our readers some other corre- 
spondent will have had the better of the 
"Times" and the rebel army will be fig- 
ured close to two hundred thousand. 



Washington is much concerned now 
about giving Huerta a chance to "save 
i-.is face." 

Tha* may be the Washington idea of 
accomplishment. 

But Huerta wants to save his country. 
He doesn't think so much of his face as 
others of theirs. For why — we don't 
know. 

Everybody who opposes the Adminis- 
tration is a crook, a lobbyist, a conces- 
sionaire, a Wall Street wolf or an icthyo- 
saurus. 

* * * 

There can be no honest difference of 
opinion. 

* * * 

All honesty, all opinion, all virtue, all 
wisdom, all morality are centered in the 
Administration. 

* * ♦ 

Mrs. John Lind thinks that an army of 
Protestant missionaries could pacify 
Mexico. 

* * * 

So does Secretary Daniels' paper, the 
Raleigh (N. C.) "News and Observer." 

* * * 

We warrant you that the ex-reverend 
Hale does, too. 

Also the peace-faker, Rev. Dr. Tupper, 
who misrepresents the Peace Forum by 
making the barbarous suggestion that 
rebels and bandits should be given more 
arms. 

* * ♦ 

That fellow Tupper knows just as lit- 
tle about Mexico as — as — the whole Ad- 
ministration. 

It is so tragic for Mexico that one 
can not laugh. 

* * * 

But it is laughable to see a blind man 
leading with so much cocksureness. 

* * * 

So self-complacent, self-satisfied, smug- 
ly pleased with himself before God and 
man. 

* * ♦ 

While a nation suffers, hundreds are 
killed, women and girls outraged, crime 
and outlawry encouraged. 

* * * 

Moral suasion! Bah! It's a crime 
against civilization. 

* * * 

The Ambassadorship to Russia and the 
Meddleship in Mexico have the same 
odor. 

* * » 

• The odor of bland hypocrisy and shifty 
politics. 

* * * 

Pindell was to get $17,500 for a year of 
Continental gayety. 



What is William Bayard Hale getting 
for gathering "literary" material? 

* * * 

Secretary Bryan announced that he 
needed money. The New York "World" 
offered him $8,000 a year but he did not 
accept. There are some sources from 
which he would not accept even provi- 
sion for his old age. 

Who is the Senator "Ham" Lewis in 
the Mexican Meddleship? 

* * * 

Bryan is going to "starve Huerta out." 
He's a man of peace. 

* * * 

He wants the bankers to refuse Huerta 
money. 

* * * 

What influence has Bryan with the 
bankers? 

* * * 

What influence have they with him? 

* * * 

Wrecking Huerta means wrecking 
Mexico. 

* * * 

But we are her sincere friends! Yes. 

The policy strongly smacks of megalo- 
mania. 

Most railroad wrecks happen on single 
tracks. 

* * * 

Switches are very useful, also block- 
signals. 

The Administration seems to have 
none of either. 

* * ♦ 

Schoolroom psychology: If you give in 
once the pupils have your number. 

* » * 

But nations have your number when 
you show you have the schoolroom psy- 
chology. 

* * ♦ 

Anyhow, did you ever know a boy who 
loved that kind of teacher? 

Chorus of World Powers: "With all 
due respect, what is your policy, Mr. 
Bryan?" 

* ♦ « 

Bryan: H. M. G. x M. A. M. 

* * » 

And what does the algebraic formula 
signify? 

* * * 

Huerta must go by malicious animal 
magnetism. 

» » * 

Chorus: Help! 

* * » 

After Huerta goes — what? 

* * * 

Wait a minute till I consult the ex- 
reverend Hale. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



The Truth From A Fighting Man 



Washington, Nov. 9. — Major Cassius 
E. Gillette, an ex-officer of the United 
States Army who has lived in Mexico 
many years, resumed his attack on the 
Administration to-day for its present 
policy in Mexico. 

Major Gillette recently joined twenty- 
one other Americans who have large in- 
terests in Mexico in signmg a communi- 
cation, addressed to the President, pro- 
testing against the present Mexican poli- 
cy of this Government. 

The Major's new statements are 
sharper than any made by him before 
and report revolting conditions in many 
Mexican cities. He said among other 
things, referring to the so-called Con- 
stitutionalists: 

" 'The forces' that have been in abso- 
lute control in Durango for many 
months consist of four bands. The 
largest is in command of a man who 
has been a cattle thief for years, his 
name being used by nurses to scare 
children with. He can neither read nor 
write. 

Major Tells of Excesses. 
"The second is a common farmhand 
peon, ignorant and a savage. The two 
others, I believe, can read and write. 
Barring Americans whom they have 
somewhat respected and a few of the 
better class of Mexicans who got away, 
practically every woman and girl over 
ten years of age within 125 miles of 
Durango has been outraged by the 
'patriots.' 

"A man came to an American in 
charge of a large business in that sec- 
tion and asked if the doctor could come 
and see his two girls, 12 and 14 years 
old. They had been carried off by the 
'Constitutionalists,' outraged for about 
two weeks and then left in the wilds, 
eighty miles from home, to find their 
waj' back as best they could. 

"Do you suppose that one of those 
brutes is interested in a constitution or 
would have the slightest comprehension 
of the word or cares a continental about 
it in any event? 

"I was told by a cultured and refined 
American woman just from Durango 
that if a rap came at the front door of 
any house and it were not instantly 
opened a bomb blew it open. One 
Englishman got there just as the bomb 
opened the door, taking off his legs. 

"She said the American women mis- 
sionaries there were chased around the 
patio by drunken savages at the points 
of bayonets and forced to cry 'Viva >Ia- 
derol' as they ran.-- 

Quotes Senator Bacon. 
"These are the people whom our Con- 
gress proposes to help get arms. The 
President alone holds out against it. 



Only the other day Senator Bacon of 
Georgia, chairman of the Senate Com- 
mittee on Foreign Relations, told the 
President that only their personal con- 
sideration for President Wilson kept the 
Senate from passing a resolution au- 
thorizing the free salf of arms to the 
Carranzistas. 

"A few .weeks ago Carranza came to 
Durango to consult his 'followers.' He 
called a meeting — only one man attended 
and Carranza left at once for Hermo- 
sillo, 300 miles away over the moun- 
tains. 

"If Carranza were made President to- 
morow he would have exactly the same 
problem Huerta now has against 90 per 
cent, of the same 'patriots.' 

"Carranza is now forming a 'Cabinet' 
for its avowed effect upon the United 
States. We seem to be easy to fool. 

"The situation in Mexico to-day is 
strikingly similar to what it was in the 
Islrmd of Hayti when owned by the 
French, but the savages of Mexico are a 
far more bloodthirsty race than those of 
Hayti. Their ancestral altars flowed 
with human blood like rivers. 

"Wait and see what happens in the 
next year if our Government helps arm 
'the poor patriots,' who are struggling so 
hard against the demon Huerta, making 
'cannon of axles,' as one of our sympa- 
thetic Congressmen puts it, and who are 
incidentally destroying every mine (Ma- 
dero's included, with its $1,000,000 worth 
of equipment, &c.), every bridge, every 
railroad and outraging every child they 
can reach. 

"The Hayti horrors were brought on 
by equally high grade philanthropy. The 
Wilberforce Society got the blacks 
freed, armed and the island put in 
charge of negro Generals. This is the 
only case in history where enslaved sav- 
ages got control of the country and of 
their former masters. Does our phil- 
anthropic Government want to make 
Me.xico the second? 

Gives Another Illustration. 

"Suppose for another illustration that 
the South and the North were separate 
countries; that the South had 11,500,000 
of negroes equal in character to the 
lower half, of the present black race, 
against 3,000,000 whites, and they had 
been started on the warpath by a mil- 
lionaire criminal or fool; that they had 
one-third of the country under their 
control and were destroying everything 
that stood in the way of making an 
.\frican jungle of the country. 

"I wonder how Senator Bacon would 
feel if the North should propose to let 
the negroes get free arms; especially if 
the conditions in the South were such 
that no white man could have any hope 



of handling it unless he laid himself 
open to being called a 'dictator,' 'assas- 
sin,' a 'traitor' and a few of the other 
gentle terms that have been so liberally 
applied to Gen. Huerta and — crowning 
blunder of them all — were given as a 
reason for arming the blacks. 

"The Congress that pledged its sup- 
port to Huerta September 16 was dis- 
solved October 10 by him. This Con- 
gress was elected at Madero's election, 
or rather selected by him. Many of 
them are willing to take the chance of 
sacrificing their country by 'turning the 
tigers loose' to gain political power, 
thinking perhaps they could control 
them later on. 

Madero's Death. 
"There are at least six versions of 
Madero's lynching. I have carefully can- 
vassed the whole subject ana established 
certain facts in the matter and I believe 
the following the most probable story: 
"The subject was debated in councils 
of the provisional Government. All 

agreed that his death was necessary to 
prevent riots, plots, assassinations and 
heavy loss of life. That he could be le- 
gally tried, convicted and shot was ob- 
vious, but a trial would inflame his fol- 
lower half of the present black race, 
ages, who are always ready for demon- 
strations and destructive loot, resulting 
possibly in hundreds of thousands of 
deaths. 

"Gen. Huerta was in favor of his be- 
ing kept a prisoner, but some one else 
gave the order to the governor of the 
palace to deliver Madero and Pino 
Suarez to a guard to be taken to the 
penitentiary. He did so and they were 
taken in two automobiles out of the 
palace. They were shot by the guards, 
who then 'shot up' the automobile and 
brought back the story of the atempted 
escape which was given out. 

"Gen. Huerta is in precisely the posi- 
tion of many Southern Governors whose 
friends have been engaged in justifiable 
l}-nchings. The subsequent investigation 
is generally not very zealously pursued. 
"Had the undersigned been in Gen. 
Huerta's place he would have given Ma- 
dero a prompt trial by a drumhead 
court-martial and had him shot in public 
thirty minutes after the verdict had been 
rendered, believing that by so doing he 
would be pursuing absolutely the only 
course possible to prevent a vast amount 
of bloodshed." 

"The undersigned begs all red blooded 
.A.mericans when they read of future sim- 
ilar outrages in our Southern neighbor 
to attribute them not to Mexico, luit to 
the savages that are destroying Mexico. 
"And he begs that all who read and 
believe this will write the President or 
Congressmen of their opinion. In this 
behalf the writer begs to identify him- 
self as the engineer ofRcer who exposed 
the Carter-Greene-Gaynor frauds in Sa- 
vannah and the McNicnol-Durham 
frauds in Philadelphia." 



Saturday, November 15. 1913 



MEXICO 



A Challenge to Lind 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: As my job depends on the conceal- 
ment of my identity, I have had to use a nom- 
deplumc. Yet I would be willing to lose my 
job if Mr. Lind would take up my challenge. 
And eight years' residence in bandit-infested Du- 
rango gives me the right to talk and a sincere 
love for Mexico and Mexicans prompts the hail- 
ing phrase. If you care to publish my letter, 
please feel free to do so. Sincerely 



[Name and address withheld by request, but 
if Mr. Lind wants to accept the writer's challenge 
we shall be pleased to inform him as to the chal- 
lenger. — Editor's Note.] 

THE LETTER. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: How do you think pos- 
terity will judge the actions of our mis- 
guided President and his satellite, the 
Secretary of State, when the pitiless 
limelight of sound analytical reasoning is 
turned upon the events of the past week 
— as far as the relations between the 
United States and Mexican Governments 
are concerned? What a tremendous 
revelation will be given of the degree 
to which the diplomatic usages of cen- 
turies can be overturned by the bungling 
of men essentially politicians. How the 
diplomats of Europe must be amused at 
each new evidence of "Grand Stand Dip- 
lomacy." 

I had thought the United States a free 
country. Yet I see a club held over the 
country's press, because in no other way 
can the absolute lack of fair dealing to- 
wards Huerta be explained. News- 
paper men are fair-minded when given 
free rein, and yet hardly a paper pub- 
lishes the Huerta side of the case. The 
British government is accused of aiding 
the cause of Lord Cowdray, but it is not 
intimated that tlie insistence with which 
Wilson and Bryan harp on the elimina- 
tion of Huerta is due to orders dictated 
by the Rockefeller interests. Yet Sir 
Edward Grey has no international repu- 
tation as a party man, nor is his fame 
based on his political acumen. Has 
Bryan any other grounds upon which to 
base his claim to eminence? Is it not 
known that Standard Oil preferred Wil- 
son to Roosevelt? And does not the 
pitiful exposure of the proposed deal in 
Russian Ambassadors show that the 
present Administration intends to reward 
its helpers? 

And to assist in paying off political 
obligations this country is to be plunged 
in war. Seas of blood spilled, billions 
of dollars squandered, and the prestige 
of the United States for fair dealing and 
honesty in its international relationships 
forever destroyed. 

It is maddening to those of us who 
have been in the thick of the fight in 
Mexico, to see the trend of events. By 



what argument President Wilson can 
justify his callous, cold-blooded refusal 
to listen to those of us who have suf- 
fered, yea and bled, passes our compre- 
hension. What possible knowledge can 
"Confidential Agent Lind" have of con- 
ditions in Mexico? He has never been 
farther than from Vera Cruz to the cap- 
ital. Can it be that he is afraid to enter 
the really revolutionary States? Is he 
unwilling to trust himself to the tender 
mercies of Pancho Villa, Zapata or Con- 
treras? I can readily see the wisdom dis- 
played in not taking chances. It would 
be the height of folly to risk insult or 
injury at the hands of the men the United 
States government i.-^ meditating recog- 
nizing. 

Now, Mr. Lind, here is a proposition 
for you. Drop your title of "Confiden- 
tial Agent" and go with me to Durango, 
to Torreon, to Chihuahua, as plain Amer- 
icans. No frills, no flurries. We'll take 
our chances together to pay our own ex- 
penses, and after such a journey, when 
you have been able to judge for yourself, 
at first hand, I will abide by your deci- 
sion and O. K. any report you may make 
to the Government. Are you game, Mr. 
Lind? Will you risk it with mc? We'll 
be in the same boat 'Y nos tocara' la 
inisma suerte." Then make your report 
and every criticism would be stilled. It 
would be some itinerary, Mr. Lind, and 
no lack of excitement, and who knows, 
if we emerge scot-free, you may have a 
year's term as Ambassador to Russia. If 
we escape scot-free! You may have my 
name and bona-fides on application to 
the editor of MEXICO. 

Yours sincerely, 
PEACE IN MEXICO. 



The forward-looking men are looking 
forward to the finish. 

* * * 

When the crash comes — oh, what a fall 
'twill be! 

The Pindell letter! 

The Mexican muddle! 

Then Ajax defying the lightning of 
public opinion. 

* * ^ 

It would be an interesting experiment 
if the President of Mexico and the Pres- 
ident of the United States would ex- 
change positions for a few weeks. 

* ♦ * 

•Some one would learn something. 
» * * 

They are describing the Administra- 
tion's policy now as a "glacial move- 
ment." My gracious, but it's cold! 



JUST AN INCIDENT. 

Scene — Dining saloon of the "Morro 
Castle" first day out from Vera Cruz, 
distinguished by the presence aboard of 
Mrs. John Lind, wife of President Wil- 
son's personal envoy to Mexico. Mrs. 
Lind seated at the Captain's table with 
other .'Vmericans, among them a charm- 
ing stately matron who had lost none 
of her Americanism through many years' 
residence in Mexico. Much chatter of 
the relations between United States and 
Mexico and what the outcome might be. 
Charming matron listens smilingly to 
general expressions of opinion. Mrs. 
Lind does not seem to relish drift of 
remarks. Charming matron speaks and 
all instinctively pause to hear her opin- 
ion. "One thing," she said, "on which 
we all agree, and which every foreigner 
in Mexico appreciates, is that President 
Huerta is a remarkable man and if he 
were not handicapped by our folks at 
Washington, for what reason I fail to 
see, he would have Mexico in peace to- 
day." 

Mr.s. Lind rises abrutly from her 
seat beside the Captain and, looking 
angrily at the speaker, says: 

"I will not have you say anything like 
that on this boat." Seats herself with 
an air of finality. 

Charining Matron (very sweetly): "I 
shall not only say what 1 think and be- 
lieve on this boat, but on any other boat, 
and anywhere or whenever I feel like it." 

Curtain. .Applause. 



Seventeen million Catholics in this 
country will be extremely gratified to 
learn the opinions entertained by Mrs. 
Lind and obviously reflecting those of 
her husband, John Lind, of Minnesota, 
the personal envoy to Mexico of Presi- 
dent Wilson. Mrs. Lind did not even 
make an attempt to keep her opinions 
covered by a cloak of discretion, while 
in Mexico and on the boat from Vera 
Cruz to New York. She not only as- 
cribed all the troubles of Mexico to the 
Catholic Church, but went as far as to 
state that she would rather know that 
all Mexicans were atheists than to know 
they were Catholics. 



The easiest man in the world to use 
is the man with unyielding convictions. 
Situations can be twisted to appeal to his 
convictions — and there you are. 

The rebel junta in Washington knows 
this. So does Senator Bacon, William 
Bayard Hale, and a few others. 
» * * 

We wish the country could look into 
the mind of John Bassett Moore, Coun- 
selor of the State Department, authority 
on international law. It would reveal 
many interesting sidelights on the Ad- 
ministration's "diplomacy." He knows. 

But international law is one thing 
while small politics and perverse ego- 
tism are something else again, Mawruss. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO AND FRANCE 

The -Intervention" of Napoleon III, in Setting Up the Ill-Fated Maxi- 
mihan Empire. 



When Xapoleon III formulated the 
great "conception of his reign," to place 
the Archduke Maximilian on the throne 
of a Mexican empire, the mercenary in- 
centive was the prospective wealth that 
it was anticipated would flow from the 
French colonization and development of 
the great resources of the new nation. A 
secondary object, but one of greater im- 
portance to the United States, was the 
desire of France to aid the Latin races in 
■checking the spread of Anglo-Saxon 
ideas and customs in the western hemi- 
sphere and through the encouragement 
of a friendly power in America to balance 
the growing strength of England in the 
Far East. With such thoughts germi- 
nating in his mind it is easy to conceive 
how eagerly the Emperor of France 
grasped at the financial obligations of the 
Mexican Government to furnish the 
cause of dispute, to aid the apparent coal- 
ition of England, Spain and France and 
to take advantage of the momentary oc- 
cupation of the United States in its Civil 
War, which apparently afforded oppor- 
tunity for breaking down the barriers of 
the Monroe Doctrine. But this dreamer 
of empires, who aimed to live up to the 
imperial reputation of "The Napoleon," 
beginning with the Mexican disaster was 
to see the gradual decline of his own 
power until its final extinguishment. 

The march of the French from Vera 
Cruz to the capital city was not accom- 
plished speedily or without resistance, 
and the French found Mexico a hard 
land to pacify, a difficult land to con- 
quer and a country impossible of subju- 
gation. Their march to the capital and 
their journey over a road that is now 
traversed in less than ten hours by rail, 
occupied sixteen months and the small 
armed force that was first sent on the 
expedition was successively increased 
until five years later nearly fifty thou- 
sand men were kept in the field three 
thousand miles from their home country. 
As is the reported condition of the Mex- 
icans of to-day, the French found them 
ttndrillcd and poorly commanded, but ca- 
pable of putting up a strong resistance 
where the proper officers were in charge. 
Thus it was at Puebla that the sons 
of the "conquerors of Europe" received 
a severe repulse when on the 5th of 
May, 1862, the famous "Cinco de Mayo" 
that the patriotic Latin-American names 
a street after, that the Mexicans hurled 
hack the French advance with the sac- 
rifice of one-fifth of the foreign invaders. 
Compelled to await reinforcements, the 
French were at the mercy of the many 
diseases of war, together with the dread- 
ed yellow fever, until ten months later, 
when Puebla was again besieged by 
twenty-five thousand men after two 
months of stubborn and sanguinary re- 



sistance the Mexicans were forced to 
withdraw and surrender the town. 

From then on the march to the capital 
was comparatively easy despite the diffi- 
culty of bringing foreign troops from 
the marshy lowlands near Vera Cruz, 
infested with malaria and yellow fever, 
through mountain passes, to the high al- 
titude of the capital where malaria was 
to be met this time in conjunction with 
pneumonia. Disease played its part, as 
it has in every war and, as usual, aided 
the defenders. Mexico had been "conquer- 
ed" and the way paved for Maximilian 
who, confident in the belief that the peo- 
ple of the country had signified their ar- 
dent desire for his reign, hastened with 
high hope to the new land. Sara Yorke 
Stevenson, speaking of the entrance of 
Maximilian and the beautiful Carlotta 
to the City of Mexico, has said: "Never 
had such a sight been seen since the days 
of the Aztecs * * * Triumphal arches of 
verdure, draped with flags and patriotic 
devices were raised along the principal 
avenues leading to the Plaza Mayor and 
to the palace. As far as the eye could 
reach the festively decked windows, the 
streets and the flat roofs of the houses 
were crowded with people eager to catch 
a glimse of the new sovereigns." And 
radiant in their enthusiastic youth, Car- 
lotta being but twenty-four and Maximil- 
ian thirty-two years of age, they proba- 
bly well imagined that they were the peo- 
ple's choice instead of but the fulfilment 
of the schemes of mercenary planners. 

The three years following the entrance 
of Maximilian and his accession to the 
throne were strenuous years for the army 
of occupation. The French found that the 
possession of the capital city alone did 
not give them the reputed prowess 
throughout the country that would stifle 
any attempt at rebellion, but they were 
compelled to watch Jaurez establish an- 
other seat of government, to fight Diaz 
and his associates, to meet the incessant 
attacks of the guerillas. In addition the 
dispatches that reached the ears of Paris 
to the effect that Mexico was peaceful, 
from time to time, there would leak out 
the story of such events as the attack 
upon the Belgian envoys, who had come 
as a special embassy to the Empress to 
inform her of the accession of her 
brother, Leopold II, to the throne of 
Belgium, and were severely attacked by 
highwaymen, one of the party being 
killed and four wounded. On all sides 
there was constant warfare and the ne- 
cessity of meeting fire with fire. There 
were tales of burning villages, as, for 
example, when General Casiagny wiped 
out by fire the village of San Sebastian, 
a town of four thousand inhabitants. 
There were tales of kidnapping, rapine 
and plunder by guerilla bands, all cal- 



culated to make the French dissatisfied 
with their task. 

' In the south, in Oaxaca, an active and 
aggressive campaign was being waged by 
Diaz. For three week-s he was besieged 
by Marshal Bazaine, the French Com- 
mander-in-chief of the Army of Mexico, 
and finally forced to surrender. Diaz es- 
caped from his captors, however, and in 
a short time had retaken Oaxaca, and 
begun to lead the French a merry chase, 
while at every opportunity he inflicted 
injury on their army. Five years of this 
constant and continued warfare cost the 
French enormous sums of money and 
thousands of lives. And it was this sac- 
rifice of blood and money that caused 
the Chamber of Deputies to cry out for 
the withdrawal of the French troops, to 
leave Maximilian to work out his own 
destiny. In the Convention of Miramar, 
as the agreement between Napoleon III.- 
and Maxmilian is known, it was stipu- 
lated that the French forces should not 
be reduced below twenty thousand until 
1867, and that thereafter the Foreign Le- 
gion should remain in Mexico for six 
years. Up to July, 1864, the expenses of 
the expedition were fixed at $54,000,000, 
for which Maximilian was compelled to 
obligate his unborn government, and 
from that date the Mexican Government 
was to pay a thousand francs a year per 
man for the maintenance of the army of 
occupation. These obligations were be- 
yond the power of the feeble government 
to pay and although successive Ministers 
of Finance were sent over by Napoleon 
III. to find a way out of the financial 
tangle, the Mexican intervention proved 
a disastrous political, social and financial 
experiment. Accordingly, when the 
United States relieved from the struggles 
of the Civil War, applied pressure and 
demanded the abandonment by the 
French of this attempt at colonial expan- 
sion, the troops were withdrawn, and, 
standing alone on his own merits, Maxi- 
milian soon met his tragic fate. -Philadel- 
phia "Evening Bulletin." 



LACK OF SYMPATHY. 

This is an enlightened age. We are 
a highly civilized people, a generous, 
good-hearted people. This being true, is 
it not remarkable that we have not even 
offered material help to the suffering 
people of Mexico? .\s the result of 
three years of social unrest and turbu- 
lence the poor of Mexico, and they are 
unfortunately many, have known the 
pangs of hunger and undergone terrible 
privations. Has any American philan- 
thropist of charitable organization, in a 
spirit of sympathy and common human- 
ity, even suggested the sending of relief 
supplies to Mexican non-combatant suf- 
ferers? Has any American newspaper 
sought by popular subscription to enlist 
aid "for the poor people of Mexico? Of 
course they have not asked for charity, 
for the Mexican is proud. It is more 
than possible that a proffer of assistance 
would be refused under any circumstan- 
ces. But is it not a reflection on our 
finer instincts that the matter of Ameri- 
can assistance has seemingly not even 
been thought of? We tell Mexicans we 
are their friends. But can you blame 
Mexicans for feeling in their hearts that 
we have shown none of the natural im- 
pulses of true friendship? 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East West and All Angles. 



MR. WILSON'S MEXICAN POLICY 
OF SECRECY AND DRIFT. 

What does President Wilson expect 
to accomplish by the policy on which 
he is plainly risking a bloody and cost- 
ly war with Mexico? 

Suppose that the despotic Mexican 
president should yield to the theory of 
Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bryan that he must 
retire from office? 

Will wholesale murder and brigandage 
and the spirit of wanton revolution cease 
under a president forced upon Me.xico 
by the United States? 

The whole history of the Mexican 
people, even before the conquest by 
Cortes and all through the three hun- 
dred years of cruel Spanish domination 
and the si.xty years of tumults, carnage 
and treasons that followed the separa- 
tion from Spain and preceded the gener- 
ation of peace under the iron rule of 
Porfirio Diaz, is an answer to the opal- 
escent dream of real democratic and 
constitutional government in Mexico. 

.A.re the brutal bandits who have been 
looting cities, towns and villages and 
murdering and torturing prisoners un- 
der the Carranzas and Zapatas more 
likely to govern the unhappy republic 
according to high moral standards than 
the stern president who now occupies 
Chapultepec castle, and who, at least, 
has made a sturdy and partly successful 
effort, in spite of the continued hostility 
of the Wilson Administration, to restore 
order and protect life and property? 

The brief, futile and disastrous admin- 
istration of the weak and sentimental 
Madero, who also called himself a "con- 
stitutionalist," should be an effective 
warning to all who indulge in the vain 
hope of a Me.xico governed according to 
Anglo-Saxon principles. 

.A.nd if President Huerta should refuse 
to retire from power? If the new Mex- 
ican Congress should declare the recent 
election null and void, and proceed, un- 
der the Mexican constitution, to elect 
Huerta to the presidency? What then? 

Will the United States become the ally 
of the bandit forces of the "constitu- 
tionalists" and turn Mexico into a gen- 
eral and interminable scene of slaughter 
and destruction, or will we resort to 
armed intervention, punish Huerta for 
the murder of Madero at the cost of the 
blood of thousands of the best and brav- 
est young men of our country, and in- 
vite the peril of national and interna- 
tional complications which no man can 
now foresee? 

Are we willing to pour out our blood 
and treasure, to darken our homes and 
further impoverish our people for the 
sake of a theory of government that we 
think the Mexicans should live up to? 



Thus far President Wilson has shroud- 
ed his present plans and policies in ab- 
solute mystery. He has refused to take 
the American people into his confidence. 

He has disregarded the official re- 
ports of our national representatives in 
Mexico, and has dealt with the situation 
through purely personal agents, carefully 
guarding from the public any adequate 
knowledge of what is going on behind 
the locked doors of his secretive admin- 
istration. 

But with a considerable American 
army assembling on the Mexican fron- 
tier, with heavy American naval squad- 
rons concentrating on the Mexican 
coast, the time has come when the peo- 
ple of the United States are entitled to 
know how far Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bry- 
an propose to go in reforming the in- 
ternal affairs of the Mexican people and 
setting up .'American moral and political 
standards for their guidance and gov- 
ernment. 

We must now deal with the facts as 
they are, rather than with moral gen- 
eralizations. We are face to face with 
the Mexico of real life instead of the 
Mexico imagined in comfortable Ameri- 
can libraries and studies. 

The ugly, brutal realities of condi- 
tions in that country will not change 
simply because we do not like them. 

In considering the horrible spectacle 
of wide-spread rapine and misery in 
Mexico to-day, it is well to remember 
that while theories of government are 
important, there must be actual govern- 
ment of some kind. 

The American government has made 
itself largely responsible in the eyes of 
the civilized world for the continuance 
of the appalling situation in Mexico, and 
the Wilson-Bryan policy of theory, se- 
crecy and drift seems to have made 
matters even worse than ever. 

X'g one familiar with Mexican history 
and character can have any doubt that 
if Huerta should resign it will be only 
a year or two at most belore another 
armed dictator will take his place in 
Mexico City. 

The dead centuries bear witness to 
the inescapable and unvarying fact that 
the Me.xican millions respect strength 
more than liberty, and that they will 
overwhelmingly and enthusiastically 
turn away from free, democratic Gov- 
ernment to support and obey a military 
master. 

Is it President Wilson's idea that the 
United States should permanently un- 
dertake responsibility for the govern- 
ment of such a people? — New York 
"Evening Mail." 



TREADWAY CRITICIZES WILSON. 

(Special to The New York "Times.) 

Stockbridge, Mass., Nov. lo.— Con- 
gressman Allen T. Treadway, Republi- 
can, of the First Massachusetts District, 
this afternoon criticized President Wil- 
son's Mexican policy in an interview, in 
which he said: 

"I feel that President Wilson has been 
extremely insistent with those in author- 
ity in Mexico that they should adopt his 
views and opinions. I fail to understand 
by what right our Government can insist 
upon who should be in control of the af- 
fairs of another nation. We, as Ameri- 
cans, would, I am sure, resent being told 
by a foreign power that any man could 
or could not be President; and, while we 
agree that the Mexicans have not so high 
a degree of intelligent citizenship as our 
people, it would seem that they should 
be allowed to select their own officials. 

"I can hardly conceive any provocation 
which can justify open hostility with 
Mexico. I realize many of our citizens 
have large investments within its boun- 
daries, which should either be protected 
or receive some form of recompense. If 
protection is impossible without war, let 
us as a nation liberally recompense these 
citizens for any loss they may sustain." 



DECRIES INTERFERENCE IN MEXICAN 
AFFAIRS. 

(By Mexican Cable to the N. Y. "Herald.") 
Buenos Ayres, Friday.— "La Prensa," editori- 
ally commenting on the Mexican situation, says 
it is convinced that Theodore Roosevelt disap- 
proves of the Wilson policy, because neither he 
nor Mr. Taft attempted to interfere in the domes- 
tic affairs of the Latin American countries. 

"The international conflict has become a mere 
electoral problem," the paper says, "and turns 
about the candidacy of Huerta. Interference by 
the LInited States is not justified by international 
law nor by the Monroe Doctrine, and the matter 
is aggravated by the participation of the Euro- 
pean Powers. Mexico is going through difficul- 
ties similar to those experienced by other coun- 
tries now flourishing. Mexico twice won inde- 
pendence. Why not give her credit and let her 
settle her own affairs without foreign tutorship, 
which, perhaps, fosters anarchy?" 

That the Mexican policy of the Wil- 
son Administration was being closely 
watched by all Latin-.\merican countries 
and had caused a recrudescence of a feel- 
ing of mistrust and antagonism has been 
repeatedly asserted by this periodical. 
The foregoing from one of the most in- 
fluential newspapers in the Southern 
Continent is another proof of our asser- 
tion. It must be considered that "La 
Prensa" is one of the most enthusiastic 
advocates of a close friendship between 
the Latin-.A.merican countries and the 
United States. The unwarranted inter- 
ference in the domestic affairs of a Latin- 
.A.merican State cannot but cause an ad- 
verse sentiment in all Latin-American 
people and redound to the detriment of 
our friendly relations with those people. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 



Saturdav, November 15, 1913 



AN INTERNATIONAL PUZZLE 



It is a fair question, then, and a rather 
important one, as to what authority 
President Wilson thinks to himself that 
he has for his demand, presented in the 
Mexican capital last Sunday, that the de 
facto head of the Mexican Government 
get out and disappear, and take all his 
ofKcial associates and friends with him. 

Let us assume for a moment that 
President Wilson designs, if and when 
General Huerta catches up his grip and 
vamooses, to place Venustiano Carranza 
in charge of the e.xecutive business of 
Mexico. This Carranza has worked him- 
self to a front place among those who 
have opposed the de facto Mexican Gov- 
ernment. He claims, we believe, to 
have physical control in one Mexican 
state, and he has adherents, temporary 
or otherwise, in other states of that 
countrj'. His men have plundered 
wherever they could, have burned or 
blown up with dynamite a good deal of 
private and public property, and have 
killed in cold blood a goodly number of 
those unfortunate Mexicans who have 
fallen into their hands and power as 
prisoners. As an effective instrument 
in the hands of President Wilson for 
givmg to the Mexican people an orderly 
and settled Government this Venustiano 
Carranza stands on a lower level than 
General Huerta, who is a trained soldier 
and has always handled trained troops; 
and in the matter of an election to the 
office of President of Mexico both 
Huerta and this Carranza stand upon an 
identical level. Neither has been elected 
to that office by even sucli electoral 
methods as were in use under Porfirio 
Diaz. Huerta did, hovyever, g-et the 
Constitutional assent of the Mexican 
Congress doing business at that time to 
his assumption of povser as the Provi- 
sional President, so that if mere Con- 
stitutional forms are the main thing, as 
President Wilson seems to hold, Htierta 
has a Constitutional qualification that 
Carranza lacks. For there is no shred 
or tatter of Constitutional authority 
about the power that Carranza holds. He 
has never been before the Mexican peo- 
ple as a Presidential candidate, but has 
picked up all the authority that he has 
by main force and brutal and bloody 
violence. The brutal and bloody vio- 
lence of Carranza's men is not thereby 
conjectured, as it is in the secret and 
backstairs reports brought to President 
Wilson in regard to Huerta's relation to 
the death of Francisco Madero, but is of 
current report in the daj''s news and 
from many different localities. Carran- 
za has accepted silently, and no doubt 
gratefully, the authority slowly built up 
for him by these robberies and murders, 
and they constitute the sole basis of all 
the Constitutional merit or quality that 
he possesses. Upon what ground does 
President Wilson explain to himself his 
preference for Carranza over Huerta 
as the man competent enough and clean 
enough to establish upon a stable foun- 
dation orderly and responsible Govern- 
ment in Mexico? 

If there is a choice between these two 
men, it is certainlje" in favor of Huerta. 
He has the courts and the army of Mex- 
ico on his side: he had the Congress of 
Mexico on his side — a Congress care- 
fully picked out and elected by Gustav 
Madero — until sedition made it a com- 
mon enemy of the de facto Government' 
and public order! He has maintained in 



personal safetj' very nearly every for- 
eigner residing in Mexico, no matter 
what his nationality may be, and is pre- 
pared to make due reparation in the verj' 
few and isolated instances where his 
public protection has failed; he is not a 
visionary man, but a practical man; his 
intelligence is not very large, but he 
knows most of the important things, and 
knows them well; he is no sham, but a 
.real man; he means well, and unques- 
tionably is using his best knowledge to 
secure a stable Government for Mexico; 
and he is not afraid. Why President 
Wilson and the infallible Bryan should 
set out, on their own hook and with no 
known authority except from them- 
selves, to pick upon and peck at Huerta, 
to hold him up here and scold him 
there, to torment him with silly pro- 
posals and threaten him with demands 
that are frivolous unless backed up by 
the army and navy of the United States 
in fighting trim, is the greatest interna- 
tional puzzle of these times. We won- 
der how President Wilson explains and 
justifies it all to himself. — Hartford 
(Conn.) "Daily Courant." 



DOOMED TO FAILURE. 

The idea that President Wilson entertains that 
he can bring about peace in the neighboring Re- 
pubHc by moral suasion is the wildest sort of a 
dream. The trouble in Mexico is purely and 
simply a struggle for office and the plunder at- 
tached to the control of the Government. The 
Jlexican Constitution is a very plausible instru- 
ment on paper, but nobody, not even Madero, 
ever permitted it to stand in the way of his 
schemes. Until the masses have become better 
educated the rule of a strong hand is essential 
in Mexico. Porfirio Diaz was a dictator, and in 
some respects a despot, but he was a great exec- 
utive, and under his rule Mexico progressed and 
prospered as it never progressed or prospered 
before or is likely to do again, until some man 
of similar character and force is elevated to 
the Mexican presidency. 

Provisional President Huerta has adopted somr; 
of Diaz's methods. If his removal would pacify 
the country, the United States, backed by the 
powers, could, no doubt, force him to retire. 
The more difficult problem would be to fill hi« 
place. Certainly none of the men who have 
been mentioned as presidential possibilities meet 
the requirements of the situation. Any man at- 
tempting to rule Mexico along strict constitu- 
tional lines would be doomed to failure from the 
start, hence an effort in that direction under 
pressure by the United States would be labor 
wasted. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



That (Huerta's) position is one which has al- 
ready been seen by many Americans. It is, in 
brief, that even if the United States could find 
international law to demand of Huerta. that he 
vacate his office at once, and leave no successor. 
Huerta can find no Mexican law to warrant such 
action on his part. 

This will, doubtless, be the substance of the 
answer returned to Washington. The new Mexi- 
can Congress is to be convened on Monday, ac- 
cording to advice from the Mexican capital; On 
the same day, Washington dispatches say, Mr. 
Wilson is to take more decided action against 
the Huerta Government. Mr. Wilson'* pro- 

gramme, as reported from the first, and with- 
out denial from any quarter, considers the Mexi- 
can Congress a negligible factor in the case. 
Whether this contempt of the Mexican Con- 
gress grows out of his contempt of Mexico, or 
out of his experiences with Congressmen in gen- 
era!, would be an interesting question. — Washing- 
ton "Star." 



A STUPID MISTAKE. 

Just here is where President Wilson is mak- 
ing a stupid mistake. With a schoolmaster's 
narrowness of practical .understanding he insists 
upon impossible conditions. He finds in the 
Mexican constitution a document modeled large- 
ly after our own fundamental law, embodying 
a definite scheme of representative Government ; 
and he can not be persuaded that this scheme 
may not be enforced in Mexico precisely as in 
Massachusetts or Nebraska. He can not under- 
stand that the Mexican constitution in no sens« 
reflects Mexican standards of life; that it ii no 
product of Mexican conceptions or aspirations; 
that it is an artificial thing set up in disregard 
of local conditions and designed for no other 
purpose than to serve the aims and plans of 
autocracy. With his finger on the text, blind 
to anything but the text, deaf to instruction, he 
insists with foolish persistence upon the letter of 
the constitution. President Wilson ought to un- 
derstand that the paramount need in Mexico 
is for some man strong enough to dominate the 
situation precisely as Porfirio Diaz dominated it 
for so many years. He ought to see that the 
one eilort within half a century to sustain the 
Me.xican Government upon an ideal basis — that 
of the late President Madero — came to naught. 
He ought to see that the immediate hope of 
tranquility and order in Mexico lies in giving 
Huerta a free hand. 

The theory of the British Government in the 
present situation is that it is no business of the 
outside world to supervise the internal affairs of 
Mexico. Whatever Government may be able to 
sustain itself and to enforce order and security 
England is willing to accept. Her concern is 
primarily for the interest of her investors aad 
for the maintenance of conditions under which 
they may pursue their business under existing 
contracts and without molestation. Therefore 
England has recognized Huerta and has so timed 
the terms and conditions of her communications 
with him as to rebuke the United States. Very 
frankly England accepts the theory that the 
United States as a near neighbor of Mexico has 
certain prior rights and certain responsibilities, 
but she does not hold herself bound to a course 
of supine neglect of her own interest because 
President Wilson under a whimsical theory de- 
clines either to fish or cut bait. 

The position of England is practically that of 
Germany. The Imperial Government likewise 
regards Huerta as a man proper to be dealt 
with and does not take it upon herself to look 
too closely or scrupulously into the sources of 
his authority. In brief the European idea is 
that the powers obviously in Huerta's hands en- 
title him to consideration as the de facto head 
of Mexico and they are treating him accord- 
ingly- — San Francisco "Argonaut." 



FROM DESPOTISM TO BRIGAND- 
AGE. 

Is it good common sense, to say noth- 
ing of morality, to talk of an American 
national policy intended to arm and en- 
courage the hordes of Mexican bandits 
who, as "constitutionalists," have been 
murdering, burning and plundering their 
wretched country for so many montlis? 

Are we to become the moral allies of 
assassins and robbers, and assist in wid- 
ening the scene of massacre and pillage, 
in order to vindicate the opinion of Presi- 
dent Wilson and Secretary Bryan that 
the despotic Huerta is unfit to be presi- 
dent of Mexico? 

The horrible story of the operations 
of the so-called "constitutionalists," much 
of which has been unprintable, should 
warn the American people of the sort 
of government Mexico is likely to have 
under the Carranzas and Zapatas. — New 
York "Evening Mail." 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 



THE MEXICAN MENACE. 

It has been reported that President 
Wilson has ordered Huerta to resign 
and not to appoint Blanquet or any 
other member of his official family in 
his place as provisional President. 

Suppose President Huerta should re- 
fuse to obey the order, if it has been 
issued, what does President Wilson pro- 
pose that the United States shall do 
about it? Suppose that Huerta should 
obey the order. By whom will his suc- 
cessor be elected or appointed and who 
shall designate such successor? 

It is to l)e feared that President Wil- 
son will either make the United States 
ridiculous by making a demand which he 
will make no attempt to enforce, or by 
attempting to enforce it will precipitate 
a war with Mexico that will cost us 
thousands of lives and hundreds of mil- 
lions of treasure. Anybody familiar 
with the Mexican character knows that 
if we send an army into Me.xico to aid 
Carranza or to depose Huerta, we might 
indeed bring harmony and alliance be- 
tween contending Mexican factions, but 
it would be an alliance of all Mexicans 
against the invading "gringocs." 

Unless President Wilson backs square- 
ly out of his unwarranted and inde- 
fensible position — which he probably 
won't do, for to admit himself to be 
wrong would inflict indescribable an- 
guish upon his self-sufficient soul — un- 
less he should conclude that the chan- 
cellors of all the great powers of Europe 
probably know as much aljout the law 
of nations and the usages of diplomacy 
as he does, he may precipitate this na- 
tion into a war with Mexico. 

If sucli should be the case, "The Times" 
will necessarily support the war policy 
of the Administration, for its motto has 
ever been "our country, may she be al- 
ways right; but right or wrong, our 
country." In such dire event it could 
only hope that the commanders chosen 
to conduct military operations would be 
selected for their military as well as 
their "moral" efficiency. — Los Angeles 
"Times." 



NOT TOO LATE 



EAGER FOR LOOT- 

(Special Cable Despatch to the New York "Sun.") 
London, Nov. 10.— The Mexico City corre- 
spondent of the "Times" cables this morning 
that on returning to the capital after several 
weeks in the northern States he found that 
Americana as well as Englishmen in Mexico 
City are unanimous in the belief that the policy 
of the United States is dangerous to the inter- 
ests of foreigners. 

He adds that foreigners feel that the only 
explanation of the "meddling and muddling" by 
President Wilson and Secretary Bryan is that 
the United States wishes to force a war. 

"President Wilson," the correspondent sayi, 
"obstinately disregarded the urgent representa- 
tions made by persons intimately acquainted with 
the character of the Mexicans about the dis- 
astrous effect of the United States policy on for- 
eign enterprises in Mexico." 

The correspondent contends that it is impos- 
sible for Gen. Huerta, who commands the con- 
fidence of the army, to desert his post unless he 
can find a successor able to handle the difficult 
situation with firmness and courage. 

The report that Huerta is about to resign in 
faTor of Lascurain is generally discredited. 

The correspondent of the "Times" admits that 
many of the rcyolutionary leaders are men of 
high character, but he says they are utterly un- 
able to control the local commanders, who are 
eager only for loot. 



Many of the smcerest friends of the 
President do not think he has had full 
information as to the actual conditions 
in Mexico, and this they say without the 
least reflection upon the really sensible 
conduct of John Lind since he was sent 
to the front. 

The President's policy, so far as he 
has any policy, had been determined 
upon before Mr. Lind was dispatched to 
the City of Mexico, and there he has 
been engaged ah iost wholly with his ne- 
gotiations through O'Shaughnessey with 
the Government of Huerta and with lit- 
tle or no adequate means of estimating 
the strength of the revolutionists or the 
sentiment of the people. He could not, 
in the very difficult circumstances in 
which he found himself, do more than 
describe conditions in the part of Mexi- 
co under the control of the Huerta Gov- 
ernment, which seems, in fact, to be the 
only organized Government in that 
country. 

The main American objection to 
Huerta is that he has blood on his hands 
— the lilood of Madero — and that he is 
not the constitutional President because 
he was not duly elected by the people. 
It does not prove anything, of course, 
to say that Madero also had blood on 
his hands as President of Mexico as the 
leader of a bloody but successful revo- 
lution against the established order 
* * * 

If the United States should go into 
Mexico to restore constitutional Gov- 
ernment and should hold an election, 
who would vote at that election? Seven- 
ty-five per cent, of the people of Mexico 
are Indians or half-breeds and wholly 
ignorant of the suffrage. The majority 
of the people belong to the peon class 
and they could not be allowed to vote 
without peril to the republic. The class 
of voters in the United States most 
nearly corresponding to the peons of 
Mexico are not allowed to vote in the 
States from which the President re- 
ceived his strongest support in the con- 
vention that nominated him. 

Daniel H. Chamberlain, of Massachu- 
setts, the last of the Reconstruction Gov- 
ernors of South Carolina, after years of 
testing the citizenship of the colored 
people of that State, in a very notable 
speech said, "The civilization of the Hu- 
guenot, the Cavalier and the Puritan is 
in peril," and abandoned the theory for 
which he had fought four years in the 
field and had afterward tried to work 
out in peace. 

It would be worse than folly to try 
the same thing in Mexico now, and if 
in holding elections in Mexico the 
United States should exclude the peons 
from the polls the peons would remain 
in the field as revolutionists, and if the 
peons should be permitted to vote and 
should place their own candidates in 
office, the better, property-holding peo- 
ple of Mexico would be compelled for 
their own protection to oppose the "con- 
stitutional Government" so established 
by American intervention. 

It was noted }-esterday by a careful 
observer of conditions in Mexico that 
since the present revolution began all 
the outrages upon person and property 
inthat distressed country had been com- 
mitted, not by the Huerta Government, 
but by the revolutionists; that the only 
parts of Mexico in which both person 
and property had been comparatively 



safe had been the parts where the Ad- 
ministration of Huerta had been recog- 
nized. 

It is not too late for the Government 
at Washington to make further inquiry 
into the facts of the situation in Mexico. 
Probably the President might be willing 
to share the responsibility of this most 
important matter with the Congress, as 
Congress undoubtedly would be com- 
pelled to share the responsibility with 
him if this country should go to war, by 
having Congress authorize an investiga- 
tion of Mexican conditions by a specia' 
commission composed of its least ex- 
citable and most level-headed men. inch 
a commission doubtless would t t ac- 
ceptable to both factions in Mexico and 
to the foreign Governments whose peo- 
ple are vitally interested in Mexican af- 
fairs. It could proceed with its work 
without offense to the dignity of the 
President and without reflecting upon 
the service of his special representatives. 
—J. C. H. in the Phila. "Public Ledger." 

STUPID AND UNTENABLE. 

President Wilson's warning to Europe to keep 
hands off in Mexico is under all the circum- 
stances gratuitous and foolish — and foolhardy. 
Europe desires nothing else so much as to keep 
free from any entanglement in the Mexican situ- 
ation. But neither England, Germany, or France 
will for long sit still while Mr. Wilson pur- 
sues a boyish and foolish course. Already in 
terms of studied diplomacy the United States 
Government has been informed that it may have 
a free hand in Mexico, but this is far from im- 
plying that the European countries directly in 
interest will sit idly by and see the investments 
of their citizens go to ruin. A time must soon 
come when the United States must either secure 
the interests of Europe or leave Europe, by con- 
sent of the United States or without it, to look 
to her own interests. This is the plain mean- 
ing of recent action on the part of England and 
Germany. 

The logic of President Wilson's position is 
that he will oppose any authority in Mexico 
which may in the present state of affairs at- 
tain a sufficient power to assert and maintain 
itself. Since there cair be no "full and free" 
expression of the "will of the people" there can 
be no government in Mexico. For if Huerta 
should fail whoever might succeed him would 
stand precisely in the same case. It is a situa- 
tion where any authority possible to be estab- 
lished must rest upon arbitrary authority and 
positive force. If Mr. Wilson is to oppose any 
such authority then the practical effect of his 
course must be to sustain and continue the chaos 
which has ruled in the country this two years 
or more. 

And this means that first or last — unless there 
shall come to him some inspiration of common 
sense — Mr. Wilson will involve the United States 
in an unnecessary, protracted, and costly war. 
Under this theory we must oppose Huerta, or 
whoever else may rise, by force in Mexico; like- 
wise we must oppose whatever other power may 
undertake to compose the situation. We are, 
under the Wilsonian doctrine, to stand a veri- 
table dog in the manger. And we can not so 
stand without involving ourselves in serious 
troubles either in Mexico itself or with some 
European power or combination of powers. If 
tkis policy is persisted in we shall have on our 
hands either an aggressive war in Mexico or a 
war with somebody else. Mr. Wilson's policy 
is at once stupid and untenable. It has no sup- 
port in any principle or rule which commands 
the respect of intelligent men at home or else- 
where. — San Francisco "Argonaut." 



MEXICO 



Satiirdav, November 15, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION—Continued 



THE SPIRIT OF THE SCHOOLMASTER 



It is not surprising that tlie provi- 
sional president of Mexico, whose im- 
mediate resignation is demanded by 
President Wilson, has signified, as stated 
in an Associated Press dispatch, his 
purpose to remain in office tmtil after 
the newly elected Mexican Congress is 
seated and has performed its constitu- 
tional function in canvassing the vote 
for president, and taking such action in 
choosing his successor as the constitu- 
tion of Mexico may prescribe. Such a 
course of action is the obvious one for 
Huerta to take. The imperative man- 
date from Washington is aimed as much 
at the Alexican Congress as at him. It 
is aimed at the body of Mexican con- 
stitutional law, and at the entire sys- 
tem of Mexican Government. It is in- 
tended to suspend Governmental func- 
tions long operative under the laws of 
Mexico. With what it is proposed to 
displace them, is not yet disclosed. Nor 
is it necessary for Huerta's purpose that 
they should be. So far as disclosed, the 
mandate is that he retire and leave the 
office vacant. He is no longer the sole 
object of attack. The Washington Ad- 
ministration which denied the validity 
of the credentials given him by the last 
A'lexican Congress is now denying, in 
advance, the right of the new Congress 
to issue credentials to any Mexican in 
the constitutional line of provisional 
succession, or to any Mexican under 
suspicion at Washington of not being 
opposed to the existing Government of 
his country. Mexico itself being now 
menaced, Huerta finds his opportunity 
to make common cause with all Mexi- 
cans against foreign usurpations. 

This favorable change of position for 
Huerta seems to be clearly seen by Gen. 
Carranza. the leader of the constitution- 
alists. It is realized by him that, if 
what is now contemplated is pressed to 
the point of attempt, the revolution will 
be swallowed up in a popular movement 
for national assertion of national right. 
Tlie zone of hostile feeling toward the 
United States must now be rapidly wi- 
dening in Mexico. Senor Carranza sees 
such prospects as he has had, disap- 
pearing in a situation which could not 
have been better calculated to make of 
Victoriano Huerta a national hero. Gen. 
Carranza is constant in his urging 
against intervention, or any form of 
policy which may tend to war between 
the two countries. He insists that only 
a modified form of recognition of the 
belligerent rights of the revolutionists 
will bring a speedy solution of the prob- 
lem through the triumph of the revolu- 
tionists' cause. The Administration at 
Washington, while claiming that the 
Huerta Government has not been repre- 
sentative of Mexican public opinion, has 
steadfastly refused any recognition of 
that part of Mexican opinion which is 
in organized protest against it. We 
have, while denying that Huerta has 
a dominant strength, refused to recog- 
nize such elements of strength as have 
been opposing him. Our entire policy 
has long tended toward the point we 
now seem to be. reaching; that of as- 
serting our own dictatorship in a set- 
ting aside of Mexican forms of proce- 
dure, and putting in place a makeshift 
of our own devising. 

So repugnant is all of this to the 
American sense of freedom and fair 
play, and so widely at variance is it 



with our traditional continental policies, 
that it can not be long until public opin- 
ion makes itself felt at Washington. This 
country does not want a war with Mex- 
ico. We are tired of crediting Mr. Wil- 
son and Mr. Bryan with peace motives. 
The situation is now past the point of 
considering motives. Let their motives 
be what they may, their policies are 
tending toward a war which, if it comes, 
will be one of the most unjustifiable in 
history. Their entire course has been 
one of persecution of one man, uncon- 
victed of any crime under Mexican law. 
Acting at first under impulse and emo- 
tion the spirit of the schoolmaster to 
rule has led to complications and dan- 
gers unforeseen by them at the start, 
and warning of which has been ascribed 
by them to partisan malice. — St. Louis 
"Globe-Democrat." 

THE ROLE OF PROFESSOR. 
The position which President Wilson 
is compelling this Government to assume 
toward Mexico is a complete reversal of 
that which Uncle Sam has heretofore 
been taking in dealing with foreign na- 
tions from Washington to Taft. It has 
been our boast that we never meddled in 
the government affairs of our sister na- 
tions and always protected the property 
and lives of Americans no matter where 
they were. In addition we have said that 
because we will not allow European na- 
tions to meddle in affairs on the Ameri- 
can continent, Uncle Sam will protect 
the citizens of those countries. But now 
all is changed. President Wilson has 
abandoned this and his position toward 
Mexico when reduced to everyday lan- 
guage is simply this: "You may burn the 
American's property if you want to; you 
can rob him, kill his children, outrage his 
wife and finally torture and murder him 
in cold blood if you desire, and I'll not 
interfere; but you shall elect no man to 
office unless he measures up to my stand- 
ard, and your form of government must 
be in harmony with my theories of pol- 
itical ethics." This is not overdrawn. All 
this is waved aside while President Wil- 
son in his role of professor of interna- 
tional law says sternly to Mexico: "Come, 
recite your lesson in political economy." 
— "Town Topics." 



The question is whetlier the new ruler we 
would thus give a trial would be any better able 
than Madcro or Huerta to restore order and 
bring business back to normal conditions. It ia 
difficult to tell before he is tried whether a 
despot win be competent, and all save such 
jingling rainbow chasers as Mr. Bryan under- 
stand that for many years to come stable gov- 
ernment in Mexico is simply a question of the 
competence and strength of its head. 

Such is the situation to which the Wilson- 
Bryan policy of objection to Huerta because he 
didn't attain power by "popular election" h«i 
brought us. Those who like the situation will 
approve the policy as well conceived. Those 
who don't like the situation and see in it un- 
pleasant possibilities will regret that the tra- 
ditional policy of accepting accomplished factf in 
the Governments of other countries w»i not 
followed. — Chicago "Intcr-Ocean." 



MADERO'S FAILURE. 

"The action of Huerta in seizing the 
reins of government has never been un- 
derstood in the United States," said Mr. 
Kerr, President of the Mexico Society of 
Chicago. "He has been looked upon as a 
traitor, a usurper and a murderer. What 
are the facts? 

"Madero's administration had proved 
to be a failure. He had lost the sym- 
pathy and support of the people, whose 
complaints were becoming more bitter 
and more general every day. The gov- 
ernment funds had been exhausted and 
its credit was becoming impaired. De- 
mands for the retirement of Madero were 
heard on every hand. On the 14th of 
February, instead of heeding the demand 
of Congress that he resign, Madero sent 
out a false story that the United States 
marines were landing at Vera Cruz, thus 
hoping to arouse his people through fear 
of intervention to rally to his support. 

"It is a curious thing that all parties 
have lost sight of the fact that a consti- 
tutional presidential term began on Dec. 
I, 1910. This term, for which Porfirio 
Diaz was elected, continues for six years. 
Yet in spite of the Constitution, the law 
and the election, Madero, through force, 
secured the retirement of Diaz and the 
calling of a new formal election. Ma- 
dero took the Presidency at a time not 
contemplated by the Constitution and an- 
nounced that he would serve from Oc- 
tober, 191 1, for the full term of si.x years 
from that date." — Chicago "Inter-Ocean." 



DR. WOOLSEY ON MEXICO. 

New Haven, Nov. 9.— Dr. Theodore S. Wool- 
sey, professor of international law at Yale, said 
to-night in discussing the Mexican situation that 
armed inter\'ention was utterly inexpedient. He 
added : 

"The question of intervention in the case of 
Mexico is really connected with the other ques- 
tion of the recognition of Huerta as a consti- 
tutional President. 

"Our usage in such a case is to allow suf- 
ficient time to elapse to make sure that an in- 
cumbent is sufficiently backed by the will of 
the people to guarantee to us that he can carry 
out the obligations of his State. 

"Thus Mr. Wilson is quite right in being 
slow to recognize Huerta. As soon as Huerta 
appears so firmly seated as to fulfil the require- 
ments mentioned above he should be recognized, 
even if he is not a constitutional President or 
a virtuous man. 

"Intervention is a denial of Mexican inde- 
pendence, which means the right to be let alone. 
It is largely a matter of policy to be excused 
only through the overwhelming necessity of self- 
defence. 

"To intervene by force of arms if any other 
remedy is left untried is an error. To attempt 
intervention unless there is a promise of a suc- 
cessful issue to it is an error. Thus interven- 
tion, like revolution, to be justifiable must b« 
successful. 

"This is a simple statement of the general rules 
and of our usage governing recognition and in- 
tervention which everybody must apply to the 
facts for himself. 

"Personally I should regard intervention as 
uncertain in its outcome, as a blow to our pros- 
perity, as utterly inexpedient. In dealing with 
Mexico we need patience and then more patience. 
— New York "Sun." 



Saturday. November 15, 1013 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 



DRIFTING TOWARD WAR. 

The impression is sicadily gaining 
ground in Washington that tlie forcible 
intervention of the United States in Mex- 
ico is inevitable. It is explained by apol- 
ogists for President Wilson that he has 
exhausted every peaceful means to bring 
about the retirement of Huerta, and hav- 
ing repudiated in advance the result of 
the Mexican elections, the voluntary ef- 
facement of Huerta can alone stay the 
drift towards war. 

If this is the best that can be said in 
justification of President Wilson's course 
— and it is the best that is said — he has 
brought our relations with Mexico to 
such a point that the head of that repub- 
lic must either efface himself at foreign 
dictation, or the President of this repub- 
lic must admit his mistake and change 
his policy. It is held to be unlikely that 
President Wilson will confess his error 
of judgment by reversing himself; while 
men who know Huerta declare that he 
will never retire unless he is forced to. 
What a deplorable outcome of a futile 
and foolish diplomacy! 

Let us assume in advance that our 
President is sincerely desirous of pacify- 
ing Mexico and preserving peace between 
the countries. Let us assume that he is 
wholly uninfluenced by any consideration 
so unworthy as that war would popular- 
ize his Administration. Conceding his 
good intentions and examining his policy 
on its merits we find him insisting that 
Mexico ought to have a government of a 
certain kind instead of the one she has. 
Having prejudiced the case and ex- 
pressed himself with emphatic positive- 
ness on the subject, he talks and acts as 
if he would sooner see the two countries 
drift into war than to abandon or modify 
his position. * * * 

Even if tlie President's estimate of 
Huerta does him no injustice, does that 
fact confer on us the right to inter- 
fere? But the truth is that more 
than twenty Americans who have re- 
sided in Mexico for from six to 
thirty years have issued a statement that 
our Administration is misinformed, mis- 
led and miserably ignorant of the aims 
and character of Huerta, and the desires 
and needs of Mexico. A war between 
these two countries would be unholy and 
calamitous; it ought to be unthinkable; 
and if it comes it will be due to the ob- 
stinate persistence of our Administration 
in a mistaken course. — Rochester (N. Y.) 
"Post-Express." 



THE MISTAKE. 

The mistake made by our government 
in the beginning was in not recognizing 
Huerta as the "de facto" ruler of Mexico, 
without inquiring into his personal or 
official character and the legality of his 
title. It was necessary to have some- 
body at the head of the Mexican Govern- 
ment to hold responsible but now there 
is none. And as to character, when has 
there been an honest constitutional elec- 
tion in Mexico? 

We have nothing to do with the morals 
or the politics of the Mexican people. 
We demand that in our relations with 
their government there should be mutual 
order and fairness in our exchanges of 
commerce and that all associations and 
intercourse should be peaceful and amic- 
able, and we should be ready at all times 
to resist injustice and resent wrong 
treatment of any sort. 

As it is we will make our diplomacy a 
ridiculous farce, possibly to end in a pro- 
longed and bloody tragedy. — New Or- 
leans "Daily Picayune." 



A war with Mexico, even if rieht were on OMr 
Bide, might multiply a thousand fold the »uf- 
fcring and priration in that unhappy country; 
while a war "to save a face" and make good an 
amateurish innovation in diplomacy would em- 
bitter every State to the south of us in the two 
Americas and discredit us in the eyes of the 
world as a nation of pretenders whose practice 
falls short of its professions. — Rochester (N. Y.) 
"Post Express." 



HAS THE ADMINISTRATION ANY 
POLICY TOWARD MEXICO? 

There will be no objection to the Pres- 
ident's disclaimer of a short time limit 
ultimatum to General Huerta. There will, 
on the contrary, be a general feeling of 
relief at the passing of an ominous pros- 
pect. For in the possible contingency of 
General Huerta's refusal such an ulti- 
matum would confront us witli the al- 
ternative of humiliation or war, and this 
country does not want either. If the 
Mexican problem can be satisfactorily 
disposed of without incurring such risks 
there will be cause for profound gratifi- 
cation and the nation will give ungrudg- 
ing credit to whom it is due. 

The question inevitably arises, how- 
ever, whether this new turn of the kalei- 
doscope means prudence or something 
far less creditable; and for that question 
the Administration has only itself to 
blame. All hough it has been the recipi- 
ent of such patient courtesy and loyal 
support as few others have ever known, 
it has failed thus far to convince the 
country of the fact that it has a compre- 
hensive and efficient grasp of the situa- 
tion, or that it has toward Mexico a pol- 
icy worthy of the traditions of American 
diplomacy. The country has not been 
able to rid itself of the idea that the 
Administration is or has been drifting, 
waiting for something to turn up and 
looking upon some of the gravest respon- 
sibilities of government much as Mr. 
Bryan has seemed to look upon the socio- 
diplomatic exploitation of Mr. Pindell, of 
Peoria. 

It is said to be the resolute determina- 
tion of the Administration that "Huerta 
must go." But has the Adrninistration 
any definite plan for enforcing its man- 
date? Is it convinced, and can it con- 
vince this nation and the world that 
it has the moral and legal right to inter- 
vene in the domestic affairs of Mexico 
so far as to dictate who shall or at least 
who shall not be President in that coun- 
try, and that it would be justified in go- 
ing to war to enforce its decree? If not, 
there is grave reason for doubting the 
wis'dom of a policy which consists of de- 
claiming unenforceable commands. * * * 
— New York "Tribune." 



Subscribe to "MEXICO" 



WHY KEEP UP THE MEXICAN 
MYSTERY? 

President Wilson owes it to the whole 
country to emerge from the secrecy of 
his Mexican policy and make a frank and 
authoritative statement of the situation. 

It is an obvious outrage that the busi- 
ness of the nation should be depressed 
by persistent rumors and predictions of 
war if. as a matter of fact, there is no 
reasonable ground for these alarms. 

The people are entitled to know what 
is going on behind the doors at Washing- 
ton. 

Has the Wilson Administration any 
plans for the immediate future of the 
Mexican question? Or is the govern- 
ment still drifting? 

There should be no more mystery 
about the matter, and Mr. Wilson is mak- 
ing a serious mistake in treating this 
grave problem as a matter of personal 
policy when he should take the country 
into his confidence, present the facts as 
they are, and say what he thinks should 
be done, if he things anything should be 
done. 

If we are preparing for intervention in 
Mexico, direct or indirect, the country 
should have plain notice, so that it can 
prepare its affairs for the possible shocks 
of war. If not. President Wilson should 
say so over his signature.- — ^New York 
"Evening Mail." 

No mere continuance of refusal to rec- 
ognize the acts of Huerta or those who 
govern through the same arbitrary use 
of power will suffice. The Administra- 
tion faces the necessity for declaring a 
constructive policy, and not merely a 
negative one or one of annoying, but in- 
effective, interference. Something radi- 
cally different from the attitude of the 
past will have to be announced, to induce 
the European governments, now await- 
ing word from Washington, to refrain 
from doing the perfectly obvious in their 
diplomacy, that of recognizing whatever 
government is in power and has the most 
potentiality for retaining it and restoring 
peace. — St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 

MEXICO AS SHE IS. 

To the Editor of the New York "Trilnine" : 

In your People's Column of the 6th is a state- 
ment as regards the Mexican siuation by Mr. 
Samuel L. Parrish. 

For his summing up of the status of the or- 
dinary Mexican, the ratio between the intelligent 
and the ignorant, I can personally vouch from 
many professional trips to Mexico. It is the most 
accurate summing up of conditions in Mexico 
that I have ever seen anywhere. His inference 
that follows logically, that a free election is 
absolutely impossible, is the only one that can 
be drawn. His conclusion, that Huerta should 
have been recognized, can be only an opinion. 
Be that as it may, I heartily agree with him. 

Personally I would be willing to sign my name 
to his article as it was published and without 
changing so much as a puctuation mark. 

FRANK L. NASON. 

West Haven, Conn., Nov. 6, 1913. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 



"CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED." 

President Wilson, commenting on the 
Mexican situation, observed that "all 
Government rests on the consent of the 
governed." The remark, intended as a 
rebuke to Huerta for refusing to resign, 
was really a timeworn truism, a school- 
master's platitude. Like all proverbs 
and platitudes, it is superficially accur- 
rate. It doesn't do to accept it too lit- 
erally. 

No Government yet ever enjoyed the 
consent of all the governed. If it rested 
on the consent of a bare majority, the 
people were in luck. The present Demo- 
cratic Government draws its authority 
not from the wishes of the people, but 
through an unfortunate schism in the 
ranks of the Republicans. It has just 
passed a new tariff law, certainly not 
with the consent of California. And yet 
the interests of California are vitally af- 
fected for the worse b}- the reduced duty 
on oranges and lemons. Wilson's rule 
may be as oppressive in the Southwest 
as Huerta's power is in Northern Mexi- 
co. We acquiesce in the present Demo- 
cratic regime because we have to. Many 
Mexicans are acepting Huerta for the 
same reason. 

Government depends on the consent of 
the governed, but only as long as the 
Government is carried on with vigor, 
consistency and straight dealing. As a 
matter of fact, a considerable number 
of people in every country are governed 
without any "by your leave" or "with 
your permission." Our loyalty to our 
country leads us to accept many things 
that our natural inclinations don't con- 
sent to. In the last analysis Govern- 
ment rests on the "because-you-have to" 
of the governed. We have to accept the 
heavy burden imposed on our citrus in- 
dustry. We do not in consequence de- 
mand the immediate removal of Presi- 
dent Wilson because he is ruling with- 
out the consent of the governed. 

When a certain limit of endurance 
has been reached, the American people 
will vote Mr. Wilson back to his job as 
schoolmaster. When a certain limit of 
endurance has been reached in Me.xico. 
the people will unite to elect once more 
a President by popular ballot. As long 
as a majority refuse to be governed ex- 
cept by the sword (the preseni condition 
of Mexico), it is impossible for any cen- 
tral authority to receive the consent of 
the governed. There are too many men 
who would rather fight than vote. — Los 
Angeles "Times." 



CARRANZA FAVORED. 

President Wilson looks not with dis- 
favor upon the claims and pleas of Car- 
ranza, chieftain of the rebels fighting 
Huerta. His men have murdered and de- 
stroyed for months, but he kneels in 
supplication before the college chair 
that was moved into the White House 
last March. Mr. Wilson, so it is said, 
and perhaps there is truth in it since he 
personally receives reporters, will soon 
decide whether or not he will recognize 
Carranza. Perhaps at present he is 
looking up the rebel chieftain's mor- 
al status — if he doesn't smoke cigarettes 
and never beat up his wife the chance 
seems to be pretty good that the em- 
bargo on arms will be lifted. — Los An- 
geles "Times." 



IN GERMANY. 

(Special Cable Despatch to the N. Y. "Sun.") 
Berlin, Nov. 8. — The attitude of the Gennan 
press is increasingly hostile toward the United 
States in the Mexican controversy. 

Prof. Delbrueck, the famous historian and po- 
litical writer, said to The "Sun" correspondent: 
"Who gave the United States the overlordship 
of the Western Hemisphere? By what right, 
moral or otherwise, does the United States in- 
terfere in Mexico and dictate who is to be Presi- 
dent 

"No right exists. There is no question but 
might, which is not changed by the fact that 
the people themselves and civilization in general 
probably will be served thereby. It is much as 
if Germany insisted that the Russians could not 
have Nicholas for the Czar because Jewish mur- 
ders were committed and convicts are scourged 
with the knout in Siberia, under his administra- 
tion. It is this broad principle of precedence, 
however humane, laid down in the Spanish War 
that is again arousing not only the German press 
and people, but England and France. The great 
Powers are jealous of one another. None has 
grown so rapidly or added so much territory to 
itself in the past century as the United States. 
Whether rightly or wrongly the impression pre- 
vails to-day that the fall of Diaz and the subse- 
quent revolutions were financed and furthered by 
Americans for the purpose of clearing the way 
for intervention, a protectorate and annexation, 
"The United States is laying down a princi- 
ple which is bound to have a tremendous influ- 
ence in shaping future history. We can readily 
understand President Wilson's reluctance to un- 
dertake what seems to be inevitable as long as 
he maintains his policy not to recognize Huerta 
or any one of the latter's party. The task which 
faces him is an enormous one and the world 
will watch his course with the keenest interest." 

Count Reventlow, the famous naval critic and 
political representative of the Pan-Germanic 
League said to the correspondent of The "Sun" : 

"The German press cannot understand why 
Huerta, who has shown himself the strongest 
man in Mexico, cannot be left in office and have 
a fair opportunity to establish order. The im- 
pression prevails that the United States is re- 
sponsible for the downfall of Gen. Porfirio Diaz 
and that it financed the subsequent revolutions 
to weaken Mexico and make intervention neces- 
sary and conquest easy. I do not say that this 
is my view, but it cannot be denied that it ex- 
ists in the great portion of the German press. 

"The anti-American sentiment, if you call it 
so, is further fed by the vacillating policy and 
apparent aimlessness of the American Govern- 
ment. If President Wilson cannot be per- 
suaded to recognize Huerta then he should make 
known some definite policy regarding what 
America can and will do and immediately set 
to work to carry it out to the end. This 
would go far to restore confidence and good 
faith in the United States. As it is. President 
Wilson refuses to do what seems to Germans 
the only logical thing, namely, to recognize 
Huerta. Yet he does not say what his inten- 
tions are or how he expects to establish order 
and restore commerce." 



It was a mistake not to have recognized 
Huerta at the start as the de facto executive, 
just as other countries did. Had that course 
been taken there would have been a much bet- 
ter chance to put down the various revolutionary 
movements. Our mistaken idea that consti- 
tutional methods must be adhered to in a coun- 
try where the people have not the remotest 
notion as to what constitutionalism and repre- 
sentative government mean, has greatly aug- 
mented the evil and may yet cost us much blood 
and treasure if intervention be undertaken. — 
New Orleans "Picayune." 



AMERICANS SAFE. 

Joseph Wheless, an attorney, upon his 
return to St. Louis, last night after a 
business trip of six weeks through 
Southern Mexico, declared: 

"I found bitter feeling against the 
United States on account of the policy 
of the Government, but in my opinion, 
the individual American, as an American, 
is not in any personal danger. 

"I have been in Mexico ten times in 
the last three years, ana am convinced 
that the Diaz type of Government is the 
only kind for that country. 

"Between 1821 and 1876, Mexico had 
sixty different rulers, and then Diaz took 
charge and kept it more or less peace- 
ful for thirty-two years. 

"There are no political parties in 
Mexico, only personal parties, with 
groups following this or that leader." 

Mr. Wheless lives at 6152 Washington 
avenue and maintains offices in Mexico. 
— St. Louis "Republic." 



MEXICO REFUGEES BLAME WILSON. 

Among those who fled on the Esperanza were 
Hiram Hixon, his wife and their three children 
and Mr. and Mrs. John Collins and their four 
children. The homes of both families aM in 
Philadelphia. 

Hixon was the superintendent of La Aurora 
mine, near Teziutlan, in the Province of Puebla. 
Collins is an official of another mine in the same 
province. The two men said that before they 
fled from their posts bandits under Emiliano 
Zapata raided their mines, seized Dr. Mondet, an 
Englishman, and John Edwards, an English boy, 
beat them into insensibility and then decided to 
shoot the boy, who had refused to tell where 
silver was hidden. 

Hixon said he believed there would be little 
trouble in Mexico if President Wilson had rec- 
ognized Huerta long ago. Huerta, he said, could 
have restored law and order in Mexico. But 
the attitude of the United States, Hixon declared, 
encouraged anarchy in Mexico. 

"Huerta could have borrowed money and 
united the Republic," he said. 

"On October 20 a band of Zapatistas visited 
the mining camp. They tortured Dr. Mondet, 
an Englishman, and John Edwards, an English 
boy, and afterward took $500 and rifles and 
ammunition. Those bandits were about on a par 
with your New York gunmen and gangsters. 
They were not soldiers ; they were merely rob- 
bers. 

"Something drastic must be done in Mexico. 
President Wilson had the opportunity of his ad- 
ministration months ago, but refused to take 
it. If he had recognized Huerta all would now 
be peaceable in Mexico." — N. Y. "Evening Jour- 
nal." 



DISAGREES WITH THE "WORLD." 

To the Editor of the New York "World": 

As an old reader of your paper, allow me to 
tell you frankly that your editorials on Mexico 
stand in ridiculousness next to the Wilson-Bryan 
policies. I do not think that one single Ameri- 
can who knows Mexico will approve you. That 
would not matter if the policy of our Govern- 
ment had not already cost hundreds of Mexi- 
can lives and millions' worth of property, and 
did not promise to cost thousands of American 
lives. By placing yourself on a point where 
you can have no view of Mexico, and by talking 
about something you know nothing about, you 
merely make fools of ourselves and do harm 
to the other fellow. 

CHAS. GRANDPIERRE. 
Mount Vernon, N. Y., Nov. 7. 



Saturday, November 15, 1913 



MEXICO 



WHAT NEXT? 
When Special Representative John Lind was 
sent to Mexico to tell President Huerta as dip- 
lomatically as possible what he should and 
should not do, it was loudly proclaimed from 
Washington that all European Governments 
were in hearty accord with the Administration 
programme of diplomatic inter\'ention, something 
new in American diplomacy, which had hitherto 
not intervened in Mexican political affairs. Un- 
der the developments of the situation this claim 
of sympathetic co-operation has gradually been 
changed to a frank admission of actual hostility 
on the part of European chancelleries to the 
American — or, more properly speaking the Wil- 
son-Bryan — policy of meddling in such a way as 
to prolong strife and increase confusion, instead 
of bringing peace and orderly Government. It 
is possible the Administration believed the Eu- 
ropean Governments were in accord with it, but 
if so it was because of inexperience in diplomacy 
and ignorance of the courtesy and delicacy of ex- 
pression which marks it. — St. Louis "Globe- 
Democrat." 



BLAMES PRESIDENT WILSON, 
especial to The New York "Times.") 

ITHACA, X. v., Nov. 10.— Dr. Andrew D. 
White, ex-Ambassador to Germany and Russia, 
who celebrated his eighty-first birthday Saturday, 
said to-day that he feared a war with Mexico and 
criticised President Wilson. 

"President Wilson has got himself into a great 
difficulty by saying what he could do and would 
not do in case certain things happened," said Dr. 
\\Tiite. "Although the South American countries 
may seem in accord with our measures they really 
are unfavorable to the policy which the United 
States has adopted toward the Central American 
tountries." 

ASKS POWERS TO PROTEST. 
(By Cable to the N. Y. "Tribune.") 

Paris, Nov. 9. — The "Temps," commenting on 
Mexico, says: 

"Taking the government from Huerta and in- 
trusting it to Carranza would be going from 
Scylla to Charibdis. 

"The European powers, whose interests are 
identical on the question of Mexico, should make 
it understood at Washington that humanity has 
nothing to gain by the armed intervention of the 
United States. This would mean danger to all 
foreigners, interminable guerilla warfare and still 
greater sacrifices on the part of European inter- 
ests. 

"As for putting the power into the hands of 
such Constitutionalists as Henry Lane Wilson de- 
scribes the result would be worse anarchy than 
at present." 



The aggressive attitude of our Government 
toward Mexico has no justification whatsoever, 
and such is the prevailing sentiment in each and 
«very one of the Latin- American countries in 
which, because of lack of tact in oui" statesmen, 
a feeling of dislike and misconfidence toward the 
United States is growing stronger every min- 
ute. 

V\Tiy should the United States gratuitously 
encroach on the right of a defenceless Latin- 
American country guilty of no other sin than 
that of having inadvertently fallen a prey to 
the underhand work of American intrigues? 

If our Executive, who seems to be moved 
by thought of the highest political morals, means 
to be sincere and fair, why not, with all the 
means within his reach, start an investigation to 
ascertain the causes that brought about the fall 
of Portirio Diaz and with it the fatal end of an 
era of forty years of peace and prosperity? If 
such an investigation is made and made dili- 
gently and in good faith, it will be shown that 
the Diazes, the Maderos and the Huertas have 
merely been actors in the drama, and that the 
playwrights are to be found on this side of the 
Rio Grande. 

If we not only encourage revolutions in Latin- 
American countries, but even go so far as to 
facilitate the means to start them, I believe that 
we have no right to raise a voice of protest at 
this time against the conditions that prevail in 
Mexico. 

JOHN F. BRISTOL. 

New York City, Nov. S, 1913, in the N. Y. 
■"Herald." 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: It is a well-known fact that Ameri- 
can bullets and supplies of all kinds from this 
side of the frontier keep up the flames of revo- 
lution, and for this reason all persons in Mexico 
who see their property destroyed from day to 
day — natives and foreigners alike — most earnestly 
desire that the American Government take ener- 
getic steps to stop, within its territory, this traffic 
in arms and supplies of war. 

It is a well-known fact that a new modification 
of the Monroe Doctrine as propounded by Mr. 
Roosevelt declared that "Chronic Disorder" in 
any of the countries of this hemisphere would jus- 
tify intervention by the United States. The grave 
danger of this new doctrine is at once apparent, 
for who shall determine when a state of "chronic 
disorder" exists? And what if the "chronic dis- 
order" be fomented from within the territory of 
the United States? When a situation which might 
demand intervention according to the above doc- 
trine is of such easy production, who shall blame 
the countries that lie to the south if they con- 
tinue suspicious of their powerful neighbor of the 
north? 

It is a well-known fact that ever since 1910 
Mexican revolutions have been hatched within the 
United States, and the revolutionary factions have 
had no difficulty in securing arras and ammuni- 
tion in any quantity, thus proving my assertion 
that the neutrality laws are not properly enforced. 
If the L^nited States really desires, entirely from 
moral and altruistic motive, to promote the good 
of the Mexican people, they will secure it best 
by complying with the duty of effectually enforc- 
ing neutrality rather than offering to perform 
something for other nations which cannot be per- 
formed. 
Baltimore, Md. C. METUSA. 



THE PROFESSOR IN MEXICO. 

Sir: What is it that the dear professor wanti 
in Mexico Will some one kindly enlighten me 
as to what earthly business it is of his to med- 
dle in the affairs of another nation? 

His schoolboy tactics have gone far enough. 
Do the people of the United States intend to sit 
quietly by and allow this accidental President to 
force a war upon them without one word of 
protest? But for Wilson's self-sufficiency and ob- 
stinacy all this trouble could have been avoided. 
There are those who may think his hrgh sounding 
words have a ring of sincerity, but his actions 
prove to the contrao'- 

There are many who know Mexico and Mexi- 
cans, but it is a well known fact that Wilson 
will listen to no one whose opinions do not 
agree with his. He accepts the views of one 
John Lind in preference to those of Americans 
who have spent from ten to thirty years in the 
Mexican Republic. 

Now, I, as an American, ask: "Who is be- 
hind Wilson?" 

The members of the rebel junta can get what 
they want to Wilson and in the press. The Ma- 
dero family are striving to regain power. Meet- 
ings have been frequent right in this city be- 
tween the Maderos and the rebel advisers. Our 
so-called neutrality laws are a farce, and our 
border patrol as good as nothing. 



What is Wilson's object All this talk about 
the morality part is bosh. Does he want Zapata? 
Or, perhaps, he has a leaning towards the bandit 
Villa as President of Mexico. The whole Mexi- 
can affair is a disgrace to this country. Arc 
we to be forced into a war to sacrifice the 
lives of thousands of Americans to satisfy the 
egotism of a one-idea man who has not the 
courage to retire from an untenable position? 
New York City, fl SARA N. KAMPF. 

MAPS IN COLORS 

Showing individual and corporate hold- 

in£?s in 

The Mexican Gulf Coast Oil Fields 

Accurate in every detail — A necessity 

for everybody interested in Mexican Oil. 

N. PAULSEN, Civil Engineer, 
Station O, Box 72 New York City 



Do you think Mexico is going 
to the bow-wows ? 

Well, think again. 

Mexico is all right and there is a lot 
of business done there. 

We have a fine transfer business for 
sale. 

Making money right along, revolu- 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We will give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO, 15 Broad St, New York City 



THE MAROON CUSHIONED ARCH SPRING 
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Brooklyn. N. Y. 



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Beginning with 

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MEXICO 



Salurday, November 15, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
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THE WAR THAT IS. 

What organized opposition exists 
against the government of President 
Huerta is in Washington, D. C. Its in- 
stigators have the ear of the Adminis- 
tration. The Administration holds the 
key to the press of the country. And 
the press of the country forms the opin- 
ion of the majority of the people. The 
inspired stories that come from Washing- 
ton discrediting or attempting to dis- 
credit the Mexican Government, and sug- 
gesting day after day and week after 
week American support of rebellion, are 
designed to keep the whole Mexican sit- 
uation in a turmoil out of which it is 
hoped finally that the Maderist group 
who brought all this trouble to Mexico 
may again find a way to power with 
American assistance and for the benefit 
of Big Interests in this country. 

President Wilson may not be a con- 
scious party to this colossal conspiracy 
to wreck a country if necessary to gain 
the mercenary ends of the conspirators. 
Secretary Bryan may not be a conscious 
party to the conspiracj'. But conspiracy 
there is and the attitude and the acts of 
the Administration officials fit in per- 
fectly with its purposes. 

It does not require more than ordinary 
perspicacity to see that the object of this 
daily agitation against the Mexican Gov- 
ernment is to prevent it from getting 
financial assistance. In every way possi- 
ble the conspirators must give the world 
the impression that there is and can be 
no stability in the Huerta Government. 
Every necessary executive move of the 
Mexican President must be branded as 
the intolerable action of a bloodthirsty 
dictator. Every looting of a Mexican 
town by bands of brigands must be hailed 
as a glorious victory for the Constitution. 
Every obstacle mast be put in the way 
of Huerta's plans to restore peace, and 
then he must be viciously attacked for 
inability to do it. The political schemes 
of ambitious men must be supported and 
encouraged to embarass Huerta and then 



he must be condemned for taking force- 
ful measures to block their plots. 

There is a war against Mexico fought 
daily in Washington, D. C. It is a vin- 
dictive war without quarter. It is a war 
called Moral Suasion, but in reality Im- 
moral Pressure. Its leaders do not come 
out into the open to fight. They work 
underground. Their ammunition is the 
written falsehood. Their commissariat 
is furnished by Big Interests. Their war 
balloons are canards to shape public 
opinion. Their artillery is Money. 

And to think that the flower of Ameri- 
can young manhood may be called upon 
to continue this unholy war. That while 
those who have instigated it and inspired 
its motives will sit back and complacently 
watch others fight the real battle, thou- 
sands of American soldiers will have 
their bodies punctured and torn with bul- 
lets and shrapnel; thousands of American 
homes will mourn the loss of father, son 
or husband. War is worse than what 
General Sherman called it. And we are 
headed for just that as sure as the tides. 
If there is to be war with Mexico, 
American troops and the American peo- 
ple will not be fighting for a national 
ideal, for a humanitarian cause, or for 
national expansion and development. 
They will be fighting for: 

The personal temperament and theories 
of President Wilson. 

The incompetence, or worse, of Secre- 
tary Bryan. 

The gumshoe activities of an ex-rev- 
erend, William Bayard Hale. 

The Mexican interests or Senator Fall, 
of New Mexico. 

The Mexican interests of the Phelps- 
Dodge Company. 

The Moican property of William Ran- 
dolph Hearst. 

The interests of the Waters-Pierce Oil 
Company, now the Pierce Oil Corpora- 
tion. 

The Madero family and clique. 
If the people of the United States can 
see anything inspiring in making war on 
a weaker nation for such persons and 
purposes, then history has not written 
true the honor, character, justice and fair- 
ness of the American people. 

There would be nothing glorious in 
such a war. In the years to follow, when 
the truth of the present situation would 
be clear, Americans would hang their 
heads in shame, to think that they had 
attempted to destroy a friendly neighbor- 
ing nation on such small and sordid 
grounds. 

The Washington Administration has 
already gone to much unwarranted lim- 
its in seeking to justify its entirely wrong 
Mexican policy that war may be inevit- 
able, now that the nation is committed 
and the impression given that a back- 
down by President Wilson would be hu- 
miliating to the country. But it is a 
shame that our Mexican relations should 
have been determined by an intolerant 
and self-opinionated mind and at the 
mercy of a shifty politician for whom the 
salary of Secretary of State was not suf- 
ficient. 



A WORD OF WARNING. 

Husky, virile youth squares its shoul- 
ders and thrusts out a jaw of defiance to 
the forces of life and death. The knowl- 
edge of growing power is impatient of 
restraint. Physical expansion and mus- 
cular development ' are reflected in a 
spirit of rough-and-ready egotism. The 
weakness of others is a matter of either 
indifference or irritation. The cup of 
experience is sipped with a satisfied 
smacking of full red lips. Those who 
have drunk to the dregs smile cynically 
at the satisfaction, but youth shoves 
them aside. 

Ours is a youthful nation, with all the 
virility and expansiveness of youthful 
health. We feel strong enough to fight 
and conquer the whole world. We are 
conscious of our might among nations, 
the might not so, much of standing armies 
as of natural resources. Drunk with 
the inspiration of health and strength, it 
is not unlikely that we may lose sight 
of the limitations of physical life. We 
may forget that there are finer and more 
lasting values than the value of power. 
That the standard of might must in the 
end give way to the standard of right. 
That as we set our standard before 
the world so shall the world deal 
with us. 

If the spirit of might above right shall 
prevail in our nation, if we determine to 
impose by force our arbitrary demands 
on weaker nations, is it not possible that 
the other strong nations of the world, 
shoved about and jostled in our bull-like 
charge, might retaliate in kind? If we 
should, for instance, b.ecause we have the 
power, destroy or attempt to destroy the 
nationality of Mexico, could we in reason 
expect any different treatment in the 
future from any stronger nation or coali- 
tion of nations? Force breeds force. 
Fire must be fought with fire. 

Fortunately for civilization and the 
ideals of mankind there is a spirit of 
peace and justice inspiring the motives 
of men and nations that is more power- 
'ful than the law of might. We owe it 
to the progress of civilization and to our 
happy future to manifest this spirit to- 
day in our dealings with Mexico. 



MOVING PICTURES. 
In moving pictures the Mexican is in- 
variably represented as a skulking, 
treacherous "greaser." There are bad 
and vicious Mexicans just as there are 
bad and vicious of every race. But is it 
fair to depict a whole people in the 
terms of its lowest element? The hard- 
est thing in the world to destroy is a 
national or racial prejudice, and such 
prejudices often cause the misunder- 
standings that lead to unnecessary war 
The moving pictures of knife-wielding 
Mexicans and fiction characters of a 
similar type have done and are doing 
much to perpetuate an absolutely unjust 
popular conception of the Mexican na- 
tive. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intellident Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly. ---Oriental Proverb 



VOL. I— No. 14 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



The Man Behind the Gun 



Z — z — z — z — z — ping! The bullet flies 
to its human target and the dull impact 
is heard across the Rio Grande. The ma- 
chine guns reap their swath of human 
grain. The dull, pounding roar of heavy 
artillery beats sickeningly against the ear 
drums and the work and life of man top- 
ple. Bodies are torn by lead and blown 
to atoms by bursting shells. Cities and 
towns are looted, and drunken hordes set 
back a nation centuries of civilization. 
Crowninp all the saturnalia of savagery, 
women and girls are ravished, the virtues 
of life are flung into the dung-heap of 
human passion. 

While a man in Washington plots and 
smiles. 

Plots! Plots to be a figure in history, 
the alpaca-coated Commoner who rose 
from the hysteria of Boy Orator of the 
Platte to the dignity of the Circus Saw- 
dust, the companion of yodlers, the en- 
emy of wealth who publicly invited con- 
tributions to his store, the interpreter of 
the Prince of Peace who has brought an 
honorable nation to the verge of a dis- 
honorable war. 

Plots to be a subtle diplomat, the man 
whose subtleties of brain have been read 
and analyzed in the laboratories of far 
subtler chemists of finance, and found so 
elemental that for the joy of the game 
they would prefer a more difficult, more 
complex solution of acid intention and 
oily hypocrisy. 

Plots, maybe, without admitting the 
plot to himself, most futile and dangerous 
of plotters, for his ignorance of his own 
intentions is a buffer against his jelly 
conscience, but does not deceive the 
searchers of motives. 

Plots politicallj', banking on the super- 
ficial tolerance of a people absorbed in 
the daily round of work and affairs, half- 
amused at the mountebank, half-indiffer- 
ent to his mouthings. 

Plots against his chief, a man of little 
faith, and makes him believe that a crime 
against another nation is a virtue if it 
holds a political party together. 

Plots to hold power with the bitter- 
ness of a man who has been denied power 
for many years, a beggar on horseback. 

Plots, simple fool, because a woman in 
widow's weeds has convinced him that 
thousands of American lives are as noth- 
ing to a clever woman's alleged wrongs. 

Smiles on the world and whispers: 
"Peace be with you!" 

Plots in his heart and traps us in war. 

Ping! The bullet flics to its human 
target. The machine gun reaps it swath 
of human grain. Women are ravished. 

While a man in Washington plots and 
smiles. 



DEARLY BELOVED OF 

BRYAN 



While a shudder of horror has reverber- 
ated from El Paso to the remotest corners 
of the Northern Continent at the wanton 
murders of Juarez, peace-preaching Bryan 
must have yodled with delight at t^e out- 
come of his "constitutional" Mexican ^oli-.. 
cies. 

It would be difficult to tell who was the 
more surprised at this general feeling of 
rcval.^'on, whether Bryan or one of his 
bclovei' rebel leaders. Pancho Villa. For 
both knew that the Juarez murders were 
as childish pranks compared to the orgies 
of blood and rapine in which the rebels 
have revelled for many months. 

Why. Bryan must have volumes of re- 
ports describing his proteges' deeds. Vio- 
lation of hundreds of young women, among 
them two American girls, torturing of pris- 
oners and innocent non-combatants, wan- 
ton murders, indescribable horrors, all of 
these has been known to the staunch friend 
of the "constitutionalist" cause ! 

But the sickening muffled sounds of 
shots mowing down innocent lives were 
within hearing of an American town and 
the fact that the so-called rebels are noth- 
ing but savage bandits was finally brought 
home to the people of this country. 

And yet we learn only eleven men 
were reported killed in Juarez and they 
were not even tortured. 

Mow read the following carefully: 

■^^enecDigo tuvo lassiguientes: 
J^l^vantados en el campo,' 72 
muertos y 4 heridos que pasaron 
al hospital; COLQRADOS ejecu 



tadcs de conformidad con el De- 



creto que pone en vigor la Ley 



de 25 de Enero de 1^62, doseien- 



toa treinta y Mete; prieioneros 
federales Tnandado3 poner en fi- 
bertad, (12) doce, habiendose 
perdonado la vida a los que per- 

'tenecian a! Caerpo de artilleria, 
que causaron alta en las fuerzaa^ 

sdemi mando^ 

S&^£awpietar"#reTTers*S& v,' eh. 



TRANSLATION. 
The enemy suffered the following 
losses; 

Found on the field 72 dead and 4 
; wounded who went to the hospitcd. 
REDS executed according to the decree 
that invalidates the law of January 25, 
1862, TWO HUNDRED AND THIRTY 
SEVEN. Twelve of the federal prisoners 
were given their liberty and their lives 
were spared because pertaining to the 
artillery corps. They were incorporated 
to the forces at my command. 

The foregoing is part of a report made 
by Villa to his supreme chief, Carranza, 
after Villa had surprised a much superior 
force, a small detachment of the Federal 
.-Auxiliary Corps under Terrazas, at San 
Andres, State of Chihuahua. This report 
was printed by constitutionalist newspa- 
pers on the border for the edification o'f 
their followers with the prowess of one 
of their generals, the infamous Pancho 
Villa. 

The REDS is the name given by rebels 
to the Federals. Bear in m.ind that the 
engagement referred to here was one of 
the minor engagements of the revolution 
and that the number of prisoners who 
met the same fate was much larger at 
Torreon. 

Also that the murdering of prisoners 
is the least manifestation of the rebels' 
savagery. For the killing of wounded 
prisoners and the assaulting of women 
and young girls before their husbands 
or fathers who are forced to look on are 
— we believe — and here we don't know 
whether Bryan agrees with us — more to 
be condemned than the murdering of 
prisoners. 

Bryan's bandit friends have embar- 
rassed him shockingly. It was very un- 
kind of Pancho Villa and his horde to 
swoop down in the dead of night on 
Juarez, where the El Pasoans from 
across the river could see in the flesh 
the patriots whom the Great Commoner 
has taken to his bosom. The daily rec- 
ords of the State Department bore am- 
ple evidence of the viciousness and the 
(Continued on ne.xt page.; 



MEXICO 




It is war. You can't get away from it. 
It is not conceivable that any nation 
would dare intervene in the affairs of an- 
other sovereign nation, as we have done 
in Mexico, unless with the intention to 
back the interference with arms. An 
Eastern tenderfoot who would go into 
a Western mining camp, walk up to a 
two-gun man and tell him the cut of his 
face was not a la Eastern mode, is chock- 
lull of wisdom in comparison with the 
head of a nation who takes the same 
attitude toward the head of another na- 
tion — unless he's ready with the quick 
drop and the hair-trigger. 

Of course when it's a question of fight 
this country is going to fight — and fight 
straight and true to the finish. 

But do we want to fight? Ask anybody 
you know about this Mexican affair and 
the chances are a hundred to one that 
he does not believe that there will be 
war and, what is more to the point, he 
does not see any reason why there 
should be war. 

There will be war and there should 
not be war. There will be war as the 
logical result of our intervention in Mex- 
ico. We have intervened. We have in- 
tervened in Mexico from the day that 
John Lind was sent down there with im- 
possible proposals to a government that 
this country did not even recognize. We 
presumed to dictate to that government 



what it should and what it should not do. 
Maybe President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan thought that the mere expression 
of their will would make any government 
bow, any ruler tremble. Maybe they did. 
Maybe they didn't. Maybe they just 
didn't know what they were doing. It 
was said at that time that John Bassett 
Moore, the State Department's authority 
on international law, tried to call a halt. 
If he did, he was overridden, anyhow, and 
John Lind and William Bayard Hale 
were on their way to shape the destiny 
of nations. 

And they shaped it beautifully — with 
the assistance of the Great Commoner, 
maudlin over the death of two Mexicans. 

Shaped it so that there is seemingly 
no retreat for the great and powerful 
United States of America from an inglor- 
ious war with a smaller nation that may 
be won at a tremendous cost of life and 
saddle the country with a staggering debt 
for years to come. 

A child with the spirit of patriotism 
could have told Wilson, Bryan, Lind and 
Hale that to demand the elimination of 
Huerta as President of Mexico would 
have no other effect but to strengthen 
him in his position and his determination 
not to accede to so dictatorial a propo- 
sition. There must be some patriotism 
in Mexico. We are not the only people 
with national ideals — and prejudices. If 



Saturday, November 22, 1913. 

any nation in the world, any ten nations, 
with land and naval forces that in combi- 
nation could sweep this country off the 
map, presumed to dictate to our Presi- 
dent or our Congress or our people what 
they should or should not do in the man- 
ner assumed by President Wilson toward 
the only Government of Mexico, would 
we yield, would we abjectly surrender 
our nationality, our sovereignty, our in- 
dependence as a nation? 

How can we expect anything else in 
Mexico? Why, even Carranza the other 
day rejected American mediation, know- 
ing the temper of the Mexican people. 

Huerta's attitude toward the Washing- 
ton Administration, instead of being a 
cause of war, should win our admiration 
for his manhood, his patriotism, his na- 
tional spirit. He's a foe worthy of bet- 
ter steel than Bryan is using against him. 
"Financial blockade." "Starving him 
out!" Pouf! There are men and there 



The Administration's Mexican policy 
is a "peace policy." 

* * * 

Strange that the logical end of it 
should be war. 

There must have been some hitch. 

* * * 

Why doesn't Bryan go down to Juarez 
now while Villa's bandits are there, de- 
liver a Cross of Gold speech, and appeal 
to them in the name of the Prince of 
Peace to drop their arms and cease their 
butcheries? 



criminality of the band, its leader and 
their performances. Bryan knew of the 
deeds of pillage and rapine in Durango, 
Torreon and Gomez Palacio. He could 
press a button on his desk and within a 
few minutes have in front of him facts 
about Villa and his savage crew that 
would bring the blush of shame to the 
face of a wife-beater. 

Bryan knew but the people of the 
United States did not know except in a 
vague way. 

For have they not been told from 
Washington that these allies of Carranza 
were patriots fighting like heroes for the 
constitution of their native land and 
against the usurpation of power by a 
bloodthirsty dictator? Then, inconsider- 
ate wretches, they spoil the Administra- 
tion's house of cards by coming so close 
to the American border that their sav- 
agery and cold-blooded villainy have 
been borne on the winds of the south as 
a stench to the nostrils of the people of 
the United States. And the revelation 
has played hob with the nice little game 
of William Bayard Hale, personal repre- 
sentative of President Wilson, parleying 
with Carranza not many miles away. 

These are sorry days for the Adminis- 
tration leaders and agents who have ex- 
plained or attempted to explain the Pres- 
ident's attitude toward the Government of 
Mexico as one of Jeep, abiding morality. 
Wily didn't that terrible Pancho Villa re- 
main in the interior? Then the people 
of the United States could still l)c fooled 
and their sympathy aroused by calumnies 
and lies about Huerta and beautiful ac- 



DEARLY BELOVED-Continued 

counts of the self-sacrificing patriotism 
of the rebels. 

It is noticable that the pro-Administra- 
tion newspapers have done their best to 
ignore, belittle or condone the Juarez 
savagery, but the brutal truth is so ob- 
vious that their efforts have been in 
vain. Here are some of the sights and 
facts observed by the New York "Sun's" 
special correspondent: 

Throughout Saturday rifles and pistols barked 
at short intervals and late Federal defenders of 
the border town crumpled up one by one in little 
silent heaps, while the present rebel possessors of 
the border port walked away to a nearby cantina 
for refreshment and to reload or hunt anew for 
some man against whom they bore a grudge or 
suspected of disloyalty to the Constitutionalist 
cause. 

With Villa no prisoner is tried before he is 
executed. Villa cither orders his execution as 
calmly and quickly as if he were ordering his 
horse saddled, or some subordinate decides that 
the execution is proper and carries it out. 

Many of the executions last night were per- 
formed by one man, not by a firing squad. The 
victim was merely taken from the prison by a 
rebel soldier and in a few minutes a shot would 
be heard, the rebel soldier would return and the 
result was known wthout an investigation. 

This method "littered the streets considerably," 

as one of the rebel officers admitted this morning. 

* * * 

Corpses of men executed on Saturday by the 
rebels arc still lying uncovered in Juarez to- 
night. Twenty-seven bodies were hauled out in 
one wagon this morning to the little cemetery 



on the hill overlooking the town, but were not 
buried. To-night the rain is falling on them. 
The official explanation was that they were bodies 
of Federal defenders of the city who had been 
discovered in isolated -fortifications. To the query 
of how bodies happened to be in the streets the 
rebel officers merely gave the usual Mexican 
answer — a shrug of the shoulders. 
* * * 

Mexicans interested in maintaining relations 
that are tolerable between El Paso and Juarez 
have persuaded Villa that it is not wise to bring 
any more of his mountaineers and plainsmen into 
the border town. The shops, the restaurants and 
the civilization of El Paso, it is feared, would 
prove too strong for the undisciplined rebel army 
and international complications might result. 

Villa has ordered the others to remain south ; 
he Has told them that Chihuahua will be taken 
next and that then they will come into their own. 
Then there will be more prisoners to execute, 
more bull fights, more fiesta games and no pry- 
ing foreigners to comment. 

The body of Col. Enrique Portillo, Federal 
commander, executed yesterday, was stripped of 
trousers and shoes to-day by a rebel who needed 
them. He wore tliem to the bull fight. 

And these are our dear Constitutional- 
ists. 



The Administration's Mexican policy 
is not supported by a united press and 
public, as the pages of adverse public 
opinion in this issue of MEXICO tes- 
tify. 



Salurdav, November 23, 1913. 



MEXICO 



LestWe Forget 

Best thing in the world for Mexico 
that the El Paso people got a chance to 
see the Villa cutthroats and outlaws at 
close range. 



It may put an end to this barbarous 
suggestion that we give them United 
States support. 

» * ♦ 

Why doesn't Bryan go down to Juarez 
and look his bandit friends over? 

* » * 

We dare you, Mr. Secretary. Slip 
into Juarez unannounced and in dis- 
guise. When you have concluded your 
observations we shall agree with every- 
thing you say and publish it in MEX- 
ICO. 

Seems that some Texas Senator did 
go across the Rio Grande the other day 
and tell Villa to "cut out the rough 
stuff"; that it was making a bad impres- 
sion in the United States. The Sen- 
ator's idea being that the impression cre- 
ated here is the important thing, not the 
brutal fact. 

» * * 

One Washington correspondent wires 
his paper that President Wilson is going 
to make a "clean breast" of this Mexican 
matter — when it's all settled. 

We wonder. 

* * * 

The "Texas Republic" suggests face- 
tiously that Colonel E. M. House, the 
Invisible Presence, should have been 
sent as President Wilson's confidential 
agent to Mexico to treat with Huerta. 
"Astrologer, necromancer, legerdemain- 
ist and all-round weird political magician 
that he is, a few of Ed's hypnotic passes 
before the deep-set eyes of the Dictator 
might have made a tractable mortal of 
him." 

Oh, he's a genius, that fellow. 

Huerta will resign. Huerta defies. 
Huerta will resign in 24 hours. Huerta 
defiant. Huerta must go. Huerta re- 
fuses to go. Huerta asked to give in to 
United States. Huerta gives in. Huerta 
doesn't give in — he does — he doesn't — 
he does — doesn't — does — doesn't — did — 
didn't — Katydid — Katydidn't. 

* * * 

This is what you call a Policy of Moral 
Suasion. 

How long, O Lord, how long? 

Conditions in Mexico are admittedly 
intolerable. Whence came the match 
that put the flame to the dry brush? 
From this side of the border. Who was 
and is in the best position to put out the 
conflagration? Huerta. Have we helped 



WHERE DID HE GET IT? 



Americans who have lived in Mexico 
and know Mexico have come to us and 
said: "We have tried to tell the people 
in Washington what we know about con- 
ditions in Mexico. We certainly ought 
to know better than John Lind, of Min- 
nesota, and ex-reverend William Bayard 
Hale. We have tried to see President 
Wilson and put our experience at his 
service and give him our opinion. We 
have been told that he would not see 
anybody about Mexico. We have gone 
to Bryan and met with nothing but in- 
sults when he learned that we had any- 
thing at stake in Mexico. It is outrage- 
ous. It is intolerable. Has an American 
with interests in another country no 
rights at all here? Is a man who knows 
actual facts to be passed up for imbecile 
theorists? What does it all mean? 
There are facts, there are conditions, 
there are things that we and we alone 
are in a position to tell about. Why is 
our information not wanted? Why are 
our motives questioned? Why is our ad- 
vice not considered? Would it hurt to 
at least get the benefit of our experi- 
ence, to listen to what we have to say, 
whether or not our conclusions were ac- 
cepted? Have we no senses? Can we 
not see with our eyes, touch with our 
hands, hear with our ears? It must be 
either an embargo on knowledge or a 
conspiracy against truth. What is it? 

God knows! What is it? Whatever it 
is, it can not be right, for right does 
not shun the light. The best we can 



name it is colossal egotism, but it is not 
reasonable to stop at that. The most col- 
ossal egotism would take delight in get- 
ting all the light possible on any ques- 
tion and then acting its own way. And 
it is a palpable fact that the Washington 
Administration does shun the light on 
this whole Mexican matter. Why? Why? 
Beware the shunners of light. Men have 
been in Mexico for years and have hesi- 
tated to give an offhand opinion of the 
condition, ailments, and likely cure of 
the country. Its problems are terribly 
complex — racial, international, political, 
economical, industrial. The Taft Ad- 
niinistration had some inU'ing of the 
complexity and it is generally known 
that Mr. Taft volunteered to give Mr. 
Wilson the benefit of his experience and 
knowledge of the Mexican problem be- 
fore turning it over to him. But Mr. Wil- 
son was immersed in Jersey politics at 
the time and declined to be bothered 
with so alien a matter. But within a 
week or two after he took office he had 
the whole thing down pat. He knew it 
all. His mind was made up. He didn't 
want to learn anything more. There 
was nothing more to it. 

Now, it is pertinent to ask where did 
he get this sudden information? What 
was the source of this omniscience which 
has tied the hands of the country from 
the beginning of the Administration and 
led it into pitfalls of international rela- 
tions and may lead us into war? 

Where did he get it? 



him? No, we have added fuel to the 
flames. 

* * * 

And they call that morality. Much- 
maligned morality. There is such a 
thing as moraUty. There may be very 
little of it in the men fighting down in 
Mexico, but there's mighty less in the 
men egging on the fight from this coun- 
try. 

To those who know the true condi- 
tions in Mexico the moves of the Admin- 
istration have not seemed to be blunders. 
It is inconceivable to them that sane men 
could make such blunders. On the con- 
trary they have appeared to be deliber- 
ate, diabolical steps in a plan to de- 
stroy Mexico. 

* » * 

If the Administration has really blun- 
dered, then somebody else has done the 
planning and the Administration has 
been only an instrument. 

There's a Master Mind — and it doesn't 
think "morality above expediency," 
either. 



It was reported in Washington last 
week that when Huerta got out, new 
plans for the future of Mexico would be 
taken up in their proper order. But first 
Huerta must get out. 

* * * 

He must — must he? 

Too bad he isn't a scary schoolboy 
who doesn't want to take home a poor 
report to his father. 

* * * 

Instead of a rugged old soldier, who 
iias lived close to the crowd, who knows 
his people and every inch of his coun- 
try like a book and does not theorize 
about things he does not know. 

* * * 

After Huerta — what? 

No answer to that — but that blind, vin- 
dictive, unreasoning dislike for an indi- 
vidual must be satisfied, if the heavens 
fall. 

* * * 

They won't. 

Unreasonable — no, worse than that, 
perverse. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Novcinbcy 22, 1913. 



WASH YQ RAMS 



Roberto Pesquiera, a Sonora million- 
aire, son of one of the largest landown- 
ers in Sonora, is a new addition to the 
members of the rebel junta in Washing- 
ton. When in New York Mr. Pesquiera 
stops at the Saint Regis. According to 
his own statements he is a fervent advo- 
cate of the Socialistic principles of the 
Madero revolution, one of them being 
that of division of large estates among 
the Indians and peons of Mexico. It 
is in.eresting to note, however, that Mr. 
Pesquiera favors the division of his 
enemies' lands and, like Madero, refuses 
to part with his own. 

In a very amusing interview given to 
the New York "American" a few days 
ago he purported to demonstrate how 
Mexico's-ills were due to the oil interests 
represented by Lord Cowdray. The in- 
terview is couched almost in the identical 
terms used by Captain Sherby Hopkins 
in Mexico during the summer of 191 1 
when he was there commissioned by 
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company "to 
make it hot" for the rival British com- 
pan3'. The young millionaire who is 
fighting — in Washington — for the uplift- 
ing of his poor compatriots was well 
coached by the mentor Don Sherby. 
There is little doubt that indirectly at 
least the oil interests of Lord Cowdray 
have caused great harm in Mexico, for 
their breaking into the monopoly held 
by the Pierce interests marked the be- 
ginning of Mexico's troubles. 

The young patrician apostle of the 
Mexican Constitution failed to disclose, 
however, what part the oil interests 
which supported Madero and are now 
supporting his — Pesquiera's — associates 
took in the starting of all these troubles. 
Poor Mexico, how much better off she 
would be if she were not so rich! 



The news that Huerta has 
through Pearson & Son, the great English firm of 
which Lord Cowdray is the head, is received with 
irritation here. If the report is true, Huerta has 
been given a new lease of life. Until now he has 
been financially embarrassed to a grave degree. 

Agents of the Constitutionalists who reside in 
Washington say that the report of the loan is not 
true, that is was inspired by Huerta and that 
Huerta is actually ncaring the end of his rope. — 
Washington Despatch. 

Hucrta's rope must be of a new kind, 
automatically stretching, for he has been 
reaching the end ever since last March, 
according to the self-styled constitution- 
alists. 



The only Peace Association that has 
taken any interest at all in Mexican trou- 
bles is the International Peace Forum. 
And that ihrough.the old sychophant ex- 
Rev. Tupper, who is advocating as a 
peace measure the supplying of arms and 
ammunition to savage bandits and loot- 
ers! 



There could be no greater mistake than to 
assume that the Washington Government is giv- 
ing its support to the Standard Oil or the Pierce 
interests as a primary consideration. It is doing 
nothing of the kind; it is merely taking the posi- 
tion that is dictated in part by the attitude of the 
British government, and in part — much the larger 
part, too — by considerations of simple humanity 
and honest concern for the people of Mexico. 

It is very plain that Cowdray's establishment 
as the permanent ^nancial dictatorship of Mexico 
would be inimical to the United States. This 
country cannot afford to see a vast concern like 
this, backed by and allied with the British gov- 
ernment, come into domination of Mexico. We 
should be in danger of having a very real con- 
flict over such a usurpation. The possibility of 
such a happening is not so remote as might be 
imagined. Indeed, while the general public dis- 
cusses Mexico in terms of Carranza and Huerta. 
and Orozco, and Zapata, and Felix Diaz, and 
the rest of the pawns down there, the world of 
big affairs and inside views talks it in terms of 
naval power, of oil empire, of Cowdray, Pierce, 
Standard, and the real big things that stand be- 
hind and pull strings.— Judson C. Welliver, in 
Washington "Times." 

Welliver ought to know how the 
strings are pulled. As a Munsey news- 
paper man he has in his humble way 
helped to pull some of them. Of course 
the Administration is not interested pri- 
tnarily in giving its support to the Stand- 
ard Oil or the Pierce interests. Consid- 
erations of simple humanity and honest 
concern for the people of Mexico arc 
the big factors. Oh, Welliver! Oh, Mun- 
sey. 

The acme of cynicism and unfairness 
has been reached by those partisan news- 
papers that now try to find a good rea- 
son for the non-recognition of the Huerta 
Government in the fact that President 
Huerta has not yet restored complete 
order in Mexico. 

It is the consensus of opinion of all 
foreigners in Mexico, and all who know 
Mexico, that progress toward the estab- 
lishment of peace has been hindered by 
non-recognition. Also by the material 
help which the rebels have found on this 
side of the Rio Grande and mainly by 
the support which the attitude of the 
Washington Administration toward the 
central government has given to all law- 
less elements in Mexico. 

To a people with sporting blood and 
to lovers of fair play this must appear as 
the most contemptible phase of the Mex- 
ican muddle. If you put two men in the 
ring after having fed one with bear 
meat and starved the other would you 
villify the latter for not giving a knock- 
out l)Iow to his adversary in the first 
round? 



Wliile two ex-reverends, Hale and 
Tupper, are the most active figures in the 
Mexican muddle at present, very few 
real reverends have taken the trouble to 
look into the sufferings of a neighbor. 
Still fewer have given public signs of in- 
terest in the Mexican turmoil. It is so 
easy to say: "Love thy neighbor." 



SAME OLD WASHINGTON BUNK. 

"Peace is assured in Mexico." 

"President Wilson has made up his 
mind Huerta must go." 

"The Alonroe Doctrine has been re- 
affirmed." 

"President Wilson has definitely made 
up his mind that Blanquet will not be 
recognized by the American Govern- 
ment." 

"John Lind will repeat the admonitions 
previously given to General Huerta." 

"Constitutional government must be 
established in Mexico." 

"The embargo on the importation of 
arms and munitions of war into Mex- 
ico will be lifted." 

"President Wilson is preparing to rec- 
ognize the Constitutionalists in the 
pacification of Mexico." 

Gentle reader, such is the news from 
Washington regarding the Mexican sit- 
uation that has been printed forty times, 
is printed every day in the press dis- 
patches that come out of Washington, 
and which will doubtless continue to be 
the bunk imposed upon tlie public for 
many days to come. 

And the public is growing most weary 
of the Mexican subject. The newspapers 
are compelled to print this bunk daily, 
because it constitutes the bulk of their 
news dispatches, but there is not a con- 
scientious editor in the entire country 
who does not groan in spirit daily, fig- 
uratively tear his hair and indulge in 
expletives when he is compelled to edit 
and hand out to the public with such un- 
varying regularity the same old bunk 
that is served out from Washington and 
elsewhere on the Mexican situation. 

Some day. perhaps, there will be an 
end to. all this, but we have indulged in 
such hope for more than three years, 
and grim-visaged -war yet rages in un- 
unhappy Mexico. — El Paso "Times." 



SPEAKING OF VOTES. 

ig the flying rumors from below the Rio 



Grande is one that Huerta will call a new elec- 
tion, when he gets to it, and try to get a vote 
out big enough to disarm criticism at Washington. 
It is possible to regard this announcement as an 
expedient lo gain time ; but if he holds the elec- 
tion it ought not to be very difficult to make 
as good a vote showing as is made in many of 
our Soutliern Slates. The congressmen from the 
South are getting wary of lale years, and no 
longer append the vote cast in their districts to 
their biographies in the Congressional directory. 
It provoked flipi^ant remark when it appeared 
that a half dozen representatives from Mississippi, 
for example, were chosen at elections in which 
only ten or twelve thousand votes were cast 
in all their districts put together. Exact figures 
are therefore not at hand, yet the whole state of 
Florida, with a population of 752,019, cast only 
•JO,SO(i votes last year on all three tickets for 
congressman at large, while 40,41S votes were cast 
in one congressional district of Monroe county, 
the thirly-eighth, which elected the Hon. Thomas 
B. Dunn. Perhaps the Mexican states which are 
fairly pacified can do as well as Florida, if 
Huerta sends out his spell-binders in a special 
effort to get out the vote. — Rochester "Post- 
Express. 



Saturday, November 22, 1913. 



MEXICO 



SHALLOW MINDS. 

In dealing with countries and peoples, 
whose national moral sense expressed in 
their governmental activities do not 
average high, historic experience has 
taught us that if one thing is more cer- 
tain than another it is this — that moral 
appeals are futile unless backed by mili- 
tary force and a courage and ability to 
use it as a last resort. The recent his- 
tory of the Balkan States is an acute 
modern instance of this truth; and be- 
cause the appeals and threats of Europe 
were known to be insincere and merely 
words and script the case of the Balkan 
Kingdoms is worse to-day than when 
they rushed to arms to rend Turkey. 
Wilson-Bryan diplomacy in Mexico is 
on all fours with that of the Powers in 
the Balkans, except that Europe is too 
sophisticated to play the Pharisee or to 
imagine a dictator can be disarmed and 
destroyed by a platitude. President Wil- 
son was never more essentially and 
wearisomely the pedagogue than in this 
Mexican affair and the incarnate shal- 
lowness and inefficiency of Bryan diplo- 
macy could not be more poignantly il- 
lustrated. Between the two they have 
made the United States the laughing 
stock of the world. To announce grand- 
iloquently the super-moral policy of 
non-intervention may have delighted the 
Chautauquas and women's clubs; but 
to supplement it by the constant clatter 
of a neighborhood scold was neither dig- 
nified nor diplomatic. To refuse recog- 
nition to Huerta was entirely withm the 
President's power; to hope to drive a 
dictator from a power he had waded 
through blood to secure was sheer pop- 
pycock. Backing and filling, threatening 
and moralizing, have brought neither 
peace to Mexico nor security to Ameri- 
can life and property; they have made 
conditions worse; and with Europe 
growing impatient, the policy of weak- 
ness and Pharisaism has brought us 
perilously near trouble of a grievous 
kind. The Wilson diplomacy in Mexico 
would be pathetic were it not so mis- 
chievous, and the sooner the President 
elects to fish or cut bait the better for 
the peace of Mexico and the welfare of 
the unfortunate Americans now in that 
troubled land. — "Truth." 



A BEAUTIFUL DREAM 



NAILING THEM. 

The announcement that a diplomatic reception 
would be given by Senora Huerta, wife of the 
Provisional President, at Chapultepec Castle to- 
morrow, gave rise to a story to-day that Gen. 
Huerta had taken up his residence there. It 
was explained that Senora Huerta has decided 
to hold the reception at the Castle because of 
the inadequate accommodations of the private 
home of the Huertas in Liverpool street. 

Chapultepec Castle is the official residence of 
the Mexican President. Since the late President 
Madero vacated the historic place it has been 
undergoing renovation at the hands of painters 
and decorators. 

And the papers cried out in big scare- 
heads: "Huerta Barricades Himself in 
the Fortress of Chapultepec, Fearing 
Death." And there you are ! The peo- 
ple are too intelligent nowadays to fall 
for such bunk, but the pity is that some 
of them do. 



Henry Lane Wilson can afford to 
chuckle at his swift vindication. But, 
then, Henry Lane is only a practical 
man. He is not actuated by the high 
moral motives that induce Bryan to 
"starve out" the Mexican Government, 
and send his agents to parley with the 
chiefs of the Northern bandits. 



The beautiful dream of the Washing- 
ton idealists seems to be the establish- 
ment of an American protectorate over 
the countries from the Rio Grande to 
the Panama Canal, without resort to 
arms, without taking one inch of terri- 
tory by conquest. 

It is a dream worthy of the dreamers. 
It is dreaming run mad. It is a drunken 
orgy of a dream. 

It has this practical feature: It con- 
templates putting in power in the coun- 
tries below the Rio Grande particular 
groups of men who are favorable to the 
purposes of the Administration, which 
will uphold them against possible revolu- 
tions, and favorable to the wishes of 
American bankers, who will sustain them 
financially, on exceedingly good terms. 

It is this practical feature that shows 
our Washington idealists, though their 
heads may be in the clouds, have their 
feet planted in the sticky clay of politics 
and the shifting sands of High Finance. 

Therefore the countries from the Rio 
Grande to the Panama Canal are not 
going to accept the beautiful scheme on 
a dream basis. They are going to look 
into the sordid facts behind and within 
the dream, the political and financial 
rarebit that inspired the nightmare, as it 
were. 

Any very nice young college gradu- 
ate, athrill with the tremendous possibili- 
ties of life and aching to achieve great 
things on a magnificent scale, might em- 
body such a dream in his graduating es- 
sa}'. His parents and admiring friends 
would be proud of the young man's mas- 
sive intellect and would applaud vocifer- 
ously. But, strangely, that same intellec- 
tual young man would be laughed at by 
the world of Things That Are. If he 
persisted in a belief in the feasibility of 
his dream and tried to put it into prac- 
tice the chances are that a committee 
of his friends would soon be appointed 
to take care of him. 

It is not conceivable that the .Adminis- 
tration will go or be permitted to go 
to that extent, but it might be timely now 
to point out some of the Things That 
Are whose strident voices will cry out 
"Halt!" 

The Things That Are say that this 
country cannot control the countries 
from the Rio Grande to the Panama 
Canal without resort to arms and that 
such resort to arms will be conquest. 

The Things That Are may be gener- 
ally and broadly classified as follows: 

The character of the Latin-American 
races. 

The distrust of American motives in 
Latin-American countries. 

The interests, jealousy and opposition 
of foreign nations. 

It need not be contended that against 
all these the dream of American control 
from the Rio Grande to the Panama 



Canal may become a fact. The mistake 
and the danger lie in the self-deception 
of believing for a moment that it can 
become a fact without war and without 
conquest. 

We have at this moment a virtual pro- 
tectorate over Nicaragua. We have put 
in power in that country and are main- 
taining in power by the presence of 
marines a government by a group of men 
who are just as unscrupulous and just as 
grafting as any group that has ever 
shaped the destinies of a Latin-Ameri- 
can republic. The majority of the peo- 
ple of that country do not want the gov- 
ernment that has been forced upon them 
by the United States. The spirit of revo- 
lution is deep in the bosom of the peo- 
ple and it is only a question of time 
when it will burst into flame. Then if 
this country wants to maintain its pro- 
tectorate it must put down the .. 'olu- 
tion by resort to arms, must deny the 
people of Nicaragua the right to choose 
their own government, thus denying 
them the liberty both we and they hold 
so dear. And that is conquest. 

We have attempted to establish such 
a protectorate in Mexico by demanding 
that a certain group of men in power 
should get out so that we may put in 
power a group favorable to certain Amer- 
ican interests, and presumably willing to 
accept the dictation of Washington. The 
result is that even the members of the 
very group to which we have shown fa- 
vor, knowing that they could never an- 
swer to the Mexican people for the sur- 
render of Mexican nationality, have at 
least for effect repudiated the connection 
with and the assistance of the United 
States. And the present government of 
Mexico is ready and willing to fight, with 
a united people, against the aggression 
of the United States and United States 
interests. If we want control over Mexico 
we shall have to fight for it and our con- 
trol will be won by conquest. 

The character of the people of Latin- 
American countries is based on race, his- 
tory and traditions that are alien to the 
Anglo-Saxon. It is against the very fibre 
of their being to submit even within rea- 
son to a conquest disguised as benevo- 
lent assimilation. There is a peculiarly 
keen and not-to-be-deceived logic in the 
workings of the Latin-American mind 
that easily sees beneath the surface of 
real purpose. They cherish liberty even 
above political freedom. Their liberty 
has been dearly won and it would be 
dearly sold. 

The Latin-American distrust of Ameri- 
can motives is not without grave rea- 
sons, as even Americans will admit. Our 
friendship with the Guatemala dictator, 
our interference in Nicaragua, our pres- 
ent course toward Mexico, not to speak 

; Continued oi: next pag't." 



e 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 32, 1913. 



A BEAUTIFUL DREAM.— Continue.!, 
of the results of the Spanish-American 
War or even to mention the bold and 
unprincipled Panama grab, have com- 
bined to make us eat our words of dis- 
interested friendship. This distrust is 
growing daily, as it becomes more and 
more obvious that there is a destiny 
shaping our ends that bodes ill for the 
preservation of the independence of the 
Central American republics, threatens 
war with Mexico, and hovers vaguely 
even over South America. Whether or 
not the distrust is justified is apart from 
the fact that the distrust exists, and we 
seem to be doing everything in our 
power to add fuel to the fire. We can 
overcome that distrust in only two ways, 
by letting our dream dissolve in the 
mists of morning or by conquest. 

The interests, jealousy and opposition 
of foreign nations we may profess not to 
fear. But that is the spirit of braggart 
youth, not of wise statesmanship. The 
opening of the Panama Canal and its 
relation to the trade of the world puts 
upon the United States Government the 
tremendous responsibility of shaping its 
course in reference to the wonderful 
new commercial developments that are 
sure to follow, on a line of honorable 
competition with foreign nations, rather 
than on a greedy purpose to grab every- 
thing. It stands to reason that foreign 
nations will welcome competition but 
will not submit to American monopoly. 
And if we seek to establish American 
monopoly by stealing the independence 
of Central American nations we shall 
have to fight for it. And that means 
resort to arms and it may not mean con- 
quest. The interrelations of nations and 
trade among nations are so complex to- 
day that while it is permissible for any 
natiou to seek advantages over others in 
a competitive spirit, the attempt of any 
one to take an unfair advantage of the 
others is met and must be met with re- 
prisals that may mean war. 

Taking all these Things That Are into 
consideration, it would seem tiiat the 
Administration's dream is in the nature 
of a schoolboy's graduation effort. If 
the Administration really wants to com- 
mit this country to war and conquest it 
could do so in no better way than in an 
amateurish attempt to put such a dream 
into practice. 

Slick to books, you dreamers. 




To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: As my job depends on the conceal- 
ment of my identity, I have had to use a nom- 
de-plume. Yet I would be willing to lose my 
job if Mr. Lind would take up my challenge. 
And eight years' residence in bandit-infested Du- 
rango gives me the right to talk and a sincere 
love for Mexico and Mexicans prompts the halt- 
ing phrase. If you care to publish my letter, 
please feel free to do so. Sincerely, 



Oh, yes, John Lind. He has entered 
into the peevish spirit of his mission, it 
would seem. Never, never, would he set 
foot in Mexico City again, he told the 
correspondents, if the Mexican Congress 
convened. 

* » * 

The Mexican Congress has convened. 

*_ * » 

Too bad, John. Wish you better luck 
when you are sent over to London to 
close up the Houses of Parliament. 



[Name and address withheld by request, but 
if Mr. Lind wants to accept the writer's challenge 
we shall be pleased to inform him as to the chal- 
lenger. — Editor's Note.] 

THE LETTER 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: How do you think pos- 
terity will judge the actions of our mis- 
guided President and his satellite, the 
Secretary of State, when the pitiless 
limelight of sound analytical reasoning 
is turned upon the events of the past 
week — as far as the relations between 
the United States and Mexican Govern- 
ments are concerned? What a tremend- 
ous revelation will be given of the de- 
gree to which the diplomatic usages of 
centuries can be overturned by the bung- 
ling of men essentially politicians. How 
the diplomats of Europe must be amused 
at each new evidence of "Grand Stand 
Diplomacy." 

I thought the United States a free 
country. Yet I see a club held over the 
country's press, because in no other way 
can the absolute lack of fair dealing to- 
wards Huerta be explained. News 
paper men are fair-minded when given 
free rein, and yet hardly a paper pub- 
lishes the Huerta side of the case. The 
British government is accused of aiding 
the cause of Lord Cowdray, but it is not 
intimated that the insistence with which 
Wilson and Bryan harp on the elimina- 
tion of Huerta is due to orders dictated 
by the Rockefeller interests. Yet Sir 
Edward Grey has no international repu- 
tation as a party man, nor is his fame 
based on his political acumen. Has 
Bryan any other grounds upon which to 
base his claim to eminence? Is it not 
known that Standard Oil preferred Wil- 
son to Roosevelt? And does not the 
pitiful exposure of the proposed deal in 
Russian Ambassadors show that the 
present Administration intends to re- 
ward its helpers? 

And to assist in paying off political 
obligations this country is to be plunged 
in war. Seas of blood spilled, billions 
of dollars squandered, and the prestige 
of Ihe United States for fair dealing and 
honesty in its international relationships 
forever destroyed. 

It is maddening to those of us who 
have been in the thick of the fight in 
Mexico, to see the trend of events. By 
what argtuiient President Wilson can 
justify his callous, cold-blooded refusal 
to listen to those of us who have suf- 



fered, yea and bled, passes our compre- 
hension. What possible knowledge can 
"Confidential Agent Lind" have of con- 
ditions in Mexico? He has never been 
farther than from Vera Cruz to the cap- 
ital. Can it be that he is afraid to enter 
the really revolutionary States? Is he 
unwilling to trust himself to the tender 
mercies of Pancho Villa, Zapata or Con- 
treras? I can readily see the wisdom 
displayed in not taking chances. It 
would be the height of folly to risk in- 
sult or injury at the hands of the men 
the United States government is medi- 
tating recognizing. 

Now, Mr. Lind, here is a proposition 
for you. Drop your title of "Confiden- 
tial Agent" and go with me to Durango, 
to Torreon, to Chihuahua, as plain Amer- 
icans. No frills, no flurries. We'll take 
our chances together to pay our own ex- 
penses, and after such a journey, when 
you have been able to judge for yourself, 
at first hand, I will abide by your deci- 
sion and O. K. any report you may make 
to the Government. Are you game, Mr. 
Lind? Will you risk it with me? We'll 
be in the same boat 'Y nos tocara' la 
misma suerte." Then make your report 
and every criticism would be stilled. It 
would be some itinerary, Mr. Lind, and 
no lack of excitement, and who knows, 
if we emerge scot-free, you may have a 
year's term as Ambassador to Russia. If 
we escape scot freel You may have my 
name and bona-fides on application to 
the editor of MEXICO. 

Your sincerely, 
PEACE IN MEXCIO. 



The Administration has repudiated Huerta, 
therefore Huerta musl go. For it is inconceivable 
in the scheme of things that the United States 
could take so advanced a stand relative to affairs 
in its very dooryard and then fail to maintain 
that stand. This Government frowned on the 
manner of Huerta's coming, it objected to his 
course after he came, it insists on his departure. 
Thus are Huerta's passports to the realm of the 
down-and-out filled in for him in advance — Den- 
ver "Times." 

Even if the Administration has made 
a mistake that mistake must not be ad- 
mitted. Because the Administration in- 
sists Huerta must go he must go. Even 
if it means war. If that is national honor 
there is something wrong about national 
honor. 



JAPANESE IN REBEL ARMY ASSAULTING 
CHIHUAHUA. 

El Paso, Tex., Nov. 9. — Fighting men from 
Japan were with General Villa's rebel army be- 
fore Chihuahua. From the centre of the city the 
Japanese could be seen plainly, operating machine 
guns in the trenches at Europca Hill. 

Colonel Aldres dc Lujon, grand nephew of 
General Luiz Terrazas, and one of the bravest of 
General Marcelo Caravco's officers, was killed 
while going to the rescue of a detachment of 12 
sharpshooters, who were cut off from the right 
wing and were being cut to pieces by the Jap- 
anese-manned machine guns. — Philadelphia "Pub- 
lic Ledger." 



Saturday, November 22, 1913. 



MEXICO 



THE MONROE DOCTRINE 

(Pertinent Suggestions from Dr. Hiram Bingham's "The Monroe Doctrine— 
An Obsolete Shiblwletli." 



Undoubtedly our neighbors feel that 
they must do something to counteract 
that well-known willingness of the 
American people to find good and suffi- 
cient reasons for interfering and inter- 
vening; for example, for relieving Mex- 
ico ef Texas and California, for taking 
Porto Rico from Spain, for sending 
armies into Cuba, for taking Guantanamo 
Bay, for handling the customs receipts of 
Santo Domingo, for taking a strip of ter- 
ritory which (South Americans believe) 
belongs to the Republic of Colombia, for 
sending troops into Nicaragua, and for 
mobilizing an army on the Mexican fron- 
tier. (In regard to the latter point, it 
may be stated in passing that it is not 
the custom for South American nations 
to mobilize an army on a neighbor's fron- 
tier merely because that country is en- 
gaged in civil war or revolution.) 

Is it any wonder that the talk of alli- 
ances is in the air? Are we to continue 
holding to the Monroe Doctrine despite 
all warning? 

Is it worth our while to heed the 
"writing on the wall"? 

Is it not true that it is the present 
tendency of the Monroe Doctrine to 
claim that the United States is to do 
whatever seems to the United States 
good and proper as far as the western 
hemisphere is concerned? Is there not 
a dangerous tendency in our country to 
believe so far in our own rectitude, that 
we may be excused from any restrictions 
«ither in the law of nations, or in our 
treaty obligations, that seem unjust, 
trivial, or inconvenient, notwithstanding 
the established practices of civilized na- 
tions? Our attitude on the Panama tolls 
question, our former disregard of treaty 
rights with China, our hesitation at pass- 
ing Mr. Taft's carefully considered arbi- 
tration treaties, and our willingness to 
read into or read out of existing treaties 
whatever seems to us right and proper, 
have aroused deep-seated suspicion in 
our Southern neighbors which it seems 
to me we should endeavor to eradicate 
if we have our own highest good at heart. 

Are we not too much in the state of 
mind of Citizen Fix-it, who was more 
concerned with suppressing the noisy 
quarrels of his neighbors than with quiet- 
ly solving his own domestic difficulties? 
Could we see ourselves as our Southern 
neighbors see us in the columns of their 
daily press, where the emphasis is still 
on the prevalence of murder in the 
United States, the astonishing continu- 
ance of lynching, the freedom from pun- 
ishment of a majority of those who com- 
mit murder, our growing disregard of 
the rights of others, bomb outrages, 
strikes, riots, labor difficulties — could we 



realize how bitterly they resent our as- 
sumed right to intervene when they mis- 
behave themselves, or when a local revo- 
lution becomes particularly noisy. 

* * « 

The old adage, that actions speak 
louder than words, is perhaps more true 
in Latin America than in the United 
States. A racial custom of saying pleas- 
ant things tends toward a suspicion of 
the sincerity of pleasant things when said. 
But there can be no doubt about actions. 
Latin-American statesmen smiled and ap- 
plauded when Secretary Root, in the Pan- 
American Congress at Rio Janeiro, said: 
"We wish for no victories but those of 
peace; for no territory except our own; 
for no sovereignty except the sovereign- 
ty over ourselves. We deem the inde- 
pendence and equal rights of the small- 
est and weakest member of the family of 
nations entitled to as much respect as 
those of the greatest empire, and we 
deem the observance of that respect the 
chief guaranty of the weak against the 
oppression of the strong. We neither 
claim nor desire any rights or privileges 
or powers that we do not .freely concede 
to every American republic. We wish to 
increase our prosperity, to expand our 
trade, to grow in wealth, in wisdom and 
in spirit, but our conception of the true 
way to accomplish this is not to pull 
down others and profit by their ruin, 
but to help all friends to a common 
growth, that we may all become greater 
and stronger together." 

* ♦ * 

To this fine appeal a Peruvian diplo- 
mat replies: "■* * ■* The art of oratory is 
lavish with a fraternal idealism, but 
strong wills enforce their imperialistic 
ambitions. Although fully attentive to 
the fair-sounding promises of the North, 
the statesmen of the South refuse to be- 
lieve in the friendship of the Yankees." 
» * * 

There is another side to the question: 
some of the defenders of the Monroe 
Doctrine state quite frankly that they 
are selfish, and that from the selfish point 
of view, the Monroe Doctrine should at 
all costs be maintained. They argue 
that our foreign commerce would suf- 
fer were Europe permitted to have a free 
hand in South America. Even on this 
very point it seems to me that they make 
a serious mistake. 

You can seldom sell goods to a man 
who dislikes you except when you have 
something which is far better or cheaper 
than he can get anywhere else. Further- 
more, if he distrusts you, he is not going 
to judge your goods fairly, or to view 
the world's market with an unprejudiced 
eye. This can scarcely be denied. Every 



see these things with their eyes, we shouldone knows that a friendly smile or cor- 



dial greeting and the maintenance of 
friendly relations are essential to "hold- 
ing one's customers." Accordingly, it 
seems that even from this selfish point 
of view, which some Americans are will- 
ing to take, it is absolutely against our 
own interests to maintain this elder- 
brother-with-the-stick policy, which typi- 
fies the new Monroe Doctrine. 

International trade is largely a matter 
of sentiment, and the Monroe Doctrine 
does not sell any American-made goods. 
Furthermore, Germany is getting around 
the Monroe Doctrine, and is actually mak- 
ing a peaceful conquest of South Amer- 
ica which will injure us just as much as 
if we had allowed her to make a military 
conquest of the Southern republics. She 
is winning South American friendship, 
and has planted colonies, one of which, 
in southern Brazil, has three hundred 
and fifty thousand people in it — as large 
a population as that of Vermont, and 
nearly as large as that of Montana. She 
is taking pains to educate her young 
business men in the Spanish language, 
and to send them out equipped to cap- 
ture Spanish American trade. We have 
a saying that "Trade follows the flag." 
Germany has magnificent steamers, fly- 
ing the German flag, giving fortnightly 
service to every important port in South 
America — ports where the American flag 
is practically never seen. She has her 
banks and business houses which have 
branches in the interior cities. By their 
means she is able to keep track of Ameri- 
can commerce, to know what wc are do- 
ing, and at what rates. Laughing in her 
sleeve at the Monroe Doctrine as an 
antiquated policy, which only makes it 
easier for her to do a safe business, Ger- 
many is engaged in the peaceful con- 
quest of Spanish Ainerica. 

To be sure, we are not standing still, 
and we are fighting for the same trade 
that she is, but our soldiers are handi- 
capped by the presence of the very Doc- 
trine that was intended to strengthen 
our position in the New World. Is this 
worth while? 

The continuance of adherence to the 
Monroe Doctrine offers opportunities to 
scheming statesmen to distract public 
opinion from the necessity of concen- 
trated attention at home, by arousing 
mingled feelings of jingoism and self- 
importance in attempting to correct the 
errors of our neighbors. 

If we persist in maintaining the Mon- 
roe Doctrine, we shall find that its legiti- 
mate, rational, and logical growth will 
lead us to an increasing number of large 
expenditures, where American treasure 
and American blood will be sacrificed in 
efforts to remove the mote from our 
neighbor's eye while overlooking the 
beam in our own. 

It is for us to face the question fairly, 
and to determine whether it is worth 
while to continue any longer on a road 
which leads to such great expenditures, 
and which means the loss of international 
friendships. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 32, 1913. 



FORCING WAR 



If President Wilson were surreptitiously 
trying to force Mexico into a declaration 
of war against the United States he would 
meddle with the affairs of that govern- 
ment, interfere with its administrative ef- 
forts to establish order, and encourage ' 
Carranza and his rebels to continue their 
depredations. All of those things he has 
done and is doing, seemingly for want of 
better judgment rather than for an ulterior 
motive. 

President Wilson apparently needs some 
one to inform him that he was not elected 
to be ruler of Mexico, or to dictate to that 
country. But blindly, stupidly, aggressively 
he is harassing Huerta with impossible de- 
mands, and threatening him with furnishing 
assistance to Carranza. If President Wil- 
son lifts the embargo on arms and violates 
the neutrality laws of the nations for the 
benefit of the rebels, as his personal repre- 
sentative, William Bayard Hale, has stated 
would be done if Carranza would make cer- 
tain promises, then Huerta or his regime 
may declare war and force this country 
into an imbroglio that will quickly involve 
Germany, England, France — and Japan. 

This is all speculation ; but Huerta or his 
crowd would have nothing to lose and 
everything to gain by such an act. He 
could not hope to defeat this nation, but 
he could hope to humiliate President Wil- 
son for violating the neutrality law, and he 
could hope to entangle the United States 
in international complications, especially 
with Japan. Huerta is too well known as 
an audacious, hazard-taking dictator to ex- 
pect that after scorning Mr. Wilson's 
preachments and impositions he would not 
piill down the temple of the world's peace 
with the chance of bettering himself rather 
than tamely allow the United States to aid 
his enemies with the foreknowledge of dis- 
aster. 

The American people are learning that 
the man who has trained himself in the 
schoolroom to make beautiful speeches, 
\yho has modulated his theories to win pub- 
lic approval, lacks the judgment and bal- 
ance of a statesman. He has shown him- 
self to be a petulant schoolmaster who is 
piqued because the leader of a foreign gov- 
ernment does not obey instructions, and 
for punishment proposes to break this na- 
tion's oath and aid a mob of rebels who are 
willing to make promises ! 

When President Wilson demanded the 
protection of American lives and American 
property in Mexico he touched the limits 
of his authority with that country. He has 
no more right to prescribe whom they shall 
have for President, Dictator or Emperor 
than he has to tell the King of England 
what His Majesty shall eat for breakfast. 
President Wilson objects to Huerta because 
his morals and policies do not suit. If 
Mr. Wilson is more interested in the morals 
and policies of Mexico's leader — whether 
it is Huerta or any one else— than he is 
in the dignity of this nation, than he is in 
sanctity of the neutrality laws, he is un- 
worthy of the high honor received from 
the hands of the American public. 

Reports emanating almost hourly from 
Mexico say that Huerta has fled, that he 
has defied the United States, or that he 
has done something else. If he goes, some- 
one will take his place, and what' is done 
in Mexico— outside of the protection of 
.American lives and property- is no official 
concern of the United States, and espe- 
cially is it shamcJuUy degrading the dig- 
nity of this nali"E)n to have "special rep- 
resentatives" of the President practically 
slapped in the face for meddling with af- 
fairs that are none of their business and 



only because they are obeying instructions 
of the nation's highest official. 

It would seem to one surveying even 
casually the great legislative and financial 
problems now existing in this country that 
Mr. Wilson would have sufficient ma- 
terial to occcupy his attention without tam- 
pering with the Mexican situation, without 
making a series of moves and threats, 
which, if not discontinued, will drive 
Mexico into some desperate action that 
must inevitably lead to war. And war with 
Mexico would be a terrible thing. Our 
armies could easily enough fight their way 
through from place to place, but the guer- 
rilla fighting would continue year after 
year until in impotent shame we would 
execrate the folly that led us into it. 

Have the French in Algeria not learned 
a lesson in fighting an inferior country 
by which we could profit? Was not the 
dreadful humiliation of England in the 
Transvaal sufficient to show the miserable- 
ness of a useless war? Have we so soon 
forgotten the tragedies of our occupation 
in the Philippines, where the savages laid 
low hundreds and thousands of loyal and 
brave Americans? Then above all things 
should we avoid a war with a country for 
no more of a reason than that the morals 
of its President do not meet with the 
approval of our President! — Los Angeles 
"Times." 



UNENDING WAR EXPENSES. 

Those who are advocating forcible in- 
tervention in Mexico should remember 
that there seems to be no end to the 
expenses of a war. They go on to in- 
determinate years in the future. The 
commissioner of pensions reports that 
while the last surviving pensioner of the 
war of 1812 died eight years ago, there 
are still 199 widows of soldiers of that 
war in receipt of pensions. It will be 
seen that we are paying the costs of a 
war that occurred 100 years ago. If we 
invaded Mexico, 100 years from now the 
people would still be taxed to pay the 
expenses of that invasion, and they would 
be much greater than those of the small 
war of 1812, for a far greater number 
of troops would be engaged in it. 

The civil war closed fifty years ago, 
and the commissioner reports that on 
July I last there were on the rolls no 
fewer than 462,379 civil war pensioners. 
The list included, according to the re- 
port, more than one-fifth of the men who 
served in the army or navy during that 
strug,gle. 

The people will support every effort to 
settle the Mexican difficulty without war. 
A man who amuses himself with mathe- 
matical calculations recently announced 
that if slavery had been abolished by 
paying $10,000 for every slave, the coun- 
try would have saved millions, besides 
the loss of life and the destruction of 
property, and he was in favor of buying 
up all the dictators and revolutionary 
leaders and settling the question in that 
way, as the cost would not be one-tenth 
that of war. — Omaha "World Herald." 



However, there is the persistent report, which 
has not been contradicted, that insistence at Wash- 
ington is centered upon the refusal to recognize 
Huerta, and upon the corollary thereof, the de- 
mand tliat Huerta shall resign. 

Criticism of this attitude must be conditioned 
upon the accuracy of the report. If it is true 
that President Wilson has adopted an essentially 
anti-Huerta policy, then he is blundering. 

This Government has nothing to do with or 
about Huerta, the man. It has to do with th« 
Republic of Mexico. The name and the character 
of the man who is its president are not this 
Government's concern. Its only business abaut 
Mexico is to use what influence it can hope to 
make effective, to bring about restoration of or- 
derly government. 

This Government may properly refuse to rcc 
ognize any Mexican government which is con- 
tinuously unable to suppress rebellion and re 
store and maintain order, for that reason ; noi 
because the man at the head of it is Huerta o; 
any other man whom President Wilson does no 
like. 

Even yet, if through some turn of affairs in hii 
favor Huerta should become able to restore peace 
and order and to establish his Government on 
a sound basis, it would be the duty of the Ad- 
ministration at Washington to give his Govern- 
ment recognition. 

It is conditions in Mexico, not persons, that 
are properly a subject of attention from the Gov- 
ernment of the United States. There is no moral 
question involved in the Administration's Mex- 
ican problem. 

If President Wilson has in his mind the per- 
sonality of Huerta confused with the Government 
of Mexico, then there is a radical defect in his 
policy, whatever that policy may be. — Albany 
"Evening Journal." 



NOT A QUESTION OF PERSONALITY. 

But isn't President Wilson giving too much 
prominence to the personal element in the Mex- 
ican situation? 

To make positive assertions about the Adminis- 
tration's policy is impossible for the simple and 
compelling reason that the public is not permitted 
to know what the policy is. 



"The mills of the gods grind slowly." 
"The glacial movement." "The Chau- 
tauqua glide." Down in Washington the 
Administration policy is variously la- 
beled. We like the glacial movement 
best. It sounds so much like a straw- 
berry ice-cream soda. What will you 
have, Willie? Grape juice, with a straw, 
please. 

How about that "informative memor- 
andum" that President Wilson promised 
to give out to a waiting world? 

*. * * 

It was sidetracked. Maybe it was 
spiked. 

* * * 

Who did the sidetracking and who did 

the spiking? 

The waiting world would like to know 
that, too. 

* * * 

Clever jingo trick to try to make it 
appear that England was against the 
United States. But England didn't fall 
for this amateurish move. 

* * ♦ 

England is with the United States in 
anything that's reasonable. But we can't 
blame England for thinking that Wil- 
son and Bryan are unreasonable about 
Mexico. 

» * * 

A pretty big proportion of the Ameri- 
can people feel the same way. 

Some of these days they are going to 
shout it from the housetops. 



Salu/rday, November 22, 1913. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East West and All Angles. 



A DEMOCRATIC VIEW OF THE 
MEXICAN PROBLEM. 

The Herald has received the follow- 
ing statement on the Mexican situation 
from a Democratic member of Congess. 
whose name it is not at liberty to reveal 
at present, but for whose prominence it 
can vouch. From the Herald's point of 
view it is an excellent presentation of 
the facts: 

In my judgment the administration has 
not handled the Mexican problem with 
consummate skill. Indeed, it put it 
plainly, I think that blunder after blunder 
has been committed. I have thought all 
along that the thing to do was to re- 
cognize the government de facto, for, in 
my opinion, it offered the speediest 
and only possible way of getting busi- 
ness and order re-established. The 
administration thought differently and 
the result is chaos, murder, arson and 
other crimes which can hardly be men- 
tioned in polite correspondence. 

The bandits who masquerade under the 
name of "Constitutionalists" have caught 
the sympathy of the President and Mr. 
Bryan by the employment of that word, 
and these two gentlemen have come to 
believe that this particular bunch of 
bandits stands for pure democracy and 
honest government. As a matter of fact, 
there is no cohesion among the oppon- 
ents of the government of Mexico and 
they would be in almost immediate open 
insurrection against the government of 
Carranza if he were able to establish one. 
These various organizations that are in 
the field against the government only 
have one thought in common, and that is 
hostility to an established government. 
Personally I have no interest in either 
party and I am only concerned to see 
something done which will make life and 
property reasonably safe in Mexico and 
which will get by this crisis without in- 
volving the United States. Neither party 
is worthy from our point of view, but 
perhaps the leaders on either side are 
about as good as Mexico can produce at 
the present time. 

The fundamental error in Mexico is 
that the people have essayed a form of 
government for which they have no real 
sympathy and which they do not com- 
prehend. Mexico has never been anything 
l)ut a republic in name and cannot be 
until the people are made over. The 
thing which most concerns me now is 
to see the Uuited States avoid aiiy great- 
er intimacy with Mexico and the Mex- 
icans than we have had and, above all, 
to see that no man in the uniform of our 
government goes south of the Rio 
Grande on a hostile mission. All Mexico, 
all Latin America, is suspicious and ap- 
prehensive, and the situation must be 
handled with extreme skill if we are to 



avoid developing more hostility than 
now exists; and enough of it already 
exists to make it almost impossible for 
us to build up a satisfactory trade with 
those countries. They expect that we 
mean to absorb their territory and sov- 
ereignty; and although the President 
protests that such is not the purpose of 
our country, he can no more control 
sentiment in that direction, once a war 
is on, than he could dam the Mississippi 
by tossing into the bed of that stream 
a few bags of sand. 

It is rumored that Mexico has asked 
France to mediate between that country 
and the United States, which, to put it 
another way, means arbitration or ad- 
justment by a third and impartial country. 
Now the President and the secretary of 
state are both on record for arbitration 
of all international disputes. This is one, 
and if not adjusted promptly by media- 
tion, will, I am afraid, lead us into war. 
— Boston "Herald." 



IS MEXICO TO BE TURNED OVER 
TO THE BANDITS? 

But suppose tlie Huerta government 
is forced into bankruptcy and collapses 
because it has no funds to pay its troops? 

What is to take the place of the army 
that is now preserving order and protect- 
ing life and property throughout the 
principal parts of Mexico? 

Will the United States undertake to 
furnish its own troops to police such 
immense areas as must be exposed to 
lawlessness, pillage and massacre if 
Huerta's army breaks up, or are we to 
turn things over to the roving hordes of 
bandits who make up such a large part 
of Carranza's forces? 

For months the newspapers, even those 
most opposed to the despotic rule of 
Huerta, have been filled with horrifying 
reports of the murders, lootings, tortur- 
ings and other barbarities committed by 
the so-called "Constitutionalists." 

And now it is announced that while 
our government is attemptng to crush 
Huerta and destroy his army by forcing 
the Me.xican government into complete 
bankruptcy. President Wilson is secretly 
conferring with Carranza through his 
"personal representative," William Bay- 
ard Hale, a newspaper correspondent 
made notorious by abusing the confi- 
dence of the German emperor. 

What does it all mean? 

Have we turned our backs on a man 
charged with responsibility for the pol- 
itical assassination of two men. Madero 
and Suarez, to deal with men responsible 
for the murder of hundreds, for whole- 
sale and systematized robbery, for the 
deliberate torturing of prisoners, and 
for the looting and burning of towns? 
— Xew York "Evening Mail." 



AMERICAN BLOOD. 

We certainly ought not to have war 
over this issue. It is not worth while. 
The application of an idealistic code of 
government to the republic of Mexico 
would not yield in results any return on 
the prodigious cost in American blood 
and treasure. We ought not to annex, 
or absorb, any part of Mexico — the 



Hearst newspapers to the contrary not- 
withstanding. We ought instead to 
content ourselves with tasks of economic 
adjustment here at home without add- 
ing more perplexing ones which would 
come to us from south of the Rio 
Grande. — Boston "Herald." 



THE MEXICAN CRISIS. 

Political intervention Xty the United 
States in Mexico has been a fait accom- 
pli ever since the Washington Govern- 
ment followed up its refusal to recog- 
nize Huerta by notification that neither 
he nor any one of his immediate follow- 
ers were regarded by Washington as 
eligible candidates. Refusal of recogni- 
tion pending an honest election was ours 
to give or withhold under international 
law. Insistence upon an honest election 
is wholly proper in view of our obliga- 
tions under the Monroe Doctrine but 
the hasty commitment against the right 
of the Mexican people to vote for Huerta 
or any other candidate can be justified 
neither under international law nor any 
Pan--\merican doctrine. The result of 
the Administration's course has brought 
this Government to the brink of armed 
intervention and the President is might- 
ily worried over the outlook to-day. 

Sunday conferences with individual 
members of the Senate Committee on 
Foreign Relations sufficed only to re- 
lieve irritation developing at the Capitol 
at the apparent unwillin.sness of the 
President to take the Senate into his 
confidence regarding this critical foreign 
problem. They developed no construc- 
tive programme upon which the White 
House can act. Suggestions that the 
belligerency of Carranza and the so- 
called Constitutional army be recognized 
and the embargo against their importa- 
tion of arms and ammunition be lifted do 
not emanate from the President. This 
course is urged by those Democratic 
senators who look upon intervention as 
the inevitable result and cherish the hope 
that as a price of our services in restor- 
ing order across the border the penin- 
sula of Southern California and one or 
more States in Northern Me.xico may 
be added to the United States. Presi- 
dent Wilson in his Mobile speech re- 
pudiated any such intention on the part 
of the White House, but this has not 
blasted the hopes of the jingo senators. 
Recognition of the belligerency of the 
brigands under the name of "Constitu- 
tionalists" who are laying waste the 
western part of Mexico and destroying 
foreign life and property would make 
the United States indirectly responsible 
for the terrible cost of life certain to 
follow. W'e hope President Wilson has 
the courage to reject any such proposal. 
It would violate the spirit of his Latin 
American policy and would align Eu- 
rope a,gainst the United States in Mex- 
ico. London, Berlin and Paris would 
feel compelled to lend their moral support 
and indirectly their financial assistance 
to the Huerta government while the 
United States would be backing the Car- 
ranza faction. The result in the event 
of Carranza's ultimate triumph would 
be a duplication of our experience with 
.•\guinaldo in the Philippines. The day 
of law and order in Mexico would be in- 
definitely postponed and the day of de- 
struction of life and property indefinitely 
prolonged. — Boston "Transcript." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 32. 1913 



INDIRECTION OBJECTIONABLE. 

Much as we would dislike to see the 
United States intervene in Mexico we 
would much rather see it done in a re- 
gular than in an irregular way. When 
Colombia refused to accept the sum 
offered by the United States for the 
Panama canal concession our country 
would have acted in a much more honor- 
able way if it had invaded Columbia 
and taken the canal zone by force than 
it did when it stirred up revolution and 
took what it wanted. 

If without anj' demand on Huerta we 
raised the embargo on arms it would be 
very different from raising it after a 
demand has been made and refused. In 
the first case we would have merely 
stood aside and let the strongest win. 
Our position would not have been diff- 
erent from that of the nations of Eu- 
rope and we could have accepted the re- 
sult whatever it might have been as 
gracefullj' as thej^ could. 

As matters stand when we lift the 
embargo on arms we can accept but one 
result and yet we can't be sure that the 
war in progress in Mexico will end with 
that result. We are not sure the Consti- 
tutionalists would win. If they failed 
the result would be Huerta in power 
stronger than ever and still to be 
reckoned with, still with the demand that 
he abdicate, a demand to be enforced 
by direct action under greater difficult- 
'ies than ever or ignominiously aband- 
oned. 

We do not think a great nation can 
afford to make a demand and then have 
some one else to enforce it. Nor do 
we think that either a great nation or 
a small one any more than an individual 
can afford to do anything by indirection 
that it can do directly. If it is wrong 
to do a thing directly, it is doubly 
wrong to do it by indirection for in- 
direction carries with it a suspicion of 
treachery, hypocrisy and cowardice. 
— Jacksonville "Times Union." 

"STOP; LOOK; LISTEN!" 

But what if Huerta sticks, as he is most 
likely to do? Are we called upon to go 
to war, to waste the blood of our sons, 
to pour out treasure for the sake of driv- 
ing a dictator out of office, villain though 
he be? Are we to fight a united Mexico 
— as it surely would be. with Huerta as 
hero — to quell another nation's internal 
disturbances? There would be in such 
a war nothing of the moral quality of 
rescuing Cuba from Spain. The return 
would be too little for the appalling 
price. 

They say that the best railroad cross- 
ing warning ever devised was: "Stop; 
Look; Listen." It may well be noted 
by the Administration at this particular 
juncture. — Boston "Post." 



THE TEST OF A MAN. 

Each hour that the present situation 
continues the menace becomes greater. 
What is the President going to do about 
it? Has he any Mexican policy anyway, 
beyond trusting to virtues that do not 
exist and waiting weakly for something 
to turn up? Does he not understand 
that he has got the country into this 
mess and that it is he who must get it 
out? And he must get it out without 
ihedding any of its soldiers' blood and 
without furnishing arms to Mexican 
revolutionists with -which to shed their 
countrymen's blood. 

The schoolmaster has come to his first 
real testing as a man, and he is visibly 
flustered. — Providence "Triliune." 



PUBLIC OPINION- -Continued 

Mexico! The American people usually 
stand with their President in his atti- 
tude toward foreign powers. But there 
are many who think that President Wil- 
son's method of dealing with the Mex- 
ican problem is a great blunder. It is 
all very well to talk, as the President 
does, about being governed by morality 
instead of by expediency, but must not 
the morality of our acts be governed by 
their consequences? This is the ques- 
tion frankly asked by one of the most 
thoughtful readers of "Leslie's." He 
adds: "If the President's acts are creat- 
ing the necessity for this government to 
enter Mexico to protect property and 
life and to attempt to set up a govern- 
ment to our President's liking, at the 
expense of thousands or tens of thous- 
ands of American lives and hundreds of 
millions of money, are not these acts 
supremely immoral? No other govern- 
ment adopts this rule, which is not 'Is 
there a government established in Mex- 
ico?' but is 'Ought the established gov- 
ernment to be supported?' What could 
be more futile than to insist that there 
shall be an election in Mexico which 
shall express the will of the people? It 
is insisting upon the impossible; it is 
idealism gone mad." Letters from other 
readers incline to the same view. It 
is a humiliating situation, and it grows 
worse every day. — "Leslie's Weekly." 

THE AFFAIR MEXICAN. 

As to the outcome of liie mess in Mexico, the 
man in the street is in as good a position to 
guess as the man in the newspaper office. They 
have access to the same means of information, 
the difference being that tlie newspaper man is 
under obligation to try to keep track of things 
and form some opinion, wliile the man in the 
street need not bother himself at all if he does 
not wish to. 

And the man in the street is in the more agree- 
able situation. 

But the fact is that our ill-timed officiousness 
in butting into what is only very indirectly our 
business is quite likely, if persisted in, to get 
the man in the street into trouble. 

Until recently the Mexican situation has been 
an almost negligible factor in the financial situa- 
tion, but it is rapidly becoming quite important. 

If the President and Congress go to war, it 
will be with Mexico and not with any special 
faction of Mexicans, for the Mexicans will rally 
round the strong man of the hour, whoever he is, 
and he seems to be Huerta. 

The guess at this writing is that Huerta will 
absolutely refuse to be dictated to as to any mat- 
ter whatever by the Washington Government, and 
that his reply, when formulated, will be the diplo- 
matic form of telling President Wilson to "go to." 

And if that should be the case. President Wilson 
must back squarely down or ask Congress to de- 
clare war. And if it be war, it will be war, not 
with Huerta, but with Mexico. 

That will change the status. Mexico as a 
belligerent can borrow according to its credit, 
and there is no reason why its credit should not 
be as good in Paris as that of the Balkan States, 
all of which during the recent war got money for 
necessities by paying for it. 

The United States, also, will have to borrow, 
and if it does it will pay more for money than 
it has paid for many years. 

That will be so much added to the existing 
strain on the investment market, and make it so 
much the more difficult for railroads and munici- 
palities to borrow. And there is where comes in 
the concern of the man in the street. 

Meanwhile the assassins are at work and every 
assassin who attacks Huerta and fails to "get" 
him adds so much to his popular strength. The 
trouble seems to be spreading, as General Diaz 
was attacked and wounded in Havana and is to 
be clapped into jail for becoming a victim. It 
would seem that President Wilson had enough 
to do in Cuba without taking on Mexico besides. 
— San Francisco "Chronicle." 



SCUTTLE AND DRIFT. 

To any one at all acquainted with 
Mexico and its people the present atti- 
tude of the Washington Administration 
cannot be viewed with anything short 
of amazement. The population of Mex- 
ico is about fourteen millions. Of this 
number something over two millions are 
of the white race, mostly of Spanish 
descent. Many of them as highly edu- 
cated and cultivated as can anywhere be 
found, together with a sprinkling of 
white foreigners numbering, perhaps, 
until President Wilson's recent warning, 
fifty thousand. The remaining eleven or 
twelve millions are nearly equally- 
divided between the pure-blooded In- 
dians and the people of mixed blood, 
the latter somewhat outnumbering the 
former. As the great mass of the people 
are ignorant and illiterate peons, living 
from hand to mouth on starvation 
wages, anything in the nature of an 
intelligent public opinion is practically 
unknown. 

When, therefore, we now hear any 
of our fellow-citizens enunciating in 
rounded periods certain abstract princi- 
ples of liberty, including the common- 
places of "consent of the governed" and 
"free and fair elections," and other simi- 
lar phrases, a feeling of combined sad- 
ness and apprehension is engendered by 
the thought that people in positions of 
responsibility and power, however high- 
minded and pure their motives, should 
be so deceived as to actual conditions as 
to permit their governmental acts to be 
controlled by such sentimentality. 

The fact is that Huerta, in his recent 
manifesto to the assembled diplomats in 
the City of Mexico, simply stated a self- 
evident proposition when he said that 
Mexican political conditions are such 
that the government of the nation must 
necessarily rest with the few, or, in 
other words, with an oligarchy domi- 
nated bj' a single powerful personality. 
Now, it so happens that the individual 
who, at the present moment, comes near- 
est to representing such a personality, 
is Victoriano Huerta, or whomsoever he 
may conclude to nominate as his suc- 
cessor. Constitution or no Constitution. 

The position assumed by the Wash- 
ington Cabinet has been to place us in a 
false position from the very beginning, 
and, humiliating as the confession of 
failure must necessarily be, it is respect- 
fully submitted that the only manly 
thing for our government now to do, 
though even at the eleventh hour, is to 
recognize that facts are stern and awk- 
ward things that must be boldly met, 
and that the proper solution of the pres- 
ent difficulty is to recognize Huerta, or 
his nominee, as the de facto President or 
Dictator (in crises names are unimport- 
ant) of Mexico upon whom will rest the 
international responsibility for bringing 
order out of chaos. 

Should conditions in Mexico not then 
improve, and an ultimate necessity for 
our intervention arise, I think it may be 
safely stated that a vast majority of the 
litnited number of people in the United ■ 
States at all familar with Mexican con- 
ditions would be of the very decided 
opinion that the best had been done, and 
that no different course of action could 
have prevented intervention. 

But whate-vcr our future relations with 
Mexico are to be, the American people 
should sternly recognize that the scuttle 
and drift policy has run its course, and 
that something definite must now_ be 
done. — Samuel L. Parrish in New York 
"Evening Post." 



Saturday, Xovcmbcr 22, 1913. 



MEXICO 



11 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir; Any outside interference in the inter- 
nal politics of a country is both unjustifiable and 
dangerous, and is naturally resisted to the last 
by any free people as it is an attempt to rob 
them of their cherished independence which they 
have won only by the greatest sacrifices. 

There is no justification for American interfer- 
ence in Mexico, because the property loss is an 
inconsiderable per cent, of the total amount in- 
vested there, and can be compensated for by the 
Mexican Government, which has never been ac- 
cused of being remiss in making settlements of 
this kind. Personal security is also cared for 
by ample guarantees. What then is the motive 
for attacking the sovereignty of the Mexican 
nation? 

In the past the United States has insisted 
that the motive for separating Cuba from Spain, 
Panama from Colombia, etc., etc., was purely 
humanitarian, and burning with a holy love for 
the welfare of their neighbors they promoted rev- 
olutions in small Latin countries and imposed 
their will upon the presidents. 

The Mexicans desire to work out their own 
problems, and if the question were to be voted 
on, not a single soul would cast his vote for 
American intervention. All Mexicans desire to 
follow the tradition of their race, the customs of 
their forefathers and even the stormy path which 
must lead sooner or later to a government of 
the people for the people. 

Mr. Woodrow Wilson could do no better than 
follow his own declaration that the rights of a 
weak people would be respected equally as those 
of the strong. 

It must be remembered that the landing of the 
first foreign soldier on Mexican soil, with hostile 
intent, would be the signal for a united and ter- 
rible resistance, and it would be well for the 
interventionists desiring to make an attempt on 
the sovereignty of Mexico under guise of mor- 
ality or humanity to count the cost well before 
embarking on their piratical enterprise. 
Baltimore, Md. C. U. M. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: It was to be expected that official 
Washington would be, as always, against the one 
strong man capable of solving the difficult prob- 
lems confronting his country if only allowed a 
reasonable chance. But no, the meddlesome in- 
terference of the Hale-Wilson-Bryan combination 
is again very much in evidence, complicating 
matters and doubly increasing the difficulties con- 
fronting the only legal government Mexico has, 
besides openly encouraging its enemies. The 
methods of the Executive may not be exactly in 
harmony with milk-and-water ethics, but they are 
inspired by a thorough knowledge of his country- 
men and of the immediate needs of the situation. 

With all due respect to President Wilson and 
resting in the assurance of his undoubted hon- 
esty of purpose, there seems to be no question that 
he has been hypnotized by the term "Constitu- 
tionalist" and that all his opinions of the situa- 
tion in Mexico have been colored by the reports 
emanating from rebel sources. Even the snoopy 
Dr. Hale's "confidences" were undoubtedly tinted 
with the same brush. It looks very much as if 
Mr. Wilson were being used as the unconscious 
catspaw of that faction who wish to see Mexico 
demoralized, without money, and at the mercy 
of the grafters and "plunderbund" who would 
then divide up the spoils. Heaven send that the 
scales may be lifted from the eyes that apparently 
will not see and that an impartial and unpreju- 
diced policy may result that will give "fair play" 
to this beautiful but unhappy country. 

Yours trruly,- 
A RESIDENT OF MEXICO. 
Mexico City, Mexico. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: After an absence, I have just re- 
turned to town and came across your issue of 
November 8th. It is splendid, magnificent work 
you are attempting. However, you have a hard 
job fighting self-sufficient ignorance and fanatic 
stubbornness as exemplified by the heads of our 
Administration. 



we got to teach others, any- 



It seems that the lovers of justice and the 
dreamers of Pan-Americanism will have to wait 
until the time when prejudice will have worn 
itself out, or when (and it will not be many years 
until then) Latin Americans will feel strong 
enough to show their teeth and to tell us to go 
to the other place with all our bosh of mentor- 
ship over weaker sisters, Monroe Doctrine and 
such like. 

What right have 
how? 

Thanks to Wilson's "morals above expediency" 
Mexico is yet in trouble. North of the Isthmus, 
there are, possibly, two or three countries badly 
governed, but in the whole of South America, 
there is not one single country with municipal, 
state or federal governments as full of graft and 
of red tape, and as little efficient as ours. That's 
a strong statement, but I am willing to back it 
up with facts. 

Really, if South Americans were as badly gov- 
erned as we govern ourselves, they would again 
start revolutions, a habit which they have lost, 
but which we would be well to gain. We would 
do well if we would gain only one thing thereby : 
put "men" of courage and energy — of the type 
of Huerta — at the head of our affairs, instead of 
the smiling, smooth-shaved scoundrels who over- 
run our politics and whose principal business is 
buying and selling votes, or, as sole other alterna- 
tive, half crazy reformers who capture the ignor- 
ant mass of voters with plausible slogans and 
dreamy promises. 

We all have every reason to be proud of our 
great country, but, at present, we have good 
reasons to be ashamed of the way the men at 
the head of our Government direct our interna- 
tional affairs. 
Mount Vernon, N. Y. C. G. 



"When President Madero was elected he prom- 
ised a great deal — the people are always ready to 
follow any man who will promise enough, and 
he set forth that he would at once solve the 
land question and secure higher wages for la- 
borers. In fact, I remember that the day after 
his election, the workmen who had been getting 
50 cents a day, demanded $1 for the same work 
—they believed that it would all happen in the 
twinkling of an eye. 

"Nothing did happen except that Madero went 
in with a full treasury and soon the country had 
no money. He became intensely unpopular and 
more especially his brothers, who were held re- 
sponsible for the looting of the treasury. 

"Then President Madero himself was a dreamy 
weakling; his wife was a spiritualistic medium 
and he thought he acted under divine guidance, 
and hence took no advice. He had previously 
been for some time in a sanitarium and was en- 
tirely incompetent. 

"The crisis came when General Felix Diaz had 
the streets of Mexico City swept with the machine 
guns from the arsenal, and Madero, in spite of 
all advice, kept pouring troops into the narrow 
street to be slaughtered. 

"Several officers remonstrated with him and 
these he killed with his own hand. There is no 
doubt of that, and it was for that he was ex- 
ecuted. 

"I do not defend Huerta, but he was the vic- 
tim of circumstances and took the presidency be- 
cause he was the strongest available man and 
the country needed a strong man. 



"That was the time that the United States 
could have saved the situation by informing 
Huerta that he must at once hold an election 
and make the dictatorship purely provisional. That 
would have avoided trouble, and Henry Lane Wil- 
son, the ambassador who was retired, knew it. — 
Interview with Rev. John Howland, D.D., in Bos- 
ton "Post." 



MAPS IN COLORS 

Showing individual and corporate hold- 
ings in 
The Mexican Gulf Coast Oil Fields 
.'\ccurate in every detail— A necessity 
for everybody interested in Mexican Oil 

N. PAULSEN, Civil Engineer, 
Station O, Box 72 New York City 



Do you think Mexico is going 
to the bow-wows ? 

Well, think again. 

Mexico is all right and there is a lot 
of business done there. 

We have a fine transfer business for 
sale. 

Making money right along, revolu- 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We wrill give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO, 15 Broad St., New York City 



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Enclosed find $ for subscription 

to "MEXICO," to be sent to 

Beginning with 

number 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 23, 1913. 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Miniging Editor, Thomas O'Hallorin 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the year, $2.00 



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There is just one thing that stands be- 
tween this country's honor and an unjust 
war with Mexico. That is a providential 
revelation of the littleness and the irre- 
sponsibility of motive in the men who 
have made such a thing possible. It will 
be a blessing to humanity if, before our 
nation commits itself irrevocably to a 
course for which we will suffer a hundred- 
fold, somebody with real honor and de- 
cency of heart will give to the people 
tangible evidence of the mental workings 
of the Washington Administration. The 
press of the country has done its level 
best to throw a glamour of good inten- 
tion and humane purpose about the pol- 
icy that has proved so pernicious and 
futile. Friendly shoulders of solid men 
have tried to bolster up the shaky moves 
of insincerity and incompetence. Loy- 
alty and optimism have stood back to 
back to the end that the country should 
not be humiliated. The masterpiece of 
loyalty will now come from the man who 
patriotically will save the Administration 
and the people by showing that among 
the few men who have shaped the Mex- 
ican mistake Pindell politics and petty 
prejudice were all-powerful. It is unbe- 
lievable that a nation shall be plunged 
into war because of such. There must 
be some Pindell letters in this Mexican 
imbroglio. Let them come to light. They 
stand between us and war. 



The wonder is that the pure-minded 
Administration officials have even liit- 
ened to the suggestion of arming rebels 
and bandits to fight for the Administra- 
tion's "policy." 

• • * 

Since when have Americans hired mer- 
cenary Hessians to do their fighting for 
them? Times have changed. 

To talk silver-tongued peace at so 
much per talk, collected at the gate, and 
hire thugs to fight is not inconsistent — 
in Washington. 



WHY RECOGNITION COUNTS. 

The Government of Mexico desires 
United States recognition not so much 
because with such recognition it could 
the more readily float a foreign loan, but 
simply as an assurance of good faith on 
the part of the United States that rebel- 
lions will not be started, fostered, and 
financially supported by American inter- 
ests. That's what recognition really 
means and why so much importance is 
attached to it, especially by the other 
Powers. They know that if the United 
States would say "hands off" to the 
American inciters of rebellion and pre- 
vent the sending of arms and munitions 
of war across the border peace would be 
restored to Mexico in short order and 
easily maintained. Failure of the United 
States Government to recognize the 
Mexican Government is interpreted as 
encouragement of further rebellion for 
i the interests of certain American indi- 
viduals and corporations. 



THINGS THAT "CANNOT BE DIS- 
CUSSED." 

The Latin-American policy announced 
in the first days of the Administration. 

The proposition of a Nicaragua pro- 
tectorate embodying an understanding 
with American bankers. 

The genesis of the decision not to rec- 
ognize Huerta. 

The sending of John Lind to Mexico 
instead of a man who knew the country 
and the language. 

The offer of money to the Huerta Gov- 
ernment through American bankers if 
Lind's propositions were accepted. 

The financial blockade of the Mexican 
Government. 

The exact standing of William Bayard 
Hale. 

The connections between the Carran- 
cistas and the Pierce Oil Corporation. 

The connection between Hale and the 
Carrancistas and the Maderos — and the 
Pierce interests. 

The connection between the Carran- 
cista headquarters, or junta, in Washing- 
ton and the State Department. 

The Associated Press story of an ul- 
timatum to Huerta, which story was "re- 
leased" on Election Day, New Jersey and 
Massachusetts elections being in doubt. 

The inexpressible grief at the imprison- 
ment of seditious Mexican deputies and 
apparent indifference to the suffering of 
Americans at the hands of bandit, so- 
called "Constitutionalists." 

The official feeding of the press with 
rumors and insinuations designed to dis- 
credit the Huerta Government. 

Bryan's insulting attitude toward 
Americans in Mexico. 

The immorality of the very suggestion 
to arm the rebels and bandits of the type 
that have disgraced civilization at Juarez, 
within sight of El Paso. 



"FRIENDSHIP." 

Every now and then certain newspa- 
pers in their mad endeavor to justify 
the unprecedented Mexican policy of 
the Administration announce with rau- 
cous glee that on account of the financial 
blockade thrown" around him by the 
United States, President Huerta will 
not be able to pay his army and that in 
that event his fall is certain. Has it 
ever occurred to the intelligent defend- 
ers of the Moral-Financial Suasion "pol- 
icy" that if the soldiers of the Mexican 
regular army are not paid there will be 
one hundred thousand men out of em- 
ployment who, by all the instincts of 
self-preservation, will have to live off 
the country. That would be piling hor- 
ror on horror and wouM mean anarchy 
in Mexico such as the world has never 
experienced. It takes an idealist and 
moralist of the Bryan type to contem- 
plate such a spectacle with calm assur- 
ance. Nobody with a heart or the least 
love for his fellows would think of bring- 
ing about such a condition. It is enough 
to make the blood of man boil to listen 
to the criminally insane mouthings of 
these moralists. They are not only mor- 
ally but materially responsible for the 
continuance of lawlessness in Mexico, 
and their every move from day to day 
could not be better designed to turn 
Mexico into a shambles. How they can 
salve their conscience, sleep in peace or 
look their fellow men straight in the 
eye, is more than can be understood by 
any American who has had visual knowl- 
edge of the results of their "friendship" 
for Mexico. 



MAPS IN COLORS. 

The development of the oil industry in 
Mexico is one of the marvels of the 
times and promises to be even more 
wonderful in the future. To meet the 
demand of the moment and supply a 
growing necessity, Mr. N. Paulsen, civil 
engineer, with headquarters in Tampico, 
Tamps., Mexico, has after two years of 
work and constant revision, prepared a 
"General Map of the Mexican Gulf 
Coast Oil Fields," which should be in 
the hands of every one connected with 
or interested in the Mexican oil indus- 
try. 

The map is made in five sheets on a 
scale of 1-100,000. It has been compiled 
from some 300 detail maps of the Mex- 
ican Gulf Coast from Soto La Marina, 
Tamaulipas, to Papantla, Vera Cruz, 
and based upon the Mexican Govern- 
ment maps. It shows the land holdings 
in color combinations of over forty oil 
and agricultural companies, also devel- 
opment work, such as drilling camps, 
pipe-lines, railroads, etc. Most of the 
oil men on the ground have one or more 
copies of Mr. Paulsen's maps. 

The color arrangement, with a key on 
each sheet to the meaning of the colors, 
is the best feature of the map. The sub- 
scription price to the map is extremely 
reasonable, considering the tremendous 
amount of work involved in its prepa- 
ration and up-to-date revision. For fur- 
ther information as to this map, our 
readers who arc interested should ad- 
dress Mr, N. Paulsen, Civil Engineer, 
Station O, Box 72, New York City, N. 
Y., U. S. A. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intellident Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1— No. 15 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



THEDULLTRUTH 



The most deplorable phase of the Mex- 
ican situation is revealed in the appalling 
extent to which the American press has 
gone in the publication of falsehoods. We 
refer particularly to "news matter" 
either sent by news agencies and special 
correspondents or concocted in the edi- 
torial rooms of the newspapers. 

This perversion of truth in regard to 
Mexican affairs is due to various causes: 
often to orders given by the owners, 
whose interests and connections make it 
advisable for them to help in the cam- 
paign of misrepresentation being con- 
ducted against Mexico, sometimes to ig- 
norance on the part of editors and at 
other times to the able work of press 
agents employed by the interests which 
are fostering the advance of anarcliy in 
the southern republic. 

The average .-American newspaper man 
— reporter or editor — is honest and anx- 
ious to be square with himself and with 
the readers. But his convictions cannot 
always guide his work, because usually 
he has to obey orders from higher up. 
In the majority of newspapers the busi- 
ness office has the last say as to the edi- 
torial policy and the business office must 
yield to the pressure brought to bear by 
advertisers or enforce the orders given 
by the publisher. 

In many cases the publication of a 
mi.xture of truth and falsehoods, that is, 
of half-truths — which are the most pow- 
erful means of misrepresentation and 
much more dangerous than plain, unadul- 
terated lies — is due to the distorted con- 
ception which newspaper men in this 
country have formed as to the value of 
news. 

Unfortunately all .\merican newspaper 
men have been trained to believe that 
"news" is any tale relating to something 
out of the ordinary, anything that will 
startle or stagger the reader and pro- 
duce emotions. Bare truth does not al- 
ways produce "sensations," and is often 
extremely dull. The average newspaper 
man probably would be greatly surprised 
if told that he is a confirmed prevaricator 
and that prevaricating is his daily task. 
Truth, if dull, must be embellished, 
adorned and frequently distorted to 
(Con.inued on next page.; 



Striking a Gusher in OIL 



The story of the oil war in Mexico is 
well known to most Americans who have 
lived in Mexico during the last ten years 
but not so to the .\merican public in 
general. Yet in newspaper parlance this 
is the "real story" behind the whole Mex- 
ican trouble. 

The ability of the American interests 
involved in this oil war to twist the pub- 
lication of facts to their advantage is 
shown in the attempt of many American 
newspapers to make it appear as if the 
present struggle were being carried on 
to prevent the Mexican Government 
from giving to British interests a mon- 
opoly of the oil industry in Mexico. 
The facts, however, in brief are these: 
The Waters-Pierce Oil Company, for- 
merly a subsidiarj^ of the Standard Oil, 
enjoyed a practical monopoly of the oil 
trade in Mexico for many years. When 
the Doheny interests entered the field 
the Waters-Pierce Company attempted 
to prevent their success by acquiring 
control of the Mexican Central Railway. 
It also laid plans to acquire a practical 
monopoly of Mexican railroads, so as to 
control the means of transportation and 
freight rates. 

The Diaz Government perceived that 
if the Pierce interests were allowed to 
carry out their plans Mexico would be- 
come an adjunct of those interests and 
dependent upon the strongest and most 
ruthless of American Trusts. It was 
then that the Diaz Government con- 
ceived the plan to merge the principal 
Mexican railroads under government 
control and to give such concessions to 
British interests as to break the danger- 
ous influence of the Pierce interests. 

The so-called Cowdray interests began 
exploring Me.\ican oil fields in igoo, but 
it was not until 1906 — or about the time 
that the Government completed success- 
fully the railroad merger — that the 
.■\guila Oil Company, of the Cowdray in- 
terests, entered the field as a producer 
and a trader of oil in Mexico. This 
marked the end of the virtual monopoly 



held by the Waters-Pierce Company and 
a competitive war ensued with a conse- 
quent loss of many millions to both sides. 
The Diaz Government, decayed and 
weakened from within, was about to 
crumble when the Madero movement be- 
gan. A thorough understanding was 
soon reached between members of the 
Madero family and the Pierce interests. 
Sherby Hopkins, a Washington attor- 
ney for the Pierce Company, became the 
go-between and assumed the role of ad- 
viser to the Madero junta established in 
Washington at the time. 

The Madero revolution was successful 
and Sherliy Hopkins received fifty thou- 
sand dollars in gold from the Madero 
Government in payment of his services. 
He also went to Mexico and assisted 
Gustavo Madero in his campaign against 
the Aguila Oil Company. The conces- 
sions given by :he Diaz Government to 
the British interests were similar to the 
•:oncessions given to other companies, 
•vith the exception that they allowed the 
Er'tish company the right to explore na- 
tional lands. 

The Madero Government, although it 
had promised to do so, did not dare re- 
voke tlie concession enjoyed by the 
British interests and was abiding a more 
propitious time when public opinion in 
Mexico should be tnore favorable to re- 
storing a practical monopoly to the 
Pierce interests. Madero fell before that 
time arrived. 

The Huerta Government has not giv- 
en nor has it been asked to give any 
concession to the Cowdray interests, 
which in fact hold no monopoly as there 
are more than thirty different compa- 
nies, including the Pierce Company and 
the Standard Oil, producing and market- 
ing oil in Mexico. 

.Sherby Hopkins continues to be the 
adviser of the rebel junta in Washing- 
ton and the press agent of the Cowdray 
interests whose concessions have not 
been revoked. The relations between 
the Pierce interests and the Madero fam- 
ily cnntinue to be of the friendliest. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



cause a thrill, and most publishers still 
believe that papers will not sell unless 
the reader gets a thrill every time he 
glances at them. 

The most important requisite for any- 
thing to be published in a newspaper is 
that it should be a "good story." This 
is the creed instilled into every news- 
paper tyro. A newspaper writer is flat- 
tered the most when he is told that he 
has written a "good story" or a "good 
yarn" and truth is not necessary to a 
"good story." In fact, it often spoils it. 
There is something very significant 
about the term "story," which in news- 
paper language indicates anything from 
a short police news item to an article of 
fiction. 

The forces impelling the effort to 
mould public opinion by means of the 
press are moved by many complex and 
sometimes conflicting motives. 

The conquest of Mexico; the estab- 
lishment of a protectorate over Mexico; 
absolute political and commercial con- 
trol of Mexico by Americans; the estab- 
lishment of a government subservient 
to certain .American interests with the 
consequent control of the oil industry; 
commercial and political intrigues, im- 
perialistic tendencies and the natural ag- 
gressive attitude of a young, strong na- 
tion like this; the feeling of loyalty which 
prompts many Americans to uphold the 
policy of the Administration however 
wrong that may be; — all these and many 
more are the various motives behind this 
attempt to mould American public opin- 
ion by misrepresentation of facts, magni- 
fying of unimportant events and minim- 
izing of important ones. 

A large volume could easily be filled 
if a minute analysis were to be made of 
the work done by the press in treating 
the Mexican situation. We shall limit 
ourselves here to pointing out some of 
the most glaring phases of this work. 

That concerning the oil war we shall 
state briefly in another column as it has 
now been made clear that the war for 
control of the Mexican oil industry is 
the most powerful factor of the turmoil 
to which the unfortunate Mexican re- 
public has been prey for the last three 
years. 

One of the most common means used 
to impress the public with the progress 
of the rebellion in Mexico is that of 
magnifying and repeating day after day 
spurious or actual victories of the rebels. 
T'lus tlie fall of Culiacan has been 
published at least twenty times since last 
September and has not been confirmed 
as yet. The capture of Ciudad Victor- 
ia has been made part of the most sen- 
sational headlines for nearly two weeks. 
The supposed plight of Tuxpam has 
been asserted for many days until the 
official report of .\dmiral Fletcher stat- 
ed that the country around Tuxpam was 
quiet and that neither the city nor the 
oil fields in the vicinity were in any 
danger. But while the news of danger 
had been given great prominence, ihc 



THE DULL TRUTH-Continued 

report of .-Admiral Fletcher was usually 
tucked away in an inside page half hid- 
den between other news items. 

The fact that the Mexican Govern- 
ment had bought arms from a Japanese 
firm was published broadcast time after 
time and made to appear as implying a 
sort of alliance between the Mexican 
Government and Japan. The purchase 
of these arms dates from last April, but 
it has been used as news from time to 
time until last week. 

On the other hand, the fact that many 
Japanese have fought with the bands 
headed by Villa and other rebel leaders 
has been barely mentioned and no im- 
portance whatever given to this quite 
significant fact. 

The reports sent from special corre- 
spondents in Mexico City are often re- 
written in the editorial rooms of the 
newspapers to suit the policy of the 
publishers or the conception of the edi- 
tor in regard to a "good Mexican 
story." 

A friend of ours just returned from 
Mexico City told us a few days ago how 
a New York newspaper which has a long 
established news service to many other 
newspapers in the United States invar- 
iably alters and "stuffs" the news sent 
out by its correspondent in Mexico City. 
This correspondent is almost in despair 
and expects to be deported at any mo- 
ment on account of the enormous num- 
ber of lies contained in the dispatches 
under the Mexico City headline, as in 
Mexico City these lies are believed to be 
of his own manufacture. 

The Philadelphia "Public Ledger" a 
few days ago published a dispatch sup- 
posedly from Mexico City asserting that 
the Mexican Government had evolved a 
publicity scheme consisting of paying 
the salary of Mexicans who have ob- 
tained positions as correspondents of 
New York newspapers. Now, every 
newspaper man knows that no New 
York newspaper has a Mexican corre- 
spondent, but this little piece of news 
was published by so serious a paper as 
the "Ledger" and probably given cre- 
dence by most of its readers. The fact 
is that the Mexican Government in our 
opinion should evolve some kind of pub- 
licit3' scheme as its enemies have done, 
but so far it has refrained from doing so. 

Another instance of malicious intent 
to convey the wrong impression is found 
in the publication of photographs sup- 
posed to represent certain men promi- 
nent in Mexican affairs, when they were 
in fact photographs of men of an entire- 
ly different position. Thus, for instance 
a photograph of a Mexican bandit was 
labelled Gamboa, Minister of Foreign 
.Affairs, and that of another bandit-, wear- 
ing a long beard, was labelled Blanquet, 
Minister of War, while a photograph of 
a Mexican general in full gala uniform 
was labelled Candido Aguilar, loader of 
a band of rebels. 

Likewise cartoons and maps of Mex- 
ico purporting to show the territory 



controlled by the rebels have been pub- 
lished everywhere for the last six 
months all showing how the rebels were 
closing in on Mexico City. 

For more than six months it has also 
been affirmed that the Huerta Govern- 
ment controlled only Mexico City and 
the federal district and yet every skir- 
mish fought on the border has been giv- 
en great prominence as indicating the 
weakening of the Government. If the 
Huerta Government controlled only the 
federal district, what difference would be 
made by an insignificant engagement 
fought at Juarez, for instance, two thou- 
sand miles away? Again, huge headlines 
have announced almost every day for 
the last five months that the Huerta 
Government defies the United States! 
Every move made by that government 
has been represented as a defiance of 
the United States, so as to inflame pub- 
lic opinion. As a matter of fact, not 
once has the Huerta Government shown 
itself aggressive or defiant. It simply 
refused to accede to demands which no 
government in the world would have ac- 
cepted and for which Huerta was praised 
even by Carranzista newspapers. 

Because Huerta went to a bull fight 
unguarded, all newspapers at once pro- 
ceeded to consider that as an extraordi- 
nary instance after having stated that 
Huerta had taken refuge in the "Fort- 
ress" of Chapultepec Castle! Any one 
that has been in Mexico knows that 
Chapultepec is a palace, but not a fort, 
and that General Huerta goes every- 
where unguarded. 

Last — in this number — we shall point 
to the publication in the New York 
"Sun" of supposed orders sent by the 
Huerta Government to the Governors of 
the various States to see that the elec- 
I'ons were conducted in a way to "keep 
Huerta in powerj' The "Sun" published 
the facsimile of a printed sheet in Span- 
ish which of course gave it the appear- 
ance of being genuine and conclusive 
proof. 

It must be clear, of course, that such 
orders, if existing, would not have been 
printed but sent verbally, as was done 
by the Diaz and Madero Governments. 
It was an easy matter for Huerta's ene- 
mies to write those orders and have 
them printed. The "Sun" did not inves- 
tigate before publishing the supposed or- 
ders, but the N. Y. "Times" queried its 
correspondent as to the authenticity of 
those orders and the "Times" correspon- 
dent answered that no one could find 
any proof that the orders were authen- 
tic and that it was generally believed 
ihc printed sheets had been circulated Ijy 
enemies of the Government. 

The Washington "Post," reporting 
the lecture of ex-Ambassador Wilson at 
the Belasco Theatre in Washington, stat- 
ed that the numerous audience was com- 
posed mainly of Latin-.A.mericans, while 
in fact it was composed largely of prom- 
inent men in political and army circles 
in Washington. 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



MEXICO 



3 



ON MORAL GROUNDS 



We object on moral grounds to the 
Administration's attitude toward Mex- 
ico. 

We affirm tliat on moral grounds it 
should receive the condemnation of an 
enlightened people. 

W'e predict that on moral grounds it 
will be branded in history as a policy of 
perverse injustice and cold-blooded indif- 
ference to human rights and human suf- 
fering. 

We base this objection, affirmation 
and prediction on the following facts 
that are within the knowledge of even 
the superficial reader of the daily news- 
papers. 

I. — The placing of greater emphasis 
on antagonism toward one man than on 
the real settlement of a suffering people's 
problems. 

2. — By that antagonism helping to ruin 
a nation, the vast majority of whose peo- 
ple want only peace. 

3. — By that antagonism and by moral 
support giving encouragement to bands 
of outlaws, bandits and desperadoes, who 
loot, blackmail and ravish as part of the 
day's work. 

4. — By expressing, according to unde- 
nied newspaper reports, personal satis- 
faction at the temporary successes of the 
bandits against the forces of law and or- 
der. 

5. — By instituting a financial blockade, 
a starvin^-out process, which although 
aimed at one man, has brought great 
loss and suffering to a whole nation. 

6. — By watching like a vulture the 
weakness and struggles of a sick people, 
and not lifting a hand to help. 

7. — By permitting the press of the 
country to misrepresent the true condi- 
tions in Mexico and oiur relations to- 
ward them, when suppressed private ad- 
vices and State Department reports are 
truly informing. 

No one has suggested for a moment 
how the elimination of President Huerta 
.^ 10 solve the problems of Mexico. Sup- 
pose that Huerta was eliminated, what 
then? If Carranza became President, 
would Villa, flushed with his lawless car- 
eer, submit, or would he continue against 
Carranza as against Huerta? Would 
Zapata, Contreras, Genevieve de la O., 
.^guilar, any one of a score of bandit 
chiefs, lay down his arms and dismiss his 
looting followers at the mere say-so of 
any of his fellows? The last state of 
Mexico would be worse than the first, 
with all these chiefs fighting with added 
zest for power, having seen that such re- 
bellion was once successful. 

There is this important feature always 
to be remembered: Any President of 
Mexico even suspected of being Ameri- 



can-made would not last any longer than 
the time necessary to start an uprising 
against him. The Mexican people prize 
tlieir national sovereignty even above 
political liberty. So it follows that by 
pursuing a personally antagonistic policy 
toward President Huerta, the Wilson 
Administration is acting immorally, as 
this attitude is only further complicating 
Mexico's problems of the present and the 
future. 

It must be understood that of the IS,- 
000,000 or more Mexicans the vast ma- 
jority are law-abiding, peaceable people. 
The men in arms, the bands who are 
roving the country, do not total more 
than a few thousands. They are men 
who do not want to work, who are nat- 
urally averse to the demands of civilized 
life, and who find it profitable and easy 
to live ofl the country. Some few of 
their leaders are more intelligent, but at 
best their object is the acquisition of per- 
sonal power and prestige. Rich and poor 
of the overriden sections of Mexico are 
the prey of these bands. It is this great 
mass of peaceable, decent people who 
must suffer, who do suffer from all the 
trouble that has been visited on Mex- 
ico from within since Madero lit the 
torch of rebellion and from without by 
the attitude of the Wilson Administra- 
tion. This attitude has effectually inter- 
fered with the Mexican Government's 
program of pacification, to which it was 
committed for the good of all Mexico. 
Is it moral to place a financial blockade 
around and starve out a whole people 
through suspicion, distrust or dislike of 
one man? It is immoral even to think 
so. 

The women of Mexico are in terror of 
the bandit hordes. They flee from the 
towns where Villa's men are expected 
to come. Villa's name is a very house- 
hold word with which to frighten chil- 
dren. Brutality and lust are his only 
masters. We have had recent evidence 
of his cruel, merciless treatment of pris- 
oners. And yet Administration officials 
were recently quoted in the newspapers 
— and the quotation was not denied — as 
being rather inclined to excuse the Villa 
summary executions as being a sort of 
necessary fringe of disloyalty, or some 
other such academic, heartless generality. 
And now the Administration is quoted — 
and the quotation is not denied — as "tak- 
ing heart" at the reported success of 
Villa's freebooters. Great God! Is this 
morality? How about the hundreds of 
ifiobted women in all parts of Mexico? 
Is the President "taking heart" at their 
plight? How about the murdered at 
Villa's hands? Is the President "taking 
heart" at their death? It is absolutely 
beyond belief to any respectable person 



in Mexico or to any American who has 
lived there and come in contact with 
these outlaws. 

.'Vnd yet the Administration lets the 
impression go out to the people of the 
United States that it is working for 
peace in Mexico, when every day it is 
adding to the fiame of war. Lets the 
impression go forth that the elimination 
of Huerta would bring peace, when there 
is nothing to indicate that it would help 
in the slightest to do so. Lets the im- 
pression go forth that the men in arms 
against the Government of Mexico are 
animated by high principles, when it has 
every evidence to show that their high- 
est principle is loot. Lets the impression 
be spread broadcast that it is friendly 
toward the people of Mexico, when it is 
obvious to any one who knows Mexico 
that she never had a worse enemy. Helps 
to create the impression that it is ani- 
mated solely by considerations of moral- 
ity instead of expediency, but does not 
explain that its professed morality is 
remarkably expedient for certain less 
"moral" .American interests. 

And the Administration hovers over 
Mexico like a vulture watching its dying: 
prey struggling across the desert. Licks 
its chops like a tiger in pleasurable fore- 
taste of the enemy's fall. Smiles glee- 
fully when it gets news of the added 
difficulties of the Mexican situation. The 
whole thing is almost ghoulishly im- 
moral. It is un-American. It is un- 
human. It is uncanny. 

And it may happen that the blood and 
treasure of the American people will suf- 
fer for the sin. Crowning immorality of 
all! 



VILLA. 

Francisco Villa, or Pancho as he is 
familiarly called, is an ex-bandit of Chi- 
huahua. He is little more than half In- 
dian, with only the smattering of an edu- 
cation, but he possesses great fighting 
ability and personal magnetism which 
enables him to raise an army for any pur- 
pose he may have. He is about 36 years 
old and has a record of homicides which 
would make the best record of an Ameri- 
can "killer" look very short indeed. So 
far as can be learned, none of these mur- 
ders followed a personal encounter with 
any individual. 

For the last five years of the Diaz 
regime Villa was a proscribed bandit, 
under sentence of death, living out in the 
Chihuahua mountains and deserts and 
subsisting from robbery and pillage. 
There is no doubt of his bloodthirstyness 
any more than there is a doubt about 
his skill in evading the rurales Diaz sent 
after him. At the head of a small band 
of men, always well mounted, with a 
thorough knowlecjge of the country, the 
trails and waterholes, he could never be 
caught. 

When Madero revolted against Diaz, 
Villa made his peace with him. His 
little band, speedily augmented, became 
a good sized army and American soldier 
adventurers helped him to bring about 
some semblance of discipline. Villa be- 
came a Madero lieutenant and was with 
his chief when Juarez was taken. He 
did not do much fighting at that time, it 
is said, but he had a fine body of men, 
perfectly willing to take any loot that 
might be transportable. — New York "Sun." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



THE WHISPERING MYSTERY 



By James Creelman 



Washington, .Xuv. ;j2.— Wuh Hucrtu 
and his Congress ignoring President 
\\ uson and Jus "personal representa- 
tive," Mr. Lind, and with Carranza, the 
rebel leader, contemptuously turning his 
bacK on the President's otner "personal 
representative," Mr. Hale, the whisper- 
ni- mystery of the White House and 
tnc biate Department increases. 

Meantime the systematic destruction 
ot Mexico by scattered armies and rov- 
mg hordes or robbers and murderers, led 
by jmgling whiskerandos with the cry 
ot -liberty ' ever on their lips, goes on 
without interruption. 

No one now dares to discuss this as- 
pect ot the Mexican question in the 
v\ hue House or the State Department. 

"Property" and "business" are forbid- 
den words. 

Mr. Wilson is coldly sarcastic. Mr. 
bryan privately rages and denounces 
American business men in Mexico as 
"prostitutes" who lose all reverence for 
American institutions when ihey cross 
iiie Rio Grande. 

The general attitude of the President 
and Secretary of State seems to be that 
all Americans who are engaged in busi- 
ness in foreign countries are probably 
unscrupulous adventurers who deserve 
little consideration. 

Meantime the ghastly realities of the 
-Mexican situation are beginning to show 
themselves. 

. '^,^? strange atmosphere of repression 
in Washington, the singular unwillin-:'- 
ness ot the leaders of ail parties to talk 
publicly, IS not so much the result of 
conhdence in the extraordinary and sec- 
retive coiirse pursued by Mr. Wilson 
and Mr. Bryan. 

The present silence is rather due to 
a teehng that the Wilson Administra- 
tion has actually, though thus far biood- 
lessly, intervened in the domestic affairs 
of Mexico and that the United States 
has been committed to a policy from 
which It IS now too late to withdraw 
ence°° ^ ^''^''^ ^°^^ °^ national influ- 

Having deliberately engaged in the 
work ot breaking down and destroying 
the Huerta government by sheer bank- 
niptcy, the Wilson Administration is 
giving powerful aid to Carranza and Za- 
pata and the multitudes of bandits who 
tionaTists'"*^ and pilfering as "constitu- 

That the support given to the rebels 
and their bandit allies is indirect makes 
" none the le.ss real and effective. 

American intervention in Mexico is an 
accomplished fact although a shot has 
not yet been fired. 

. Two and a half months ago the Mex- 
ican financial envoy in Europe received 
oflficia notice that the French govern- 
ment had asked certain French bankers 
to withdraw from a loan they had 
agreed to make to the Huerla govern- 
ment on the ground that the United 
Stales had undertaken to" force Huerta 
to obey President Wilson's demand for 
his retirement by cutting off his finan- 
cial supplies. 

Who does President Wilson intend to 
recognize in Hucrta's place? 

Has the Unitjid States turned away 

rom the present Mexican government 

because it is despotic and "founded on 

blood to accept the rule of Carranza, 

whose followers have engaged whole- 



sale, and witlioul rebuke, in murder, rob- 
bery and arson? 

Ihe silence of the White House and 
the State Department is due to the fact 
at the Wilson Administration, having 
blindly and stubbornly forced the pres- 
ent situation, persistentljr ignoring the 
reports and opinions of our diplomatic 
and consular representatives in Mexico, 
and deliberately opposing the policy of 
all other great naiions, has apparently 
no policy for the future. 

Nothing is said because there is noth- 
ing- to say. 

The downfall of Huerta will be a per- 
sonal vindication of President Wilson 
and Secretary Bryan. 

There the great plan, wrought out in 
the blood and misery of a neighboring 
people, seems to end. The rest is a 
blind gamble. 

The truth is that it was the intention 
of President Taft to recognize the Huer- 
ta government. Secretary of State Knox 
asked the ad interim government to 
agree to the settlement of certain out- 
standing and troublesome matters pend- 
ing between the two countries as a pre- 
cedent to formal recognition of Presi- 
dent Huerta. 

But the Mexican foreign office insist- 
ed on raising a number of hair-splitting, 
technical objections, which greatly de- 
layed the negotiations. 

Secretary Knox makes no secret of 
the fact that the Taft Administration 
had decided to extend the full national 
recognition to the new Mexican govern- 
ment as soon as these questions were 
disposed of. 

Had it not been for the dilatory tac- 
tics of the Mexican minister of foreign 
affairs, the Huerta government would 
have been recognized, the bankers of the 
world v/ould have gladly furnished the 
money needed to reorganize and in- 
crease the Mexican army and by this 
time there would be comparative peace 
and order where all is bloodshed, pillage 
and destruction. 

Before these preliminary questions 
could be settled the Wilson Administra- 
tion came into power and, although ev- 
ery other great nation in the world had 
recognized Huerta, President Wilson 
and Secretary Bryan, without consulta- 
tion with their predecessors or with the 
experienced experts of the State Depart- 
ment, and spurning the reports of our 
ambassador and consuls as unworthy of 
consideration, deliberately brought on 
the present perilous situation by refus- 
ing to recognize the Mexican govern- 
ment because it was "founded on blood" 
and not tlie result of a free election. 
What About Carranza? 
Having refused to recognize Huerta's 
authority as a power "founded on blood." 
can President Wilson recognize a Car- 
ranza government, stained as it will be 
with blood and brigandage? 

Ever since the present struggle began 
the news dispatclies have borne almost 
daily witness to the sturdy efforts of the 
Huerla administration to protect life and 
propcrtj' everyvv'here. 

Responsible men of all shades of opin- 
ion, even those who insist that Huerta 
should retire from office, bear witness 
that wherever his authority extends per- 
sons and property alike are safe. 

On the other hand, the story of the 
operations of the "constitutionalist" 
forces has been a ghastly history filled 
with scenes of wanton slaughter and de- 
struction. 



.\11 through these dreadful months 
the American newspapers reporting the 
work of the men who hail Carranza as 
their representative and chief have told 
of the butchery of prisoners; the loot- 
ing and burning of towns and villages; 
the barbarous torture of helpless men 
and women; the pillage of railroad trains 
and banks; the holding of rich civilians 
for ransom — every kind of murder, rob- 
bery and blackmail that the most sav- 
age ingenuity could invent. 

The frightful story of the cold-blood- 
ed looting of Durango, a city of more 
than 31,000 inhabitants, by Carranza's 
forces was reported by the American 
consul general, but suppressed by the 
State Department. 

Carranza's officers agreed in advance, 
in order to secure the assistance of Gen. 
Urbino and his ferocious bandits, that 
the city should be looted from end to 
end. 

Even while President Wilson's "per- 
sonal representative," Mr. Hale, a for- 
mer newspaper correspondent, was deal- 
ing with Carranza and his "cabinet" at 
Nogales. Carranza's men. under Pancho 
Villa, captured Juarez, within sight and 
sound of American soil, and murdered 
unarmed prisoners, killing sick men in 
their beds. 

And while the President was still con- 
ferring with Carranza on the frontier, . 
there was a battle fought by his men at 
Victoria, followed by a deliberate mas- 
sacre. 

All reports agree that when Huerta's 
army, seeing that it was useless to fight 
anj' longer, sent out an officer with a 
white altar cloth as a flag of truce, Car- 
ranza's representative refused to receive 
him, saying, "we watit no prisoners; they 
are a burden." 

Rebels Gave No Quarter. 
This savage utterance was followed by 
slaughter without quarter. 

Nor has Carranza given the slightest 
evidence that he disapproves of the bar- 
barities committed by his troops. 

As a matter of fact, it is not so long 
since Carranza's own brother went with 
his followers to a mine owned by a for- 
eigner and demanded $5,000 from the 
mine manager, threatening to destroy 
the place if the blackmail was not paid. 
The manager said that he had no 
money, whereupon Carranza destroyed 
half the property.. Meantime the mana- 
ger succeeded in getting the $5,000 and 
paid it to the ruffian, who promptly de- 
stroyed the rest of the nroperty. 
Washington Informed. 
News of the brutal, and sometimes 
fiendish conduct of the rebel forces has 
been received in Washington from re- 
sponsible sources throughout the war- 
smitten parts of Mexico. The official 
representatives of many governments 
have expressed their fear of what will 
happen if the Huerta government falls 
and the predatory hordes who call 
themselves "constitutionalists" are al- 
lowed to seize Mexico. 

How can President Wilson, who re- 
fuses, on high moral grounds, to deal 
with a "government founded on blood," 
recognize any government set up by 
Carranza? 

If Mr. Wilson refuses to accept either 
a Huerta government or a Carranza gov- 
ernment, what does he propose to do to 
seru'-e peace and protection to health 
and property in Mexico? 

President Wilson and Secretary Bryan 
sitting in their libraries and contemplat- 
ing the beauty of liberty safe.guarded by 
law and justice, cannot change the in- 
evitable events which are approaching. 
The United States has intruded its pow- 
er into the affairs of the Mexican peo- 
ple. What is done cannot be recalled. 
— N. Y. "Evening Mail." 



ScUiirdav. November 20, 1!)13 



MEXICO 



WHO SERVES AND WAITS. 

Villa has been buying everything he could 
order from El Paso this week for his army, but 
merchants to-night say that when they presented 
their bills they were told to come "manana," and 
few of them have seen any real money. One 
El Paso firm is said to have sold Villa $1G,000 
worth of clothing and shoes without receiving 
any pay. 

Certainly the El Paso merchants will 
be delighted to contribute such a small 
sum to the cause of "constitutionalism" 
(in Mexico) which the citizens of their 
liberty-loving (in Mexico) city have so 
long supported. But if there should be 
any merchant in El Paso so basely de- 
void of love for the Mexican Constitu- 
tion and so devoid of moral principles 
as to be unwilling to give clothing and 
shoes without receiving pay, let him pre- 
sent his bill to Hale or Bryan. Un- 
doubtedly one of these two money-abhor- 
ring Mexican Constitution-loving gentle- 
men will be only too glad to pay the bill 
and yet be thankful for the opportunity 
to serve that greatest of all Mexican 
patriots, Pancho Villa or, as they would 
say, General Villa. 



LEST WE FORGET 



IF 



It has been affirmed by some whose 
sympathies were with the Mexican rebels 
because of their claim that they are fight- 
ing for the Constitution that Mexico, 
after all, is learning through bloodshed 
a political lesson, fighting its way out of 
political darkness into the light of dem- 
ocracy. 

If revolutions could ever have dragged 
the Mexican people out into the light, the 
Mexicans would be the most enlightened 
people in the world to-day and theirs 
the most democratic of all democracies. 

Very few Americans know anything 
of Mexican history, the most ignorant, 
unfortunately, being those who with the 
greatest cocksureness discourse and write 
about Mexico in the daily press. 



A PROTESTING AMERICAN. 

The conduct of the Administration in handling 
the Mexican situation can only be characterized 
as amateur, ignorant and blundering. 

The unofficial outgivings from the Adminis- 
tration have been self-contradictory, misleading 
and calculated to do more harm than good. Every 
move has been of such a character as to cause 
distrust, suspicion or anger in every Latin-Ameri- 
can country in Central and South America. Send- 
ing a man like Lind, with the cool assumption 
that he was to negotiate with a Government that 
we did not "recognize," was impudent enough, 
but when followed by a message that compliance 
would result in financial favors it became most in- 
sulting. 

The wretched, humiliating request to our na- 
tionals to leave Mexico has already been for- 
gotten. 

Then there is this perpetual talk of "interven- 
tion," of overseeing their elections, of policing 
their territory. The idea that our soldiers and 
marines could shoot down the poorly-jjaid soldiers 
or peons of a neighboring country which has done 
us no harm except to ask us to mind our own 
business ! And then this talk of our arming or 
supplying arms to the rebels or bandits whose out- 
rages have been reported equal to those in Bul- 
garia ! It is time that the American people called 
a halt on the whole transaction. — .Tose|)h D. 
Holmes in Boston "Evening Transcript." 



We shall have to fight in the open 
some day. Meanwhile we shall have 
made the whole world our enemy. 

* * * 

A hypocritical bully is never loved. 

* * * 

It looks as if the fight would start in 
Mexico. 

* » * 

God knows where it will end. 

* * * 

A war fomented and encouraged by 
rapacious American oil interests, ably 
assisted by two amateur diplomats 
spouting fine moral phrases. 

* * * 
Spouting peace talk. 

* * » 

And acting cockily and truculently 
toward the rest of the world. 

* * ♦ 

Proposing competition and a "new 
freedom." 

* * * 

Joining hands with the Octopus to 
wipe out competition in Latin-American 
countries. 

* ♦ * 

Banging the Money Trust over the 
head to satisfy public opinion here. 

* * * 

Playing the game of the Money Trust 
in Latin-America. 

* * ♦ 

The fight has been brought out into 
the open at last. 

* • * 

The fight of the oil interests. 

* ♦ * 

Strange that the Administration should 
be fighting shoulder to shoulder with 
the American octopus. 

* * * 

And the State Department is its oblig- 
ing agent. 

* * * 

With all this talk of morality a blind. 

* * * 

The smell of oil is in the air and it 
isn't a very nice smell for the Adminis- 
tration to have on its t'emocratic 
clothes. 

* * * 

We have not forgotten the Archbold 
letters. 

* * * 

Of course the Administration will con- 
tinue to insist that it is fighting for 
grand principles of right and justice, 
democracy, constitutionalism and hu- 
manity. 

* * ♦ 

Which is precisely what the oil inter- 
est? want the Administration to say. 
Nothing could please them better. 

It's perfectly fine to have a respectable 
front for nefarious intrigues. 



Respectability is an admirable weapon 
for the individuals who have assisted the 
Administration in making up its mind 

about Mexico. 

* * * 

Who is paying the Villas, Aguilars 
and Zapatas? Where are they getting 
their arms and ammunition? 

Look into that, O Blind or Perverse 
Administration— and talk morality never 

again. 

* * * 

At least not to Mexico. 

Keep it for home consumption. It is 

needed. 

* * ♦ 

Huerta is an innocent, prattling child 
in comparison with some of the men 
behind this oil war. 

* * * 

It is a terrible thing for any Latin- 
American government to grant conces- 
sions—unless your friends get the con- 
cessions. 

* * * 

Morality! Buncombe for the Chautau- 

quas. 

* * * 

Villa, one of the worst bandits in the 
history of Mexico, is pedestaled and 
gushed over by American newspapers, 
while Huerta, always a soldier and de- 
fender of law and order, is condemned, 
maligned, lied about, insulted and libeled. 
Get at the source of this organized in- 
justice and you will have solved the 
Mexican problem as far as this country 

is concerned. 

* * * 

Must we stand for the methods used 
by American interests and their friends 
in Washington simply because we are 

Americans? 

* * * 

That's not patriotism. That's simply 
being made a fool of. 

* * * 

Well, the whole sordid story will come 
out some day soon. 



DREAMS. 

Villa's officers declared to-night that when he 
left Juarez with his men this afternoon he de- 
clared that this battle would settle whether 
Huerta or the Constitutionalists are to rule 
Mexico. 

What they really meant was tliat the 
battle would decide whether Huerta or 
Villa would rule Mexico. How a battle 
at Juarez can decide the whole thing is 
rather difficult to perceive, but in any 
case Villa must be already certain of rec- 
ognition if he is getting ready to occupy 
Chapultepec. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 




Another incident affording much in- 
terest to the observer and student of in- 
trigues and by-plays against the Govern- 
ment of Mexico has been the taking 
aboard an American battleship of two 
Maderos and two of their relatives. The 
"escape" was engineered by Lind, ac- 
cording to press reports, and when the 
two Aladeros were "safe" on board they 
declared that nothing could save Mex- 
ico but God and one added: "Yes, but 
with the help of the United States!" 
The comedy was fairly well staged. But 
it does not deceive an}- one who knows 
the Maderos and their connections. This 
invocation to the United States to assist 
God to save Mexico was not very well 
accepted by Mexicans. The interesting 
part, however, of this grandstand play — 
which will be used by some man like 
Senator Fall in asserting solemnly that 
Mexicans themselves are demanding in- 
tervention — consists in the effect which 
the Maderos sought to produce in this 
country by their "hairbreadth escape!" 

They had been released on bail — a 
small amount — and were awaiting trial, 
after having been imprisoned several 
days in San Juan de Ullua. If there had 
been a reason why they should have 
feared for their lives they would not 
have been released on bail. 

But it was necessary' to create again 
the impression that a reign of terror ex- 
ists under the Huerta Government, and 
so the}' were induced to take refuge on 
board an American ship! 

It is not the first lime that this game 
has been played. 

More than one Alexican who has not 
been able to blackmail the Huerta Gov- 
ernment into making him at least Vice- 
President of Mexico, has left that coun- 
trj' informing the four winds that he 
was forced to leave because his life was 
in danger. In fact, every scoundrel and 
outlaw that has come to the United 
States is a "political refugee"! 

More than one Mexican belonging to 
the Madero group has voluntarily "dis- 
appeared," so that the news could be 
published in this country that the Huer- 
ta Government had done away with him. 
The case of Bordel Mangel served to 
Teveal this sort of dark-cellar machiavel- 
lic play. He reappeared. There are 
many Mexicans who believe and many 
who assert that the incident of Belisario 
-Dominguez — the Senator who made a 
speech attacking Huerta and then dis- 
appeared — was nothing but a well- 
staged comedy for the special benefit 
of the American public. The writing 
of the will, the private letter saying 
that he could not find a printer who 
would print his speech — which could not 
be true — the request that each of 
his friends make five copies and ask 
in his turn five friends to do the same 
— his dramatic speech and finally his 
complete disappearance — all this is 
firmly believed to have been part of a 
cleverly carried out plan, which includ- 
ed the subsequent threat of the Maderist 
members of Congress to meet in the 
revolutionary camp if ample protection 
were not guaranteed them by the gov- 
ernment. 

Dominguez is living in Oaxaca, it is 
asserted by some, jn Cuba by others. 
In any case the fact is that his body 
has not been found. 

It is necessary to be thoroughly fa- 
miliar with the men who made up the 



Madero clique to realize the depth and 
tortuous wa3'S of their intrigues. But 
American newspapers are so easily 
"taken in" that these Maderists would 
think it a shame not to avail themselves 
of this fact! 

In regard to the action of John Lind, 
of whom it is difficult to say whether he 
was deceived or an actor in the comedy, 
the following may prove illuminating: 
(Special Cable to New York "American.") 

Vera Cruz, Nov. 22. — Mayor Lagos said to the 
New York "American" correspondent to-day : 

"I am surprised and incensed at the action 
taken both by Mr. Lind and Consul Canada in 
assisting the Maderos and their party in eluding 
our iaws. These men were taken from Ulua 
prison, where they had received the best of at- 
tention at the request of General Huerta and 
placed on very light bonds and given the city 
as limits of freedom. 

"If these men are guilty, then we have been 
thwarted in taking action against them. We had 
reason to believe they were attempting to elude 
the law and the military commander, through me, 
ordered that they appear before him so that he 
could communicate verbally a matter direct from 
the President. They were not to be molested in 
any way beyond a notification. 

"I did have special men keeping watch on them. 
It was my duty. They were my charges. It is 
impossible for me to believe that the people of the 
great United States, a high respecter of laws, 
will sanction and look with favor upon a represen- 
tative of Mr. Wilson to act as smuggler and guard 
of our delinquents. 

"Our armed weakness avoided a clash, the pru- 
dence of our military commander avoided a clash. 
We all know the awfulness of results had we at- 
tempted to make good our rights. It would have 
been a match in the magazine. 

"Instead of these gentlemen trying to avoid 
trouble, they seem to be hunting a cause to be 
able to destroy us, as well they and we know they 



Some Americans vie' 
and believe it will hav 



be incident as far-fetched 
complicating effect. 



MR. BRYAN'S DIPLOMACY. 

In denying a report originating in the City of 
Mexico that the United States Government had 
made a protest against the despatch by Great 
Britain of warships to Mexican waters. Secretary 
Bryan heatedly condemns th-^ publication because 
the report was not first verified, and he adds : 

"Surely in international affairs there ought to 
be a patriotic desire to promote friendly relations 
with other nations, and these cannot be -promoted 
by the reckless publication of false statements in 
regard to the acts of public officials." 

The State Department has done so many novel 
and peculiar things and procured so many queer 
appointments since March 4 that the matinal 
question is. What will it do next? In the time 
of Mr. Hay or Mr. Root a protest against a 
foreign Government's despatch of warships to dis- 
turbed Mexico to rescue its imperilled citizens 
would have been inconceivable, but not so under 
Mr. Bryan's conduct of the State Department. 
Almost anything reported in the nature of a new 
departure, however singular, finds credence now. 
The present State Department seems to be forg- 
ing precedents and making over international law 
with perfcrvid zeal and a blind faith in its re- 
sources. 

While Mr. Bryan should be commended when 
he deplores the effect of sv.ch a report as he 
denies upon our friendly relations with Great 
Britain, it may be said in the kindliest spirit that 
less mystery and a little more caudor on his part 
would contribute powerfully to a better under- 
standing of the purposes of the State Department 
in the present complexity in Mexico. — New York 
"Sun." 



A PARALLEL CASE. 

When one looks at the America of to-day, 
even though the view be but a superficial one, 
with its insane worship of money and vulgar 
ostentation, its mismanagement and incapacity in 
high places, its hurry to get rich quickly at all 
costs, its bribery and corruption, its low standard 
of ideas and morals, its trusts and corporations 
which strangle its commercial life like the limbs 
of an octopus, its tainted justice, its scandal- 
loving press, its scamped and jerry-built cities, 
its packed State Legislatures, its many social 
problems which it seems quite incapable of solv- 
ing; when one looks at all this and sees how far 
it has fallen short of the fair promise of less than 
a century and a half ago, and when one sees 
how little hope there is for the future, then, in- 
deed, one may be inclined to agree with Bernard 
Shaw in his contention that America, being in- 
capable of managing her own affairs, should be 
placed in statu pupillari once more and handed 
over to an international commission of Euro- 
peans. * * • 

Instead of being pointed to as an example, it 
is almost more to the point whether she should 
not return to the swaddling clothes and the 

The above is from a vicious attack on 
the United States and its institutions 
quoted from a recent book by Alan Ral- 
eigh, an English writer. He draws a 
perfectly hopeless picture of us and our 
future. If half that he says were true, we 
should immediately retire from the cen- 
ter of the stage. But the fact is that we 
are just a litle bit more optimistic about 
our country and its affairs than the Eng- 
lishman. There is similar misunder- 
standing and misinformation, superficial 
observation and .malicious exaggeration 
in the Washington Administration's ex- 
pressions on Mexico. We can afford to 
smile amusedly at the Britisher's ravings, 
for we know they cannot hurt us, but the 
very life of Mexico as a nation is at 
stake as a result of just such ignorance 
and perversion of facts. 



A SHAMEFUL CRIME. 

Let us still hope that war is impossi- 
ble, for it would be a sad and shameful 
crime. But if we are not drifting to- 
wards inevitable intervention, the mis- 
taken course of our administration has 
certainly impaired for years to come 
our amicable relations with Mexico and 
weakened our influence with all Latin 
America. President Wilson ma}- be said 
to have paved Mexico with good inten- 
tions, but good intentions and bad judg- 
ment are a very unfortunate combina- 
tion. — Rochester "Post-Express." 



Villa went out in the desert to see. 
To see what? To see whether his Amer- 
ican friends had smuggled across the line 
the guns and ammunition he needed. 
They had — and he returned to Juarez 
with his precious guns and a story about 
a defeat of the Federals which has not 
been borne out. Oh, it's a great comedy 
for some, but a terrible tragedy for Mex- 
ico! 

* * * 

If we wouldn't talk morality so much. 
If we weren't such hypocrites. If we 
only fought in the open like men. 



Saturday. November 29, 1913 



MEXICO 



The Latest Phase of the Mexican Situation 

By Henry Lane Wilson, Former United States Ambassador to Mexico, in 
the "Independent." 



Few nations of the worUl are better 
protected against foreign agg rgjsion 
than the United States. To the east the 
Atlantic will ever be a barrier against 
European aggression. To the west 5,000 
miles of untrodden depths of the Pa- 
cific constitute our safety against the 
menace of the so-called yellow peril. To 
the north is a great people of the same 
origin and with language, customs and 
civilization similar to our own. While 
union with Canada may never come 
about, there neither is nor will be any 
reason for fear from that quarter. To 
the south of the Rio Grande there is, 
however, a real international problem 
which it behooves the American people 
to study and the true nature of which 
should be understood by those clothed 
with official responsibility, that the pow- 
er of this great Government may not be 
used unjustly nor in adventurous political 
sallies carrying us away from the politi- 
cal traditions of one hundred and thirty 
years and involving us in responsibilities 
tlie assumption of which must inevitably 
lead to the extension of our territorial 
limits at the expense of weaker and 
i.Tore indolent nations. 

The revolution against the govern- 
ment of General Porfirio Diaz and the 
subsequent revolution against the gov- 
ernment of Madero, with all their accom- 
panying tragedies, mysteries, the de- 
struction of vast material interests, and 
the great sacrifice of human lives, have 
passed into a history which is written 
though not yet public. 

In the month of August the Presi- 
dent dispatched ilr. John Lind. of Min- 
nesota, as his personal representative to 
Mexico with certain instructions which 
were to constitute the basis of the rep- 
resentations which he was expected to 
make to the Mexican Government. Mr. 
Lind's designation for this important 
mission, without official character and 
without the advice and consent of the 
Senate of the United States, which 
shares with the President the responsi- 
bility for the conduct of our foreign re- 
lations, was an irregularity and an ex- 
ample of that kind of personal govern- 
ment which has not been looked upon 
with favor in the United States in the 
past and which was highly offensive, ir- 
ritating and humiliating to the Mexican 
nation, which as a sovereign Power can- 
not but regard such lapses from estab- 
lished precedents in dealing with her as 
indicative of small respect and regard. 

Mr. Lind's instructions, in brief, were 
as follows: 

I. To indicate to General Huerta that 
this Government would not recognize 
him as Provisional President. 

II. That a constitutional presidential 
election must be held and that General 
Huerta must not be a candidate to suc- 
ceed himself. 

Mr. Lind's mission was doomed to 
failure for three reasons: 

I. His dispatch thither without formal 
diplomatic character was an act of of- 
fensive intervention in the affairs of a 
friendly nation. 

IL His mission was personally offen- 
sive to the Provisional President of Mex- 
ico. Huerta was told that he was unfit 
to be president and asked to give his 
consent and adherence to the opinion. 

III. The demand that a constitutional 



presidential election be held was and is 
impossible of fulfilment because the ma- 
chinery for a constitutional election does 
not exist in Mexico, and 80 per cent, of 
the population have no idea whatsoever 
of the obligations of citizenship or of 
the nature of constitutional government. 
Let it be clearly remembered that 80 per 
cent, of the population of Mexico is In- 
dian and unable to read or write. The 
implanting of democratic institutions in 
soil like this is obviousb' a thing im- 
possible of accomplishment. One might 
as well expect the Statue of Liberty to 
stand if built upon quicksands as to hope 
for good results from an attempt to 
plant an altruistic and democratic repub- 
lic by mere ipse dixit among people 
having such largely preponderant ele- 
ments of ignorance and unfitness. The 
engrafting of our ideas, institutions and 
customs, which prosper only under the 
restraints which spring from a high de- 
gree of civilization, upon the Mexican 
people, without having prepared them 
by education and training for their re- 
sponsibilities, is a task so absolutely im- 
possible of accomplishment and its pro- 
cesses so likely to be attended with a 
continuation of disorder, bloodshed and 
crime, that those clothed with authority 
might well take the time to study the 
lesson, which has been taught for a 
thousand years, that in the conduct of 
foreign relations idealism is a dangerous 
element, and that morals and expediency 
are always or nearly always identical. 
There never has been a free election in 
Mexico and there never will be- until a 
strong and vigorous Government like 
that of General Diaz shall set about the 
task of educating and elevating the 
masses, supported by the sympathy and 
advice of civilized Powers, which, in- 
stead of attempting to set up an altru- 
istic republic, shall furnish those effec- 
tive aids which may lead to a system of 
universal education, the implanting of 
sound political ideas, and a patriotism 
which will be something higher and nob- 
ler than hatred of the foreigner. 

The truth of this is borne out by Mex- 
ico's history for a hundred years; dur- 
ing all that long period of time no free 
election has taken place and no machin- 
erjr has existed for a constitutional elec- 
tion. The total of the votes cast for 
other presidents prior to Madero may 
be considered as negligible, and he only 
received 1S,9S9 votes in a population of 
15,000,000. The establishment of demo- 
cratic institutions in Mexico is not, 
therefore, a conceivable possibilitj' at 
the present time. This opinion — and it 
is not simply an opinion, but a state- 
ment of absolute fact — was and is 
shared bj' all my diplomatic colleagues 
in Mexico, by members of the .American 
and all other foreign colonies, by all re- 
ligious and other foreign organizations 
in Mexico, and by all that portion of 
Mexican public opinion which may be 
described as sane, honest and patriotic. 

Face to face with these conditions, 
what is the position of our present .Ad- 
ministration? To one who has closely 
watched the trend of events it would 
appear that it is confronted either with 
the necessity of immediately recogniz- 
ing -the government which shall succeed 
that of General Huerta, and of entering 
into diplomatic relations with it, or of 
intervening by armed force — as it al- 
ready has in other ways in the political 



affairs of that republic. The gravity of 
this latter step, if it is taken, must not be 
underestimated, because it will inean the 
assertion of a virtual lordship of imper- 
ialistic character, not only over Mexico, 
but likewise over all of Latin .America to 
th e Ist hmus of Panama. Whatever gov- 
ernment shall be set up in Mexico un- 
der our auspices will e.xist just so long 
as we have fleets and armies there to 
protect it, and no longer. Our military 
forces having been withdrawn, the na- 
tional ill-will will speedily wreak itself 
on a hated gringo government imposed 
by a foreign power. This ready made 
republic, imported from our shores, hav- 
ing been destroyed, we must either ad- 
mit our folly and wear sackcloth and 
ashes or return and return again to re- 
establish the form of government which 
we think ought to be suited to our neigh- 
bors and ought to be loved by them be- 
cause it is suited to us and loved by us. 
Out of what appeared originally to very 
many honest .Americans, therefore, to be 
the expression of a proper resentment 
against a government set up by violence 
will be developed an outward movement 
of imperialism hateful to the great ma- 
jority of American public opinion, and 
which will not only make us directly 
responsible to the world for Latin 
America to the Isthmus of Panama, but 
will also, if the Administration is true 
to the principles which it has enunciated, 
place the obligation upon us of passing 
upon the titles of republics like Uru- 
guay, Paraguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Bo- 
livia and Peru, where governments are 
frequently ushered into power through 
violent revolutionary methods. 

It might be well to make it clear_ at 
this point, in order that public opinion 
may not be led astray by false alarms, 
that the nations of Europe as they were 
and are represented in the diplomatic 
corps at ^lexico are not conspiring 
against the interests of the American 
Government. On the contrary', these 
•jovernnients and their diplomatic agents 
would gladly see our Government take 
the lead in any sane and sound policy 
which will bring about the restoration of 
order in Mexico and prevent the further 
effusion of blood. The European na- 
tions frankly recognize that they have no 
political interests in Mexico. Their sole 
interests is in the development of their 
trade relations with Mexico. 

I know our President to be a man of 
lofty ideals and high purpose, but he 
has an erroneous conception — and I say 
it with all respect — of what our policy 
toward Latin America ought to be, and 
he has been and is following the guid- 
ance of sophisticated rhetoricians or 
amateur agents delving in fields of whose 
soil they have not the most elemental 
knowledge, and whose rashness and folly 
are placing heavy burdens, not only on 
this country, but on the thousands of 
our unfortunate countrj'men whose lives 
and property are placed in hazard. 

The policj- of the Administration to- 
ward Mexico has been accepted neither 
by Mexico nor by any other nation, and 
has reached an impasse. I could wish 
that it might be otherwise, and that any 
policy which can bring peace to that un- 
happy country, to that unfortunate peo- 
ple and to our own splendid but unfor- 
tunate nationals living there, might suc- 
ceed, and I should be highly gratified as 
an American to see the Administration, 
instead of venturing out on the danger- 
ous sea of imperialism — though not in- 
tending to trim its sails in that direc- 
tion — modify some of the unhealthy at- 
tributes of the Monroe Doctrine which 
have come to the surface during the last 
fifteen years. 



MEXICO 



Sattirday, Novcynbcr 39, 1913 



NAILING THEM 



••IMPARTIALITY." 

In the policy of President Wilson toward 
Mexico "La Prensa" sees *'a denial of the prin- 
ciples of equality," and by way of specifications 
Buenos Ayres is told that the President "gives 
anns to the rebels" and "openly backs one Mex- 
ican party against another." 

This will be news to the American people and 
news to General Carranza. 

The truth is the President is not giving arras 
to the rebels, despite very strong pressure brought 
to bear in favor of lifting the present embargo 
against the export of arms to the northern rebels. 
That embargo is still on, and whatever may be 
President Wilson's personal views as to the 
"righteousness" of the cause of one party or the 
other in Mexico the attitude of the Government 
of the United States has been of impartial non- 
recognition. 

There has been no "interference" in Mexico to 
which the other Latin-American republics can 
object, nor is thei i likely to be any "interference" 
that those governments will not approve. — New 
York "Her:,ld." 

The ••Herald" is as well informed as 
"La Prensa." But in this quec'ion "La 
Presna" de^'^ .vith actual facts, ivith the 
pith of the questioti wh^lc the "Herald" 
chosses to ^eal orly ^\ith the empty 
shells. Of course the "Preside-- ^ is not 
giving personal'/ arms lj the vht^s or 
is not giving- offir=?l sancti'->n to the 
smuggling of arms ?cro3s tlje bordei, but 
every one he^e a'id a'-road kno-.vs that 
the embargo on p'-it's is a farce ?nj that 
the Ttj'.'lj receivr abonl as man> arras 
as rht ' want. 

And it cannot be adduced that the 
Federal ajthoritie?- i> powerless to pre- 
vent the commerce Oi arms, because dur- 
in? ^'i "^aft Administration, at the time 
of the Orozco reb'^ll c ' it was clearly 
shown that the embaroo on arms could 
be effectively enforced. 

The Pickwickian editorialist of the 
"Herald" affirms that the attitude of the 
United States has been one of impartial 
non-recognition! Evidently the "Her- 
ald" has a very low estimate of the intel- 
ligence of its readers. Is it not taking 
sides to ask General Huerta not to be 
a candidate at any future elections and 
not to make the same request of Car- 
ranza? By the way, we should like the 
"Herald" to tell us from what military 
academy Carranza was graduated and 
how he cam" o the title of General which 
the "Herald" bestows upon him? 

Ei't again, is it not takir^ sides to 
refuse to receive or lis i en 'o any one 
offering evidence in favor of the Mexi- 
can Governinent, while anything from the 
rebel junta is eagerly accepted, especially 
by Bryan? All Washington knows that 
Bryan has refused to listen to aiy one 
advocating support for the Mexican 
Government, while he has given as- long 
a hearing as they have wished to mem- 
bers of the Madero family and to Ma- 
derist a';ents. 

Mr. Bryan'o facf lights up with un- 
feigned delight when Senator Morris 
Sheppard of Texas begins one of his fre- 
quent interviews with a: "Mr. Secretary, 



I had a very interesting talk with Mr. 
Escudero this morning." "Yes? Yes? 
What did he say?" eagerly inquires 
Brj-an. 

Is it not taking sides to throw official 
doors open to Sherby Hopkins, the rep- 
resentative of the rebel junta and of the 
Pierce Oil interests in Mexico, while 
those same doors are closed to any one 
wishing to speak for the Government? 

Is it not taking sides to encourage 
morally brigandage and looting, while 
on the other hand the efforts of the 
Government to protect its citizens' lives 
and property are thwarted? 

Well, it takes the colossal hypocrisy 
of the "Herald" to state as cool as a 
cucumber that the Wilson Administra- 
tion has not interfered and has not taken 
sides in Mexico. 

That "Herald" editorialist is a smooth 
writer, but then the rescue of the Vol- 
turno's passengers has forcibly recalled 
to our mind that oil is a wonderful 
"smoother." 



WHO SHALL SAVE MEXICO? 

Who shall save Mexico? asks^the New 
York "Times," and then goes on to say 
that there seems to be no patriotism in 
Mexico, and adds: 

Yet there must be thousands of law-abiding 
Mexicans in the professional classes, among the 
merchants of the capital and Guadalajara and 
Monterey, the manufacturers of Orizaba, who 
have given much sober thought to the reawaken- 
ing of the old revolutionary spirit in their coun- 
try and the havoc it has caused since Porfirio 
Diaz fled. These men have some idea of a way out 
of the difficulty. They must favor some plan for 
the restoration of peace, and it is not credible 
that they believe that any lasting benefit to their 
nation can come from either the Dictator who 
kills men who question his political actions or 
the murderous brigands of the North. What do 
they expect to happen? What do they hope for? 
These are the really imp--rl7nt Mexican ques- 
tions. 

Certainly the fate of Mexico is in the hands 
of its patriotic and intelligent middle class. 

If the writer of the foregoing had lived 
in Mexico for a reasonable length of 
time, auu had made a conscientious study 
of conditions and men. 'lere would be 
no necessity for his asking these ques- 
tions. 

He would know that the thousands of 
law-abiding Mexicans whom he men- 
tions here do believe that lasting benefit 
to their nation can come from uphold- 
ing the Government ' General Huerta. 
That although many of them may not en- 
tertain any personal sympathy for the 
Provisional President, yet in common 
with others they believe that only by 
upholding a Government which repre- 
sents law and order can the nation be 
saved. 

That these men, constituting the most 
solid and patriotic element of Mexico, 
know that peace luust be conquered by 
force and maintained Ijy justice and nec- 
essary reforms. They know that no gov- 
ernment can bring about any reforms 
until peace is reestablished and order re- 
stored. Even General Huerla's political 
opponents recognize the fact that he 
has the ability and the strength to ac- 
complish this and that he is one of the 
very few men fitted for the task. 



His ability and strength have been am- 
ply demonstrated in the last ten months, 
during which time he has made a valiant 
struggle not only against the forces of 
disorder but also against the tremendous 
pressure brought to bear by the govern- 
ment of this country. 

They also know that the elimination 
of Huerta does not .mean peace, but an- 
arch)', and that the yielding of Huerta 
to the tactless and unwarranted de- 
mands of this Government would mean 
the surrender of Mexican sovereignty. 
Evidently the editorial writer of the 
"Times" has little understanding of the 
position of the Huerta Government and 
the actual conditions in Mexico. Like- 
wise he shows a lamentable igorance of 
Mexican history and character. 

If it had not been for the demands of 
the United States and the most vicious 
campaign on the part of the American 
press against General Huerta, perhaps 
he would be out of the presidency by 
this time. But both the Government and 
the press of this country have forced 
him into a position in which he is upheld 
by the very Mexicans mentioned by the 
writer. 



NO PUPPET. 

In so far as Carranza is pro-American while 
Huerta is distinctly anti-American, the change of 
incumbents might be mildly beneficial to us, even 
without the thorough pacification of the country 
which is needed. Predilections at Washington, 
which run, it would seem, to any one rather than 
Huerta, would also be gratified. — N. Y. Evening 
"Sun." 

The statement that Huerta is distinctly 
anti-American is not borne out by the 
assertion of Ainericans in Mexico. That 
Huerta should resent the interference of 
the United States Government is quite 
natural. 

He cannot force his friendship upon a 
government that has iteadily refused to 
recognize his Government and that has 
been responsible for the protraction of 
internecine strife in a neighboring coun- 
try. If other countries have shown great- 
er appreciation of the difficult circum- 
stances and problems confronting the 
Mexican Government and have shown 
their friendship by giving their moral 
support to that government, it is not the 
fault of Huerta but that of the LTnited 
States. 

Provisional President Huerta and his 
supporters undoubtedly would welcome 
the friendship of the United States Gov- 
ernment, but this has not been forthcom- 
ing. Meanwhile the Huerta Government 
has demonstrated its friendship for the 
American people by affording all possi- 
ble protection to Americans in Mexico 
and to American property. There have 
been no complaints on this score. The 
only Americans who are not friendly to 
the Huerta Government — and they are 
very few — are the representatives of 
those interests that have little hope of 
moulding President Huerta into their 
puppet, to favor their interests to the ex- 
clusion of all others, whether American 
or European. 

Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East West and All Angles. 



WHO ARE BACK OF IT? 

One of the most amazing things about 
the confused and mysterious Mexican 
policy of the Wilson Administration is 
the persistent and apparently organized 
effort to introduce the conflict between 
the giant oil interests of Great Britain 
and the United States into the situation. 

At the center of governmental power 
sits President Wilson, calm, secretive and 
conscientious. But all about him one 
senses a struggle of mightj' private finan- 
cial interests, with the ultimate control of 
the countlessly rich oil fields of Mexico 
as the prize in view. 

Lord Cowdray and his Pearson syndi- 
cate represent the British effort to secure 
a Mexican oil monopoly. 

But the utmost care is taken to conceal 
the identity of the American oil magnates 
who are directing the attacks on the 
British interests. 

It may be tremendously important for 
the United States to oppose a monopoly 
of oil fields so near the Panama Canal 
by the subjects of the greatest naval 
power in the world at a time when oil 
is rapidly being substituted for coal as 
the motive power of war vessels. 

But it is even more important just now 
to know whether the vast power of 
American oil interests, which have also 
been seeking for monopolies in Mexico, 
is secretly and without President Wil- 
son's knowledge exercising an influence 
upon the attitude of the American gov- 
ernment that, at a critical moment, may 
launch the nation into a great and un- 
necessary war. 

The truth is that the Mexican land 
ownersliip laws were changed several 
years ago in order to meet and prevent 
the control of the Mexican oil fields by 
the Standard Oil Company. 

It was provided that no owner of oil 
lands could sell or transfer them without 
the consent of the Mexican government. 

It may be that this restriction on the 
sale of land was the result of an intrigue 
managed by Lord Cowdray and his Brit- 
ish associates, as a step toward a mon- 
opoly controlled by themselves. 

President Diaz frankly admitted at the 
time that the Government had changed 
the law in order to prevent the Standard 
Oil Company and its subsidiaries or al- 
lies from buying up Mexican oil lands 
and suppressing their products in order 
to keep up the price of American oil. 

So, too, the Mexican government or- 
ganized, under its own supreme control, 
the Mexican National Railways when it 
became evident that the immense Harri- 
man interests were preparing to buy con- 
trol of the practically bankrupt Mexican 
Central Railway Company. Mexico at 
once intervened to prevent an American 
monopoly of trunk lines that would 
eventually dominate the 15,000 miles of 
Mexican transportation lines, control the 
industry and commerce of the country, 
and in time have such an influence in 
Mexican affairs as to leave a merely 
nominal power in the Mexican govern- 
ment. 

It is certain that the steps taken to 
make an American oil monopoly in Mex- 
ico impossible turned the powerful Amer- 
ican oil interests against the Diaz admin- 
istration, and that the revolution which 
overthrew the government was secretly 
and promptly suggested by the enmil- 
lioned private power that is now pressing 
the oil question into the present perilous 



question of war or peace in Washington. 

Only three years ago, when President 
Diaz was in the full tide of his power 
and Lord Cowdray and his friends were 
fighting for control of Mexican oil, the 
billboards and Ijlank walls of Mexico City 
were plastered with enormous, many- 
colored posters intended to popularize 
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, then 
associated with and partly owned by the 
Standard Oil Company. 

The battle for control in Mexico was 
open and loud. 

Since then the government of Mexico 
has twice changed by force of arms, and 
the war of the oil interests has become 
so fierce that the noise of the conflict is 
beginning to resound even in Washing- 
ton. 

Perhaps it would be a grave injury and 
embarrassment to the United States 
should the control of the great undevel- 
oped oil resources of Mexico fall into 
British hands. 

Nevertheless, it would be interesting to 
know how many American politicians 
with Washington connections are taking 
part, directly or indirectly, in the present 
campaign to inflame public opinion on 
the subject of oil. 

Beneath tlie surface of President Wil- 
son's undoubtedly sincere eflfort to keep 
the nation's Mexican policy on a high 
moral plane there seem to be influences 
at work that call for the most vigilant 
and jealous attention of the American 
people. — James Creelman in the New 
York "Evening Mail." 



Other diversions worthy of old 'Dahomey, vio- 
lence to women, slaughter of non-combatants, tor- 
ture, mutilation, are reported in sickening num- 
bers, especially in that part of Mexico that enjoys 
the virtuous activity of Carranza, the benevolent 
old gentleman who proposes to execute everybody 
who adheres to his rival, Huerta. Only disgust 
and horror can accompany the "victories" of these 
bloodthirsty banditti. The civilization of the 
twentieth century is ashamed before this revival 
of the cruellest barbarities and butcheries of wars 
of extermination. How long will the civilized 
world stand for these monstrous inhumanities? — 
Xew York "Sun." 



What this country absolutely needs at this 
moment is a plain and direct statement by 
President Wilson of what he is doing and in- 
tends to do in relation to Mexico. The coun- 
try already has been stuffed with figurative 
and highflown words about his motives, his sen- 
timents, his desires and his aspirations. That 
is all wind. We can all agree that his senti- 
ments are pure gold and his motives heavenly. 
But what is he doing and what does he mean 
to do further? Is he trying, in the name of 
constitutional forms, to smash the only Gov- 
ernment that Mexico has — the only semblance 
or shadow of Government that Mexico has — • 
and turn that independent state over to the 
plundering and unruly bands of free-booters who 
just now are marshaled under Venustiano Car- 
ranza as the "Great Chief of the Revolutionists?" 
Or is he trying to uphold and strengthen the 
feeble plant of organized Government and civil 
order which still stands in Mexico City, to the 
end that that distracted country may be pacified 
and brought back to its normal life as an in- 
dustrial and agricultural state? These are the 
questions that require a definite and a prompt 
answer. We are steadily drifting, under the 
prevailing darkness, toward armed intervention 
in Mexico, and the country is entitled to know 
why, and by what acts, it is swinging toward 
that costly and murderous possibility. — Hart- 
ford (Conn.) "Courant." 



AN EX-REBEL. 

"What is tlic trouble with Mexico? 
That is an odd question to ask. At pres- 
ent Mexico is all trouble." 

The speaker was Dr. William Penn 
duBois. late of the rebel army of North- 
ern Mexico, who is in this city visiting 
a relative, Preston Marshall, of 5427 De- 
Lancey street. Dr. duBois in expressing 
liis opinion of the Mexican situation to a 
"Press" reporter spoke as follows: 

"The present conditions in Mexico can 
almost be summed up in the words 'per- 
sonal gain.' 

"Although I, myself, served in the reb- 
el forces for more than two years I per- 
sonally have no sympathy with the rebel 
leaders. The majority of them are little 
lietter than highway thieves. The com- 
mon people in those districts over which 
the government has no control are 
forced to serve for these men under pen- 
alty of death. In the meantime their 
property and money are seized for the 
supposed benefit of the forces, but which 
in reality goes into the pockets of the 
higher officers of the army. 

"The lower officers of the armj' are as 
a rule adventurers who are not fighting 
for liberty as their slogan would lead 
one to believe, but merely for want of 
sometliing to do and for what they can 
set out of it after the leaders have had 
their pickings. 

"In considering the Mexican situation 
many persons make the grave error of 
comparing the common people of that 
country with the middle classes of other 
countries which are more advanced and 
progressive. This is wrong. In Mexico 
there is no middle class. There are only 
two divisions, the common people who 
are little more than serfs, and the upper 
class, consisting of the capitalists and 
the officials in both the government and 
rebel forces. The common people are 
very simple and very credulous. Those 
fighting on both sides have not the least 
idea of the principles for which they are 
forced to risk their lives, but merely lis- 
ten to the flowery speeches of their lead- 
ers, promising wealth and unlimited holi- 
days in the end. 

"At present human life is of no more 
value in Mexico than that of cattle. 

"It is a common sight to see burnt 
farm houses and dead women and chil- 
dren throughout the country, and while 
few Americans, who own land are killed, 
their property is confiscated and they 
are compelled to flee." — Philadelphia 
"Press." 



EVENTS IN MEXICO. 

As time passes, events in Mexico must mod- 
ify more or less the program of the Government 
at Washington. The swift change in the attitude 
of Gen. Carranza, after the military successes of 
his forces last week, signified, probably, that the 
Constitutionalists are now an obstacle to peace. 
Gen. Carranza's confidence increases that he can 
overthrow the Huerta Government by force, even 
without the lifting of the American embargo on 
war material. 

At the same time, the barbarous performances 
by the Constitutionalists at Juarez in executing 
Federal army officers held as prisoners of war 
so far confirmed reports of atrocities by Car- 
ranza's men in the interior as to render more 
difficult any recognition of the Carranza Govern- 
ment. If the insurgents in Mexico do not re- 
spect the rules of modern warfare, it must be 
more embarrassing than ever for our Government 
to lift the embargo. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



"MONEY GRUBBERS' WAR." 

London. — Under the heading "A 
Mone^' Grubbers' War," the "Outlook" 
publishes a bitter article on the Mexican 
situation. 

"Across the Atlantic," the "Outlook" 
says, "there is in busy preparation, if 
certain forces can accomplish it, a crime 
against civilization, against humanity. At 
any moment we may hear of its first 
overt stages, with inevitably the ensuing 
slaughter of tens of thousands of young 
Americans and half-armed peasants, the 
devastation of humble towns and rude 
countrysides, the sufferings of the help- 
less and the innocent and the outpouring 
of millions of monej'. 

"And all for what, or for whom? Wars 
have been waged for military ambition, 
but who is the Napoleon of the United 
States? A war between the United States 
and Mexico, if it arises, will be the first 
war waged sole!}' for private greed — 
the first money grubbers' war." 

After saj'ing that the United States has 
been filching territory from neighbors 
for sixty years and reduced weak States 
to obsequious dependents through the 
Monroe Doctrine, "which means any- 
thing it is required to mean," the 
"Outlook" predicts that American dol- 
lars will cause revolutions in Trinidad 
and Jamaica, as it alleges they did in 
Panama, and predicts the annexation of 
the Northern Mexican States. 

"If the guides of American opinion, 
among whom we refrain from mention- 
ing Dr. Wilson," the article says, "get 
their way, in a few weeks, perhaps days, 
Jim Smith, of Virginia, will be cutting 
the throat of Leon Ramirez, of Morellos, 
in the sacred name of the oil trusts and 
the band of Wall Street hyenas." 



DENOUNCES POLICY OF U. S. IN 

MEXICO. 
F. Hopkinson Smith Declares Adminis- 
tration's Course Ignorant and 
111 Advised. 

F. Hopkinson Smith, artist and author 
of note, old-time lighthouse builder, has 
decided views on the attitude of the Wil- 
son Administration on the Mexican situ- 
ation. He gave them freely to a reporter 
for the "Public Ledger" as he sat at 
table at the banquet in honor of his 
friend, John Bach McMaster, historian, 
on Saturday night. Mr. Smith was se- 
vere in his denunciation of the policy be- 
ing pursued by President Wilson and by 
Secretary of State Bryan. 

Mr. Smith is familiar with Mexico. He 
has lived there and he has painted there. 
He is the author of a book which has 
Mexico as its subject. "A White Um- 
brella in Mexico." He is regarded as 
well qualified to speak about that coun- 
try, for he knows it almost as well as he 
knows his United States. He has many 
friends among the better-class Mexicans 
and he has gazed at the trouble there 
both as an American and through the 
eyes of these friends, seeing both the ob- 
verse and the reverse. 

A certain maturity attaches to the ex- 
pressions of Mr. Smith, for the virile 
traveler, who has visited most countries 
of the globe, is 7.5 years old. He is well 
known in Philadelphia, for he is a mem- 
ber of the Art Club, and holds a medal 
from that organization, awarded in 1903. 

"The policy of the Wilson Adminis- 
tration in the Mexican matter," said Mr. 
Smith, "is absurd, ill advised and ignor- 
ant. I think the President has fully 
shown to the country that he lacks the 
experience and the knowledge with 
which to deal with the situation beyond 
the Rio Grande. His adviser. Secretary 
Bryan, has not handled the matter well. 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

But, then, what can be expected from a 
Secretary of State who humiliated his 
country and shamed his oftice by enter- 
ing into a private money-making 
scheme?" 

Continuing, Mr. Smith said: 

"Huerta is a strong man, and the only 
man who can bring order out of chaos. 
The Administration should have recog- 
nized him. It has gone too far now to 
back out, and it must abide by the con- 
sequences. I believe the proper step for 
this country to have taken would have 
been to recognize Huerta and, if he was 
overthrown bj' Carranza, to recognize 
Carranza, and if he was overthrown, to 
recognize his successor, until in time a 
stable Government was established in 
Mexico. 

"The Administration answers this by 
saying that it cannot recognize a Gov- 
ernment whose acts are stained with 
blood. That is foolish. The Adminis- 
tration did not hesitate to recognize Ser- 
via and the sanguinary Governments of 
other countries torn by revolutions. 

"Some day soon a drunken Mexican 
rebel soldier will invade a hacienda, its 
inhabitants will flee to the coast and be 
taken on board an American warship. A 
landing party of American sailors will go 
ashore, an American will be shot, and 
tlien the fat will be in the fire. 

"Perhaps there will never be a drunk- 
en rebel soldier who will invade a ha- 
cienda, but the crisis will come and it 
will come through the ignorance and the 
absurdity of this present policy, 

"The Mexicans are a proud people. 
They are prouder than the Spanish and 
they hate Americans. There are iS,ooo,- 
(iOO Mexicans, and about 2,000,000 of 
ihem can read and write a little. They 
hate Americans because of the kind of 
Americans who first went to Mexico. 
There never was a more courteous na- 
tion than the Mexican. It was invaded 
by a horde of American riffraff, and the 
Mexicans have come to believe that all 
Americans are like these men. So they 
hate Americans. A friend of mine, an 
engineer, stopped at a hacienda and they 
would not believe he was an American 
because he was a gentleman. They have 
a good foundation for their hate. 

"I have been ashamed," said Mr. 
Smith, his sweeping white mustache 
bristling, as he pounded fist into 
clenched hand, "as I sat in the clubs 
of London, to hear America discussed 
and ridiculed because of the Wilson 
Mexican polic}'. Wilson and Bryan have 
made this country the laughing stock of 
all Kurope. 

"Mr. Bryan has declared that this 
couniry shall not go to war, no matter 
what the provocation or the insult to na- 
tional honor. Who is Mr. Bryan that 
he should say whether or not this coun- 
try should enter into a war? Congress 
declares war. 

"It is an outrage," said Mr. Smith, in 
conclusion, "an outrage that America 
should be humiliated and made a buf- 
foon before the eyes of the world by this 
Administration of theories at Washing- 
ton," 



Is it better to be a St.indard Oil President or 
the President of the United States? 

Dr. William Bayard Hale, who was sent, as 
a "personal representative" of a President who 
has no personal authority, to intrigue with the 
bandit chief Carranra against President Huerta, 
may thank his lucky star that he has escaped 
alive. He had no official standing, no diplomatic 
legality: he was simply a spy, and Huerta would 
have been justified by the law of nations and by 
a striking American precedent in hanging or 
shooting him on sight. — "Town Topics." 



THE HYPOCRITICAL HUMBUG. 

At last the hypocritical humbug that has veiled 
Mr. Wilson's "policy" is torn aside and the real 
Mexican situation is revealed. It is disclosed that 
President Diaz and the Mexican Congress granted 
to Lord Cowdray and his associates a monopoly 
of the oil output, and for this crime against the 
Standard Oil Company the guilty Diaz was or- 
dered out of Mexico by President Taft and our 
Army dispatched to the Texas border. Madero 
bad agreed to repeal or nullify the Diaz conces- 
sions, and the United States, as the agent of the 
Standard Oil Company, agreed to maintain him 
in power. His sudden death ended this noble 
and patriotic scheme, and General Huerta and 
Professor Wilson assumed their respective Presi- 
dencies almost simultaneously. With equal se- 
crecy Huerta reverted to the Diaz and Cowdray 
policy and Professor Wilson took up the Standard 
Oil agency. When Mr. Wilson strikes a Jovelike 
pose and declaims; "That wicked Huerta must 
go ! Neither he nor his Congress shall be recog- 
nized!" he means merely that no Mexican Presi- 
dent and Congress shall confirm the oil field con- 
cessions to Lord Cowdray. Embargo — blockade — 
intervention — war — anything rather than allow 
Lord Cowdray to have any Mexican oil, and thus 
compete with our Standard Oil Company 

This is patriotic. In fact all concerned are be- 
having most patriotically. Huerta is patriotic in 
trying to raise money on oil concessions, so as 
to put down the rebellion. Lord Cowdray is pa- 
triotic in trying to get oil for the battleships of 
Great Britain, which are henceforth to burn that 
kind of fuel, and require a permanent supply at a 
reasonable price. And who can doubt the patriot- 
ism of Mr. Wilson, who is trying to bluff Huerta 
out of confirming the oil concessions and Great 
Britain out of permitting Lord Cowdray to accept 
them? But I think that even John D. Rockefeller, 
the true author of all this rumpus, will acknowl- 
edge that Mr. Wilson is going too far. It is a pretty 
quarrel as it stands, but all the squabbling be- 
tween the Eagle Company — as Lord Cowdray's 
corporation is called — and the Standard Oil Com- 
pany is not worth the life of a single American 
soldier, and it has cost many lives already. An 
investigation by Congress as to the connection be- 
tween the State Department and Standard Oil 
will end the farce, and is imperatively necessary 
to convince the people whether Mr. Wilson's fin- 
gers are smeared with oil innocently or with full 
knowledge of the plot to get rid of Huerta as we 
did of Diaz. — "Town Topics." 



BANGS. 

"I am afraid Mr. Wilson, by tempor- 
izing with his plain duty and failing to 
see to it that American citizens are safe 
anywhere in the world on behalf of a 
scheme of action that is more suited to 
the Chautauqua programme than to the 
actual stage of life, has brought us peril- 
ousl}' close to the verge of the verj' 
thing he is most anxious to avoid. 

"The chief trouble with the political 
situation, as I see it, is that the coun- 
try is in the hands of a lot of charming 
amateurs, who are trying to pla\f a .dif- 
ficult game without knowing how. Mr. 
Wilson is doing the best he knows how 
and if the United States were a high 
school it would be a pretty good test. 

"He has passed a tariff bill and if it 
will stay passed long enough for any- 
body to get to work under it we should 
lejoice." — J^hn Kendrick Bangs in New 
York "Herald." 



How can the Administration recon- 
cile its fulmination against special in- 
terests with its fight for those interests 
in Mexico? Is it because it's Mexico? 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



OPEN LETTER TO HON. W. J. BRYAN. 

Dear Sir: Recent press despatches from Wash- 
ington indicate that there is a feeling that Ad- 
ministration circles would be disposed to view 
with complacency a succession of victories on the 
part of the horde of assassins and ravishers 
known "to the trade" as "Constitutionalists." 
Although the new "higher morality" might give 
moral and material aid to this ignoble cause, and 
even be disposed to condone the recent acts of 
brutality in connection with the taking of Juarez 
by these fiends, we must pause to consider the 
ultimate effect if these outlaws should, by reason 
of outside support, be enabled to reach the City 
of Mexico. The same scenes of cruelty, pillage, 
cold-blooded murder and other unmentionable 
atrocities would be re-enacted on a larger scale, 
and Washington would rejoice in the fulfilment 
of its desire than the Government of General 
Huerta should fall — even though the fall 
carry with it the last defense against absolute 
anarchy and chaos. The unexplained part is : 
What reason can the Washington Government 
have that would allow it to overlook and condone 
such an outrage against humanity — solely for 
the satisfaction of seeing the existing Govern- 
ment of a neighboring country overthrown? 

"Why do you not go down to Juarez and look 
your bandit friends over? "Why do you not 
go down to Juarez now while Villa's bandits are 
there, deliver a Cross of Gold speech, and appeal 
to them in the name of the Prince of Peace to 
drop their arms and cease their butcheries?" 
C. U. MESTA. 
Baltimore, Md., Nov. 22, 1913. 
730 W. Fayette St. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: Vour remarkably well-informed and 
admirably-written paper is read here with a great 
deal of interest. 

The writer has lived in Mexico in the early 
days (1S74) when Lerdo de Tejada was President, 
and until a few years ago ; has yet large inter- 
ests in that country which he visits periodically 
and consequently can pretend without bragging 
that he knows "something" about Mexico and 
Mexicans. For the last 15 years occupied a high 
position of trust. 

Now as to the delicate situation of that country 
at the present moment, if I were in a position to 
make any suggestion, I should, with my intimate 
knowledge of Mexican affairs, unhesitatingly advo- 
cate: 

1. Recognition of the Huerta Government. 

2. Strict prohibition to export arms and am- 
munition to the rebels under a heavy penalty. 

If President Wilson declares conditions in Mex- 
ico intolerable, whose fault is it? 

Had the United States intervened during the 
first revolution in 1010, i.e., at once, matters 
would have been settled long ago ; but at that 
time Madero seemingly was the ''favorite." Poor 
Madero had a splendid chance, but most unfor- 
tunately proved absolutely incapacitated. The 
attempt cost him his life. Huerta came in, after 
having unquestionably saved the City of Mexico 
from destruction ; he was duly inaugurated as 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON. O. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry —Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



Provisional President, was recognized as such 
by the Mexican Supreme Court, Senate and House 
of Representatives, all in conformity with the 
Mexican Constitution ; later was recognized by 
the Governments of England, France, Germany, 
Italy, Russia, Spain, etc., the United States, 
amongst all the great Powers, making the only 
exception. We all regret the way Madero lost 
his life, and perhaps Huerta regrets it as much 
as anybody else, but to be sincere, up to this 
date no proofs whatever have come forth — 
and surely the Madero family used every effort 
in that direction — that Huerta had anything to 
do with Madero's death. 

Hueria, on taking hold of the Presidency, 
promised to use his best efforts to pacify the 
country ; nobody can deny that he did what pos- 
sibly could be done; but unfortunately right from 
the start he was greatly handicapped by the lack 
of funds; although it is said that General Diaz 
on his departure from Mexico left some 60 mil- 
lions in the treasury. Huerta, on taking posses- 
sion, found only a bagatelle. This lack of funds 
would have disappeared the moment the United 
States Government would recognize the Huerta 
Government. President Wilson repeatedly pro- 
fesses great friendship for Mexico, but evidently 
does not seem to like Huerta ; however, it seems 
to me that, overlooking his antipathy for Huerta, 
humanity and his often repeated friendship, if 
real, for that poor unhappy country might have 
induced him to do something for her, to do what 
all the other Powers did : recognize her legiti- 
mately constituted Government. With the neces- 
sary funds in hand, Huerta would have fin- 
ished the revolution several months ago, saved 
thousands of innocent lives, Mexican and for- 
eign, and millions of property ; that Huerta is the 
only man in Mexico to do it, is evidently the 
opinion, the very authorized opinion, of ex-Am- 
bassador Wilson, who certainly knows the situa- 
tion far better than all the "near-Ambassadors" 
sent to Mexico know or ever will know, and 
which is the opinion of 90 per cent, of those 
Americans who live or have lived in Mexico. 

Intervention by the United States, from a 
moral standpoint, absolutely uncalled for and 
a political injustice — not to use a stronger word — 
an undertaking which would cost thousands of 
lives and hundreds of million dollars, will be 
unnecessary ; Huerta will attend to the cleaning 
up on short notice the moment the United States 
ceases to "mettre des batons dans les roues"; as 
it is he naturally makes slow progress, but with 
recognition by the United States, he promptly 
will have all the money he needs and will finish 
the revolution, I feel sure, inside of two months. 
Huerta may not be an ideal, the perfect Presi- 
dent — how many are there? — but the fact is, peo- 
ple in Mexico, natives and foreigners, want peace, 
peace above anything; anybody who can give 
them peace will be welcome to the Presidency ; 
but as they consider Huerta the only man who, 
under actual conditions can do it, they want 
Huerta. 
New Orleans, La. "M." 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I have just come across a copy of 
MEXICO and I want to write a line of thanks 
to whomever is responsible for this fair, unpre- 
judiced and truthful exposition of things and 
conditions as they actually are in this "sim- 
patico" but grossly misunderstood country. 



A little "fair play" propaganda such as you 
have started will do much to throw light on 
the real state of affairs here. The people in the 
United States have been so "fed up" with Will- 
iam Randolph Hearst's special brand of breakfast 
food and "Constitutionalist" (what's in a name!) 
tid-bits served hot, on toast, every day, that a 
little "uncooked" wholesome material, fresh from 
an uncontaminated source, will doubtless do won- 
ders towards doing away with the distorted and 
unjust view of "things as they are." 

I know nothing about the personnel of your 
paper, but I have taken great pleasure 
in bringing it to the notice of various friends 
and acquaintances, numbering Mexicans and for- 
eigners, and most of them have heaved sighs of 
relief to think that at last someone across the 
border has been found with brains and interest 
enough to champion the cause of "Fair Play for 
Mexico." Wishing you every success, I am. 
Sincerely yours, 
Mexico, D. F. E. I. 

MAPS IN COLORS 

Showing individual and corporate hold- 
ings in 
The Mexican Gulf Coast Oil Fields 
Accurate in every detail— A necessity 
for everybody interested in Mexican Oil. 

N. PAULSEN, Civil Engineer, 
Station O, Box 72 New York City 



Do you think Mexico is 
going to the bow-wows ? 

Well, think again. 

Mexico is all right and there is a lot 
of business done there. 

We have a fine transfer business for 
sale. 

Making money right along, revolu- 
tions or no revolutions. 

If you are interested write to us. 

We will give you all the particulars 
and you will be surprised. 

Address 
MEXICO, 15 Broad St., N. Y. C. 



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12 



MEXICO 



Saturday, November 29, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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BROKEN PROMISES. 

The elimination of General Huerta at 
this juncture under the pressure ex- 
ercised by Washington would establish 
a precedent fatal to any succeeding Mex- 
ican government. For it would grant 
to this country the right to dictate who 
shall and who shall not govern Mexico. 

President Wilson solemnly expressed 
the hope that no government shall en- 
dure unless resting on the consent of 
the governed. But at present the Wash- 
ington Administration is trying to im- 
pose upon Mexico a government resting 
upon its own consent. 

The great, overwhelming majority of 
the Mexican people takes no part in the 
present revolutions and struggle for 
power. The proportion of fighting men 
and partisans is so small that in effect a 
whole people is suffering untold misery 
for the ambition of a few. 

If the present revolution were a pop- 
ular upheaval, no government could 
stand against it m^ore than a few weeks. 
The fact that the Huerta Government, 
despite the tremendous pressure brought 
to bear by this government to over- 
throw it and despite the material and 
moral help received by the rebels, has 
stood for more than nine months is con- 
clusive proof that the Carranza rebel- 
lion is not backed by the people. 

The Diaz Government, with ample 
financial and military means to resist 
any rebellion, was submerged by the 
popular wave on top of which Madero 
was carried into power. 

For the Madero revolution was backed 
by the people. 

But the people have learned a bitter 
lesson. The words "Constitution,"' "lib- 
erty," "free ballot," "justice," "division 
of land," have lost their luring power 
for them and the contest is merely that 
of a few thousand armed men. 

In fact the majority of men under 
arms are not contesting for power, but 
for the right and freedom to loot. 



If Americans knew more they would 
realize that the present condition was 
the normal condition of Mexico for more 
than half a centurj', until Porfirio Diaz 
brought order out of chaos. And they 
would realize also that the promises 
made to the people by Madero and by 
the present leaders of the revolution are 
exactly the same as those made by all 
the revolutionary leaders of the past. 
That the Madero and Carranza plat- 
forms, or plans as they called them, have 
not even the virtue of originality in their 
wording. For the hundreds of revolu- 
tionary platforms written for the edifica- 
tion of the' Mexican people by every rev- 
olutionary leader from i8ii to the pres- 
ent time have all been couched monoto- 
nously in the same terms. 

All the revolutionary leaders have 
stated that much against their personal 
wish they were compelled to rise in arms 
against the existing Government because 
someway or other that Government had 
betrayed the trust of the people. That 
they were forced to take such a step in 
order to restore the Constitution to its 
proper place from the waste basket into 
which it had been relegated by the exist- 
ing Government. That they had no other 
recourse but that of overthrowing the 
existing Government m order that the 
people might enjoy those rights which 
the Constitution granted to them and 
that they might be free to acquire such 
land as they needed. 

And all, absolutely all, of these leaders 
have invariably failed to keep even one 
of their promises once in power. The 
reason the Madero revolution assumed 
the proportions of a truly popular move- 
ment was because after thirty-five years 
of peace under the Diaz Government 
the Mexican people had forgotten that 
the promises made by Madero had been 
made hundreds of times before. They 
had forgotten the lesson and now they 
have learned it again at a tremendous 
cost. 



GHOULISH. 

There is something absolutely ghoul- 
ish in the Administration's obvious de- 
light whenever it seems that President 
Huerta is confronted with insurmounta- 
ble difficulties. It is almost unbelieve- 
able that any one in a position of pow- 
er, no matter what his personal preju- 
dices or dislikes, would feel, let alone 
express, satisfaction that the govern- 
ment of a friendly neighboring nation 
was crumbling. Conditions are such in 
Mexico that if the Huerta Government 
crumbles then Mexico crumbles. Which 
means anarchy, which means a reign of 
terror, with murder, pillage and rapine 
stalking the country. Is that a prospect 
to be welcomed complacently if only a 
personal dislike be justified? At times 
it really seems that the men who are 
talking morality and acting so immoral- 
ly toward Mexico have either lost their 
reason under the strain of government 
nr have no conception of the fundament- 
al principles of morality. 



The OU War! 

The facts, the sordid facts are becom- 
ing known. 

« • « 

They will put an end to the sentiment- 
al twaddle and rubbish about "constitu- 
tionalism," liberty, etc. 

Is there no responsibility in Washing- 
ton for the Juarez barbarities. 

* * * 

These bandits have actually been 
helped and encouraged by the pure- 
minded officials in Washington. 

While they rail at the personality of 
one man. General Huerta. 

* * * 

If President Huerta were ten times 
as unscrupulous a man as they make 
him out to be, he should be supported 
rather than the savage outlaws of Vil- 
la's command. 

We have taken sides. 

With looters, marauders, blackmailers, 
ravishers, monsters of barbarity. 

* * * 

These are the Administration's pro- 
teges. 

Blunder by blunder the Administra- 
tion has kicked itself into a cul-de-sac. 

This country is tobogganning toward 
war with an accelerated speed. 

V\^hile the Administration professes to 
be opposing one man, it is in fact op- 
pressing a whole people. 

It is not Huerta who is being starved, 
but the whole of Mexico. Starving Mex- 
ico, cornering Mexico, driving Mexico to 
desperation can have only one result: 
War. 

The blockading of Mexican ports 
wcmld be interpreted by the Mexican 
government as an act of war. Likewise 
by the people of Mexico. 

* * * 

The responsibility for such a war 
would rest on this country. 

* » * 

There are not a few Mexicans who 
even at present think that a war may be 
the only way out of the seemingly hope- 
less situation in which this Administra- 
tion has placed their country. 

To the let-it-drift policy the Admin- 
istration has substituted a policy consist- 
ing of words of peace and acts of war. 

Why war? That the Pierce Oil Com- 
pany may control Mexico? The Amer- 
ican people may prefer their own to the 
European octopus, but they are willing 
to sacrifice lives and money so that their 
octopus may extend more and more its 
ever insatiable tentacles? 



IJl u lO !-■: 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Di«cnsslon of Mexican AKaIrs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. I— No. l6 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



OIL AGAIN 



The newspaper twisting of the real 
posture of oil interests in the Mexican 
situation continues successful as far as 
the general public of this country is con- 
cerned. 

The Cowdray interes.s have suffered 
some bad defeats of late and public opin- 
ion in this country has been cleverly 
moulded by an admirable press campaign 
into believing that those interests are 
the cause of ;he Mexican trouble. 

News items and special articles have 
made it appear as if the Cowdray in- 
terests held monopolistic concessions in 
Mexico and as if they were inimical to 
American influence. 

Neither the Cowdray nor any other oil 
company holds any monopoly in Mexico. 
There are more than thirty oil companies 
at present doing business there. 

The origin of the Mexican turmoil is 
to be found in the attempt made by 
American oil interests to regain a mon- 
opoly which they enjoyed for many 
years. The Cowdray interests broke 
that monopoly — hence the trouble. 

Frankly, we believe that the Cowdray 
interests deserve their defeat, because 
they have failed, with a typically British 
turn of mind, to understand the value of 
publicity in this country and in other 
countries. They should have learned 
from their enemies, who have shown 
great ability in influencing and control- 
ling the press of this country. 



A Personal Contest 

We say once more that the Ad- 
ministration attitude toward the 
Mexican Government is not the at- 
titude of a majority of the people 
and is the attitude of very few 
who know the facts about Mexico. 
In support of this assertion we 
refer to the columns of public 
opinion we publish weekly. 



WATCHING AND WAITING LIKE 



VULTURES 



A man dying of thirst, his tongue and 
lips caked, his throat parched, raises 
himself with panting labor from the bed 
his body has made in the desert sand, 
shades his eyes with a sim-baked hand 
and gazes half-stupidly in the direction 
where he knows surely are water and 
life. The spirit that will not die is in 
his eyes. But the sap in his body is 
dried up. He cannot move a step and 
sinks back into the bed of sand. A vul- 
ture hovers overhead and watches and 
waits. 

There is the spirit of the vulture in 
the "watchful waiting" policy of the Ad- 
ministration toward Mexico. We may 
deceive ourselves into thinking that it is 
toward General Huerta, but the truth is 
that all animus, all the antagonism, all 
the venom expressed against the Provi- 
visional President of Mexico finds 
lodgment like a poisoned arrow in the 
warm body of Mexico, the nation, and 
the heart of the Mexican people. 

"Watchful waiting!" Would you watch 
and wait while your neighbor's house or 
barn burned down because you did not 
like your neighbor's overseer or hired 
man? Mexico is afire with a flame lit by 
Madero. Human life and property are 
being destroyed. The passions of law- 
less and barbaric men are running riot. 
The coimtry is in the travail of a tre- 
mendous social upheaval. The heart of 
the civilized world should go out to this 
nation in distress. A helping hand 
should be stretched forth to save her 
from greatef suffering. But we stand 
by in austere coldness and say that 
Huerta. the overseer, the hired man, 
must go. and that with him gone, we 
hope the fire will be extinguished It 



is the most inhuman, cold-blooded, fishy 
attitude ever taken l,y a civilized na- 
tion lovvard a neighboring people. To 
tlie Mexicans themselves it is like the 
sympathy of the Sphinx. To the people 
of the United States it must come as a 
shock to learn that we have a heart of 
stone. 

"Watchful waiting!" By heavens, if a 
man saw hi# worst enemy in the throes 
of mortal illness, or his "dody pierced and 
bleeding with wounds, he would be a 
fiend were he to stand by and watch and 
wait for death if he could help. .\l leas, 
according to our Christian standards, to 
which, we believe, men like President 
Wilson. Secretary Bryan, John Lind, and 
the ex-reverend William Bayard Hale 
subscribe. And it is the death of sick 
and wounded Mexico that we are watch- 
ing and waiting for, though we profess 
it is of Huerta. 

"Watchful waiting!" While hordes of 
semi-savages, aroused by the opportuni- 
ties for loot and rapine and encouraged 
by their Washington friends, roam a vast 
and rich and beautiful country, murder- 
ing, pillaging and outraging women and 
girls. Can a real man with power en- 
courage such a condition and then with 
almost diabolical self-complacency watch 
and wait? 

If President Huerta were the coward^ 
he would be — to resign in the face of the 
malevolent Washington antagonism, 
would that change the condition of Mex- 
ico? It would pile anarchy on anarchy. 
Where now are the forces of brigandage, 
rebellion and lawlessness against the 
forces of law and order, then there would 
be no law and order and the lawless 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 



VULTURES— Continued. 

would be against each other in an orgj- 
of conflict and crime. Would a Carranza 
submit to a Villa, or a Zapata to either, 
a Villa to a Carranza or a Zapata? Or 
any one of a score of bandit leaders to 
any one of the others? Or any or all of 
them to an innocuous, respectable gentle- 
man who could pass the tests of the 
Bryans and Hales? 

President Wilson may think, may sin- 
cerely believe, that if he accomplishes, 
through the bloody assistance of the 
bandit hordes of Villa and his kind 
the overthrow of Huerta that somehow 
in his persuasive way he may change the 
nature of the beast that he has brought 
into life and power. But that is folly, 
folly that is inexpressibly dynamic in its 
power for mischief. There is no chang- 
ing the nature of that beast. A beast it 
is and as a beast it must be dealt with. 

We have seen a picture of the Christ 
Child among the wild animals of the jun- 
gle, the lion and the tiger like lambs in 
the Presence of their Creator. With all 
due respect to the President of the 
United States, we do not credit him with 
the same power over animal nature. 

President Huerta has been prodded and 
goaded by the Administration into every 
position he has taken in the present con- 
troversy, and as soon as he took the posi- 
tion he was forced into the cackling hens 
of the Administration forthwith cackled: 
"See! Didn't we tell you so? That's the 
kind of man he is." We venture to say 
that never in the history of foreign re- 
lations has there been so flagrant a mani- 
festation of narrow "statesmanship." .A.nd 
now they are "watching and waiting" till 
he crumbles. 

If he crumbles, Mexico crumbles. 
No, the Administration will say, "Do not 
not crumble, Mexico," and point a finger 
at the beast of anarchy. 

And anarchy will shufTle off into a cor- 
ner and stand with its face to the wall. 
Yes? 



THE POISONED PEN 



Dangerous Optimism in the President's Message. 

The discomforting part, in the President's 
words on Mexico, contained in the message to 
Congress, comes not in the announcement that 
"We are the friends of constitutional government 
in America: we are its champions;" nor in the 
emphatic dictum, "Mexico has no government;" 
nor in the vehement outcry against Huerta: "He 
has forfeited the respect and the moral support 
of those who at one time were willing to see 
him succeed." 

Distress lies rather in hearing the President's 
bland hopefulness in concluding. He invokes 
ruin upon the dictator and goes on: "When the 
€nd comes, we shall hope to see constitutional 
order restored in distressed Mexico, by the con 
/he liberty of their people to their own am- 
cert and energy of such of her leaders as prefer 
bitions." The mere fact that the President can 
tjrge hopeful thoughts of the sequel to Huerta 
ii as discouraging as a hundred columns of the 
current news from Mexico. — N. Y. "Evening 
Sun." 



By the way, that last leg of Huerta on 
which he has been for so many months 
according to newspapers and to our dis- 
tinguished high officials is a pretty 
strong leg, don't you think? 



Our glorious free newspapers have 
had another fruitful time during the last 
week joyfully juggling with news and 
facts from Mexico. And the climax is 
not yet, although there has been an in- 
teresting shifting of the juggling per- 
formance from the yellow to the so- 
called reliable newspapers. 

Striking examples of this were offered 
by those "pillars of truth": the New 
York "Times" and the New York "Sun." 
"Villa on road to Me.xico City!" "On to 
Mexico is the cry!" "Eating Christmas 
Dinner in Mexico City!" "Seven Huerta 
Generals go over to Villa!" "Plan Ad- 
vance on Mexico City!" "Huerta sur- 
rounded!" were some of the headlines 
which startled the dignified readers of 
these and other newspapers almost every 
morning. 

If it were not such an appaling tragedy 
it would be a huge joke. 

Maps were prominent again and El 
Paso came in.o its own at last. Juarez 
is eighteen hundred miles from Mexico 
City and Villa's forces are camped 
eighty-three miles south of Juarez — 
therefore they are on their way to Mex- 
ico City. Don't you see? 

Mazatlan was reported taken by the 
rebels, but later it was said that Car- 
ranza's forces were on their way to cap- 
ture it. San Luis Potosi was about to 
surrender, but then we learn that the 
trains are running to Saltillo. Monter- 
rey was the only town in Nuevo Leon 
left to the Federals — according to press 
reports — but then again trains are run- 
ning regularly between Monterrey and 
Laredo on the border. 

The oil fields are in the hands of the 
rebels — screeching headlines — but .Ad- 
miral Fletcher reports that everything is 
quiet in the oil region. 

The Herald Syndicate sends out a 
bird's-eye view of Mexico and the New 
York "Sun" and the Munsey newspapers 
publish similar maps in which the ter- 
ritory controlled by the Federals is indi- 
cated by white space and the territory 
controlled by rebels by shaded space. 
The maps are almost entirely shaded! 
From them the unsuspecting reader per- 
ceives that Zapata controls absolutely 
the three states of Guerrero, Morelos 
and Puebla. Also that the whole of 
Taniaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas. 
Chihuahua, Coahuiia and Nuevo Leon 
are under rebel control! It does not 
matter that trains are running between 
Mexico City and Saltillo and between 
Monterrey and Laredo, and. that almost 
all cities in Coahuiia and Nuevo Leon 
arc held by Federals. 

The shading must go on just the same 
and the artistic imagination must not be 
hampered by so trivial a thing as truth. 
El Paso and Hermosillo dispatches — 



the copy for which is furnished by the 
rebels — are given great prominence and 
a free run. 

So we read that Guaymas had been 
evacuted by the Federals — for the hun- 
dredth time since last March. 

Likewise we read that the smelters at 
Monterrey stopped work, but the report 
is denied by the Smelting Company. The 
denial must be looked for with a micros- 
copic lens while the false assertion was 
printed in scare lines. 

And when you think that the enterpris- 
ing correspondent has run the gamut of 
news you are startled by a scarehead 
telling you that General Huerta has es- 
capedto Vera Cruz. This is the counter- 
part of the news sent out the previous 
week that he _had taken refuge in the 
fortress of Chapultepec! Of course the 
next day you may read that he had gone 
to Tlalpam, a suburb of Mexico City, 
where he is building a house, but you do 
not read that in a scarehead. You read 
it at the very end of another sensational 
falsehood if you read it at all. 

Perhaps the most cynical phase of this 
compaign of misrepresentation is found 
in the publication of pictures bearing 
misleading explanations. Thus, for in- 
stance, the New York "World" of De- 
cember 4th published a photograph of a 
courtyard in one of the Mexico City bar- 
racks. Some soldiers are seen on guard 
duty while others are resting about, their 
arms stacked in the centre of the court- 
yard, as they are everywhere in the 
world when soldiers are at rest. The title 
of this picture was: "Huerta's soldiers 
who abandon arms in Mexico City be- 
cause they have not been paid or fed." 
The New York "World" gave also a 
striking illustration of how truth can 
be used and so mixed with falsehood as 
to make it the most dangerous weapon in 
a press campaign. On December ist it 
printed a long despatch from Washing- 
ton purporting to give an analysis of 
Mexican characteristics and Mexican 
customs. A great deal of truth was con- 
tained in that article, especially as it 
referred to the apathy of the rich Mex- 
icans and the atrocities committed by 
rebels. But that truth was used so as 
to justify the policy of the Administra- 
tion and convey the impression that lie- 
cause of these traits this country should 
intervene in Mexico. 

Once every few days the newspapers 
tell you that the news from Mexico is 
censored. If you have but a casual in- 
terest in Mexican affairs }'0U believe the 
report. But if you stop to consider the 
daily reports you read it is apparent that 
anything and everything is allowed to 
be sent out from Mexico City, and you 
readily understand that it is one of the 
many little tricks to misrepresent the 
situation. 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



WHAT WE HAVE CONTENDED 

THE CONFIRMATION 



That the logical end is War. 

Washington, Dec. 3. — James R. Mann, 
the Republican leader of the House, de- 
clared in the course of debate to-day that 
war between the United States and Mex- 
ico is inevitable and that the President is 
making arrangements accordingly. The 
fact that the Democrats allowed this 
statement to go unchallenged added to 
its significance. 

Predicting war with Mexico, Mr. Mann 
said: 

"I should greatly regret such a war. I 
do not see any escape from chaos and 
anarchy in Mexico under the plan which 
we are now pursuing. Of course if that 
runs very long it means war." 

That the Administration is antagoniz- 
ing all Latin-America. 

The reported message from the Colom- 
bian Congress to the Mexican Congress 
denouncing the United States for its in- 
terference and beseeching the Mexicans 
to continue resistance was a subject of 
most interested comment here late to- 
day. No official confirmation of this 
report has been received at the State De- 
partment, but unofficial despatches re- 
garding the Colombian message are ac- 
cepted as true. 

There is no doubt that the view ex- 
pressed by the Colombian Congress is 
that of all Latin-America. Because of 
their desire not to offend the United 
States, however, no other Latin-Ameri- 
can Government nor any other Latin- 
American official has given expression 
to what are known to be their real views 
regarding the attitude of President Wil- 
son toward Mexico and President Huerta. 
These views have been fully expressed, 
however, in the Latin-American press. — 
New York "Sun." 

Latin-.A.merican diplomats friendly to 
Gen. Huerta — and many of them feel that 
he is the champion of all the Americas 
south of the Rio Grande — go so far as 
to think that the President deliberately 
intended to goad him into giving the 
American Charge his passports. Such an 
affront, they think, while not being far 
different from the continued refusal of 
the American Government to recognize 
the de facto authorities in the Mexican 
capital, would yet justify the cry of in- 
jured honor and might be seized as war- 
rant for armed intervention. — ^New York 
"Times." 

That the Administration's Mexican 
"policy" is destructive. 

We venture to believe that to-days ex- 
posure of the "true inwardness" of the 
President's Mexican policy will mark an 
end to the toleration not only of foreign 



Powers but of our own people toward the 
aimless pokes in the puddle of Mexican 
troubles wherewith the President, his 
Secretary of State and their various un- 
official, unconstitutional and unreceived 
envoys have whiled away their time for 
more than six months until, to quote the 
President's own confession to-day, "Mex- 
ico has no government." — Boston "Tran- 
script." 

* * * 

That the "Constitutionalists" — Bryan's 
friends — are "stained with blood." 

(Special to the New York "Times.") 

Hermosillo, Mexico, Dec. 3. — In ac- 
cordance with the mandate of the Con- 
stitutionalists' court-martial, Antonio V. 
Caballero, friend of .'\mericans and one of 
the wealthiest citizens of Culiacan. was 
put to death at daylight this morning as 
the result of his conviction on the charge 
that he had plotted against Gen. Car- 
ranza. 

During the early hours last night, a 
number of women belonging to the high- 
est social circles attempted to reach Gen. 
Carranza with a plea that the condemned 
prisoner be at least held as a prisoner of 
war until full investigation had been 
made of the charges against hira. These 
efforts proved unavailing. Gen. Carranza 
absenting himself from headquarters. 

The morning dawned cold and with a 
drizzling rain. .A.t 5:50 o'clock Caballero 
was notified of his sentence. Asserting 
his innocence, at 6:10 he was led into a 
patio, where the firing squad had already 
been assembled. Without flinching the 
condemned man faced his executioners, 
and fell with four bullet holes in the left 
breast within a circle of three inches. 
Two of the firing squad were overcome 
by their emotions, and left the scene 
with tearms streaming down their cheeks. 

"We thought that only one of the four 
rifles had been charged with a bullet, but 
the results showed that all of the guns 
were loaded." said the Sergeant. 

The body was delivered to representa- 
tives of the family later in the day. 

* * * 

That eliminating Huerta will not 
quench the fires of revolution. 

.\ counter-revolution in the rear of the 
rebel advance upon the Mexican capital is 
the dispiriting forecast of Gen. Bliss, 
whose ripe experience in active service 
on the Mexican boundary gives special 
weight and significance to his deductions. 

Presumably Gen. Bliss has good reason 
to believe that existing conditions are as 
favorable to an anti-Cat ranza movement, 
in his absence, as they were when Gen. 
Orozco and his lieutenants broke off with 
Madero and took the field. — Washington 
"Post." 



UNEXPECTED. 

"Rebels' forces have developed a some- 
what unexpected strength," says a Wash- 
ington dispatch to the New York "Trib- 
une." Unexpected? Not in Washington 
where in stage whispers it has been as- 
serted of late that some of the strategy 
of rebel forces was "suggested" from cer- 
tain circles in Washington itself. Unex- 
pected? Not in Washington where no 
secret is made of the fact that the rebels 
get all the arms and ammunition they 
want across the border from "sympathiz- 
ers" on the .'American side! No, it was 
not unexpected in Washington. 



AN ADMISSION. 
General Bliss admits that arms and 
ammunition have been smuggled across 
the border rather freely because with 
the force at his command it is almost 
humanly impossible to prevent the 
smuggling. But it is possible for the 
Department of Justice to trace back the 
shipments of arms and ammunition tc 
the parties responsible and stop the vio- 
lation of the neutrality laws right at the 
fountainhead. It is easily possible, but, 
not at all probable it will be done. 



MEXICAN CHIEFTAINS PATRIOTS 
FOR LOOT. 

While Carranza's counsels may be lis- 
tened to by Jose Maria Mayortena in 
Sonora, Blanco in Tamaulipas and Obre- 
gon in Sonora and Sanchez in Mich- 
oacan, no one pretends that he could 
exercise any control over his two best 
fighting men, Villa and Zapata. Any 
time either thinks himself strong enough 
to go it alone he will not hesitate to 
assert his power in his own party. 

Emiliano Zapata, scourge of Morelos, 
is nothing but a bandit on a large scale. 
In his forty-two years he has never been 
known to be true to any persons except 
his brother Eufemio and his shadow 
Tuerto (one-eyed) Morales, a school- 
master gone wrong. The only principle 
to which he has been unswervingly loyal 
is loot, always accompanied by murder, 
torture, arson and worse. 

Diaz had Zapata pretty thoroughly on 
the jump in Morelos, Guerrero and Oax- 
aca. Sometimes his bands were a few 
men, sometimes several hundred. There 
was something about the man that ap- 
pealed to the peon imagination. He never 
"robbed the poor; that is, the very poor, 
and he sometimes scattered the loot from 
rich towns among them. 

Zapata, like Villa, rushed to Madero 
as a way out, and won with him. Madero 
was no sooner installed than Zapata was 
at it again, believing that possibly his 
pull made him privileged. Madero sent 
Victoriano Huerta, one of his valiant 
generals, to stop Zapata and Huerta sur- 
rounded the roblier in no time, captured 
him and was about to make a good ban- 
dit of him when the President intervened. 

Madero himself came to the camp, 
threw his arm around Zapata's neck, 
called him brother, and made him a Brig- 
adier-General in the army. Zapata was 
profoundly grateful, and a few weeks 
later was at it a.gain. The death of Ma- 
dero found Zapata fighting as a revolu- 
tionist, and the advent of Carranza gave 
him a pretext for aligning himself with 
the Constitutionalists. 



4 



MEXICO 



Saiurduy. DtWinbcr 6, 1913 



Sitting on the edge of a crater, he 
hopes — 

» ♦ » 

He doesn't fall in. 

* ♦ • 

Watching a man's house robbed, he 
hopes — 

It won't be. 

* * * 

Looking on at a house burning, he 
hopes they will put it out and that they 
will save the women and children. 

Knowing the ship has struck an. ice- 
berg, he hopes somebody will save it. 
» * ♦ 

Seeing a man assault a woman, he 
hopes there's a law against assault. 

* * * 

Having his face slapped, he hopes it 
won't leave a red mark. 

Slapping somebdy on the wrist, he 
hopes he won't be slapped back. 



THE DEAR OLD LADY. 

Criticism against President Wilson's policy in 
Mexico as one based on a mistaken idealism, 
takes on a comical aspect in view of what is tak- 
ing place on Me.xican battlefields. One cannot 
imagine a much solider fact than yesterday's 
decisive Constitutionalist victory near Juarez, fol- 
lowing upon a succession of Huerta discomfitures 
which leave little room for doubt that the Dicta- 
tor's days are numbered. The tide is running in 
one direction. In Pancho Villa the revolution has 
produced a commander of exceptional ability. The 
immediate future should witness Villa's steady 
advance southward on Mexico City. If another 
indication is needed of the way things are going, 
it is supplied by the sudden outburst of Zapatist 
activity in the neighborhood of the capital. — 
New York "Evening Post." 

The "comical aspect" is in the "Post's" 
display of joy at the bandit uprisings. 
The dear old lady has always been so 
much a friend of peace. But what are 
murders and outra,ges as long as dear 
Mr. Wilson may not be called a mistaken 
idealist? 



BARBAROUS BANDITS. 

(Former .'\tty-Gen. Chas. J. Bonaparte 

in Baltimore "Evening Sun.") 

The writer is unwilling to believe that 
our President has ever seriously consid- 
ered the suggestion of our supplying 
arms to the Mexican insurgents. In the 
columns of all our papers are almost 
daily reports of barbarities and outrages 
on their part, v^hich, even if largely un- 
true, would yet make it a crime against 
civilization and humanity to furnish such 
combatants with facilities for warfare. 

If any American powder is to be burnt, 
let it be burnt by American soldiers and 
sailors. If any American weapons are 
to be used, let them be in the hands of 
Americans, who can be trusted to make 
war on armed men, not on prisoners, or 
the v/ounded or defenseless inhabitants, 
or helpless women and children. 

In a word, if we- have fighting to do, 
let us do our own fighting and do it as 
befits a great civilized nation, not by bor- 
rowing the bloody hands of a horde of 
barbarous banditti. 



SO SOON! 

The "Herald" of last Tuesday reports 
a rift in the lute of Villa's bandit happi- 
ness. I.s Jaurez correspondent says: 

The putting to death of a rebel captain by 
General Villa Monday night following a shoot- 
ing alTair in a dance hall started the trouble, and 
the taking of French leave by Colonel Juan N. 
Medina, of General Villa's slafl^, who came to 
this side, has added to the feeling between the 
two f.ictions. 

An outbreak is feared at any minute and a 
general looting of the stores and residences is 
expected to follow. The United States officers 
are aware of the danger and have placed the 
entire Twentieth infantry on the border to pre- 
vent any invasion or violations of the neutrality 
laws. A squadron of the Twelth cavalry also 
has been ordered from Gallup, New Mexico, to 
the border to do patrol duty and prevent any 
depredations on American property. 

Senor Francisco Escudero, Minister of For- 
eign Relations, has been here two days trying 
to patch up the differences and to-night appealed 
direct to General Carranza. 

The break is expected to take the form of an 
open rupture between General Villa and General 



First oust Huerta. After that — 

« * » 
He knows, he knows, God knows. 

* * » 

There are blood, pillage and rape in 
Mexico. President Wilson says the men 
who love liberty more than their ambi- 
tions will settle the matter. 

Liberty to kill, rob and ravish? 

* * * 
Sublime egotism. 

He abhors a blood-stained government 
and welcomes a reign of bloodshed. 

The success of the bandits pleases him 
immensely. And they looted Juarez, 
slaughtered non-combatants, are the ter- 
ror of every respectable, decent Mexican. 

"The brave man with a sword, 
"The coward with a word." 

* * * 

Notice they still speak of Huerta as 
defying the United States. It seems to 
us that if there has been defiance, it has 
been by those who have defied the na- 
tional sovereignty of Mexico as well as 
the ordinary laws of international cour- 
tesy. 

Captain S. G. Hopkins, the eminent 
Washington representative of the Pierce 
oil interests and the Carranza rebels — 
same thing — got fifty thousand dollars 
in gold for his v/ork in promoting the 
Madero revolution. Considering his in- 
fluence with the Washington Adminis- 
tration, he undoubtedly thinks he de- 
serves a million for his present activities. 

* * • 

Everybody in El Paso knows where 
Villa got his guns and ammunition, but 
of course the Washington Administra- 
tion has not lifted the embargo on arms. 
What's the use? 



CARRANZA MURDER VERSUS 
HUERTA MURDER. 

It is difficult to read without a shud- 
der of Iiorror of the deliberate murder 
of prisoner; by Carranza's forces after 
the capture of Juarez on the frontier of 
Mexico. 

This barbarous butchery was in sight 
and sound of American soil. 

And while* Carranza's ofticers were 
thus violating the rules of civilized war- 
fare at our very door. President Wil- 
son's "personal representative," William 
Bayard Hale, the newspaper correspond- 
ent, was carrying on negotiations at an- 
other border .own with Carranza him- 
self. 

It has been announced from the White 
House many times that Mr. Wilson's 
principal reason for refusing to recog- 
nize Huerta is that he cannot bring him- 
self to deal with a government founded 
on murder. 

How then can he think of turning over 
the Mexican people to the mercies of 
men to whom cold-blooded massacre has 
become an everyday matter? 

The hideous scene at Juarez is sim- 
ply one incident in a prolonijed orgy of 
wanton murders, burnings and robberies 
by the "Constitutionalists." 

Carranza himself has boasted that 
"every man in arms against Huerta is 
under my orders." 

When the bloodless intervention of 
the United States shall have crushed the 
Huerta administration by bankruptcy, 
and that strong man shall be driven from 
power, the American government will 
have assumed responsibility in the eyes 
of the civilized world for peace, order 
and justice in Mexico. 

No sober, sensible mind can fail to 
reco.cnize the grave situation into which 
Mr. Wilson's and Mr. Bryan's policy is 
leading us. 

."Kre we to overthrow the despot 
Huerta only to deliver the Mexican re- 
public up to the plunderers and burners 
of towns, the violators of women and 
the slayers of unarmed prisoners? 

With the acquiescence of the great 
European powers President Wilson is 
brineing about the destruction of the 
existing Mexican government. 

Whom and what will he recognize in 
its place? — New York "Evening Mail." 



Public approval of the appaling heart- 
lessness of the President's policy of 
watchful waiting would be an indictment 
of the American people. 

♦ » * 

"Watchful waiting." 

As a vulture watches. 

* * « 

Is that American? Never. 

* * * 

Huerta won't be "eliminated." Mexico 
may be. May be. 

• • * 

A master of the method known in 
criminal parlance as "croakin' 'em with 
a sugar front." 

* • • 

The glacial movement seems to have 
a little fire in it — the fire of personal 
antipathy. 

• * * 

How much the more handsome not to 
have shown it? 

• » * 

It is getting down to a purely personal 
contest, and the country will have none 
of it — if the logical end is war. 



Sniurdav, December 6. 1913 



MEXICO 



COLONEL HARVEY'S SANITY 



Colonel George Harvey writes on "the 
President and Mexico" in the December 
"North American Review." His article is 
a careful, unprejudiced analysis of the sit- 
uation and in its general fairness and un- 
biased logic is in marked contrast with 
the daily yelpings of a misinformed or 
malicious section of the press. After a 
resume of the Administration's succes- 
sive steps in dealing with Mexico, Col- 
onel Harvey goes on to say: 

Subsequent events, including the arbi- 
trary dissolution of the recalcitrant Ma- 
dero Congress, the dismissal of Diaz, and 
the so-called election which may or may 
not be considered valid, and the con- 
stantly reiterated declarations from the 
White House that "Huerta must go" are 
too recent to require recital. 

The whole matter resolves to this: 

What legal or moral right has a Presi- 
dent of the United States to say who 
shall or shall not be President of Mex- 
ico? and 

Did not President Wilson imbed him- 
self in a practically inextricable position 
when he demanded the retirement of 
Huerta? 

To the first question there can be but 
one answer from a technical standpoint. 
Mr. Asquith gave it when he said that 
his Majesty's Government was "bound 
to deal with him (Huerta) as with any 
other Central or South .•\merican State, 
whatsoever was at the time the de facto 
Government." Germany, France, Spain, 
Austria, and Russia gave it when they 
accredited Ministers to the new admin- 
istration. President Franklin Pierce 
gave it when he declared in his mess- 
age to Congress on May 15, 1856: 

"It is the established policy of the 
United States to recognize Governments 
without question of their source of or- 
ganization or of the means by which the 
governing persons attain their power, 
provided there be a Government de facto 
accepted by the people of the country. 
* * ♦ It is the more imperatively neces- 
sary to apply this rule to the Spanish- 
American peoples in consideration of the 
frequent and not seldom anomalous 
changes of organization or administra- 
tion which they undergo and the revolu- 
tionary character of inost of the 
changes." 

Whether or not President Huerta 
would have been able to restore order 
throughout Mexico if he had possessed 
the means of which he was deprived by 
President Wilson's refusal to accord 
with the action of other nations and with 
what President Pierce pronounced "the 
established policy of the United States" 
is a matter of conjecture. That it would 
have been the part of wisdom to give 
him a chance to try is, we believe in the 
light of subsequent events, the consensus 
of opinion in our own country at the 
present time. 



To the second question we suspect the 
correct answer would be that the Presi- 
dent's predicament is one from which 
satisfactory extrication is at the least 
difficult. What amazes us is that he 
should ever had gotten into it. 

Surely there could liave been no doubt 
of the consequence of his demand that 
Huerta relinquish authority upon the 
ground, clearly implied, that he was di- 
rectly concerned in the assassination of 
Madero. If innocent he would not, and 
if guilty he could not, comply with such 
a request. Acquiescence would have 
spelt confession in either case. 

Nothing could be plainer than that 
President Wilson's method frustrated his 
own intent and could not possibly have 
operated otherwise. Instead of eliminat- 
ing Huerta from power, he riveted him 
in his place, there to remain, in all prob- 
ability, until he shall be expelled by force 
of arm<. 

It is proverbially easy to criticize, es- 
pecially after the event. Probably Presi- 
dent Wilson himself now realizes that it 
would have been better to accord recog- 
nition to the de facto Government, in 
compliance with the unanimous recom- 
mendation of the diplomatic corps in 
Mexico, upon the grounds set forth by 
Mr. Asquith. 

But, having once assumed a wider re- 
sponsibility by attempting to dictate to 
the Dictator, in pursuance of a policy 
which was ethical ratlier than practical, 
he was forbidden 1)y regard for the na- 
tion's dignity, no less than by his own 
obduracy, to recede from the position 
which lie had taken. It followed inevit- 
ably that his original and wholly admir- 
able purposes, which comprehended real 
assistance to a distracted neighbor and 
avoidance of war on our own part, should 
narrow to a single definite aim, namely, 
the deposition of Huerta. 

To this end the President has directed 
all his energies; chiefly, after the failure 
of moral suasion, by way of menace. But 
all semi-official threatenings. first of lift- 
ing the embargo upon the delivery of 
arms to the insurgents, then of inaugu- 
rating a "peaceful blockade" of the Mex- 
ican ports, then of seeking to starve the 
Government, through the co-operation 
of foreign powers, and, finally, of sever- 
ing diplomatic relations entirely, have so 
far been in vain. Huerta, at this writ- 
ing, seems to be more stubborn and de- 
termined than at any previous time; has 
crushed out all opposition in his Cab- 
inet and Congress; holds the army ap- 
parently under perfect control; is not 
destitute of funds, and, oddly enough, has 
been strengthened immeasurably with 
the Mexican people by report of the per- 
emptory refusal of Carranza to accept 
mediatory proposals of any kind from 
Washington. 



Meanwhile, the wretched country is be- 
ing devastated from the Rio Grande to 
the Southern Gulf; prisoners taken in 
battle are being slaughtered ruthlessly; 
helpless non-combatants are become the 
prey of savage bandits; railways are be- 
ing torn up; mining and other properties 
to the value of unreckoned millions have 
already been destroyed, and American 
and European residents are fleeing for 
their lives. The gravity of the situation 
from the standpoint of Mexico, of our 
own country, or of humanity cannot be 
exaggerted. We are confronted by a 
condition of anarchy, not by a theory of 
government, and the condition has be- 
come intolerable. 

What is to be done? 

"We admit," says the London "Specta- 
tor," "that it might be possible for Mr. 
Wilson's half-and-half Mexican policy to 
succeed in very small and weak countries 
— countries which could never raise their 
hand in revolt and had to put up with 
whatever treatment they got as content- 
edly as might be. But no one will say 
that Mexico is a country of that descrip- 
tion. 

"No one could foretell the character 
and length of the resistance that Mex- 
ico would be able to ofifer if an invasion 
of the country became necessary. It 
would certainly be harassing and enthu- 
siastic, and would involve the United 
States in incalculable expense. 

"Mexico is peopled by independent and 
pugnacious men, apt at guerilla warfare, 
and is a country which lends itself to 
the arts of wearing out an enemy by 
the expedients of ambuscade and elusive- 
ness. We sincerely hope that the neces- 
sity for war may be avoided, but we can- 
not honestly see how the present .\meri- 
can policy can end except in war and an 
eventual protectorate, or in a reversal 
of the attempt at dictation by means of 
an unworkal)le imperialism." 
War Looms Ahead. 

We are unable to see how any thinking 
man can fail to concur in this judgment. 
Grateful as we are to President Wilson 
for withstanding the temptation to which 
another of less scrupulous ambition 
might have yielded, to intervene by force 
of arms, we cannot escape the conclu- 
sion that persistence in his present course 
is virtually certain to drive our country 
into a war as hateful to ourselves as it 
would be to the neighbors whom we are 
anxious to serve. The only alternative, 
apparently, is that indicated above, name- 
by means of an unworkable imperial- 
by means of an unworkable Imperial- 
ism." 

Is that not possible? 

Nobody here or abroad and nobody 
in Mexico who need be considered ques- 
tions the high purpose which has act- 
uated President Wilson. Nobody sus- 
spects his good faith, the purity of his 
motives, or the pacificatory nature of his 
methods. Nobody doubts that he has 
(Continued on Next Page ' 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 



COLONEL HARVEY'S SANITY,— 
(Continued). 

<Jone his best, and can demonstrate that 
another could have done better. 

But the policy which the President 
sincerely believed to be the vifisest has 
failed. Why could and why should he 
not now address the de facto Govern- 
ment of Mexico substantially as follows: 
"We have exerted our best endeavors, 
according to our best judgment, to aid in 
peace and prosperity to you, our neigh- 
bors and our friends. We have been dis- 
interested, as you know, but our sug- 
gestions, having failed to meet with the 
approval of either the provisional Gov- 
ernment or of the commander of the in- 
surrectionary forces, have necessarily 
proved unavailing. 

"Deeply as we regret this circum- 
stance, we frankly admit it to be a fact. 
But it is the accomplishment, not the 
method, that we still regard as vital. 

"We have tried our way in vain. Now 
we stand ready to try yours. 

"Your Ambassador will be received in 
Washington. We will accredit a new 
Ambassador to you 'without previous 
conditions,' 

"We shall hold your Government re- 
sponsible for the lives and properties 
of all foreign residents, and shall notify 
other nations to that effect. All of our 
dealings with -, our Administration will 
be in the open, in good faith, and in sin- 
cere hope that a truly representative and 
stable Government may soon be estab- 
lished, to the end that, within a reason- 
able time, peace and prosperity may be 
regained in all parts of your distracted 
land." 

We hear objections to this new policy. 
It would be unfair to the Constitutional- 
ists and rebels. But, since their leader 
has repulsed our attempts at mediation, 
what further claim have they upon our 
consideration? 

It would strengihen Huerta, or Blanq- 
uet, or Moheno, or whoever may be in 
control when these words reach the pub- 
lic ear and mind. That cannot be helped. 
We must strengthen somebody, and ap- 
parently there is little room for choice. 

It would be inconsistent with our de- 
clared attitude, would he a recession on 
the part of the President, would humil- 
iate us as a nation in the eyes of the 
world. Perhaps, yes; and for that very 
reason it would live forever as a perfor- 
mance and an example, as the noblest 
act ever done by a great and powerful 
nation in the interest of a weak and suf- 
fering people. 

And it would avert war — at least for 
time sufficient to allow for adjustment 
and mutual understanding. That is the 
overpowering consideration which should 
and, we hope, may influence a President 
who surely must realize that he is not 
merely the tribune of a people, but 
is also the head of a nation which should 
set the pace for all the world in works 
of self-abnegation tending to universal 
peace. 



LEST WE FORGET 



We 



itutional gover 
than its friend 



ment in America ; we are mori 
we are its champions. 

So we are. But — what about Ven- 
ezuela and Guatemala? 

In the former a dictatorship has been 
openly declared; in the latter one of the 
worst of Central American tyrannies has 
existed for seventeen years. 

* » * 

The Administration is most friendly to 
the rulers of Venezuela and Guatemala. 

* * * 

"We love constitutional government." 
» « * • 

But you see those rulers have been 
wise — all their concessions have been 
given to American capitalists. 

* * * 

"We loathe predaceous big business!" 

You never read in the newspapers 
about the "awful, awful stabbing of the 
Constitution" in those countries, do you? 

* * * 

You never read about the usurpation 
of President Gomez of Venezuela, do 
you? 

But, you see, Gomez and Estrada Ca- 
bera are wise — they KNOW HOW to 
give concessions. 

* * • 

"We oppose concession-giving in 
Latin-America," 

Sulzer, another great friend of con- 
stitutional freedom, can vouch for Ca- 
brera's wisdom. 

Mexican revolutionists have always 
been clever in adopting high-sounding 
names. 

None ever hit the mark, hov/ever, so 
well as the present rebels. Constitution- 
alism! How could this name fail to ap- 
peal to our patriots?. Bryan throbs with 
sheer emotion, his blood racing through 
his veins, when he hears the name. 

By the way, they tell us that Senators 
and Congressmen began wriggling un- 
comfortably in their chairs when Presi- 
dent Wilson in his address said we were 
the champions of constitutional govern- 
ment. 

* * * 

Poor little lambs! 

The message was brief. 

Why keep up the form of sending any 
message at all? 

* » ♦ 

Besides, the public is getting too much 
information already. 

As, for instance, in regard to the Mex- 
ican policy. 



The "constitutionalists" yodle in exul- 
tation — they always yodle now — in 
Bryan's honor — every time they put out 
a story about the Constitution and the 
story "takes." 

* * * 

They are wise — like Gomez, like Es- 
trada Cabrera. 

* * ♦ 

Hiring thugs to "get Huerta" — that's 
splendid Americanism. 

* * » 

Splendid — but you never can tell what 
these idealists will do. Genius is akin 
to insanity. 

» * * 

The Administration is understood to be 
opposed to armed invasion of Mexico. But 
can it not see that there is a powerful 
organized campaign afoot to inflame 
public opinion and thus force its hand? A 
campaign of corporations, individuals 
and newspapers. None so blind as he 
who could not see that it has been and 
is these very elements who have sup- 
ported fulsomely the non-recognition of 
Huerta. They knew what would happen. 

Every time that President Huerta goes 
to take a look at the house he's building, 
or visits any of his friends, the yellows 
shout out in scareheads: "Huerta Fleeing 
the Country." 

The New York "World" insinuated in 
its usual nasty way the other day that 
Huerta %vould "quit for a price." So like 
the "World." Well, we suppose the 
"World" will keep it up — "for a price." 

Colonel Harvey makes a suggestion to 
President Wilson that would call for a 
mighty big man to follow. See on other 
page. 

The El Pasogramists will tell their 
grandchildren about the glorious times 
when Villa was in Juarez and they could 
write anything they pleased and send it 
hot over the wire to hungry editors. 
Villa says THIS, Villa says THAT. 
Villa says all Northern Mexico is in the 
hands of constitutionalists — therefore it 
is. Villa says he's going to take Chi- 
huahua — therefore he will. Then Mex- 
ico City! On to Mexico City! Just like 
that. And it's flashed to every nook and 
corner of the United States at so much 
per word. Oh, these are the glorious 
days for the El Paso Liar. Big strings, 
big heads, big joke! 

Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday. December 6. 1913 



MEXICO 



FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNS 



ARMY & NAVY CLUB, 
Washington, D. C. 

December i, 1913. 

Editor MEXICO, 

IS Broad St., New York, N. Y. 
My dear Sir: 

I have read with much interest your 
recent editorials upon President Wilson's 
Mexican policy, and I take the liberty of 
enclosing you herewith a pamphlet on 
the subject, which I trust you may find 
time to read. 

The most important point in the policy 
is not covered by this pamphlet, and I 
think is missed in your editorials. 

Under the wing of the Monroe Doc- 
trine we have arrogated to ourselves, and 
have succeeded in "putting it over," that 
no Latin-American government can bor- 
row money without our recognition. Vic- 
toriano Huerla as such, can borrow little, 
neither can Woodrow Wilson, but recog- 
nized as a government, either can borrow 
large sums. Our domination of Mexico 
is such that even the people of Mexico 
do not dare lend money to their present 
government except at their own risk, 
because President Wilson at any time 
can put Pancho Villa, for example, in as 
President of Mexico, and what that un- 
speakable !)andit, or even the "walking 
delegate" Carranza, would do toward the 
recognition of any bonds issued by Presi- 
dent Huerta can readily be imagined. 

The edict forbidding civilized Mexico 
from borrowing money went forth on 
March 7th. Six months later, August 
27th, President Wilson made four de- 
mands through John Lind, all of them 
grotesquely impossible of compliance, the 
one requiring civilized Mexico to change 
leaders at that critical time being espe- 
cially unfair. There are many renegades 
in the civilized ranks ambitious for lead- 
ership and willing to risk arming savages 
as did Madero, in the fatuous hope that 
he could put them back where they were 
after his election. On August 27th, Gen- 
eral Huerta had his military (as well as 
his civil) forces organized, with men 
whom he could trust as military gover- 
nors of every State, and his civil organi- 
zation was similarly developed. To 
change leaders would mean changing all 
those arrangements to the new man's 
somewhat personal following, even if a 
new man could be found. I have asked 
dozens of Americans long resident in 
Mexico, who could handle the situation 
as well as Huerta, and absolutely the 
only other man suggested is Blanquet, 
who is Huerta's right bower, and who 
would not take it, saying that Huerta is 
the right man. 

President Wilson's proposition that 
we have a free election down there, with 
the President of a foreign country dictat- 
ing who should be candidates and who 



should not, is also a rather startling prop- 
osition. 

As the Madero bandits were armed 
from this country, quite probably by 
"big business" of this country, and as 
the same interests are now smuggling 
arms across the border, and furthermore, 
as we deliberately permit this country 
to be used as an asylum, and as a basis 
for fomenting revolutions against Mexico 
and other friendly nations, a bill for the 
prevention of which has for many 
months been slumbering under the 
cushion of Senator Bacon's chair, our re- 
sponsibility for the arming of the ban- 
dits who are destroying civilized Mexico 
seems pretty definitely established. 

If then, we prevent civilized Mexico 
from borrowing money, the responsi- 
bility of President Wilson for all the 
thousands of deaths, for all the wanton 
destruction of bridges, banks, theatres 
and cities generally, for the tens of thou- 
sands of outrages committed upon 
women and young girls, and for the mil- 
lions of money it will cost to eliminate 
the thousands of bandits now on the war- 
path, is somewhat appalling. Is it fair, 
or it is right that President Wilson 
should now accept merely the humilia- 
tion of not hammering Hurcta out, but 
to sit back and let the bandits get him 
out, which means let the bandits destroy 
Mexico? Is he not, in fact, bound in 
all fairness, if he is going to keep hands 
off, to withdraw from his present posi- 
tion of claiming any special rights in 
Mexico, and let the recognition of for- 
eign governments sustain Mexico's 
credit as if the United Stales did not 
exist? Have we the right to ham-string 
Mexico financially and call it "moral 
suasion"? 

Carranza and the separate packs of 
wolves in front of whom he trots as a 
self-styled leader, without the slightest 
real sul)ordinaton to him on their parts, 
do not have to borrow money. They 
rob banks, take money from citizens at 
the point of the bayonet and live on the 
country purely as bandits, while General 
Huerta, on tlie other hand, has to wage 
warfare in a civilized manner and pro- 
tect inhabitants and re-build roads de- 
stroyed by Villa and other cut-throats. 
Is there anything more awful in history 
than the waiting attitude of President 
Wilson after having done the damage 
which he has? Since the capture of Vic- 
toria, if the same proportion obtains that 
did after the capture of Durango several 
months ago. President Wilson is "view- 
ing with complacency" the outraging of 
not less than 1500 women and girls in 
that vicinity. 

Nero's fiddling while Rome burned was 
not a marker to this complacent satisfac- 
tion. And for what? To get rid of 



Huerta. Why? It is a fact that Huerta 
is neither an assassin, a traitor, nor a 
usurper. I have recently advertised on 
the front page of the Washington "Post" 
a challenge for any one to debate that 
proposition, and no local editorial writer, 
no representative of the Department of 
State, supposed to know all about it, has 
dared to accept the challenge. 

So, it seems to me that President Wil- 
son is bound to back water like a man, 
and recognize the government legally es- 
tablished by civilized Mexico, and the 
United States certainly ought to make 
amends for the wrongs it has been in- 
strumental in causing to that harried land 
by presenting to that government 
promptly $100,000,000 or more. 

The facts as I have stated them are 
true, and when the truth is known and 
appreciated by the people of the United 
States, as it is bound to be, they will 
stand aghast with horror at what our 
President has really done to Mexico. 
Very truly yours, 
CASSIUS E. GILLETTE. 

P. S.— You are at liberty to use this 
letter or its facts in any way you desire. 

MEXICAN STOCKS AND BONDS. 

The resume for the week ending No- 
vember 15th shows a remarkable im- 
provement in the value of Mexican se- 
curities abroad, but more especially on 
the Parisian Bourse, in connection with 
which may be seen the advances in Gov- 
ernment 3 and 5 pcr cent, bonds, Na- 
tional, London, Central, Peninsular and 
Territorial banks. Eagle Oil and Buen 
Tono's, National Railway 2nds, and 
Mexican Trams, and all mining shares, 
the declines, on the other hand, being in- 
significant. 

While London does not record the 
heavy increases registered in Paris, the 
advances in Mexican Railway common. 
National Railway ist and 2nd preferred 
and Mexico Mines must be mentioned as 
eminently satisfactory under the present 
circumstances, and the fact that Na- 
tional Railway ist and 2nd preferred 
stock advanced heavily on the New York 
exchange, while the local shares below 
quoted show either losses but slight, im- 
provement during the week speaks for 
itself. 

Closing Prices. 

Nov. S Nov. l.-) Inc. Dec. 
Paris. Dollars. 

Mcxicin N:.itional iis. . .37.20 41.10 .TOO .. 

National .3s 20.40 27.50 1.10 .. 

Francs. 

National Bank O0.').00 (W8.00 33.00 . . 

London Bank ,38.V0O 420.00 35.00 .. 

Central Bank 107.00 109.00 2.00 .. 

Credito Territorial .... 108.00 17fi.00 10.00 . . 

Peninsular lOn.OO 114.00 5.00 .. 

Bucn Tono, pfd 444.00 4.50.00 6.00 .. 

Tramways, of Mexico.. 8(10.00 419.00 23.00 .. 

Nat. Rys., 2nd pfd... 60.00 00.00 9.00 .. 

Dos Estrcllas 216.00 229.00 13,00 .. 

Mexico Mines of El Oro 130.00 141.00 11.00 . . 

Oro Nolan 350.00 400.00 50.00 . . 

New York. Dollars. 

Nat. Rys. 2nd pfd 35.50 39.00 3.50 .. 

Nat Rys 1st pfd 11.62 13.50 1.88 .. 

London. 

Nat. Rys. 1st pfd 33.50 36.00 2.60 .. 

Nat. Rys. 2nd pfd 11.75 13.50 1.75 .. 

Mexican Rys. com ...£ 33.5.0 .37.5.0 4.0.0 .. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 




SAYS U. S. HELPS BRIGANDS. 

And Hampers Huerta, Says London 
"Times" Man in Mexico. 

(Special Cable Despatch to N. Y. "Sun.") 
London, Dec. 3. — The Mexico City 
correspondent of the "Times" cables that 
it has become necessary to call attention 
to the desperate situation which is de- 
veloping in Mexico as a consequence of 
the attitude of the United States, whose 
apparent intention is to freeze out Gen. 
Huerta. 

The United States, says the corres- 
pondent, seems to regard the trouble in 
the north as purely revolutionary, with 
all the chieftains fighting for the same 
cause. This, he points out, might be 
admitted in certain instances, but on the 
whole the disturbances are inspired by 
a desire for brigandage and are merely 
manifestations of an anti-social tendency. 
Barbarous atrocities are being com- 
mitted, says the correspondent, and there 
are mutilations, tortures, murders 
rapine, arson, attacks against women and 
young girls and wholesale slaying of 
children. 

The wanton destruction or railway, 
mining and other properties is a daily 
occurence and is increasing. The policy 
of the United States, he adds, assists 
the bandits and hampers the constituted 
Government. 

The correspondent adds that if Gen- 
eral Huerta's strong hand is removed 
the results will be appalling. Americans 
must realize, he says, that the removal 
of the provisional President will lead to 
chaos and will inflict untold misery on 
millions of innocent beings. 

"No words are too strong," says the 
"Times" correspondent, "to emphasize 
the disastrous efltects which will follow 
if the present tactics are continued. This 
is the opinion of all foreigners here." 

The second of the mail articles by the 
"Times'" Mexico, correspondent, dated 
Monterey, November i, says: 

"The damage caused by the rebels at 
Monterey alone is estimated at $5,000,- 
000, apart from the complete paralysis 
of business and the wanton destruction 
of railroads, engines and freight cars. 
The mass of Mexicans regard civil war 
as a perfectly natural condition and 
would not worry if it continued forever. 

"Five-sixths of these Mexicans have 
no conception of any form of govern- 
ment except the personal government by 
force. Few care even for the present 
institutions or for reform. They are 
fighting because it pays better to fight 
than to work or because they have been 
impressed into service in the army. 
Both sides punish looting at certain 
times and in certain places, but it goes 



on nevertheless and often has to be 
winked at." 

The writer expresses sympathy and 
respect for many Constitutionalist lead- 
ers, but he is unable to see that their 
triumph will put an end to the disorders. 

"They have no clear idea," he says, 
"as to what they would do if they came 
into power, and are even undecided as 
to whom they would run for President. 
Revolution would succeed revolution, an 
endless vista of a series of triumphs and 
long drawn disorder that can be pre- 
vented only by a strong and just gov- 
ernment. 

"If the present regime lacks those 
qualities Mexico can hardly hope to set- 
tle her own troubles and will have to be 
dealt with by some other hand." 



GERMAN OPINION OF WILSON. 

(By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Tel- 
egraph to the New York "Times.") 
Some time ago, after the publication 
of the New York "Times" Berlin dis- 
patch concerning the bitter anti-Ameri- 
can tone of the German press, the 
Frankfurter "Zeitung" published a long 
editorial article denouncing indignantly 
the assertion that there was any trace 
of anti-American feeling in Germany. 
Despite this editorial the press continues 
to publish articles in which Americans 
who are ordinarily referred to sneering- 
ly as "Yankees," are accused of hypo- 
crisy, of permitting Government agencies 
to be subverted in the interest of the 
Standard Oil Company and other great 
undertakings, and of cherishing a plain 
design to annex at least a portion of 
Mexico and further to exploit that coun- 
try. 

The "Vossische Zeitung's" article cited 
pictures of conditions in Mexico as the 
most barbarous and asserts that the peo- 
ple who induced "Wilson, the unalloyed 
fool," to bite into the peppered dish knew 
just how to go about it. They concealed 
themselves behind "political morals," as 
if there were such a thing where petrol- 
eum was still the trump. 

On one side is America with the 
Standard Oil Company; the railroaders 
and the miners on the other side. The 
writer asserts that the only hope for 
the restoration of peace is through 
Huerta, the only man capable of ruling 
Mexico, if he could be supported. 

The article warns the United States 
against raising the embargo on the im- 
portation of rifles and cites the arming 
of the Tschungusu bandits in Manchuria 
by both sides in the Russo-Japanese war, 
where the result was that those armed 
bandits and their rifles were the ele- 
ments of terror for years after the war 
closed. 



IN MEXICO. 

The taking of the city of Juarez by the 
rebel Carrancistas has been really a de- 
feat for them, at least in the eyes of well- 
thinking men, and above all in the opin- 
ion of .A-mericans. We have published 
an account of the atrocities perpetrated 
by the bandit Francisco Villa in Juarez, 
where he shot 150 prisoners — custom 
house employees, officials of the army, 
and even private citizens who took no 
part whatever in the battle. These acts 
of monstrous barbarism were viewed 
from El Paso, Texas, by American citi- 
zens. They naturally understood the 
enormity of the crimes, the horrible fate 
that would be Mexico's under an empire 
of Carrancista anarchy, whose furious 
destruction does not stop even before 
helpless women or neutral foreigners. 

In Torreon. according to recent reli- 
able reports. Villa perpetrated the most 
atrocious crimes, among others the 
shooting of fourteen Spanish subjects 
whose only fault was to live by honest 
toil under the hospitality which we Mex- 
icans have spontaneously extended to 
them. 

It came the turn of Juarez and then 
the curiosity of the Americans who are 
fond of witnessing from El Paso the 
scenes of blood among Mexicans was 
satisfied. The North American press, in 
spite of its acute Carrancism, could not 
help but e.xpress the thought — perhaps in 
opportune time: "If Carranza is trium- 
phant, what will become of Mexico and 
the great national and foreign interests 
that exist there?" The Yankee papers 
are right, but we are going lo give them 
one more thought: If Carranza is trium- 
phant, Francisco Villa will be at least 
Minister of War or Vice-President of the 
Republic, or in the end something just 
as important as either of these two posi- 
tions, simply because Villa has the right 
to such a position; has been, after Alvaro 
Obregon, the rebel chief of greatest mil- 
itary worth. Villa has captured Torreon 
and Juarez, most important places 
that were found with strong Federal gar- 
risons; has been at the point of gather- 
ing the cotton of La Laguna that is 
worth 40.000,000 pesos. -He threatened 
Monterrey and Saltillo; attacked Chihua- 
hua and was defeated and when he was 
believed to be without encouragement or 
strength obtained' the success we re- 
ferred to in this article. Is Villa not 
entitled to a place in the cabinet of Car- 
ranza? This is incontrovertible. If the 
rebellion is triumphant we shall have in 
the metropolis Villaism in all its power, 
and then woe to society, woe to the for- 
eigners be they Spaniards or Americans. 
We have repeated to exhaustion that we 
are not partisans, but we are patriots 
and Mexicans, and understand patriotism 
before everything as a power of social 
conservation and of respect for the rights 
and interests of o hers. President Wil- 
son ought to know this, and he knows 
it well, and now that he has been 
so solicitious in tutoring us and in 
playing the role of arbitrator in 
our dissensions, now that he wishes to 
justify his absurd intrusion in our af- 
fairs, alleging puritan moral motives, let 
him say if it is honorable on his part, 
if it is human to protect Villa only be- 
cause of his whim of imposing on Mex- 
ico his will when this attitude is the 
direct cause of the crimes without name 
that were committed in Torreon, in the 
city of Juarez, and in many other cities 
of the Republic? Woodrow Wilson does 
not know, or does not wish to know, that 
before history and civilization he is 
obliged to answer the charges that hu- 
manity may bring against a Francisco 
Villa. — "El Pais," Mexico City, Novem- 
ber 22. 



Sti.urday, December 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



PRESIDENT V/ILSON REVEALS 
HIS MIND ON MEXICO. 

The same vague sense of drifting which 
has characterized the Mexican policy of 
President Wilson all through the year 
pervades his address to Congress on 
the subject. He says: 

"There can be no certain prospect of 
peace in .America until Gen. Hueria has 
surrendered his usurped authority in 
Mexico; until it is understood on all 
hands, indeed, that such pretended gov- 
ernments will not be countenanced or 
dealt with by the government of the 
United States." 

Speaking of the immediate situation, 
which has been brought about by the hos- 
tile attitude of the United States toward 
Huerta, and an open policy of encourag- 
ing tlie rebels, the President declares: 

"Little by little he has been completely 
isolated. By a little every day his power 
and prestige are crumbling and the col- 
lapse is not far away." 

Not a word about the murders and 
lootings and general barbaric destructive- 
ness of the wild forces that are desolating 
and destroying Mexico as they sweep 
savagely on toward the Mexican capital. 
Not a syllable to indicate that the 
United States by its interference has 
practically made itself responsible for 
stable government in a country of 15,- 
000,000 inhabitants that has never known 
peace and order save under the stern 
rule of an armed master. 

Nor does Mr. Wilson emerge from the 
mystery in which he has enveloped the 
nation's foreign policy, intrusted to the 
hands of his "personal representatives" 
when he speaks of the future: 

"We shall not, I believe, be obliged to 
alter our policy of watchful waiting. And 
then, when the end comes, we shall hope 
to see constitutional order restored in 
distressed Mexico by the concert and en- 
ergy of such of her leaders as prefer the 
liberty of their people to their own ambi- 
tions." 

Who are the leaders to whom the Pres- 
ident looks for the restoration of "con- 
stitutional order" in Mexico. 

Are they to be found among the Car- 
ranzas, Villas, Zapatas or any of the ban- 
dit chiefs whose men have been killing 
prisoners, violating women and looting 
and burning cities, towns and villages in 
the name of the "constitution"? 

Mr. Wilson informs Congress that the 
fall of Huerta "is not far away." 

When the ad interim government is 
overthrown Mexico will be in the hands 
of the very men whose savage crimes 
against civilization are almost daily hor- 
rifying the American people. 

Are these the leaders upon whom Mr. 
Wilson is depending for "constitutional 
order" in the hapless republic? 

However noble the theory or sentiment 
that led the President, against the policy 
of almost every other civilized country, 
to interfere in the domestic affairs of 
Mexico and to attempt to overthi-ow its 
de facto government by reducing it to 
bankruptcy, these hard questions must be 
met. 

No one familiar with the Mexico of 
to-day can discover among the fierce 
and unscrupulous soldiers and spoilers 
who will command the country when 
Huerta's government is crushed any sign 
of the leaders who "prefer the liberty of 
their people to their own ambitions." 
What is to take the place of the Huerta 



government whose collapse the President 
says "it not far away?" 

This question may be monotonous, but 
the inexorable conditions to which it ap- 
plies are also monotonous in their de- 
mand for a clear-headed and practical 
statesmanship that can forsee the perils 
into which even peaceable intervention 
in the government of foreign nations may 
drift us — New York "Evening Mail." 



AN UNCHARTED SEA. 

Mr. Wilson is attempting to inaugurate 
a new United States policy south of the 
Rio Grande. Just what it is, nobody can 
say with deliniteness, and he himself re- 
fuses to reveal it. He spoke at Mobile in 
vague, glittering generalities, which did 
not even remotely touch the practical dif- 
ficulties of the situation. What we know 
is that his Mexican policy began with 
refusal to recognize Mexican law in Mex- 
ican Government, expressing itself in the 
action of the Mexican Congress in choos- 
ing Victoriano Huerta as provisional 
president. That the Congress which 
elected Huerta was not under his duress 
is best evidenced by the fact that it was 
the same Congress which has since been 
dispersed by him for refusal to co-oper- 
ate with him, mainly because of his 
growing weakness as a result of United 
States hostility. Before that dispersal 
was made, however, the development of 
Mr. Wilson's Mexican policy had pro- 
gressed far enough to make our recogni- 
tion of Huerta impossible. Mr. Lind 
had been sent as a special envoy to Mex- 
ico with a number of imperative man- 
dates concerning the date and manner of 
holding a Mexican election. Our ambas- 
sador at the City of Mexico had been 
withdrawn because he was suspected of 
being on terms of friendship with the 
Government of Mexico, to which he had 
been accredited — a strange fault in an 
ambassador. These acts, in themselves, 
had put recognition of Huerta out of the 
question. When they were followed by 
an ultimatum forbidding a convening of 
the new Mexican Congress, and this was 
followed by a convening of that body, 
even ordinary negotiation with a de facto 
government at the Mexican capital was 
practically at an end. 

Results to date are chaotic. The presi- 
dent's abandonment of our traditional 
policy has resulted in nothing, and, so 
far as can be seen, it promises nothing 
of peace as plainly as it threatens war. 
********* ^-e believe, 
that Americans have a right to challenge 
the wisdom of a new departure which, at 
the end of a nine months' trial, shows 
us nothing but the wreck of a constitu- 
tional provisional government in Mex- 
ico, dnd offers us no guarantee of better 
conditions to follow it. We are making 
a new experiment. In making it, Mr. Wil- 
son should take the country more into 
his confidence. We greatly fear that he 



has no fixed and definite plan oi ijroce- 
dure. Does he hope to find in the con- 
stitutionalists, who slaughter their pris- 
oners and violate all rules of civilized 
warfare, something more worthy of rec- 
ognition? .And if constitutionalists shall 
be able to seat a provisional president 
under the same forms of Mexican law 
which seated Huerta, will he recognize 
him. or still heed the protests of the 
Zapatistas, the Escobedists, and others 
still in revolt, for other men, of their 
own choosing? When we arc drifting in 
a new, uncharted sea, the captain should 
box the compass, but he should make 
known the course of the ship. — St. Louis 
"Globe-Democrat." 



A "REBEL RACE." 

"We are of a rebel race by right 
of our Indian and Spanish blood," says 
Mr, Francisco Escodero, who is set 
down as Foreign Minister in the as yet 
extremely "j rovisional" cabinet of Mr. 
Carranza; "nobody will ever dominate 
us." Clearly Mr. Escodero is preparing 
himself to take up the onerous duties 
of Foreign Minister in a very dubious 
spirit. The caution, reserve, and cour- 
tesy which pertain to that office are evi- 
dently not in his composition. We are 
quoting from the report of an interview 
with him in which he undertakes to warn 
the LTnited States against making any ar- 
rangement with the Government of 
Huerta. .As nothing seems to be further 
from the desires of the Government at 
Washington than an "arrangement" of 
any sort with the present shaky Govern- 
ment in the National Palace, we might 
have been spared the warning. 

But the spirit displayed by this proud- 
ly rebellious statesman does not justify 
much hope in the permanence of any 
Government in which he bears a part. 
Peace and prosperity cannot be the lot 
of a country overrun by proud rebels 
carrying Mauser rifles and declaring that 
they cannot be dominated. There are 
half a hundred distinct varieties of that 
kind of patriotism m Mexico and that 
is the whole trouble. Mr. Zapata and 
his "provisional" Foreign Minister, 
whosoever he may be, feel just as Mr. 
Escodero feels. Gen. Genovevo de la O 
and Gen. Villa feel that way, too. So 
do the leaders of the bands in all the 
States. Something or somebody must 
teach Mexicans that the welfare of the 
Commonwealth must dominate, that the 
proud spirits of the born rebels must be 
subjected to the public good, or Mexico 
will continue indefinitely a land of re- 
bellion. 



Before he turned patriot, revolution- 
ary and constitutionalist, "General" Pan- 
cho Villa was a plain horse thief and cut- 
throat, though usually called by the more 
high-sounding names of bandit and bri- 
gand. If the police authorities in Presi- 
dent Diaz's time could have laid their 
hands on him, they'd have hanged him 
in short order and with ample justifica- 
tion. Some of Madero's friends never 
got over their surprise at his willingness 
to take such a crime-stained recruit into 
comradeship. Butchering prisoners seems 
to be as simple a inatter of course with 
Villa as breathing. — Hartford "Daily 
Courant." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 6. 11)13 



THE UNITED STATES AND MEX- 
ICAN ANARCHY. 

The butchery of helpless men and 
women and a wild chaos of looting and, 
burning, to say nothing of unspeakable 
crimes against captive wives and daugh- 
ters, are the increasing results of the 
bloodless interference of the Wilson ad- 
ministration in Mexican affairs. 

Every day seems to witness a wider 
spread of the appalling scene of murder 
and brigandage. 

Had the United States recognized the 
Huerta government, as all the other great 
nations did, there is little doubt that the 
despotic president ad interim would by 
this time have restored comparative 
peace and order in Mexico. 

President Wilson, however, would 
have no'.hing to do with Huerta because 
he believed him to be responsible for 
the death of his predecessor, and be- 
cause, like many other Mexican rulers, 
the despot became president without the 
formality of an election. 

With all due consideration for the high 
moral note sounded by Mr. Wilson in 
Washingion, the fact remains that in 
entering upon a campaign to bankrupt 
the Huerta government we have become 
the allies of the murderous rebel leaders 
and their bandit followers. 

General Villa, the real chief of the 
rebel forces, who murders prisoners 
wholesale because he does not want the 
trouble of feeding them, and whose fierce 
hordes plunder and burn without mercy, 
says that the rebels will soon be in pos- 
session of the Mexican capital. 

If the rebels get control of Mexico, 
what will the Wilson Administration, 
which refuses to recognize a government 
"founded on blood," do about it? 

Will the United States then continue 
to deal with Mexico secretly and only 
through Mr. Wilson's "personal repre- 
sentatives?" 

What will we say to the other nations 
of the world who have been asked to 
keep their hands oflf? 

We have deliberately made it our own 
problem. 

There is growing evidence, too, that if 
the rebels are victorious they will fight 
against each other and that the downfall 
of Huerta will simply be the beginning 
of a bloodier and more barbarous con- 
flict. 

All this might liave been foreseen 
many months ago had Mr, Wilson and 
Mr. Bryan chosen to consult with the 
expert official representatives of the 
United States familiar with Mexican af- 
fairs and the Mexican character before 
laimching the government on an unsuc- 
cessful moral experiment in the concerns 
of another nation from which there is no 
visible wav out. — New York "Evening 
Mail." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

It was a mistake not to have accorded Huerta 
the same recognition as the de facto president 
which Great Britain, France, and the other Euro- 
pean countries extended. The methods he has 
employed, however reprehensible from an Ameri- 
can point of view, are no different from those re- 
sorted to by former President Diaz during his 
long term at the head of affairs. Such recognition 
would not have implied any approval of his acts, 
but it would have insured better protection for 
Americans residing in Mexico as well as greater 
safety for foreigners generally, and would have 
eliminated all danger of European interference in 
Mexican affairs. — New Orleans "Daily Picayune." 



FOREDOOMED. 

Should the revolutionary movement finally suc- 
ceed and Huerta be replaced by Carran:?a or 
some other leader of the insurgents, there would 
be no more assurance of peace and stable gov- 
ernment in Mexico than there has been at any 

time since the Maderlst movement started three 
years ago. The problem confronting the United 
States will, therefore, be just as serious as it is 
at the present time. It is utterly useless to expect 
the inauguration of constitutional methods and 
ideas in the southern republic with the great mass 
of the people totally ignorant of the first prin- 
ciples of representative government. Only 
methods such as were employed by Porfirio Diaz 
can govern such a coyntry, hence all efforts that 
our Administration may make to enforce respect 
for the Mexican Constitution and bring about a 
free popular election of the country's rulers arc 

foredoomed to failure. 



CONFUSED BY MEXICAN POLICY. 

The position of the pro-administration papers 
in their warm advocacy of the President's Mex- 
ican policy is bewildering, to say the least. Far 
be it from me to speak of the President in any 
but the most respectful manner ; as one acquainted 
with affairs in Mexico, I am merely bewildered — 
that is all. 

We are all united, I take it, in an earnest 
desire for a representative government in the 
Republic of Mexico and for a popular and fair 
election throughout that republic, but can either 
Washington or the New York newspapers sup- 
porting the Administration's Mexican policy de- 
vise ways and means to assure such an election? 
If they cannot, I am interested to learn just 
what is the plan of operation. 

After Huerta has resigned, or has been forced 
out, and the United States rings with the praises 
of our "diplomacy," what has Washington 
planned to do? Is Secretary Bryan to name the 
members of Congress and the Mayor of Tampico 
and the postmaster at Zacatecas? Are we to ap- 
point certain Tammany officials as inspectors of 
election in the Republic of Mexico, in order that 
our firm and moral stand for the purity of the 
Mexican ballot may be enforced? I repeat, after 
Huerta goes out. What? 

Perhaps Governor Carranza is to be named for 
the Presidency ! Would the naming of Carranza 
by the United States reflect the voice of the 
Mexican people any more than the naming of 
Huerta? 

Consistency is still a jewel. I wonder how 
the newspapers in question and the Administration 
at Washington would view, at this time, a personal 
envoy from Huerta, charged with the high and 
laudable mission of securing, if possible, an 
honest, fair and representative election in our 
Southern States? 

Of course General Huerta has troubles of his 
own just at this time and could not concern 
himself with the unfair disfranchisement of mil- 
lions of American negroes, but I ask, in all seri- 
ousness, why it would not be quite as consistent 
for the Mexican government to protest against 
that disfranchisement as it is for us to demand 
the right of franchise for millions of illiterate 
Mexican Indians. 

Poor Mexico yearns for peace, and the slaughter 
and the suffering, whether of federal or of rebel, 
are deplorable — as deplorable as the lynching of 
negroes throughout the South. 

With many, many others. I simply cannot 
understand the logic of our Mexican policy, and 
I insist that my bewilderment shows neither dis- 
loyalty nor disrespect to the President. As you 
so wisely observe in your editorial of Monday, 
November 24th, no good can come from glozing 
over the facts and no harm can come from look- 
ing the truth in the face. We all earnestly de- 
sire a representative government in Mexico, X 
repeat, but I simply cannot understand how that 
desire is to be attained by the policy which Wash- 
ington has pursued and which a large part of the 
American press has so fervently sustained. — 
"BEWILDERED." in New York "Tribune." 



Your correspondent "Bewildered" is right. There 
are a number of us Americans who have lived in 
Mexico, who speak its language and who enjoyed 
its security and progress under the Diaz regime 
who believe President Wilson has made a ghastly 
mistake. High ideals are commendable, but when 
backed up by an obstinate aversion to the facts of 
real conditions they lose their value. 

The chances are against President Huerta, but 
there is a large voiceless contingent in the United 
States that hopes he will win out. — "CIVIL EN- 
GINEER" in New York "Tribune." 



Some of the many persons that are 
most eager for United States intervention 
in Mexico seem to forget that the United 
States was at one time torn with civil 
strife for a period of nearly five years, 
and there was no attempt at armed inter- 
veniion by Mexico or by any of the 
European powers. — Springfield (Mass.) 
"Union." 



MILITARY LAW. 

Huerta has been magnaminous enough to make 
a distinction between the American government 
and the American people. The rank and file ol 
Americans who know the first thing of the Mex- 
ican situation welcome a firm dictator at Mexico 
City; they realize that platitudes and college 
theories are futile in reorganizing a country that 
has so long been on the rack of war; they realize 
that ultimately some strong man — either Huerta 
or some other with judgment, strength and the 
courage to gamble with fate — must rule with the 
firmness of a tyrant and the foresight of a states- 
man until a peaceful government has been es- 
tablished. 

When exigencies arise, constitutional law is 
overruled and military law put into effect. If the 
situation in Mexico does not justify the enforce- 
ment of military law with one man as commander- 
in-chief, then even the imagination is baffled to 
picture a situation that would. Huerta should be 
let alone to prove what he can do. He has shown 
himself to be farsighted ; his courage is unques- 
tioned; imprisoned Congressman can attest to his 
firmness. But Mr. Wilson has interfered with 
preposterous demands ; has encouraged and incited 
rebels to continue their brigandage until Huerta 
has had no opportunity to show his ability as a 
statesman; but he has shown good judgment in 
inviting Mr. Wilson to keep his nose out of Mex- 
ican affairs, and by- informing the entire world 
that his dictatorship is not unjustifiable. "The 
law is not violated when you save the fatherland," 
— Los Angeles "Times." 



IDEALS VERSUS FACTS. 

Your cartoon of the Mexican situation in Mon- 
day's issue is splendid Why not add to it Presi- 
dent Wilson, with his face illumined with holy 
zeal, strapping his victim to make him more help- 
less? 



FROM THE FRONT. 
The "Catholic Tribune" publishes the 
following communication from a mining 
engineer at Cananea, Sonora: 

The term Carranzistas, or Constitutionalists, 
simply means an organized band of robbers 1 Not 
one man in the camp of Sonora is honest. All 
the rebel leaders are thieves or murderers. When 
Madero had been shot last February and Huerta 
proclaimed provisional president by the Mexican 
Congress, the Sonora rebels refused to recognize 
him, on the score that he had murdered Madero 
and that from now on they would have to wreak 
vengeance and slaughter all former enemies (the 
Cientificos) of the murdered president. After the 
battle of Nogales, Sonora, where a Federal colonel 
and three hundred men held 2,000 rebels under 
"Generals" Obrcgon and Juan Cabral at bay for 
a whole day, surrendering to the American troops 
in the evening, the reign of terror began. That 
day all the business places were plundered and 
destroyed. All the Cientificos were captured, mis- 
treated, and thrown into prison. On the following 
day sixteen of them were shot as spies of Huerta. 
On the same pretext two or three followed each 
day. Thus was Madero's death avenged. 

.\iiothcr outrage of this gang of robbers were 
'forced loans.' The Constitutionalists called on 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



every wealthy citizen or business man and de- 
manded, say, five, eight or ten thousand dollars 
for their war chest. Refusal meant death the fol- 
lowing morning. The prudent handed over their 
available money, promised to secure more as soon 
as possible, and then fled to the States. But woe 
to their property ! A new confiscation 'law' Ley 
de los Ausentos, has been invented. It is applied 
by a certain H. Molina, a real tramp who for- 
merly sold tobacco, shoe-blacking and matches in 
various stores and was discharged for stealing. 
This 'gentleman' sells the confiscated property for 
a song. Generally he does not pay even the auc- 
tion expenses and never turns a cent into the war 
chest. Entire herds of cattle were 'sold' across the 
border. In this way Mr. Manuel Mascarena lost 
5,0(X> head of cattle. • * • The Constitutionalists 
raided the entire State of Sonora and executed 
every friend of Huerta who fell into their hands. 
The men working in mines were driven together 
like cattle and, if they refused, summarily killed. 
Americans and foreigners were lined up against 
the wall, told to hold up their hands, robbed, and 
forced to pay a heavy ransom. Many foreigners 
were murdered. I, too, was robbed several times, 
but managed to save my life, because many of 
the soldiers had worked under me in lower Cal- 
ifornia, Mexican Sinaloa, or Cananea. 

Nothing is to be expected from Carranza and 
his Constitutionalists. Huerta will probably fall 
a victim to Wilson and Bryan; but he will not 
yield. He is the only man who could restore peace 
in Mexico; but Uncle Sam's refusal to recognize 
his has deprived him of the means. President 
Wilson gives as his reason for not recognizing 
Huerta ihat the latter murdered Madero. But this 
is not true; and if it were, Wilson would not yet 
have the right to mix into this national affair. 
Since when is Mexico under an American pro- 
tectorate? What would Wilson say if the King 
of Italy or Czar of Russia should demand his re- 
signation and a new election? * • • The only right 
Wilson has in Mexico is the so-called Monroe 
Doctrine privilege, which provides that he must 
protect the life and property of Americans and 
foreigners, lest another Power be tempted to do 
this. Instead of doing this, the President asks 
all Americans to leave Mexico and, incidentally, 
the property acquired by years of hard labor. 

My conviction is this: Had Wilson recognized 
Huerta, the latter could have placed a loan in 
Europe and the rebels would be crushed. Instead 
of this, Huerta is accused of murdering Madero, 
and there seems to be the intention to lift the 
embargo on arms and ammunition in favor of 
the miserable gang of robbers and thieves, who 
have murdered hundreds of in 
outraged women and even girls 



* • • Intervention means a 1 
which will claim thousands of 1 
lions of dollars. And Uncle S 
an inch of Mexican territory, 
dent favors the rebels, m 



iha 



alitv, the 



cle S, 



now promised to cede to U 
Sonora Sinaloa. Chihuahua, and : 
writh the famous Magdalena Bay, 

bullet has not been cast in Mexi^ 



ocent men and 
of tender years. 
ig guerilla war, 
es and cost mil- 
Sam's profit? Not 
But if the Presi- 
nnecessary. More- 
cowards have even 
the states of 
'er California 
But the last 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON, D. C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry — Wra. L. Bass, Mgr. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: As an American that has lived in 
Mexico, and to some extent know personally some 
of the true conditions as they are there, I have 
fully intended to have written you before, not 
only to compliment you on the fairness and cour- 
tesy you have displayed to all, in your explana- 
tions, etc., of the almost impossible conditions 
in Mexico, but to express my admiration for those 
that are back of this publication, who have had 
the nerve and honesty to stand by their convic- 
tions. I love my own country, and I am a friend 
of Mexico, and no words of mine can express 
my indignation at the policy that has been shown 
to that country, and I only voice hundreds of 
Americans in Mexico, but their friends here, who 
are bitter at the treatment that Henry Lane Wil- 
son received at the hands of his own government 
that should have honored him for what he did, 
and if in all the years he lived there has was not 
in a position to know conditions as they were, 
then no one else ever will be, but I am saying 
too much, perhaps. 

Hoping that your efforts may bring brighter 
days to Mexico, is the earnest and sincere wish of 

N. D. G. 
Kansas City, Mo., Nov. 28, 191,1. 



The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: President Wilson has declared to 
the world that he will not recognize any act 
emanating from President Huerta, and he has 
likewise declared that he would consider the 
recent elections invalid not only in regard to 
the President and Vice-President, but also as to 
the Senate and Chamber of Deputies. 

Let us now suppose that President Huerta 
were willing to agree to the wishes of the Wash- 
ington Government, and in order to avoid an 
international conflict should decide to resign 
from his post — to whom could he send his resig- 
nation? Not to the Congress which was elected 
by the Madero regime, because that Congress was 
dissolved ; neither oould he send it to the pres- 
ent Congress, because Mr. Wilson has not cared 
to recognize it; to the Supreme Court?— perhaps, 
but such a step would not be sanctioned by the 
Constitution. Even admitting the legality of such 
a procedure, whom could the Supreme Court 
name as successor of the President? It could 
not name any member of the present Cabinet, as 
all of these were appointed by President Huerta. 
Suppose that the Court should name some citizen 
not connected with the present Government, on 
what basis of legality would such an appointment 
rest? Would not a president so chosen be more 
illegal than the present one, who was put in 
ofhce in accordance with established procedure? 
And in any event such a change would proceed 
more or less directly from revolution, and there- 
fore should be tabooed by Washington. 

It has been said that another way out of the 
difficulty lies in the recognition and protection 
of rebels, in order to "eliminate" President 
Huerta, and this is being tried out, more or less 
openly, for there is no difficulty in the passage 
of arms and ammunition across the border, money 
has been readily obtainable by the rebels, and 
they have openly been allowed to recruit men, not 
only along the border, but in the city of Chicago 
itself. Suppose that by means of this immoral 
support the rebels should win — how could a 
legitimate government be established from a 



basis of violence, revolution and breaking of 
laws? Could Mr. Wilson consistently recognize 
it after his very emphatic denunciation? If we 
must cast aside all of these plans as impossible, 
there remains but one course — that of armed 
intervention, which once undertaken would consist 
of the following steps: The organization of an 
efficient army, the blockade of ports, destruction 
of commerce, the invasion of Mexico, to the ac- 
companiment of the inevitable war tax, the spill- 
ing of innocent blood, a long, bitter resistance 
by a united Mexico, the final establishment of 
an armed peace, then elections held at the point 
of alien bayonets in order to secure the "free" 
choice of the unhappy people. Would this be 
"moral"; would a government so established rest 
on the "consent of the governed"; would this be 
an upholding of "constitutional forms"? Would 
it not be more just and more manly if President 
Wilson were to admit that he has been in the 
wrong and retire from an impossible position? 
Baltimore, Md. c. U. MESTA. 



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Beginning with 

number 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 6, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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Managing Editor, Thomai O'Halloran 

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DEPRESSING. 

The general effect left on the world 
after a careful reading of President Wil- 
son's remarks on Mexico in the course of 
his first regular message to Congress is 
one of heavy depression. 

The friends of peace are depressed be- 
cause they realize that so uncompromis- 
ing an attitude as that taken by the Ad- 
ministration can lead to but one thing — 
war. 

Those many patriotic and public-spir- 
ited men who have worked for years to 
promote an honorable, sympathetic and 
mutually helpful understanding between 
the United States and Latin-American 
countries are depressed because they see 
their labor of years overturned in a day. 

The people of the United States are 
uncomfortably depressed, because al- 
though they wish to follow loyally and 
enthusiastically the lead and inspiration 
of the President they find nothing in- 
forming or inspiring in what he says. 

Foreign nations share the depression 
because they know through their diplo- 
matic representatives in Mexico that the 
Administration's polic}' is both an ob- 
struction to peace and an encouragement 
of appalling conditions in Mexico. They 
cannot take steps to protect their inter- 
ests without antagonizing the United 
States, which, of course, they do not wish 
to do. So they must stand by an impo- 
tent depression. 

The decent people of Mexico are woe- 
fully depressed because they realize that 
the Washington Administration is either 
blind to the true condition of their coun- 
try or through some vague destiny is de- 
termined that it must be destroyed. 

Even those who are trying to kill the 
Huerta Government must be depressed 
because it cannot be pleasant to murder 
in cold blood. 

The taste in the mouth of the world 
left by the words of President Wilson is 
not wholesome_-There is something un- 
human in their heartless detachment 
from the facts of life that sends a shiver 
through warm-hearted folks. 



THE SCRAMBLE. 

.A. well-known Latin-American author 
in his autobiography tells how when a 
schoolboy he with a dozen or so of 
his companions organized the "Associa- 
tion of the Cake." 

The purpose of the association was to 
procure every school day, by hook or 
crook, a large cake from one of the nu- 
merous bakeries of Montevideo. 

Every day after school hours the boys 
put their heads together to devise ways 
and means to get the cake. Each boy 
was assigned a special part in the plans, 
which were usually carried out harmon- 
iously. 

These plans frequently went wrong. 
When they did the boys would at once 
start conspiring for the campaign of the 
following day. still in perfect accord. 
The author states, however, that invar- 
iably after a successful day and a cap- 
tured cake the association would split 
into several groups fighting among them- 
selves over the division of the spoils. 

The result being that the cake became 
finally either the property of only one 
or two boys, or was completely broken 
into small crumbs and trampled upon in 
the general fray for its possession which 
invariably followed its capture. 

All revolutionary movements in Mexr 
ico partake of the nature of the "Asso- 
ciation of the Cake." There has never 
been an instance in Mexican history — 
and for that matter in any other Latin- 
American history — when the leaders of 
a successful revolution have not fallen 
over each other in their efforts to seize 
the cake — the power of government and 
the public treasury. 

Without delving into remote history, 
the Madero revolution offers a recent 
striking e.xample. No sooner had Por- 
firio Diaz abandoned the cake into the 
hands of the revolutionary leaders than 
the scramble began. 

Madero. supported bj- members of his 
family and a fe\v close friends, seized 
the cake and refused to have any of his 
former lieutenants even smell it. Vas- 
quez Gomez, who had been called the 
brains of the revolution and who had 
then a large following, was eliminated — 
after he had been given a small piece of 
crust — the ministry of public instruc- 
tion — for about three months. 

Orozco, who had started the armed 
movement which was later joined by 
Madero, and who had done all the fight- 
ing, was kept ou': of sight of the cake 
way off in Chihuahua. 

And so were eliminated most of the 
leaders, each of whom thought he had 
been the deciding factor in wresting the 
cake from Porfirio Diaz, and therefore 
pntitled to the largest piece of the cream 
inside. 

.A.11 these disappointed men with a 
watery mouth started at once to lay 
plans to capture the cake again for them- 
selves and Madero was confronted by 
revolutions even before he ascended to 
power and legalized the capture of the 
cake. 



What has been will be. Cairan/.a, 
Villa, Blanco, Chao, Zapata and others 
are members of the old "Association of 
the Cake." They are now working in 
fair harmony to capture the cake and 
perhaps will centinue at least to show 
accord if they fail to get it. But if they 
should gratify Mr. Bryan's fervid expec- 
tations and capture the cake, then you 
will see the ensuing scramble to get the 
largest piece and the cream inside. 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

There is but one cloud upon America's 
horizon. That has shown itself in the 
White House, and now hangs over Mex- 
ico. There can be no certain prospect of 
peace in Mexico until President Wilson 
has surrendered his usurped authority in 
Mexico; until it is understood on all 
hands, indeed, that such pretended self- 
deification will not be countenanced or 
dealt with by the people of the United 
States. We are the friends of common 
decency, we are its champions; because 
in no other way can our neighbors, to 
whom we would wish in every way to 
make proof of our friendship, work out 
their development in peace and liberty. 

President Wilson has no human heart. 
The attempt to feign one in dealing with 
Mexico has broken down, and a mere 
arbitrary injustice has been set up which 
has hardly more than the semblance of 
national authority. It originated in the 
usurpation of all human attributes and 
some divine, and after a brief attempt to 
play the part of disinterested friendship, 
he has at last cast aside even the pretence 
of legal right and declared himself God 
Almighty. 

As a consequence a condition of affairs 
now exists in Mexico which has made it 
doubtful whether even the most elemen- 
tary and fundamental rights either of 
her own people or of the citizens of other 
countries resident within her territory 
can long be successfully safeguarded, and 
which threatens if long continued, to im- 
peril the interests of peace, order and 
tolerable life in the lands immediately to 
the south of us. Even if President Wil- 
son succeeds in his purpose, in despite of 
the sovereignty of Mexico, and the rights 
of its people, he will have set up nothing 
but a precarious and hateful power, which 
can last but a little while, and whose 
eventual downfall will leave the country 
in a more deplorable condition than ever. 
But he will not succeed. He has forfeited 
the respect and moral support even of 
those who were at one time willing to 
see him succeed. Little by little he will 
be completely isolated. By a little every 
day his power and prestige will crumble 
and the collapse is not far away. We 
shall not, we believe, be obliged to alter 
our policy of watchful waiting. And then 
when the end comes we shall hope to see 
just dealing restored in our international 
relations by the concert and energy of a 
people who prefer common decency to a 
megalomaniac's personal ambitions. 

OLIVER H. THOMAS. 

Richmond Hill, L. I. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Run* Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oneni^l Proverb 



VOL. I— No. 17 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



A CHALLENGE 



Major Cassius E. Gillette, retired army 
officer and well-known engineer, recently 
advertised on the front page of the 
Washington "Post" that he would like 
to meet in public debate any government 
official or editorial writer who could of- 
fer the slightest proof that President 
Huerta had any complicity in the kill- 
ing of Madero and Suarez. Of course 
nobody accepted the challenge, because 
those who talk and write so glibly of the 
assassination of the two Mexicans know 
absolutely nothing about it except what 
they have been told by the revengeful 
Madero family and its agents. To 
Major Gillette's challenge we add an- 
other: 

We challenge any official of the Wil- 
son Administration to show how the 
mere "elimination" of President Huerta 
will assure peace in Mexico. 

We shall gladly publish in MEXICO 
any statement from any official of the 
Administration that will undertake to 
show this. 

Moreover, if this point is demonstrated 
by facts even to a reasonable degree of 
probability, we shall support in these 
columns the Administration's plans to 
oust President Huerta. 

Surely nothing could be fairer than 
that. 



A Personal Contest 

We say once more that the Ad- 
ministration attitude toward the 
Mexican Government is not the at- 
titude of a majority of the people 
and is the attitude of very few 
who know the facts about Mexico. 
In support of this assertion we 
refer to the columns of public 
opinion we publish weekly. 



WE ARE SO 



GULLIBLE 



Our weekly review of press misrepre- 
sentation is necessarily incomplete and 
restricted by limitations of space and the 
relative imponance of these misrepre- 
sentations in a discussion of Mexican 
affairs. 

While we have no illusions as to the 
modifying influence which this review 
may have on American newspaper con- 
science, we believe that our observations 
will be useful as a matter of record to 
elucidate the manner in which irretriev- 
able injury has been worked on a neigh- 
boring people by dishonest shiftings of 
the posture of events, by false or exag- 
gerated news, by malicious or foolishly 
criminal mingling of truth and false- 
hoods. 

This review may also serve to awaken 
in our readers a consciousness of our 
Government's unfair and barliarous man- 
ner of dealing with a neighbor, which 
although weaker and having many faults 
is none the less worthy, of our sympathy 
and respect. 

As newspaper men with long experi- 
ence both in this country and in Mexico 
we are peculiarly al)le to distinguish the 
grain from the chaff in the great mass 
of buncombe which is daily being dished 
out to the unsuspecting and gullible 
American reader. 

Although during the last week there 
were no developments of importance in 
the Mexican situation, our newspapers 
could not let a "good story" like Mexico 
fade away. 

So we had the usual maps that for the 
last six months have been showing how 
the rebels "control" almost all the Mex- 



ican Republic and how the Federals are 
reduced to the control of Mexico City. 
What is mean, by "control" is not quite 
clear, but it may be deduced from the 
way in which the word is employed thaj 
whatever State or district happens to 
hold within i.s borders one or more ban- 
dits that State or district is "controlled" 
by the rebels. 

In a map published by the Munsey 
newspapers the Government control was 
reduced 10 the Federal District, which 
was left blank, while the rest of the Re- 
public was heavily shaded to indicate 
rebel "control." Other maps were cov- 
ered by heavy arrows showing the "con- 
centration of rebels" toward Mexico 
City! 

The repetition of the same news item, 
false or true, continues to be a favorite 
means to keep the "story" going. In 
order to confuse the reader's mind and 
lend the color of truthfulness to the 
"story," it is published one day under 
the Mexico City date line, the next per- 
haps from Vera Cruz or from the border, 
the ne.xt from Washingion and so on. 
The New York "Times" Mexico City 
correspondent has suddenly become the 
yellowest of all. For example, the 
"Times" reported the fall of Colima and 
that of MoVelia, both places being, in the 
opinion of the "Times," the "key" to 
Guadalajara. By the way, every village 
or hamlet captured or raided by the 
rebels is the "key" to Mexico City or to 
some other important point, according 
to our newspapers. But after the "Times" 
had reported the fall of Colima, it be- 
came known that American sailors from 
Manzanillo had visited Colima and 
Guadalajara and that President Huerta's 
family had gone for a visit to the latter 
city. This visit was described — of course 
(Coninued on Next Page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



WE ARE SO GULLIBLE—Continued 



as the "fleeing of Huerta's relatives," 

who a few days before were reported hid- 
ing in Vera Cruz and now are on their 
way to San Francisco! 

Villa has been on his way to Mexico 
City from Juarez for two weeks and 
when he left it was announced broadcast 
with scareheads that he would eat his 
Christmas dinner in the Capital, thirteen 
hundred miles south. It took Villa two 
weeks to go from Juarez to Salayuca — 
a distance of less than two hundred 
miles— but that is only a trifling detail 
to the El Paso correspondents. The 
"story" would be spoiled if it were not 
stated that Villa will eat the Christmas 
dinner in Mexico City! 

Later, when it became evident that it 
would be rather difficult to keep the 
Christmas dinner yarn going, the cor- 
respondents solemnly informed the 
American public that Villa's strategy 
prevented him from capturing Huerta 
within a few days. That if he had not 
entered Chihuahua as announced it was 
•due to his decision to double on his steps 
and attack the Federals at Ojinaga. Thus 
the foundations were laid for a few 
more good border "stories" from Ojin- 
aga and for putting on the map 
Presidio, on the American side of the 
border. Monterrey has been falsely re- 
ported in the hands of the rebels day 
after day, as well as Mazatlan, Tepic, on 
the west coast, and Tuxpam on the east. 

A renewal of activities on the part of 
some Zapatists at Huitchilac has oflfered 
a splendid opportunity for scareheads 
which informed the eager reader that 
Zapata was closing on Mexico City and 
fighting was taking place within thirty 
miles of the capital. The reader who 
is not familiar with Mexican geography 
and topography does not know where 
Huitchilac is, and therefore throws away 
the newspaper, exclaiming: "Well, I 
guess that's the end of Huertal" Huitchi- 
lac is a mountain fastness of bandits 
and has been for centuries. It is almost 
physically impossible to keep these rob- 
bers out of the mountains, where they 
are protected by the wildness of nature. 
The reader is also ignorant of the fact 
that fighting in that same place and 
other adjacent places has been going on 
for three years and was constant during 
Madero's Administration. 

Although the American Smelting & 
Refining Company has officially denied 
the closing of their smelter at Monterrey, 
this has again and again been reported, 
now from El Paso and now from Vera 
Cruz! 

On the other hand, nothing has been 
published about trains running all the 
way between Mexico City and Laredo, 
on the Mexican border, on a line nearly 
nine hundred miles long and right 
through the heart of a territory which 
on the fake maps appears under absolute 
rebel control! 

On December the sixth one thousand 
men arrived at Mexico City from the 
north on the through train, which was 
escorted by twenty-five soldiers only! 
and — we repeat — these trains run through 
a territory which our newspapers de- 
scribe as being under "rebel control." 

Much has been written about the rebels 
establishing civil government, but noth- 



ing 



about a formidable counter revolu- 



tionary movement started in Durango, 
led_by Vicente Orozco and Favela, who 
have taken from flie other bands Santi- 
ago Papasquiaro. the second largest city 
of the State. A movement which has 
very recently been joined by a well- 



known, citizen of Durango, Mauricio de 
la Rocha, leading eight hundred men. 

Nothing has been published about the 
work done by General Velasco in the 
Laguna region around Torreon, where 
the cotton crop was picked under the 
supervision of his forces and more than 
twenty millions' worth of cotton were 
saved. And that was done in a region 
which, according to our newspapers, is 
"under rebel control," or where "the last 
vestiges of Huerta's power in the north 
have been wiped out!" 

Another interesting phase of the cam- 
paign of misrepresentation regarding 
Mexican affairs, a phase which affects 
more deeply the sovereign rights of Mex- 
ico, is that which relates to the actions 
of the Mexican Government. Again we 
have gathered from the press an abun- 
dant crop of "defiances" to the United 
Sta'. es Government! 

"Defying the wishes and orders of 
President Wilson" — says our press — "the 
Mexican Congress has granted a conces- 
sion for the building of five thousand 
kilometers of railways by a Belgian com- 
pany." 

"Defying the orders of President Wil- 
son!" If this did not imply a policy 
fraught with serious consequences it 
would be highly amusing. 

The impression conveyed to the public 
is that such a concession contains some 
dreadful threat to the rights of Ameri- 
cans, or a despoliation of the people of 
Mexico. 

As a matter of fact, this concession — ■ 
which has been under consideration for 
a long time — is one of the most advan- 
tageous ever granted by any Mexican 
Government. Advantageous to the nation 
and to the people. It provides for the 
development of rich and hitherto unex- 
plored regions of Mexico and excludes 
for the first time the granting of any 
subsidy by the Government. 

Another "defiance" of the United 
States — according to our press — was 
hurled by the Mexican Congress in de- 
claring the last elections null and void 
and calling for new elections for the 
first Sunday in July! However, all the 
unfair statements that we are compelled 
to read from day to day none is so 
malicious as that referring to the in- 
ability of the Mexican Government to 
restore peace in Mexico within a short 
period of time. 

This statement is repeatedly made by 
newspapers supporting the Administra- 
tion's policy — they are diminishing every 
day — and is made to justify the policy 
of non-recognition. 

It is as misleading as it is cynical, be- 
cause there is not one person familiar 
with Mexican conditions who is not con- 
vinced that had Huerta been recognized 
peace would have been established in 
Mexico by this time. It is a matter of 
common knowledge — testified to even by 
men of General Bliss's standing — that 
arms and ammunition have been supplied 
by Americans in large quantities to the 
rebels. That from the very city of Wash- 
ington rebel movements have been ad- 
vised and directed. That American 
money and American arms coupled with 
the American financial blockade of the 
Huerta Government have made it possi- 
ble for rebels and bandits to keep their 
hold on certain Northern districts and 
continue (heir depredations. Yet the 
American press states unlilushingly that 
President Wilson was justified in his 
policy of non-recognition because it has 
been shown that the Huerta Govern- 
ment has been unable to restore peace! 



A CATHOLIC VIEW. 

The truth is, the Mexican crisis has 
become a draw between the forces of 
law and order, as represented by Huerta, 
and the secret society clique, as repre- 
sented by the Masonic leader Carranza. 
Huerta is the only man who, in the last 
fifty years, has dared to speak the name 
of God with reverence in the halls of the 
Mexican Congress. Last April he was 
brave enough to declare that only 
through fidelity to God's laws could 
Mexico's liberty be secured. Carranza, 
the Free Mason leader, heading the revo- 
lutionists, is determined that neither 
Huerta nor God shall rule in Mexico. 

In the face of all the terrible tales 
that the papers print concerning Huerta, 
who is made out to be a bloody murderer, 
our readers may think we are painting a 
rather angelic picture of the man. Not 
so. The facts support us. Evidence of 
the most impartial kind confirms us. For 
instance, a Protestant Episcopal minister 
long resident in Mexico, the Rev. Ed- 
mund A. Neville, rector of Christ Church 
in the City of Mexico, denies emphati- 
cally that Huerta had any part in the 
murder of President Madero, for which 
he seems to be held responsible by our 
Administration. This gentleman said to 
a representative of the New York 
"Times": 

"I know Mexico well, and I want to 
say that the United States Government 
made a huge mistake in not recognizing 
the Huerta administration. That adminis- 
tration is to-day the only force in the 
Republic that is making for law and 
order. Huerta is an able man, and I 
know that he is also a moral man. Fur- 
thermore, from evidence that I have, I 
do not believe that General Huerta had 
wy more to do with the killing of Fran- 
cesco Madero than you or I did. Be- 
cause of the non-recognition of the 
Huerta Government by the United 
States. American prestige and Ameri- 
can business in Mexico has reached the 
lowest ebb. 

Huerta may yet die the death of those 
who have gone before him, but if he 
does, he will die a martyr to duty. He 
has consecrated himself to the redemption 
of Mexico, and he is bravely sticking to 
his guns, and not only bravely, but with 
power and ability. He may be selfish — 
who' is not? But he is less selfish than 
most of the men who have taken the 
Mexican reins in hand. 

That he will fight the sinister forces 
of Lodge Rule — the forces that have de- 
stroyed liberty in Portugal, in France, 
and are destroying it in Italy — that he 
will fight those dangerous powers to the 
last breath we feel certain. — The San 
Francisco "Catholic Monitor." 

Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday. December 13, 1913 



MEXICO 



FROM A SONORA READER. 

Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico, 24th Nov., 
1913. — Persistent rumors have been 
circulating of late that the man who 
poses as General Venustiano Carranza 
and who recently had an interview with 
Mr. VV. Bayard Hale, President Wilson's 
representative at Nogales, Sonora, Mex- 
ico, is a man from the Siate of Hidalgo, 
who resembles Carranza a great deal, 
and who was brought lorward by the 
Maderos as a substitute for the real Car- 
ranza, who died of dysentery in a small 
ranch in the State of Cuahuila about 
four months ago, and who was buried 
secretly at night to prevent the demor- 
alization of the rebel forces among 
which Carranza had some prestige. 

The real Carranza was a man of cer- 
tain culture, having served as Senator 
and having occupied other positions un- 
der General Diaz' Administration. It 
has been therefore a source of wonder 
to find in the man now in Sonora, claim- 
ing to be Carranza, a person of no edu- 
cation and lacking the first principles of 
tact and diplomacy. 

The actions of this man since his ar- 
rival in Sonora have been suspicious. It 
has been noticed that as a rule he re- 
fuses to be interviewed by persons com- 
ing from the Slate of Coahuila, where 
Carranza was well known. Persons who 
know Carranza say that he had remark- 
ably large eyes and was very near-sight- 
ed, wearing thick glasses. The man now 
in Sonora has medium-sized eyes and 
the glasses he wears are not those of a 
near-sighted person. 

Some months age newspapers of the 
border published a detailed report of 
Carranza's death with the statement that 
his widow was in mourning and that she 
had left San .Antonio, Texas, traveling 
toward Canada, taking along a large 
amount of money which had been depos- 
ited in Carranza's name in banks of 
Eagle Pass and San Antonio, Texas. 
There w-as at that same time a letter 
published from rebel Col. I'ablo Gon- 
zalez to the rebel Gen. Jesus Carranza, 
in which the former stated the bad im- 
pression caused in the rebel ranks by 
the action of Carranza's widow in tak- 
ing away all the money in the banks, 
which was supposed to be deposited to 
further the revolutionary cause and not 
for the personal use of any of the chiefs. 
On that account Col, Gonzalez said pos- 
itivel}' he would have nothing more to 
do with the revolution. 

It is stated that this man who is pass- 
ing himself off as Carranza during his 
sojourn in Sonora, has not said anything 
about his going to Coahuila, his native 
State, where he is well known, and the 
supposition is that he fears detection 
there. It is also noticeable that he never 
mentions his family, and that Jose Car- 
ranza, a son of Carranza, who was al- 
ways with his father before, has not 
been to visit this man in Sonora. 

Grave doubts are entertained about 
(his man's identity by the rebels them- 
selves who are not in the secret, and a 
thorougli investigation is being at pres- 
ent carried on to find out who this man 
really is. 



NAILING THEM 



Villa, with the "constitutionalist" army, 
was going to walk into Chihuahua, and 
from there march right into Mexico City, 
thirteen hundred miles away. So simple 
One of the papers said he was going to 
shoot at the ramparts of Mexico City. 
Most of the Mexican correspondents 
have missed their vocation. They should 
be writing fiction for the blood-and- 
thunder magazines. Or perhaps they 
are in training for that. 



The Washington Government and the Revolu- 
tionists are gratified with the help Zapata is ren- 
dering, but as soon as the Mexican capital is 
delivered from the hands of Huerta a campaign 
for the extermination of Zapata will be begun by 
Gen. Carranza. Gen. Villa will assume the task 
o' trying to rid the country of Zapata, the fa- 
mous bandit and former soldier. A member of 
President Wilson's cabinet said to-night that 
there was no fear that Zapata would be able to 
take Mexico City. — Washington Special to New 
York "World." 

This is one of the most remarkable 
journalistic reflections of the most re- 
marka^ble international situation in the 
memory of man. Note how jauntily the 
Washington Government and the "Revo- 
lutionists" are linked in their gratifica- 
tion with the help Zapata is rendering. 
Always remembering that Zapata is a 
bandit of the most vicious type whose 
"help" consists in dynamiting trains, 
looting, hold-ups and ravishing of 
women and always remembering that 
the Administration has professed such 
beautiful morality in dealing with Huerta, 
is it not the acme of naivete to suggest 
that the ultra moral Administration is 
"gratified" with the work of Zapata. And 
then to march forth in bold words and 
say that as soon as the Mexican capital 
is delivered from the hands of Huerta a 
campaign for the extermination of Zapata 
will be begun by "General" Carranza. 
So? They are gratified with Zapata's 
help and they will show their gratifica- 
tion by exterminating him. Why, the ' 
wretches haven't even common gratitude. 
The next point of interest is that "Gen- 
eral" Villa will assume the task of try- 
ing to rid the country of Zapata, the 
"famous bandit and former soldier." So 
Villa, a bandit of bandits, is to be the vir- 
tuous instrument for killing off Zapata. 
Or is the idea to give Villa a chance to 
kill himself oflf? Then to reassure every- 
body, a member of President Wilson's 
Cabinet is quoted as saying that there 
was "no fear that Zapata would be able 
to take Mexico City." Really! Oh, dear, 
now, that Cabinet member is a most 
soothing person, so soothing. 



AMERICAN NEWS IN MEXICO. 

One of the most preposterous and sensational 
news stories ever published in a supposedly reliable 
newspaper in Mexico, and which is thought to 
have been inspired by Mexican authorities in an 
attempt to stop the exodus of wealthy Mexican 
families to the United States, has just appeared 
in "El Noticiero," the leading newspaper of Mon- 
terrey. 

Captioned by glaring headlines on its front 
page, the article, in Spanish, proceeds to inform 
the people of Monterrey and elsewhere that the 
negroes of Texas, enraged by the burning alive of 
negroes in various towns of Texas, had risen in 
revolt to the number of several thousands, the 
immediate cause being "the arrest of some negroes 
of the educated class who were suspected of com- 
plicity in plots." It asserts there had been a 
revolt of Battalion G of the negroes stationed at 
Floresville, Tex., who were joined by over 3,000 



Tcxans, who proceeded to destroy the railway 
between San Antonio and Corpus Christi, after- 
ward looting several small stores which they 
encountered on the way and burning several 
houses. 

The article then proceeds to relate how the 
Senate of the United States was greatly disturbed 
over the affair and President Wilson became so 
alarmed that he ordered Governor Colquitt to issue 
a decree prohibiting the Mexicans from leaving 
Texas for their own country, which they were 
doing in large numbers until stopped by the decree 
of the Texas Governor. 

The article concludes with the statement that 
the Mexican federal commander at Nuevo Laredo 
has had his garrison augmented in order to hold 
back the thousands of Americans who are fleeing 
from the United States and crossing the border 
at Nuevo Laredo. 

The same statements are said to have been pub- 
Isihed in newspapers in various other portions o£ 
the republic of Mexico.— El Paso "Times." 

The El Paso paper shares with all the 
American press a righteous indignation 
at the publication of this false American 
news. But cannot the "Times" and the 
other papers see that the Mexican papers 
have resorted to this method of showing 
their American contemporaries how the 
false Mexican news published in the 
United States wounds and irritates across 
the border? Alas, with strange obtuse- 
ness, the American papers seem not to 
have caught on. Where is our boasted 
fairness? The above-quoted preposterous 
statement of American conditions would 
not hold a candle to some of the wild 
reports published on this side about Mex- 
ico and Mexicans. 

The merciless manner in which Villa and his 
fellow-commanders in the north of Mexico signal- 
ize their victories has justly stirred public horror 
and indignation. But those who would fashion 
out of the "bandit" Villa an argument against the 
justice of the cause he represents fail to make 
out their case. — New York "Evening Post." 

Perhaps the "Post" will inform us 
what cause Villa represents that excuses 
his crimes against civilization. Because 
his success and activities as a bandit on 
a large scale have seemed to retard the 
pacification plans of the Mexican gov- 
ernment, the "Post," with office-desk 
gusto, assumes that he is fighting that 
government for a principle. We take 
that back. The "Post" really knows 
better, but that is the impression it seeks 
to convey to its readers. Villa and his 
"fellow-commanders" in the north are 
fighting for just two things: power and 
loot, and their "merciless manner" is 
perfectly natural. 



Can we hope that the nations of Eu- 
rope will have any respect for us, our 
word, our laws, or our national preten- 
sions, if we insist upon periodically 
breaking the very law under which we 
warn them to stay out? The United 
States has no more right to intervene in 
Mexico than Germany or England, and 
if we intervene we shall be as wrong as 
they would be if they sent over an army 
and navy. — Pittsburgh "Leader." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



NO, SIR. 

Day af.er day for months it has been 
dinned into our ears that the deep, under- 
lying, humanitarian purpose of the Ad- 
ministration's attitude toward Mexico 
was to discourage revolutions in Latin- 
American countries. 

Now we are told from day to day that 
the Administration hopes that the rebels 
will be successful in overthrowing the 
government of Mexico. 

No sane person can reconcile these 
two points of view or have any respect 
for the mind that professes to. 

In this contradiction is revealed the 
mental calibre of those who are shaping 
our Mexican policy. 

Support the Administration in that 
kind of hypocritical truck! We respect- 
fully decline. Every self-respecting edi- 
tor should do the same. 



IT WILL OUT 



THE SANTO DOMINGO MESS. 

The men the President has sent to 
Santo Domingo to "observe," not to su- 
pervise, the election (a distinction as 
fine as that expressed in Fals'.aff's 
phrase "convey the wise it call") do not, 
it seems, constitute a "commission." 
They go as "individuals," and official 
recognition is not asked for them. Still, 
they are to "observe" the election, and 
if it is not conducted according to their 
ideas of fairness they are surely going 
to do something. There is some sort of 
precedent, of course, for ihis proceed- 
ing. Indeed, it might be easy lo find 
s'nie sort of precedent for any queer 
thing which might be done by our Gov- 
ernment in the pursuance of its puz- 
zling Latin-American policy. Nothing 
can be surer than that no harm is in- 
tended in ihis case, that President Wil- 
son's only desire is that the will of the 
Santo Domingo people shall be clearly 
expressed in the election. 

There is a growing belief that the 
lately quelled rebellion in that little 
country differed from many other West 
Indian and Central American rebellions 
and was a justifiable eflFort to secure jus- 
tice. As our Government is responsible 
in a measure for the payment of the in- 
terest on the Dominican debt, it is nat- 
ural enough that we should endeavor to 
help the law-abiding Dominicans to keep 
their house in order. The visiting "ob- 
servers" can do no harm, and their pres- 
ence may be beneficial. 

No doubt a time will come when in- 
telligent Americans will look back on 
the history of our Latin-American rela- 
tions with mingled shame and amuse- 
ment and wonder that a people who 
could govern themselves so well, all 
things considered, should get along so 
poorly with their neighbors. — New York 
"Times." 



It isn't a matter of Huerta with those 
who condemn the Administration. Huerta 
or no Huerta, there are Mexico, the Mex- 
ican people, the interests and welfare of 
thousands of Americans in Mexico, the 
friendship of Latin-America, our rela- 
tions with European nations. Certainly 
all these things are worthy of more con- 
sideration than whether or not Huerta 
is President. 



Secre ary Bryan's disgust at the light 
thrown by the press on the Santo Do- 
mingo muddle is not due so much to the 
disclosure of his purpose to supervise the 
elections of that country as to the bring- 
ing in of Samuel Jarvis' name. 

Both Bryan and Jarvis himself until 
last week had been very successful in 
keeping this name away from the lime- 
light. Samuel Jarvis and his associates 
were highly elated at their success in 
keeping in the background while the 
press was publishing reports of the 
Santo Domingo revolution. Nothing 
was published then concerning the mo- 
tives of the revolution and the queer cir- 
stances connected with the lease by the 
Government of a railroad which was run- 
ning satisfactorily and bringing fairly 
good returns. 

The circumstances under which a man 
of W. L. Russell's experience and high 
reputation was recalled from the post 
at Santo Domingo and James Sullivan, 
of Becker trial fame, substituted had 
passed almost unnoticed by the general 
public. 

Nothing had been said of the relations 
existing between the Jarvis interests and 
Jack Rose's attorney appointed Minister 
to Santo Domingo by Bryan. 

Last week — suddenly — the story began 
to leak in the New York "Sun," and un- 
less the efforts being made to suppress 
the truth are successful, it is probable 
that much more will soon be known by 
the general public. 



HUNT TO THE RESCUE. 

Bryan's trusty Governor Hunt of Ari- 
zont has come to the rescue of his 
friends the rebels. Compared to all 
other atrocities committed by rebels and 
bandits those of Ciudad Juarez were few 
and truly insignificant but they caused 
an echo of horrer to reverberate through 
this country. Because they had taken 
place so near home, a glimpse was ob- 
tained by our people of the true char- 
acter of the men — and of their methods 
—who lead the rebel movement in 
Nr>rthern Mexico. 

The effect, as was to be expected, was 
disastrous for the rebel cause, alienating 
that sympathy which partly successfully 
had been worked up by an able press 
campai.gn supported by American money 
and encouraged by American officials. 

The joyful yodeling of Bryan came to 
a sudden stop when his quick perception 
caught the eddy of public sentiment. 

The greatest of all histrios is profi- 
cient in prcss-agenting, the most impor- 
tant branch of his profession. 

Fortunately Hunt was on the job. So 
a letter was sent to Carranza by the dis- 
interested governor of Arizona deplor- 
ing the killings of Ciudad Juarez and at 
the same time separate instructions were 
forwarded by messenger as to the suit- 
able answer. The answer came in due 
time and and last week it was given 
wide publicity. 



Again ihe vast salons of the State De- 
partment echoed the sonorous yodeling. 

Hut Carranza's answer deceives no 
one. Hundreds of witnesses have testi- 
fied to the atrocities committed by Villa 
and other bandits, the killing of prison- 
ers being the mildest form of "constitu- 
tioiial" outbursts. 



MUNSEY. 

Munsey's love for the Mexican Con- 
stitution and his staunch support of 
Bryan's Mexican policy were finally ex- 
plained last week as the result of a lit- 
tle investigating work conducted by the 
New York "Tribune." 

This brought to light the fact that the 
brother of the Assistant Secretary of the 
Treasury is a higli official in the Mun- 
sey Trust Company and that the recent 
merger of the Munsey Trust Company 
with another Washington institution was 
made possible by the deposit of more 
than a million dollars of Government 
funds in the Munsey institution. 

Clear, isn't it? 



CARRANZA. 

When representatives of forces under 
arms in Mexico, so-called patriot and 
plain bandit, induced Venustiano Car- 
ranza to accept the leadership of a revolt 
against Huerta early last May foreigners 
acquainted with conditions in Mexico 
laughed. Carranza himself accepted the 
post of Coinmander-in-Chief in all seri- 
ousness, but the men who knew declared 
he had taken a job out of which it was 
impossible for him to emerge with honor 
or credit. There could be no glory for 
him. Any tiine he might succumb to de- 
feat the punishment would be all his, but 
any time he might seem to be winning 
there were men like Emiliano Zapata of 
Morelos, Francisco or Pancho Villa in 
Chihuahua, Gen. Obregon in Sonora, 
Aguilar on the southeastern coast, 
Blanco in Taraaulipas, Sanchez in Mich- 
oacan and hosts of other patriots for the 
time being not only ready but determined 
to get all the profit and credit there was 
out of it. 

So far as Carranza himself is concerned 
he is regarded as honest, at least as 
honesty goes in Mexican public life. The 
mere fact that he has already sold con- 
cessions to the Mexican representative 
of Standard Oil to run a pipe line to 
Sonora and that his brothers have done 
a few other little things like that does not 
count against him. Relatively, he has 
been as disinterested in his patriotism 
as any one could expect. — New York 
"Sun." 



According to press reports of last week 
President Huerta's family has been in 
hiding in Vera Cruz for some time. Now 
we learn from the same reliable sources 
that the President's family has not been 
in Vera Cruz but has fled to Guadalajara, 
and is going to leave the country. Pre- 
viously we had been "reliably informed" 
that the rebels were about to enter 
Guadalajara. Strange that Huerta should 
send his family into the hands of the 
rebels, isn't it? 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



MEXICO 



BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE 

(This remarkable letter -j.'as published in the Chicago "Evening Post" 
of December 3.) 



To the Editor: This article is not 
written by a paid agent of the Huerta 
government, but by an American army 
officer who wishes to present what may 
prove to be an unpopular phase of the 
situation, yet one which is held to be 
the truth by the great majority of those 
who are familiar with conditions in Mex- 
ico and have lived along the border. 

The writer realizes that throughout 
the Mexican crisis the press of the coun- 
try has probably felt it was its duty to 
support the Administration without 
question. 

The writer also has that feeling — may 
his country ever be right, but right or 
wrong his country, and yet before his 
country is irrevocably committed to a 
policy which can only result in passing 
on to posterity a heritage of hate from 
all Latin America he wishes to sound 
this note of protest, which he hopes will 
find expression in your columns. 

AN OFFICER OF THE ARMY. 

Chicago, Dec. 2. 



Mexico Peaceful Under Diaz. 

For thirty years Me.xico, under the 
iron hand of Porfirio Diaz, lived in peace, 
but not in plenty. She took her place 
among the civilized nations, and a sur- 
face prosperity made her credit unques- 
tioned in the money markets of the 
world. 

In a great measure feudal conditions 
prevailed. The land was held in im- 
mense tracts by a comparatively few great 
families of Mexico, while the countless 
thousands of peons existed on the bounty 
of their landlords. 

From time to time the smoldering fires 
of discontent showed themselves in the 
flame of threatened revolt; but as the 
forest ranger extinguishes every ember 
of the blaze, which unwatched may cause 
the forest fire, so Porfirio Diaz with re- 
lentless severity crushed those who in 
word or deed or spoken thought threat- 
ened the internal peace of Mexico. 
United States Had Opportunity. 

Here was the golden opportunity for 
the United States to have honestly 
shown that disinterested solicitude in her 
conduct toward Mexico, which, to claim 
now, while our corporations finance her 
revolutions and glut her riches, is to 
make ourselves ludicrous to the world. 
Had the United States at that time 
placed herself in the attitude of friendly 
equality toward Mexico, backed her gov- 
ernment to the last ditch against all in- 
ternal and foreign dangers, but at the 
same time have steadfastly urged a slow 
and deliberate reform of internal condi- 
tions, then to-day upon our southern 
frontier would have stood a sister repub- 



lic whose peace was real and whose 
prosperity was based upon the soundest 
principles of agrarian distribution, and in 
the hearts of whose people the burning 
traditions of Buena Vista and Cerro 
Gordo were giving way to friendship and 
respect. 

Enough of what was or might have 
been. Sufficient it is that we realize that 
conditions as we find them in Mexico 
to-day are in a measure due to our own 
lack of foresight, cupidity and neglect. 
Now briefly what are those conditions? 
Conditions Facing U. S. To-day. 

A military dictator, by a successful 
coup d'etat, has taken over the reins of 
government from the liberal but weak 
Madero. But at the same time a vision- 
ary and vacillating president, already 
doomed by public opinion, was replaced 
by a man who in the face of countless 
obstacles, without money or recognition, 
is yet more nearly master of Mexico 
to-day than was Madero in the heyday of 
his popularity. And who is there to 
deny that for years to come Mexico has 
need of such a master, who by right of 
might will bring an era of peace to his 
country, that slow and lasting reform 
may be possible? 

Rapid reform, concession and new lib- 
erties — such as constitute the promises of 
the Carranzistas- — suddenly granted to a 
people who have borne the yoke as long 
as have the peons of Mexico, is ever dan- 
gerous; for, drunk with greed for more 
of this new-found power, they grasp for 
-^11, destroy government and revel for a 
period in unrestrained personal liberties; 
till out of chaos there comes a Bonaparte, 
a Diaz or a Huerta to grind them back 
to the old order. 

Without money or credit President 
Huerta is pushing tlie campaign against 
Carranza in the north, but as long as the 
moral support of the United States is 
withheld and .American dollars finance 
border revolutions so long will dissen- 
sion and strife prevail in the land of 
Montezuma. Under this policy the same 
conditions which brought our army to 
the border and our battle-ships to her 
coast continue to exist in Mexico. Each 
week brings its tale of death or indig- 
nities suffered by Americans or Euro- 
pean citizens. Property rights are in- 
secure in the zone of hostilities now as 
ever. There is every possibility that 
these conditions will continue to e.xist 
indefinitely. 

Is it not significant to note that for 
years foreign capital in Mexico, headed 
by the Pearson interests of England, has 
been fighting hip and thigh with those 
American corporations also engaged in 
looting that lucrative land? * * * Eng- 
land has accorded recognition to his gov- 



ernment while we have withheld it. At 
whose behest? Who is backing Car- 
ranza? Is dollar diplomacy again the 
policy and is there perhaps some other 
motive behind the moral objection to 
Huerta? 

In view of the pious prayers for world 
peace that the Administration sends forth 
from time to time, it is hardly probable 
that to right the wrong of one man's 
death they will deliberately place arms in 
the hands of the rebels and open the 
floodgates of desolation and death on all 
Mexico. To do this is to transgress the 
unwritten law of nations, for it means 
that we recognize the belligerency of a 
band of cutthroats, cattle thieves and 
bandits that have no hope of success as 
long as the United States remains mind- 
ful of her honor and holds to her sacred 
treaty obligations. Yet day by day con- 
ditions grow worse, and slowly the ques- 
tion is being forced upon us; "What do 
we intend to do about it?" 

We cannot go on forever sending ulti- 
matums which are ignored by Mexico 
and laughed at by Europe. Even dollar 
diplomacy will hesitate to deliver the 
government of Mexico into the hands of 
the uneducated, half-civilized bandits that 
constitute Carranza's army. And so we 
see ourselves slowly forced into a war 
with Mexico to save that prestige which 
we are losing through those dictatorial 
vaporings which serve only as a butt for 
Mr. Gamboa's wit. 

Stpps of Conflict Traced. 

One can readily trace the first .steps of 
sucli a rcnlict. War will hardly huve 
been declared before our navy will have 
seized Vera Cruz. It will be a question 
of days only till an expeditionary brig- 
ade is in that city and but a matter of 
weeks till a division is storming the 
heights of Chapultepec. 

The call for the National Guard and 
volunteers will be given, for the regular 
army, confident in their power to go 
perhaps as far as Me.xico City, yet re- 
alize that the occupation of Mexico will 
call for an army of 200.000 men. The 
capture of a few of the larger cities will 
follow, and up to this time the campaign 
will be popular at home. 

Now will follow years of guerilla war- 
fare. From the Rio Bravo to Yucatan, 
a United Mexico will be in arms against 
us and, like Italy in Tripoli and Japan 
in Formosa, we will learn that a coun- 
try may be easy to take, but hard to hold. 
We cannot let go, however, without ad- 
mitting defeat, and in money, time and 
blood we will pay in full for a hollow 
victory. 

No comparison can properly be drawn 
between our more or less successful oc- 
cupation of the Philippines and the con- 
dition that would exist should we enter 
Mexico. In the island;? we appeared as 
the deliverer from a foreign oppression, 
and yet it took 100,000 men and three 
years to subdue a people who for cen- 
turies had worn the yoke of Spain. 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



6 



MEXICO 



Sattirday, December 13, 1913 



BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.— (Contin- 
ued). 

To enter Mexico is to invade a sov- 
ereign state, strong in pride and rich in 
stirring traditions. While the success of 
our arms in all that goes to constitute 
the clash and clamor of war is undoubted, 
still the unending years of guerilla war- 
fare, the backward march of civilization 
in the land which should be our sister re- 
public, and the heritage of hate that we 
will hand on to posterity, will make us 
find in victory our first defeat. 

Final Outcome Predicted. 

Perhaps after years of fruitless efifort 
•we will call an election. It must be evi- 
dent that any candidate who is elected 
•with our troops in Mexico will bear the 
trade-mark of the United States, and will 
never prove acceptable to even those who 
voted for him. But, sick of what has by 
this time become an unpopular embroil- 
ment, we hastily withdraw, claiming to 
have accomplished our purpose, and, as 
the last transport sails out of Vera Cruz, 
another Juarez will rise up to deal out 
the fate of Maximillian to those that we 
have seated in power. 

Revolution and bloodshed again sweep 
over Mexico, and, in the light of experi- 
ence, we ask ourselves: "What is our re- 
compense?" It is the knowledge that all 
Mexico, cherishing the hate that was 
born in the Alamo and intensified at 
Buena Vista, awaits the time when the 
•(var clouds shall roll eastward from the 
Philippines and Hawaii; teaching her 
very babes in the cradle to dream of the 
day when her ports shall be the base, her 
■fields the granaries and her legions the 
-vanguard for the armies of Nippon. 

Is there any other course that we can 
pursue? Yes, the same alternative which 
■existed eight months ago exists to-day. 
Recognition and support for the Huerta 
government even at this late date will 
Ijring peace to Mexico and do much to 
heal the breach which widens as the 
ship of state flounders on among the 
rocks of moral hallucinations. Have we 
the courage now to lay aside false pride 
and in the interest of peace take this 
step? No, we have not; and in friend- 
ship, prestige or blood we will pay the 
price for a misconceived condition and a 
misguided policy. But in the awakening 
■which is bound to come the American 
people will make the question of a prac- 
tical policy toward Mexico a cardinal is- 
sue in our national life and establish 
forever the principle that the United 
States stands firmly, in act and spirit, 
behind the existing government of Mex- 
ico, not in the attitude of a reproving 
"schoolmarm," but meeting her as a sov- 
ereign state on a plane of unpatronizing 
equality. 

Then and then only can this nation, in 
that inevitable day when the republic, in 
her struggle for thc-supremacy of the Pa- 
cific, shall be assailed, look southward 
and know that friendship and loyally 
stand sentinel on the Rio Grande. 



LEST WE FORGET 



Is it insanity or simply inexperience 
and incompetence at the mercy of 
shrewd manipulators? 

* * * 

These manipulators will sooner or 
later be dragged out into the open and 
their sordidness exposed. 

Then the Administration will under- 
stand why its talk of "morality above 
expediency" has been discounted as 
Machiavellian and hypocritical. 

* * * 

It is quite possible that the Adminis- 
tration will learn a deep and abiding les- 
son before it is through meddling in 
Latin-American affairs. But mean- 
■while — 

* * * 

It is ruining Mexico. 

* * * 

It is cordially hated from the Rio 
Grande to Cape Horn. 

* * * 

It is destroying American prestige and 
handicapping legitimate American trade 

interests. 

* * • 

It is inviting European distrust and is 
apparently blind to possible international 
complications with European nations. 

* * * 

It is creating a tension that is a live 
V'ire of trouble. 

* * * 

Why? 

« » • 

First, because it has certain ideals that 
are admirable in themselves, but not nec- 
essarily applicable to actual conditions. 

* * * 

Second, because the attempt to apply 
these ideals works to the advantage of 
certain individuals and corporations 
whose purposes and motives are mer- 
cenary. 

Oil and grape juice mix, it seems. 

* * * 

"Watchful waiting." Sheer impotence, 
rather. 

* ♦ ♦ 

Hoping Villa will do it, or that Zapata 
will do it, or some other of those pesky 
bandits. 

Do what? Why, get rid of Huerta, of 
course. 

* * * 

But how about Mexico and the Mex- 
ican people? They are the sufferers. 

* * * 

What care we, what care we? We are 
moralists, don't you see? 

But is it moral to encourage brigand- 
age and murder? 

Ah, but my dear friends, anything may 
be done that the face shall be saved. 



Wonder what has happened to that 
wonderful Villa advance on Mexico City? 

* * » 

Wasn't he going to eat his Christmas 
dinner there? 

* * * 

And send greetings to the American 
people? 

* * » 

Oh, the stuff they print, the stuff they 
print. 

* * « 

Anything goes, because so few here 
know Mexico. 

* * * 

And they can't tell the false from the 
true. 

Some of the "news" from Mexico City 
is so ridiculous that President Huerta 
and his intimates enjoy the creations of 
the correspondents as one enjoys a good 
fiction story. 

* » * 

But they must marvel at the gullibility 
of the American readers. 

* » • 

John Lind has a fine job. Nothing to 
do but "observe." 

And he doesn't even know the language 
of the country. 

All that he can possibly get is trans- 
lated gossip. 

* * * 

Which is repeated to the gossipy 
Bryan. 

* * * 

Who believes everything he's told — by 
"friends of the Constitution." 

But his conscience is all right. As long 
as his conscience is clear he can do any- 
thing he wants. 

* • * 

It's very convenient to have that kind 
of conscience. 

* * m 

Which is not even ruffled by the 
butcheries of Torreon and Juarez, by 
the suffering of the Mexican people, by 
the rapine of his bandit friends. 

* * * 

Not in the slightest disturbed by the 
ruin of a neighboring nation, for which 
his pernicious meddling is largely r-espon- 
sible. 

* * * 

His conscience is lily-white, but his 
hands — 

* * * 

History will record this Me.xican 
business truthfully. 

And history will show certain Admin- 
istration officials in a very unenviable 
light. Pitiful figures. 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



MEXICO 



THE CRIME OF IGNORANCE 

(By a former Chancellor of a Foreign Legation in Mexico.) 



The perusal of the press of the United 
States with special reference to the case 
of Mexico reveals a deplorable state of 
ignorance of the facts of the case and of 
misunderstanding as to the peculiar con- 
ditions of this country. 

This is chargeable in part to the cir- 
cumstance that the leading papers are 
represented in Mexico City by corre- 
spondents appointed ad hoc, but who 
possess only a superficial knowledge of 
Mexican conditions and who, by their 
ignorance of the language, must get their 
information at second hand and in too 
many cases through the gossip of clubs 
and public resorts; and in part to the 
wilful distortion of the facts by parties 
interested in the eventual success of the 
revolution or inclined to sensationalism. 

In the first place it should be borne 
in mind that the so-called revolution in 
its present state cannot in any sense be 
considered as a purely political one. It 
has outgrown its political aspect, if it 
ever had any such in truth. Granting 
that Mr. Carranza or Maytorena started 
their rebellion under the guise of a pol- 
itical movement, at the bottom there was 
the hatred against Gen. Huerta, whose 
deposition of Madero deprived them of 
the protector who placed them in power 
and on the continuance of whose rule 
depended their personal profit and ag- 
grandizement. 

The example of Zapata the bandit 
chief of the south, or, as he is popularly 
called on account of the devastations per- 
petrated by him. the Attila of the South, 
stimulpted the leaders in their rebellious 
purposes, as it showed the comparative 
ease and impunity with which a guerilla 
war can be carried on successfully in a 
mountainous country like Mexico. Their 
followers found it such a profitable occu- 
pation that the political character which 
the movement had at the start gradually 
disappeared and soon was replaced by 
simple brigandage and vandalism in their 
most hideous form, which have become 
by this time an established industry, tol- 
erated by the revolutionary chiefs as the 
only means of securing the continued 
support of armed followers. * * * 

Now, it is a pertinent question: who 
are the parties who are threatening the 
lives and properties of American citizens 
residing in Mexico; is it the Government 
forces or the rebels? Is it not illogical, 
to say the least, to charge the central 
Government with the responsibility for 
the lives and properties of American citi- 
zens against the acts of the rebels, and 
at the same time to give countenance 
and tacit support to the very parties of 
whose acts the American Government 
complains? 

Is it noti an extraordinary spectacle to 
see the United States converted into a 



receiver of stolen goods, by allowing 
with impunity the introduction and un- 
hindered sale of herds of cattle known 
to have been stolen in Mexico, and the 
depositing in American banks of the 
products of the wholesale robberies com- 
mitted in the name of the revolution, but 
deposited by the leaders to individual 
account? * * * 

In fact, proclaiming neutrality is to 
acknowledge the legitimacy of the rebel 
movement and is so considered by the 
latter, raising hopes of an early formal 
acknowledgment of belligerency and con- 
sequently animating the rebels in their 
persistence in the rebellion and facilitat- 
ing the acquisition of arms and money 
from parties in the United States. These 
parties for this very reason consider it 
a safe speculation on the eventual recog- 
nition by the United States and the con- 
sequent final triumph of the revolution, 
as they hope for an eventual exaggerated 
reward for the risk undertaken. 

Mr. Wilson certainly is not well in- 
formed regarding the true condition of 
things in this country. His insistence on 
the renunciation of Gen. Huerta shows 
this plainly. Even conceding that on 
sentimental grounds such would be de- 
sirable, there remains the practical side: 
Who is to take Huerta's place? 

There is no public man in Mexico at 
present who is well enough known or 
who has enough prestige or following to 
enable him to dominate the situation. 
The revolution and the complacency of 
the United States Government have un- 
chained the passions of the lawless ele- 
ments in the more remote parts of the 
country. These bandits will not lay 
down their arms at the behest of any new 
President, when by robbing and plunder- 
ing it is so much easier to make a living 
than by doing chores. To govern Mex- 
ico in peace it requires either the unani- 
mous consent of all the people or the 
enforcement of peace by the force of 
arms. The first is unqualifiedly impos- 
sible at the present moment. 

Let us assume, for the sake of argu- 
ment, that Gen. Huerta, under the pres- 
sure of the United States, should step 
out (which he is not likely to do be- 
cause he is not built that way and con- 
siders his continuance as a patriotic 
duty) and be replaced by a Covarrubias, 
or any other similar persona.ge estimable 
in himself, but neither generally known 
in the country nor of recognized energy 
and ability for his difficult task. Would 
Mr. Carranza, Zapata or Maytorena be 
satisfied and submit peacefully or would 
the 45eople at large submit without re- 
sistance to the President imposed upon 
them by foreign dictation? Or suppose, 
stranger still, Wilson should propose 
and support such a man as Carranza for 



the Presidency? Would the central part 
of the republic, where there is the centre 
of gravity of population, as well as of 
industry, accept without resistance as 
Chief Magistrate a personage who has 
started the revolution in the north purely 
from personal spite and has counten- 
anced the innumerable acts of pillage, 
incendiarism, murder and devastation of 
his followers? 

Strong Government Needed. 

Mexico to enjoy peace needs a strong 
government, like all countries of similar 
conditions of deficient general and politi- 
cal education and whose immense ma- 
jority of population consists of an il- 
literate class of people. Such people 
are led easily by any revolutionary leader 
who promises immediate bettering of 
their condition by violence to the pos- 
sessing classes, instead of by gradual and 
necessarily slow evolution, the result of 
the patient and persistent efforts of gen- 
erations. It is worse than a Utopian 
dream, it is criminal ignorance, to think 
that such a country could be ruled by 
strictly constitutional methods, which in 
this country, since the Madero revolu- 
tion, include universal suffrage and popu- 
lar elections. 

Only an illusionist who ignorantly or 
wilfully shuts his eyes to existing facts 
can think such a thing possible in a coun- 
try whose population in its immense ma- 
jority consists of illiterates totally unac- 
customed to constitutional practices and 
devoid of political education. Even the 
foremost nations of the world, which 
pride themselves on being leaders in 
modern advancement, like England, Ger- 
many and others, have only a qualified 
suffrage, and their Governments are 
viewing with great apprehension the agi- 
tation in favor of unlimited suffrage. In 
the United States, the boasted home of 
political liberty, the Southern States, Mr. 
Wilson's particular partisans, are treat- 
ing of disfranchising the negroes, who as 
a class are much superior to the Mexican 
peons in education and individual ambi- 
tion and achievement. 

Such countries can be ruled only by 
methods intrinsically autocratic or even 
despotic. If such despotism be a benevo- 
lent one, like that of Porfirio Diaz, so 
much the better, but a one-man rule, 
despotic when occasion requires but tem- 
pered by honest intentions and efforts 
toward national prosperity and progress, 
is the only form of government fit for 
nations like Mexico for generations to 
come. When such a form of govern- 
ment becomes unbearable by oppression 
or evident want of administrative apti- 
tude, as was the case at the time of Ma- 
dero. in the absence of constitutional 
methods any change for the better neces- 
sarily must be accompanied or produced 
by violence. 

The life of one particular man, though 

he occupy the highest post, counts as 

nothing compared with the public weal. 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



THE 

Army's Support Necessary. 

But, in order to carry on a strong Gov- 
ernment successfully the respective ruler 
must have the support of the army, with- 
out which effective government in such 
countries is impossible. Gen. Huerta has 
the support of the army and, for this rea- 
son, is qualified to bring peace to the 
country. It is more than likely that in 
the case of a President imposed by for- 
eign dictation or influence the army in 
its largest part would make common 
cause with the rebels, of whatever de- 
scription they might be, in opposition t-o 
such new President, who in that case 
could only sustain himself through the 
intervention of the arms of the nation 
that had placed him in power. 

As to the origin of the Huerta Govern- 
ment, it must be observed that the Ma- 
dero Government was a monstrous farce, 
impossible to continue. Madero's ac- 
cession to the Presidency was an acci- 
dent inexplicable except as the result of 
the wild promises he gave to the lower 
classes. The principal promise was the 
division of the land among the poor, 
which these naturally understood as free 
gifts at the expense of the rich. 

If these promises were vague and sim- 
ply catch phrases, and were afterward de- 
nied by Madero on several occasions, he 
allowed his principal followers to use 
them as positive inducements to the dis- 
satisfied agricultural laborers and there- 
by procured uprisings in various parts of 
the country, which the limited amount 
of armed force at the disposal of the Diaz 
Government could not resist successfully. 

Once in the Presidency there became 
apparent his weak, vacillating character, 
his lack of judgment of men in general 
and particularly in the selection of his 
advisers and colaborers, his amenability 
to adulation, his total ignorance of the 
practical direction of the public adminis- 
tration and his lack of faith with those 
who had helped him into power or had 
subsequently helped to sustain him. All 
this was coupled with a blind but mis- 
taken faith in his ability to manage by 
personal persuasion his dissatisfied fol- 
lowers. He gave free rein to his cam- 
arilla to destroy and harass his political 
opponents. 

If ever his intentions were sincerely 
those of establishing an efficient govern- 
ment for the advancement of his people, 
which in charity may be conceded now 
that he is dead, although there are many 
circumstances to create the impression 
that his personal exaltation was the main- 
spring of his ambition, such intentions 
soon were abandoned in the riot of ex- 
travagance and pillage of the public re- 
sources by the people who dominated 
him and in the persecution of political 
enemies, both those positively known and 
those only fancied as such. 

Did Not Keep Promises. 

There never was any attempt made to 
fulfil the promises by which he had 
gained the support of the lower classes 



CRIME OF IGNORANCE— Continued 

in his campaign against the Diaz Gov- 
ernment. There is not a record of a 
single initiative of any importance tend- 
ing to improve the deplorable condition 
of the peon class or the people at large 
during all the time that he occupied the 
Presidential chair. 

The only start toward the much 
vaunted division of land was the purchase 
at a fabulous price by his Government 
of large tracts of land from a near rel- 
ative. In a word, all the shortcomings 
charged against the Diaz Government 
were now repeated in an aggravated 
and multiplied form until at last the 
revolutionary forces, which had elevated 
him into power and had seated him on 
the highest pinnacle and which were cast 
aside as soon as their usefulness had 
ended, turned against him, Orozco in the 
north and Zapata in the south. 

Having appointed his nearest relatives 
over the heads of veteran officers to the 
highest commands of the army, regard- 
less of their lack of ability or experience, 
there naturally followed serious defeats 
of his army by Orozco in the north, 
which were repaired successfully by such 
tried men as Huerta. These tried men 
saw themselves treated with Madero's 
characteristic ingratitude and jealousy 
of their popularity instead of having their 
merits duly acknowledged. They were 
superseded by personal favorites and rel- 
atives of Madero. 

The discipline in the army was weak- 
ened by Madero's interference in favor 
of such known bandits as Francisco Villa, 
the despoiler of Parral. who had been 
court-martialled for gross insubordina- 
tion and was allowed to escape from his 
prison in Mexico where he was brought 
under the pretext of a new trial. 

Small wonder, then, that Madero's 
downfall should be chargeable just to 
this very circumstance: it was the cadets 
of the military school at Tlalpam, beard- 
less boys in their teens, who conceived 
and started the revolution that culmin- 
ated in the taking of the Citadel under 
the subsequent direction of Gen. M. Mon- 
dragon. 

There can be only one opinion. The 
elimination of Madero from the direction 
of public afiFairs was, for reasons of state, 
an unavoidable necessity on account of 
his disastrous management, or rather 
mismanagement, of public and private 
concerns. It may be justly asserted that 
Gen. Huerta, who is a soldier of rugged 
character and blunt straightforwardness, 
had no part in the taking off of Madero 
and Vice-President Pino Suarez and that 
Madero was not killed at his instigation 
or with his expressed consent. If Gen. 
Huerta had considered the death of Ma- 
dero indispensable he easily could have 
had him tried and executed for the mur- 
der of the officer detailed to effect his 
detention with all the legal justification 
that might have been desired to save ap- 
pearances. 

But it is likely that the death of Ma- 



dero was the result of the unsolicited and 
volunteer action of subordinates, over- 
zealous to serve th»ir master, or of the 
independent action of some of the other 
principal leaders of the revolution, inde- 
pendent of and unknown to Huerta, who 
when he learned the true inwardness of 
things rather chose to suffer with them 
in the opinion of the world in silence 
than to prove disloyal to them by divulg- 
ing the true facts in order to clear him- 
self personally. Be this as it may, taken 
in the abstract it may be considered that 
the complete elimination of Madero was 
per se an unavoidable political necessity, 
as he never kept faith with anybody and 
surely would have recalled his abdication 
as soon as he had set foot on safe soil, 
thus giving rise to new trouble. 

As he never did anything after attain- 
ing to power to carry out his much de- 
claimed political programme and distin- 
guished himself only by his unmeasured 
vanity and self-glorification, he is already 
almost entirely forgotten by the great 
mass of the people, though history will 
readily grant him the record for having 
caused more damage to his native land 
and within a shorter period than any 
other ruler hitherto known. 

There is only one other man in the 
world who has caused damage to Mexico 
in similar proportion and in record time, 
and that man is Woodrow Wilson, Presi- 
dent of the United States, who in order 
to gratify and persist obstinately in a 
personal whim is favoring and abetting 
just the very parties upon whose acts he 
bases his claims against the constituted 
Government of the Mexican Republic. 



The Canadian loan failed the other 
day. And the Administration had put no 
financial blockade about the "authorities" 
in Ottawa. Perhaps the Administration's 
apparent success in keeping money from 
Mexico is — only apparent. 

The condition of the world's money 
market may be a factor. 

Isn't it strange that when the Wash- 
ington idealists look around for a weapon 
of attack or defense they immediately 
think of money and jobs? And then as- 
sure themselves they are moral suasion- 
ists. 

They are sending "observers" to Santo 
Domingo. 

* * * 

We need "observers" to test the sanity 
of those who are causing all this Latin- 
American trouble and misunderstanding. 



Never "start" anything? 

* * * 

Did Congress or the people even sug- 
gest that we should meddle in Mexico's 
affairs? 

• « • 

As long as the words look good in 
print, some folks don't worry about their 
truth or consistency. 



Sa:urday, December Hi, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



AN ARMY MAN S MEXICO POLICY. 

An officer of the United States army, 
well known in El Paso, in a personal let- 
ter outlines clearly and forcefully his 
views, and doubtless the views of many 
of his army associates, upon the Mexican 
situation and President Wilson's policy; 
the sentiments expressed by the officer 
are closely in line with those often set 
forth by "The Herald." In giving space 
in this column to the letter it is consid- 
ered to be merely voicing the beliefs of 
the great majority of readers — -whether 
they are willing to admit it out loud or 
not. 

The writer of the letter commends the 
general Mexican policy of "The Herald" 
as "sane, moral, and eminently just, con- 
forming to the law of nations, interna- 
tional law." He goes on to say, in sub- 
stance: 

If we have a just right to interfere in 
the internal affairs of Mexico, then the 
"law of noninterference" has no place in 
our recognized textbooks on international 
law. Grotius put it there, and every gen- 
eration since his day has deemed it a 
just law. 

The right of noninterference in its in- 
ternal affairs proceeds from the nation's 
sovereignty. We say to the world that 
our mission in the western world is to 
preserve the sovereignty of the republics 
in the western hemisphere. The best way 
to preserve this is to recognize their 
sovereign rights to conduct their own 
affairs. We can then hold them to their 
obligations, just as every sovereign state 
in the world today holds every sovereign 
state to its obligations. 

The right of domicile is a recognized 
principle of international law. When 
citizens or subjects of one state become 
domiciled in another state, the state in 
which they are domiciled is obligated to 
protect them in life and property; and 
the state of which these domiciled stran- 
gers are the citizens and subjects has not 
only the right, but is morally obliged, to 
redress the wrongs inflicted on or suf- 
fered by its nationals while domiciled in 
another state. 

It matters not whether the injury be 
inflicted by the state or by its people as 
individuals. The citizens of New Or- 
leans slew a number of Italians some 
years ago. Italy demanded redress, and 
the United States paid a large sum before 
the claims were all satisfied. 

Had Italy demanded that the mayor of 
New Orleans be replaced by another 
mayor, she would have been told to "go 
to," and would have got nothing but a 
bill for indeinnity for the cost of war 
preparation that the United States would 
have had to make as a result of receiving 
such an hitherto unheard of demand. 

"I confess that I am wholly unable to 
understand Mr. Bryan's idea of 'moral' 
policy. 

"If I incite a man to anger by know- 
ingly infringing on his recognized rights, 
I sin before God, and cannot justify my- 
self before man. 

"If a nation provokes another nation 
to war by knowingly infringing on its 
recognized rights, surely the same kind 
of sin has been committed, only of 
greater gravity by reason of the more 
grievous consequences, and certainly that 
nation cannot justify itself before God or 
man. 

"It somehow gets me mad all over to 
have a man dictate his idea of iustice to 



me when my own idea of justice is abused 
thereby. Mr. Bryan is trying to write 
into the law of nations a new law, be- 
cause he thinks it is moral. 

"Suppose Japan should tell Yuan Shi 
Ki that he and his followers must now 
step down and permit another election, 
because he has expelled 300 members 
from the Chinese congress, and is daily 
executing his opponents, will Mr. Bryan 
agree to uphold Japan's policy? Will the 
other nations agree to do likewise? Yet 
if Mr. Bryan's policy in Mexico is up- 
held, I cannot see why Japan's policy 
(should such a policy be declared) should 
not he upheld. 

"Mr. Bryan preaches peace, but he is 
trying to establish a policy that if rec- 
ognized will make more war and do 
more harm than anything yet done by 
nations. 

"Something may happen to halt this 
blind rush into an unjustifiable war. I 
fear, however, that it is too late. Still 
you newspaper men have the solemn ob- 
ligation before God to do your utmost 
to stop it. After you have done your 
best, then your conscience will be clear." 
There are two rather remarkable 
things about the letter: First, it does not 
bear out the current popular opinion 
that the army is all talking war, anxious 
for war, and hoping for war; second, it 
shows a very much clearer conception 
of both the law and the morals of the 
situation than is shown by either the 
President or the Secretary of State, 
despite their ardent protestations of neu- 
trality and friendship toward Mexico. 
The paragraph in the letter about incit- 
ing a man or a nation to anger by know- 
ingly infringing on their recognized 
rights, is a classic and worthy of general 
repetition and permanent acceptance as 
a high enough creed for any nation on 
earth. — El Paso "Herald." 



AN IRIDESCENT DREAM. 

The truth is that the most tliat is 
hoped for by many people in Washing- 
ton in connection .with the settlement of 
the unhappy conditions in Mexico is the 
accession to power of some man of the 
Diaz stripe, that is, one strong enough 
to establish a government that will re- 
press rebellion and brigandage and fur- 
nish security to life and property. That 
anyone can or will establish an abso- 
lutely free and popular government in 
Mexico, one set up by the free and intel- 
ligent choice of the mass of Mexican 
people, is regarded by very many as 
what John J. Ingalls used to call "an 
iridescent dream." But they do believe 
that a government can be established 
which will restore and maintain order 
and give some degree of peace and secur- 
ity to what President Wilson truthfully 
calls "distressed Mexico." 

The great question is. Who is the 
man? .A.mong those regarded as being 
the least available is Gen. Carranza, the 
"constitutionalist" leader, with whom 
William Bayard Hale, President Wil- 
son's personal representative, has been 
trying to negotiate. — Pittsburgh "Chron- 
icle-Telegraph." 



THE PRESIDENT TO CONGRESS. 

President Wilson's first annual ad- 
dress to the Congress, which met in 
joint session to-day to hear it, reads like 
a "matriculation sermon," and doubtless 
this effect was not lessened by the man- 
ner of its delivery. From beginning to 
end it is so disingenuous as to prove dis- 
appointing even as a sermon. It contains 
little "information about the state of the 
Union." which is the constitutional ex- 
cuse Mr. Wilson oflfered for its deliv- 
erance, and not one of the recommenda- 
tions made for the country's welfare 
touches any of those problems to which 
the urgency of the moment or the 
pledges of the .'\dministration gave the 
country a right to expect the President 
would address himself on this occasion. 
In the place of that "pitiless publicity" 
which the President is so fond of pro- 
claiming a cardinal doctrine of "the New 
Freedom," to-day's production is a char- 
acteristic example of suppression and 
evasion. Its felicitous phrasing ill con- 
ceals that lack of substance which a facile 
pen would supply by mere rhetoric. * * * 
It is worse than disingenuous for the 
President to sidestep as he does the Mex- 
ican problem. Outgivings from the 
White House for more than a fortnight 
have led the public, not only of this 
country, but the world, to expect that 
this occasion would be used by the Ad- 
ministration to give a full account of its 
dealings regarding Mexico with that 
country and with Europe, and to hope 
that accompanying such a record would 
be either a programme of future action 
or a request for congressional counsel 
and advice. For this reason public pa- 
tience here and abroad has been length- 
ened in the face of a reign of anarchy 
across the border the horrors of which 
are multiplied by each day's develop- 
ments. * * * — Boston "Evening Tran- 
script." 



What Congress and the country were 
specially waiting to hear on this occasion 
was an authoritative announcement as 
to Mexico. What they get is an expres- 
sion of President Wilson's personal be- 
lief that the "policy of watchful waiting" 
is all that's needed. He feels hopeful 
that the Huerta government will soon 
collapse, and that constitutional order 
will then be restored in Mexico by lead- 
ers who "prefer the liberty of their peo- 
ple to their own ambitions." Has Mr. 
William Bayard Hale given him a list of 
those leaders, and are the names of 
Zapata and "Pancho" Villa — for instance 
— on the list? In this address to the 
Congress of the United States the Presi- 
dent of the United States denounces by 
name the head of the de facto govern- 
ment at the Mexican capital as a "usurp- 
er" and says that he must "surrender his 
usurped authority." More than sixty 
years ago, in France, one Louis Napo- 
leon suspended the constitution, impris- 
oned the legislators and seized the su- 
preme power; his coup d'etat cost many 
citizens of Paris their lives. We do not 
remember that President Millard Fill- 
more felt called upon to denounce him in 
an executive communication to Congress. 
It will be interesting to see whether Gen- 
eral Huerta — after this address — con- 
tinues to do business with Mr. O'Shaugh- 
nessy and to tolerate the loitering of 
Mr. Confidential Agent Lind upon Mex- 
ican soil. — Hartford "Daily Courant." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



A PARALLEL. 

Perhaps with the idea of proving to 
the world that Americans are not lacking 
in a sense of humor and a true perspec- 
tive, the New York "Sun" of December 
5th relates an interesting parable, which 
with characteristic "Sun" delicacy it 
explains is "not yet a fact." 

According to the parable it seems that 
the members of the A. B. C. Alliance, as 
it is called — Argentine, Brazil and Chile 
— became so deeply impressed with 
President Wilson's teachings concerning 
the moral responsibility of a great repub- 
lic for the enforcement of truly consti- 
tutional principles in the affairs of neigh- 
boring governments, that they invited 
other Latin-American countries, includ- 
ing Mexico and San Domingo, to join 
them in safeguarding constitutional gov- 
ernment in the United States. 

They discovered particularly an open 
defiance of Section 2 of Article XIV of 
the Amendments of the Constitution of 
the United States, which provides: 

"When the right to vote at any election for 
the choice of electors for President and Vice- 
President, Representatives in Congress, the ex- 
ecutive and judicial officers of a State, or the 
members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to 
any of the male inhabitants of such State, being 
twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United 
States, or in any way abridged, except for par- 
ticipation in rebellion or other crime, the basis 
of representation therein shall be reduced in the 
proportion which the number of such male citi- 
zens shall bear to the whole number of male citi- 
zens twenty-one years of age in such State." 

The diplomatic representatives of these 
countries, after an investigation which 
showed undeniabl' that this section was 
flagrantly violated in the Southern States, 
asked Secretary Bryan: "How about it?" 

To their very pertinent question Sec- 
retary Bryan made no reply. He was too 
busy at the time picking out "official ob- 
servers" to supervise the elections in the 
Dominican Republic and to ascertain for 
the information of President Wilson and 
himself whether the vote in San Domingo 
was in fact a constitutional, untrammeled, 
regular expression of the popular will. 

Then they very delicately approached 
President Wilson on the subject. But 
the President was too busy then pursuing 
his policy of watchful waiting for devel- 
opments in Mexico and of satisfying him- 
self by the investigations of his special 
and personal envoys that the republic 
south of us had no Government in the 
true constitutional sense. 

Therefore .'\rgentina, Chile, Brazil, 
with San Domingo and Mexico and the 
other Monroe Doctrine republics, with- 
drew their Ambassadors and Ministers 
and refused longer to recognize the. Gov- 
ernment notoriously and almost confess- 
edly operating in defiance of Section 2 of 
Article XIV of the Amendments of the 
Constitution of the United States of 
America. In a joint declaration couched 
in admirable Spanish they communicated 
to the world their purpose to send north 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

official observers to supervise our next 
Federal elections, and, if necessary, to 
adopt further measures for the restora- 
tion of constitutional order in this coun- 
try in obedience to the demands of duty 
under the Monroe Doctrine as interpreted 
in the light of political morality by 
Woodrow Wilson. It was a document 
which our own great President, under 
changed circumstances, might be proud 
to have written. 



DICTATING TO LATIN AMERICA. 

No American President ever before 
assumed so much in the way of regulat- 
ing the affairs of Latin-American nations 
as President Wilson has lately under- 
taken. 

President Roosevelt's successful plan 
for superintending the customs collection 
of Santo Domingo, entered into in 1905, 
to the end that the fair claims of for- 
eign investors might be met, involved 
no such interference with the political 
affairs of that country as we are now 
entering upon, in the dispatch of "observ- 
ers" by President Wilson to watch the 
polls and supervise the presidential elec- 
tion which is coming oflf in that country. 
The proceeding involves political respon- 
sibility for Santo Domingo. 

The convention with Nicaragua entered 
into by President Taft in 1911, which 
combined financial aid to that republic 
with a superintendence of custom collec- 
tions somewhat similar to that under- 
taken in Santo Domingo, failed of ratifi- 
cation by the Senate because it was re- 
garded as a dangerous interference. But 
the Senate is now called upon by Presi- 
dent Wilson to ratify a treaty with Nic- 
aragua which establishes an actual politi- 
cal protectorate, undisputed and undis- 
guised, over that country. 

There is no telling, as yet, just what 
Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bryan have been 
doing to thwart the Pearson oil conces- 
sions in Colombia, but evidently the ac- 
tion has been very positive, for it has 
forced Lord Cowdray to withdraw from 
an arrangement which would probably 
have proved financially profitable to him. 
The London papers assert that, although 
the Pearson concession would not have 
given Lord Cowdray's syndicate any con- 
trol over the affairs of Colombia, the 
American government exerted an influ- 
ence which compelled the abandonment 
of the concession. All this may have 
been necessary, but it is certainly a bold 
and radical step. 

The extent to which President Wilson 
has intervened in Mexico is well known 
to every reader. He has assumed the 
right to say who shall be and who shall 
not be the Mexican president. To avenge 
the violent death of Madero, President 
Wilson has encouraged the continuance 
of a civil war which has resulted in the 
death of thousands. 

That the United States government, 
under President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan, has embarked on a course of dic- 
tation which, if unchecked, will make us 
politically and financially responsible for 
all the countries as far south as Colom- 
bia, is a fact which the American people 
have got to face. — New York "Evening 

Mail." 



EVEN THE BLIND. 

In this kind of thing, it is obvious, 
there lie the seeds of mischief. Depre- 
cating "financial control" of Spanish- 
American governments, we may be found 
exercising it. Protesting against force, 
we may at any moment get into a posi- 
tion where we shall be using force. 
Standing up firmly for the consent of 
the governed, we may presently be 
threatening the governed unless they 
consent to be governed by us. The whole 
policy is plainly one requiring the utmost 
care and discretion in the execution. One 
precaution, above all, is indicated. All 
these delicate plans and negotiations 
must be entrusted to men fitted by char- 
acter and training to handle them. It is 
this consideration which heightens the 
folly of displacing experienced and ac- 
ceptable Ministers so as to make room 
for Mr. Bryan's happy-go-lucky friends. 
That way madness lies. — New York 
"Evening Post." 

Why, even the "Post" is beginning to 
open its eyes! Even the blind shall seel 



THE MESSAGE. 

The President's message was brief, as such 
documents go, a graceful litterary production, 
and neither exhaustive nor exhausting like other 
annual messages of recent years. 

He is thankful that the United States is at 
peace with the world; and the country will share 
this feeling of thankfulness, not unmixed with 
wonder, that the President's highly original and 
rasping policy towards Mexico has not resulted 
in hostilities. We cannot countenance, he says 
in substance, Huerta's usurpation of authority, 
and can have no dealings with such a pretended 
government. Manifestly this is an extraordinary 
and unwarrantable attitude, for if the Mexican 
people should finally become reconciled to their 
usurped and pretended government, we should 
cut a very ridiculous figure by standing out im- 
placably resentful and more irreconcilable than 
the Mexicans themselves. — Rochester (N. Y.) 
"Post-Express." 

We like to talk about this Mexican 
business. It gives us amateur Presi- 
dents, Cabinet members. Senators and 
Congressman (all rolled into one) a 
great chance to air our views on how a 
Government ought to be managed. 
Mostly we talk without knowing very 
much what we are talking about. All 
present "situations" have their roots in 
the past. We do not know a great deal 
about the history of Mexico, or the 
temperament of Mexicans, and our 
school histories are strangely inadequate 
when it come to that little affair of 1846. 

George Lockhart Rives, former As- 
listant Secretary of State, has written 
a book, "The United States and Mexico," 
in which he develops, in a most in- 
teresting manner, the relations between 
the two countries between 1821 and 1848. 

Some of Mr. Rives' deductions ought 
to set us thinking. He frankly accuses 
ns, as a nation, of lack of sympathy 
with our neighbors, and of unfairness, 
even, in our dealings with them. This 
is true in the case of the South Amer- 
ican States, as well as with Mexico. 
Sympathy is a strong bond between na- 
tions. Without it it is useless to talk 
of world peace. Perhaps a reading of 
Mr. Rives' book will make for a better 
understanding of and liking for our 
rather flighty neighbors to the South. — 
St. Louis "Republic." 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



President Wilson sticks to Pindell of 
Peoria, 111., for our ambassador to Rus- 
sia. That is the schoolmaster of it; all 
of Dr. Wilson's original judgments arc 
infallible. Persistence for the Peoria 
candidate is not complimentary to Rus- 
sia, but it is glorious for Pindell, and for 
PindelTs faithful friend, Mr. Bryan. — 
Hartford "Daily Courant." 

THE PRESIDENT'S INFIRMITY. 

Well-wishers of the President find it difficult 
to be patient in the face of his refusal to hear 
anybody on any subject about which he has an 
opinion. In the place of the "popular" minded 
McKinley, the "quick" minded Roosevelt, the 
"open" minded Taft, the White House to-day 
shelters a "closed" minded President who clings 
to the views and ways of the lecture-room. 

The White House to-day is depressingly remin- 
iscent of "ye deestrict school," with the President, 
ferule in hand, laying down his prejudices and 
principles to the remainder of the government and 
the people as if all, not only of this country but 
of the world, were so many pupils and he the 
schoolmaster and disciplinarian of them all. 

To criticise President Wilson in the first year 
of his administration for a fault which his inti- 
mates recognize and deplore is in reality to render 
him a service. Every loyal American hopes to see 
him succeed, hopes that some of his theories may 
prove workable enough to be applied. But such 
will prove a vain hope unless the President faces 
his besetting sin and fights against it with the 
same frankness with which those who really wish 
him success call his attention to his infirmity. 

He has a way of freezing out friendly counsel 
by his unwillingness to be told anything and by 
his assumption that he knows everything in ad- 
vance, and that any one bringing him information 
is necessarily so prejudiced that if he listens he is 
likely in some way to lose the right point of 
■observation. — Boston "Transcript." 



WHAT A WAR WOULD MEAN. 

Gen. Walter S. Schuyler, retired, gives us a 
picture of a possible war with Mexico that should 
"be impressed upon the imagination of every citi- 
zen of this country. The army has had an ex- 
perience of "pacification" in the Philippines, and 
is sick of it ; to duplicate that experience in an- 
other quarter does not appeal to any soldier as 
either pleasant or profitable. Nobody doubts the 
ability of our soldier to defeat anything that can 
be brought against him in the long run, but to 
•chase guerillas through jungles and over moun- 
tains is far from a pleasant duty. 

Gen. Schuyler says we would need from 50,000 
to 200,000 men if we attempted to pacificate Mex- 
ico; we have now about 50,000 available. We 
^:ould march an army into that country, garrison 
the principal towns and be just as far from the 
.accomplishment of our object as if we had stayed 
on the other side of the Rio Grande. Thousands 




1913 AMERICAN 1914 
CANE=SUGAR BUREAU 

MUNSEY BUILDING 
WASHINGTON. D, C. 

We invite correspondence 
from all who are professionally 
interested in the cane-sugar 
industry.— Win. L. Bass. Mgr. 



of Mexicans have learned the use of dynamite 
— how could we operate railroads whose bridges 
and tracks were being constantly destroyed? How 
could we pacificate the country without operating 



the 



Me 



a big country; to break down its 
government is easy — to make its people submit 
and keep the peace would disturb all our indus- 
trial development and strain our credit to the 
breaking point. It took us ten years to put the 
Indians out of Florida, and yet they never mus- 
tered a thousand fighting men and never col- 
lected three hundred in one body ! 

There is no jingo sentiment in congress; cer- 
tainly the president wants no war, and yet a few 
men in the country seem to feel it is their 
bounden duty to make trouble if they can. How 
should we view those men? Not even with tol- 
erance — let them know that we have no patience 
with their ideas or feelings. Business does not 
want war with Mexico, though a few spectators 
may think they can profit by such convulsions — 
the army doesn't want it — who does? The advo- 
cates of a big navy may see a prospect of profit 
in the agitation of discordant ideas — the ship- 
builders and armor-makers may want talk on the 
subject, but they have not proved themselves so 
patriotic in the past that we feel obliged to give 
blood that they may collect gold. For, doubt it 
as we may, it is true that talk may bring on 
war. now as it did in 1898, and therefore it is 
well to discount the talk before it is too late. — 
Jacksonville "Times-Union." 



THE CONSTITUTIONALISTS IN 
MEXICO. 

The recent successes of the revolutionists in 
Northern Mexico has given the so-called Consti- 
tutionalists a firm foothold in that section. It 
should not be assumed from that fact, however, 
that the Mexican government has been utterly 
defeated. The region now held by the revolution- 
ists is more sparsely populated than the central 
and southern portions of the neighboring republic, 
and the rugged character of the country lends itself 
to the sort of warfare the rebels are carrying on. 
The fact must not be overlooked that the Huerta 
or Federalist forces still control the greater part 
of the country, including Mexico City and the 
leading ports. 

Although the followers of Carranza call them- 
selves advocates of constitutional government, they 
have been conducting warfare along lines that 
show little regard for law or civilized usages. 
Federal officers who are captured are promptly 
lined up before a convenient wall and shot, and 
looting and outrages are the almost daily accom- 
paniments of the operations of the various bands. 
If the revolutionary movement were to succeed 
there is no prospect whatever that the leaders 
would have any more respect for law and the 
constitution than Huerta and his advisers; in fact, 
their actions in the field create the impression that 
they would show even less regard for orderly 
procedure. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



As I understand it, the President wants to see 
the Mexican rebels overthrow the Huerta Govern- 
ment. Also he wants a government in Mexico 
more like our own. I suppose he has the right 
to say what he would like to see in Mexico, but 



it seems to me that in wanting the rebels to win 
by force of arms he is not promoting constitu- 
tional methods. If these rebels should win power 
by raising a ruction, would it not be encourage- 
ment for others to try to do the same thing? And 
where would it ever stop? For the life of me 
I don't see where we are helping the cause of 
constitutional government by trying to overturn 
the only Government there is in Mexico. If we 
really want to help would it not be the most 
direct and effective thing to cooperate with the 
Government down there and work with it in 
trying to apply our ideas as far as they can be 
applied in Mexico? If we don't do that it looks 
like a continuation of just such conditons as 
exist in Mexico to-day, whether they overthrow 
the Huerta Government or not. 

In other words, we are getting nowhere, un- 
less the idea is to let Mexico exhaust herself and 
then go in and take and run the country. — Oliver 
Herbert Thomas in New York "Sun." 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, December 13, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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THii PERSONAL TOUCH. 

There has been all along a disposition 
on the part of the press and public to 
concede that no matter what blunders 
the Administration has made or might 
make in handling our relations with 
Mexico, the character of the Administra- 
tion officials was such that no petty per- 
sonal considerations have entered or 
would enter into the solution of the 
problem. 

A careful reading of the editorial com- 
ment from all sections of the country on 
the President's remarks on Mexico in the 
'" — -'' his recent message reveals a 

ote of disappointment that the 
.t's words should have been 
surcharged with a personal bitterness and 
anim s "a'nst the Mexican Provisional 
Execu ,e. 

In :,peaking the other day to a com- 
mittee " women seeking the right of 
suffrage he said that in matters of nation- 
al legislation he was bound in duty 
not to inject his personal opinions, but 
to carr ou the pledges of his party 
platfor 

If personal opinion or personal likes 
and di- likes should not enter into a high 
conce ■-■• "' the methods of national 
lecis' . it is doubly, trebly per- 

nicio thill, a foreign policy of the 
L'niti States, committing 100,000,000 
pcop' course of action that might 

lead .11. ''ould not be shaped on a 

pcrs' HiFlii c. 

It .-'ious in the message 

and 1 maue clear in a hundred 

other u? that President Wilson does not 
like " "t Huerta — hates him. Even 

adn ;.t be has every reason in the 

wor 1 I nistr-sting and condemning 
the Mex ^n Executive, it is wrong, ter- 
ribl wr'^i" (o - ake that fact the motive 
for js working untold hard- 

shii I J r . .c Mexican people and poten- 
tir' - result in conditions that will 

r the sacrifice of thousands of 



American lives and millions of Ameri- 
can treasure. 

The Administration undoubtedly bases 
its attitude toward the Mexican situation 
on higher, self-satisfying theories and 
facts, but it remains true that the petty 
personal has considerable to do with the 
shaping of the Administration's mind and 
purposes. 

Which should not be in this age of en- 
lightenment. History records many wars 
ihat have been fought to satisfy the per- 
sonal grudge and vanity of rulers, but 
we thought the days of such were over. 

Are thev? 



DETACHMENT. 

As we have remarked before, there is 
a certain mental detachment in the Ad- 
ministration's "watchful waiting" policy 
that is almost unhuman in its unfeeling, 
cold-blooded aloofness. 

The appeal of Americans in Mexico, 
the sorry plight of the poor Mexican 
people, the spectacle of a country threat- 
ened with anarchy have not touched the 
heart or wrung a tear from the eyes of 
those who control the destinies of our 
powerful and prosperous country. 

The American people are naturally 
warm-hearted and sympathetic, but, 
guided by the Administration, they have 
seemed somehow to be deaf to the pitiful 
note of human suffering below the Rio 
Grande. 

This apparent lack of sympathy may 
be accounted for by the persistent mis- 
representation of the Mexican people in 
the press of this country. We are led to 
believe that they are all treacherous, 
knife-throwing "greasers," when the 
truth is, to which any American with 
Mexican experience will subscribe, that 
in the great majority they are as gentle 
and docile as children. 

It is true that some thousands of the 
millions are lawless cutthroats, restless, 
ignorant and bloodthirsty, ravaging for 
loot under the leadership of unscrupu- 
lous men. But it is not fair to judge 
the whole race by this comparative few, 
who could probably be duplicated in our 
own country were it not for fear of the 
forces of law and order. 

Apart from all this, the conditions in 
some bandit-ridden sections of Mexico 
are so appalling that the cold mental de- 
tachment of the Administration, which 
puts political theory austerely above 
everything else, is neither expedient nor 
moral. 



"I say. Lord, old chap, it isn't fair 
your going into Mexico and interfering 
with my friend Henry Clay's scheme. 
Hen here says you have no heart at all. 
He had it all fixed when you broke in. 
You've got to be reasonable, old top, and 
give Henry his way. Now, that's a good 
lord. Think it over. I know Hen will 
give you a fair slice and maybe you can 
have your way in Colombia. And if you 
won't yield to my moral suasion, why, 
I'll have to take it out on your friend 
Huerta." 

While his lordship is thinking it over, 
he should turn to H. C. P.. and address 
him thusly: 

"Now, Hen, we've had enough fighting 
over these oil wells, aud it's very annoy- 
ing to me. You've got to make some 
concessions, too. Call off that Carranza 
pack of schemers and stop sending arms 
and money down to the Villas and 
Aguilars and Zapatas. Call off the news- 
papers before they get us in so deep that 
we've got to go to war. Close up the 
rebel junta here and tell Sherby Hop- 
kins that he's got to look for another 
job. Now, Hen, you do that and I'm 
sure Cowdray here will see the wisdom 
of my words. Won't you, old chap?" 

This is the kind of moral suasion that 
would settle the Me.xican business in 
short order. 



HOW TO SETTLE IT. 

Here's how President Wilson could 
settle the whole Mexican imbroglio and 
incidentally go down in history as wiser 
than Solomon: 

First, get Henry Clay Pierce and Lord 
Cowdray in his executive office on a crisp 
winter afternoon. 

Then talk to Lord Cowdray in this 
fashion: 



THE RESPONSIBILITY. 

If Huerta were everything impossible 
that Washington charges and insinuates, 
would that justify a method of. dealing 
with Mexico which has worked and is 
working terrible suffering to the Mex- 
ican people? Is it not apparent to every- 
body by this time that the Villas and 
Zapatas and Aguilars, and all the other 
bandit chiefs who are the foes of civiliza- 
tion, have gained in strength and bold- 
ness with each new evidence of the 
Washington Administration's hostility 
toward the Huerta regime? It is pointed 
out by the El Pasoans that only a few 
months ago the bandit Villa crossed the 
international border with only a bor- 
rowed horse to his name, and that he re- 
turned to Juarez with several thousand 
followers well mounted and well armed. 
The atrocities of Villa and his followers 
in Torreon and Juarez alone are a monu- 
mental crime against civilization and they 
are known in detail by the authorities in 
Washington. All Americans and for- 
ci.gners who have lived or are living in 
Mexico are unanimous in saying that if 
President Huerta had been promptly rec- 
ognized by the United States, or if at 
least the Administration had not taken 
a deliberately weakening attitude toward 
him, the lawless conditions in certain 
sections of the Republic would not have 
been possible. Then it would seem 
to stand to reason that in a conscience- 
striking measure the Wilson Administra- 
tion is responsible for a terrible loss of 
life and property in Mexico. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1— No. 18 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1913. 



FIVE CENTS 



THE LAND PROBLEM. 

We read a great deal these days of the 
"land question" in Mexico. 

While at bottom there is much truth 
in what is being written about this land 
question, the problem is lightly disposed 
of by the majority of writers with the 
statement that all that is needed to alle- 
viate Mexico's social ills is to "distribute 
the land." 

The agrarian problem of Me.xico is 
one the solution of which presents almost 
insurmountable difficulties, at least for 
many years to come. 

In the first place, it is not true that all 
the land of Mexico is owned by a few 
families. This is true in a measure of 
the northern states, but not so of the 
central or southern States. There are, 
in fact, more than fifty thousand farms 
and ranches in the Republic of Mexico. 

Likewise, it is not true that all of the 
great estates were formed by despoilia- 
tion of small landowners. 

There have been many abuses, un- 
doubtedly. But the gradual formation or 
the holding of large estates, especially in 
the north, has not been due to these 
abuses. It has been due mainly to topo- 
graphical and economical causes. Farm- 
ing cannot be carried on successfully in 
the north without irrigation. Irrigation 
works require a large outlay of capital 
and only the large land owners were able 
to expend such capital. 

The mere distribution or sub-division 
of land will not help the social status of 
the Indian. A system of irrigation on a 
large scale and a system of rural credit 
will have to be established in order to 
make possible the successful cultivation 
of small farms. 

Farmers are not made by the mere 
ownership of land. Education and train- 
ing are necessary, besides a natural love 
for the land. Many Mexican Indians be- 
long to tribes of nomadic habits, many 
do not wish to work more than is abso- 
lutely necessary to earn a bare living of 
beans and tortillas. 

It will require enormous expenditures 
on the part of the government and many 
years of training before the small farmer 
can become a strong factor in the devel- 
opment of northern Mexico. 



THE MORAL FRIENDS OF 



BARBARISM 



Neither the Washington .Administra- 
tion's appeals nor the frantic efforts of a 
certain number of newspapers have suc- 
ceeded in suppressing a growing senti- 
ment of disapproval and resentment 
against this government's attitude to- 
ward Mexico. 

This growing sentiment is becoming 
more evident and taking deeper roots 
every day. 

To the casual observer it may appear 
strange and reprovable that the Ameri- 
can people should not present to the 
world a united front in support of any 
foreign policy that the Administration 
might see fit to adopt. 

Not so to those who understand 
clearly the inherent love of justice in the 
American people and their ambition to 
stand in the front ranks of civilized hu- 
manity. 

That the people should refuse to be 
made responsible before the eyes of the 
world for their government's policy in 
this instance does not evince lack of 
patriotism. 

It reveals a higher, broader, more in- 
tense patriotism than the one which dic- 
tated the cheap expression: "My govern- 
ment, right or wrong." 

When any people stands at the bar of 
civilization, when the policy of its 
government involves the destruction of 
great principles of morality and human- 
ity, that people has not only the right 
but the duty to withdraw its support 
from that government. 

That the people of this country have 
not yet arisen en masse and made their 
protest so heard in Washington that the 
self-sufficient and temporarily omniscient 



Secretary of State would be compelled to 
. heed the protest, has been due to a wide- 
spread ignorance of the true facts con- 
cerning Mexican affairs. 

But, even though slowly, the implac- 
able truth is steadily breaking down all 
dikes of falsehoods erected by a mali- 
cious or misinformed press. 

What a few understood and knew 
months ago, many are understanding and 
learning now. 

The Washington Administration has 
ranged itself on the side of barbarism. 
Failing to lend its support to the ele- 
ments of law and order in Mexico, it has 
encouraged loot, murder and rape. 

The .-Administration has not only failed 
to lend its support to the only govern- 
ment existing in Mexico, but its attitude 
has been one of decided moral encour- 
agement to all so-called revolutionists 
and of determined effort to overthrow the 
Mexican Government by denying its very 
existence. 

It is not a question here of the abstract 
value and right of the principles sup- 
posed to be guiding certain leaders of 
the revolution. It is not a question of 
the ethical status of the present provi- 
sional government of Mexico. 

The principles professed by Carranza, 
for instance, may be right. The Provi- 
sional Government may have certain in- 
herent defects. All this can be readily 
admitted, but it is not abstractions which 
confront us. It is concrete facts. It is 
here a question of the practical effects of 
the encouragement given by this coun- 
try to the barbaric elements who revel 
in disorder and rapine. It is a question 
(Coninued on Next Page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



THE MORAL FRIENDS OF BARBARISM---Continued 



of the untold suffering and unspeakable 
horrors borne by millions of neighbors as 
a consequence of the Administration's at- 
titude. 

The principles professed by Carranza 
are the same as those advocated by the 
Provisional Government. But the Pro- 
visional Government has not been given 
the opportunity to put into practice the 
principles advocated. 

The restoration of pure constitutional 
government and the enforcement of so- 
cial reforms cannot be materialized until 
peace reigns throughout the Republic. 

This is so well realized by some of 
the revolutionary leaders that they have 
already declared that in the event of their 
ascending to power they would install 
a provisional president with dictatorial 
powers until peace should be restored. 

The triumph of the rebels would not 
bring about peace, because the great ma- 
jority of rebel forces to-day are led by 
independent leaders and composed of 
tandits. Because the government sup- 
porters of to-day would be the rebels of 
to-morrow. Because the rebels of to- 
morrow would be in greater number than 
those of to-day. Their ranks would be 
swelled by all the decent people of Mex- 
ico who are being made the victims of 
the rebels' bloody orgy of loot and ra- 
pine. Because the people of Mexico 
■would not submit to a government that 
had been carried into power by the 
"Yankee government." 

The provisional government of Mexico 
has so far failed to restore peace and 
thereafter put into effect those reforms 
which are considered necessary to the 
welfare of Mexico by all observers — be- 
cause of the hostility and practical inter- 
vention of this government. 

This hostility, which to the profound 
regret of all thinking Americans has 
taken so personal an aspect, has been 
demonstrated in a manner which has 
made more than one American ashamed 
of his government. 

Thousands of citizens of this country 
would rather intervene in Mexico by the 
unjust but at least frank force of arms 
than by the means adopted by the Ad- 
ministration. 

Condemned and execrated by the peo- 
ple of this country, they are the same 
means employed by Big Business to de- 
stroy small competitors: the financial 
blockade, the surreptitious assistance to 
that competitor's enemy. 

It is because such means are un-Ameri- 
can, it is because to be ranged on the 
side of barbarity is un-American that the 
Washington Administration has failed in 
spite of all efforts to obtain the unani- 
mous support of the people. 

The people are beginning to realize 
that there is sorrie foundation of fact for 
the accusations of the civilized world 
against this nation in its dealings with 
Mexico. 



The motive ascribed to the Adminis- 
tration may not exist. It may be con- 
fined to those special interests which the 
American people detest as cordially as 
the Mexicans do. But the facts which 
prompt the accusations remain. 

This country stands accused of foment- 
ing rebellion in Mexico to weaken that 
neighbor until it may dominate it and 
control it by destroying its independence 
to all practical purposes, if not in name. 

It stands accused of availing itself, for 
the furthering of its aims, of the unfor- 
tunate lack of patriotism in certain Mex- 
icans and of the semi-barbaric character 
of others. 

It stands accused of supporting ele- 
ments of lawlessness and barbarity whose 
exploits have made civilization blush. 

Standing accused of all this and more, 
with no evidence to present in rebuttal, 
must not the American people expect to 
be judged as greater barbarians than the 
perpetrators of all the horrors which 
have afflicted their neighbor? 

Is there anything more barbaric than 
to avail oneself of the weakness and 
blindness and evil instincts of a neigh- 
bor to further selfish aims? 

We must clear ourselves of these accu- 
sations, because as a people we do not 
deserve them. If a unanimous voice of 
protest has not been raised, due to ignor- 
ance of facts and conditions, then we 
must seek the truth. 



AN AMBASSADOR "OF LONG 
TRAINING." 

President Wilson's Mexican policy is displeas- 
ing to Thomas J. O'Brien of Michigan, former 
.'\mbassador to Italy and Japan. His censure of 
the Administration would scarcely call for com- 
ment were it not that he has been one of the 
most conspicuous of those "men of long training" 
in the diplomatic service whom Dr. Charles W. 
Eliot, President of the National Civil-Service- 
Reform League, last week attacked for having 
"replaced by untrained men." 

Henry Lane Wilson, with whom Mr. O'Brien 
now classes himself as an opponent of the Wil- 
son policy toward Mexico, is another of the for- 
mer Ambassadors whose cases Dr. Eliot cham- 
pioned. Does belief in the principles of civil- 
service reform make it imperative that men hold- 
ing in contempt the views of the Administration 
shall be retained in diplomatic positions? For the 
sake of a theory, must the Nation be represented 
abroad by men not in sympathy with the Presi- 
dent's policy and unwilling to co-operate loyally 
with him?— New York "World." 

The "World" is so slavishly committed 
to support President Wilson and all his 
policies, good or bad, that it cannot see 
anything remarkable in the fact that 
"men of long training in the diplomatic 
service" are not in sympathy with the 
President's Mexican policy. There must 
be some good reason for their unwilling- 
ness to "co-operate loyally with him." Is 
it not conceivable that through their 
"long training" they are in the best posi- 
tion to appreciate the utter folly of his 
"policy"? 



A DEFINITE MEXICAN POLICY 
IMPERATIVE. 

General Villa has stripped himself of 
respectability and patriotism if he ever 
possessed any. He is simply a bandit, 
whose depredations place him beyond 
ordinary processes of law. His massa- 
cres at Juarez have been succeeded by 
confiscation at Chihuahua, where he ig- 
nored the fundamental principles of civ- 
ilized warfare and boldly set about the 
enrichment of himself and his followers. 
Unlettered, untrained, brutal in his views, 
it may be doubted if he is capable ot 
comprehending what Constitutionalist 
means. He happens to be fighting under 
that banner by chance, and would doubt- 
less be in the field even had Madero 
never been deposed. 

Huerta, on the contrary, has sought 
to establish a real government. Where 
his forces are in control there is law and 
order. Private property has not been 
sequestrated; rich men have not been held 
for ransom; plunder has not been the in- 
centive for armed activity. Had Huerta, 
for instance, been guilty of the outrages 
which Villa has committed, either Ameri- 
can or foreign troops would already have 
been in the capital. Although when he 
came into power the Government was 
disorganized and revolution rife, he man- 
aged in some manner to win the solid 
aflegiance of the more intelligent classes, 
who have interests at stake. He increased 
the army and made it efficient. Where 
his authority is complete ordinary busi- 
ness is going on under the usual protec- 
tion of law, with the people apparently 
at peace and content. Only where the 
Constitutionalists are active is there 
chaos, and this chaos is the more evident 
where they are in complete control. Villa 
is not the sole bandit in their ranks; most 
of the leaders are of similar character. 

The Adininistration at Washington 
cannot be relieved of its embarassment 
by Constitutionalist success. Every rea- 
son it has given for refusing to recognize 
Huerta applies with double force against 
recognition of Villa or the cause he rep- 
resents. The enormities with which 
Huerta has been charged have never been 
proved, while Villa boasts of his crimes 
and Carranza seeks to justify them. 

With Huerta supported by the best 
thought of his own country and the re- 
volt against him revealed as a mere con- 
federacy of bandits, bent on pillage, the 
United States is finding its attitude more 
untenable day by day. Intervention or 
war has been prevented by the wise re- 
fusal of the Administration to listen to 
the jingoes, but the drifting policy has 
a menace in it. Some definite line of 
conduct must be formulated and it must 
not be based on humanitarian theories 
out of harmony with Mexican conditions 
and habits of thought. 

A solution, even at this late date, 
would seem to be a recognition of the 
Huerta Government under definite guar- 
antees which would warrant hope of ulti-- 
mate pacification without humiliating 
patriotic Mexicans or impairing the na- 
tional sovereignty, or without prejudice 
to our own national dignity. The failure 
to summon the otiier great Powers of 
this hemisphere to join in representations 
to Mexico is an error that can yet be 
remedied. 

The waiting policy was good enough 
last summer; it is pregnant with danger 
now. The drift is unmistaka1)ly toward 
the rocks. By indirection we are encour- 
againg. and invigorating barbarity. After 
nine montlis of experimentation the Ad- 
ministration has no Mexican policy at 
all; it should evolve one now. — Philadel- 
phia "Public Ledger." 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



THE POISONED PEN 



Merrily the press campaign of lying 
and misrepresentation goes on. There 
is something childish in this spreading 
of falsehoods about a government and a 
country merely because that government 
and that country do not kowtow to the 
dictatorial power of the Washington 
Administration. 

There is also much that is unworthy of 
the press of a great country like this. 

Here are a few of the falsehoods, 
twisted truths, misrepresentations, in- 
sinuations and other "rot" which we were 
handed during the past week. 

While the attempt by the rebels to 
capture Tampico was given great promi- 
nence on December the twelfth and by 
some newspapers it was affirmed that 
Tampico had fallen, the taking of Tor- 
reon and Gomez Palacio by the Federals 
was hardly mentioned. Some of the so- 
called dispatches from Mexico City stated 
that the taking of Torreon was not be- 
lieved in Mexico City and the corre- 
spondent of the New York "Times" af- 
firms that disappointment had been ex- 
pressed in Mexico City because the cap- 
ture of Torreon meant that General 
Huerta could not be overthrown as read- 
ily as it had been thought! 

Yet when Torreon was taken by the 
"rebels" the news was scattered broad- 
cast with the statement that Torreon was 
the most important city in Northern 
Mexico and — of course — the key to 
Mexico City! It would be difficult to 
find a more glaring evidence of malicious 
intent or bias, than that offered daily by 
the press of this country in dealing with 
Mexican affairs. 

Even the weekly "Independent" had 
a map of Mexico last week and even 
the map of this usually reliable weekly 
carried the grossest misrepresentation. 

According to this map the cities 
doubly underlined had been captured by 
the rebels and the cities singly under- 
lined were invested or "threatened" by 
the rebels. 

Mazatlan and Guaymas were marked 
as in possession of the rebels, contrary 
to the truth, for both these places were 
in the hands of the Federals. Monter- 
rey, Saltillo, Manzanillo and Colima 
were marked invested, also contrary to 
the truth because none of those places 
had been "invested" or even "threat- 
ened" and they remained undisturbed 
in the possession of the Government 
forces. Trains were running directly 
from Mexico City to Manzanillo and 
from Mexico City to Laredo on the 
American border vifith a brief interrup- 
tion between Monterrey and Laredo. 

The New York "Sun" on December 
I2th announced in a three-column scare 
head: "Tampico Captured. Fletcher 



stops Huerta's gunboats' fire. Fletcher 
falls. Fletcher intervenes." The report 
was sent from Mexico City. 

The Associated Press dispatches from 
Mexico City of the following day stated 
that the "rebels" had not damaged any 
property — good rebels — but that the fire 
from the Federals endangered the tanks 
of the Waters-Pierce Company. Like- 
wise that it was believed that reinforce- 
ments for the Federals could not reach 
the town as the rebels held the water 
front. The same dispatches stated that 
the rebels were so confident of their 
strength that they were also attacking 
Monterrey. Also that the rebels were 
extending their operations generally, giv- 
ing several reports circulated in Mexico 
City but no facts. 

The New York "Sun" on December 
13th had a long dispatch from Berlin 
headed: "Huerta to beg Japan for aid. 
Offers big grant. Willing to make al- 
most any concession." 

The dispatch itself was a product of 
the imagination of the Berlin correspond- 
ent, if not a re-write man in the New 
York office, and merely repeated the oft- 
made assertion that the Huerta Govern- 
ment is willing to grant any concession 
to Japan in exchange for support. The 
purpose of this was as heretofore to 
make use of the American anti-Japanese 
feeling as a weapon against General 
Huerta. 

The New York "Times," having been 
unable to publish a Federal defeat, head- 
ed the Mexican "story" on the 14th with; 
"Rebels in Force Harass Tampico." 1/ 
went on to state in a dispatch from Verik 
Cruz that it was the "general belief" that 
when the rebels made a concentrated 
attack they would capture the city. 

The "Herald" of the 14th stated in a 
dispatch from Vera Cruz that the rebels 
might not make a direct assault, "in- 
fluenced by a desire to avoid destruction 
of property"! And that "an attack will 
soon be made and according to private 
conversation overheard here the belief 
is that the rebels will triumph." Of 
course! Also that the Federals hanged 
several prisoners and the rebels "retali- 
ated." 

Finally the news that the rebels had 
been repulsed with severe losses had to 
be published on the isth. With what 
reluctance it was done! It was accom- 
panied by the statement that the rebels 
would renew the attack almost immedi- 
ately and that "the belief was they would 
win!" 

Th'e New York "Sun" stated that 
Huerta was raging at Fletcher, and the 
"Herald" in a Washington dispatch, that 
the weakness of the rebels disappointed 
Washington! 



The "Herald" published also a state- 
ment, prepared by Sherby Hopkins in 
Washington and given out by the rebel 
junta, affirming that the charges against 
Villa for the atrocities committed at Chi- 
huahua were misleading. Villa had ex- 
pelled the Spaniards for their own good, 
it was said, to save them from the fury 
of the natives! Oh, that Hopkins is a. 
jewel! 

All the newspapers of that same day 
affirmed that Orozco had notified the 
Government that he was going to turn 
rebel because he had not been paid. This 
statement came from Mexico City. 

The "Tribune" of the 15th publishes 
a Washington dispatch ending thus: 

Thus far the American representations to Villa 
have been in the nature of a friendly warning, 
although there is every evidence of American 
displeasure in Consul Letcher's statement to Villa 
that such conduct will cause an unfavorable im- 
pression of the Constitutionalist cause. 

The "Herald" and other newspapers 
of the i6th announced again that the 
rebels were to renew their attack on 
Tampico, after stating that the rebels 
had been so cool in their retreat that 
they had taken all the rolling stock from 
the Tampico yards. 

Later dispatches, however, showed that 
the rebels had taken only four locomo- 
tives and a few cars. 

In order to offset the moral effect 
caused by the victories of the Federals 
last week several reports were circu- 
lated as to a supposed financial crisis in 
Mexico, the same that has been existing 
for many months according to the Amer- 
ican correspondents. 

The New York "Sun" reported an at- 
tack on Mazatlan that was "about to 
fall" and Monterrey was said to be in 
danger of falling, too. 

And so on! 



It is sufficient to read from day to day 
the so-called news sent out by the Asso- 
ciated Press and by special newspaper 
correspondents in Mexico City to under- 
stand the malice which prompts the 
statements made from time to time that 
the Huerta Government is censoring 
press despatches. 

In honor of truth is must be stated that 
no other government, not even the Wash- 
ington Government, would have per- 
mitted the wholesale lying and misrepre- 
sentation which is daily being carried 
on from Mexico City. 

The Huerta Government, however, 
with remarkable singleness of purpose, 
is unconcerned about this and relies on 
time for the truth to come out. Its for- 
bearance is commendable and will serve 
to strengthen the respect of thinking 
people in Mexico and abroad. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



The Administration and Mexico 

By Theodore S. Woolsey, LL.D. 

Professor Emeritus of International Law in Yale University. 



Day by day in the newspaper of his 
choice the somewhat perturbed house- 
holder reads the latest despatches from 
Mexico. Foreigners forsake their prop- 
erty and seek the coast. The Constitu- 
tionalists are making headway and inci- 
dentallj- have put their prisoners to 
death. The Nationalists are crushing 
out opposition and organizing Congress. 
The sorrows of Huerta disappear like 
morning dew as he sits tight, braves the 
demands of the United States and has 
the time of his life. And on our side 
the administration uses brave words, 
vaguely threatens dire things, persuades 
foreign povirers to await its declaration 
of policy, yet seems to have no policy, 
but — drifts. Whither is it drifting? 

To clear our minds let us try to state 
the problems, study the rules and pre- 
cedents for its solution, examine the ac- 
tion of the administration in their light 
and characterize the alternative courses. 

Mexico is a state where the strong 
hand of a despot has brought about peace 
and orderly government; the power of 
public opinion has not done so. It is 
a state where the game of politics has 
been unfairly played. For orderly gov- 
ernment based upon popular elections 
must depend upon accepting the results 
of election honestly, whereas in Mexico, 
as in too many other Latin-American 
states, the party beaten at the polls, in- 
stead of accepting the result, takes up 
arms. The party division before 1865 
was into Liberals and Clericals. Max- 
imilian was supported by the latter, but 
eventually deserted by them, being un- 
able to satisfy their demands. The Mon- 
roe Doctrine on its original lines was 
enforced in 1867 and the French army 
of intervention withdrawn. Then the 
Liberals gained the upper hand and Max- 
imilian was captured and shot. During 
the presidencies of Juarez and Lerdo, 
who followed Maximilian, Porfirio Diaz 
repeatedly raised the standard of revolt, 
and in 1877, with an army at his back 
and a program of reform to smooth his 
way, was elected president. Eglasias 
assured him that he might be a fortu- 
nate soldier but not a constitutional 
president. 

Inaugurated in May, 1877, Diaz was 
not recognized by the United States un- 
til March of the next year, although Ger- 
many and Italy had acted the August 
before. His so-called election was sim- 
ply the result of overthrowing the rival 
claimants. Secretary Fish suggested that 
Diaz "would have no important adver- 
sary in arms and might be regarded as 
the actual ruler of the country." But as 
there were border troubles complicating 
the matter, this decent ten months' in- 
terval before recognition, was deter- 
mined on. In Moore's "Digest of the 
International Law of the United States," 
one may find a statement of our usual 
policy in such cases and the reason for 
this particular delay. The Government 
of the United States, although it was 
"accustomed to accept and recognize the 
results of a popular choice in Mexico and 
not to scrutinize closely the regularity 
or irregularity of the methods" by which 
those results were brought about, would 
in the particular instance "wait before 
recognizing General Diaz as president 
of Mexico until it shall be assured that 
his election is approved by the Mexican 
people and that his administration is 



possessed of stability to endure and of 
disposition to comply with the rules of 
international comity and the obligations 
of treaties." This is the language of our 
acting Secretary of State and was also 
stated in much the same words by Presi- 
dent Hayes in his message December 3, 
1877. Other facts remain to be recalled 
in order to show how parallel the two 
cases of Diaz and Huerta appear. Un- 
able or unwilling to carry out his pro- 
gram of reforms, Diaz said frankly in 
the "Diario Official" that the program 
was "nothing else but a heap of moral 
absurdities and material impossibilities 
and that in consequence he was not able 
to fulfil the promises there made to the 
nation." The ensuing discontent, hos- 
tility and revolts were put down with 
a strong hand. Some of his opponents 
were executed, some imprisoned, some 
driven out. At this time occurred the 
execution, without trial, of nine citizens 
of Vera Cruz — the so-called "Hecatomb 
of Vera Cruz" — which was ascribed to 
Diaz but not proven. All sorts of crimes, 
including robbery, were ascribed to Diaz 
— 164 different events being specified in 
one newspaper, the editor being prompt- 
ly banished. 

At the expiration of his term, late in 
1880, being ineligible for re-election, Diaz 
transferred his powers to General Gon- 
zales, his Secretary of War, had himself 
elected Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court and governor of Oaxaca, paid a 
visit to the United States — where he 
was well received — and then, in 1884, 
became president again. Without pursu- 
ing his career further it is enough to 
say that until the Madero revolt Diaz 
continued in control of Mexico, a despot, 
in many respects a beneficent despot; 
inviting foreign capital, safe-guarding it, 
developing transportation and trade, car- 
r3'ing out the obligations of the state, 
preserving order; but by no means a con- 
stitutional president. When his strong 
grip upon affairs relaxed, we see but too 
clearly the results. 

In his brief review of the rise and rec- 
ognition of Diaz, the events of a genera- 
tion of Mexican history, we find the 
usage and the policy of our own Govern- 
ment and its beneficial consequences, 
material at least if not moral. That the 
rule governing recognition was applic- 
able to the other Latin-American states 
as well as Mexico the correspondence of 
our State Department shows, and this is 
the law and the policy generally. A de 
facto change of government which seems 
to have popular backing and to be strong 
enough to make good the obligations 
entered into with other states is recog- 
nized by those states after a decent and 
sufficient interval.. Provided these fun- 
damental requirements are satisfied, ir- 
regularities in the succession of a new- 
administration or blemishes in the char- 
acter of a new executive head are mat- 
ters of internal sovereignty with which 
other states do not concern themselves. 

Let us now assume that the charges 
brought against General Huerla, which 
seem to have influenced our Government 
in its recent dealings with Mexico, are 
true. * * * He was promptly recognized 
by some, though not by all, of the states 
in commercial relations with Mexico. 
Mr. Wilson's attitude, however, was one 
of extreme disapproval. He believed 
Huerta to have come into power by un- 



constitutional means and with bloody 
hands. He distrusted any Congress 
chosen under existing conditions and un- 
der Huerta's auspices. He withheld rec- 
ognition, and when Huerta expelled 
many members of Congress on the 
charge that they made the national legis- 
lature a hotbed of revolution. President 
Wilson declared that he never would rec- 
ognize him; furthermore that the new 
Congress was incapable of legal action 
and must not be convened. So far as 
the American public has been informed, 
this is the sum and substance of Wilson's 
policy — never to recognize Huerta nor 
his Congress — and for the reason that 
Huerla is so bad a man. 

It will be noticed that this policy is 
essentially different from the prevailing 
policy and usage of the United States in 
similar cases. Hitherto it has asked not 
whether a de facto executive irregularly 
in office was a good man, but whether 
he was a strong man, backed by the pop- 
ular will, so far as that found expres- 
sion, and capable of fulfilling the obli- 
gations of the state. And in order to de- 
termine this time must elapse. 

We must credit Mr. Wilson with the 
best of intentions. He surely seeks the 
restoration of order and the reign of 
law in disturbed Mexico. In delaying the 
recognition of Huerta, he is acting 
wisely, is following sound precedent. It 
would have been well, perhaps, to have 
sounded other states and acted in uni- 
son with them, thus testing the stability 
of Huerta, as our late ambassador in 
Mexico seems to have advised. But de- 
lay of recognition to test the streng^th 
and popular backing of a de facto_ ex- 
ecutive is one thing; the delay coinci- 
dent to a refusal ever and under any 
circumstances to recognize a Huerta or 
any of his legislative doings, is quite an- 
other. It substitutes the ethical princi- 
ples of our President or his Secretctfy 
of State for precedent, usage and com- 
mon sense. 

Meanwhile the administration, upheld 
by its good intentions, optimistic that 
Huerta, under the weight of_ disapproval, 
will climb down from his high horse, is 
exposing itself to the derision of an un- 
charitable world. For it resembles the 
man who seeks a reputation for wisdom 
by keeping silent, while it becomes clear- 
er every day that it does nothing because 
it knows not what to do: it started 
wrong. Whether Huerta is the strong 
man desired, is the only Mexican _ in 
sight who can restore order, it is diffi- 
cult to determine. But my point is that 
his case must not be prejudged, and that 
should his strength become evident it is 
the duty of the administration to recog- 
nize him in spite of its previous sweeping 
refusal to do so, in spite of consequent 
loss of face. For what else is there to 
do? Let us consider certain alternatives 
suggested. 

One is the removal of the embargo 
upon exportation of arms and ammuni- 
tion. Here it must be noticed that this 
embargo is not commanded by interna- 
tional law but by our Congress. To re- 
store order in Mexico by supplying both 
factions with arms and watching them 
fight it out, would jeopardize all prop- 
erty, imperil the lives of foreigners as 
well as natives, foster brigandage and 
anarchy, indefinitely postpone a settle- 
ment. And is Carranza in any way su- 
perior to Huerta? Has he not bloody 
hands also? 

Another course would_ be pacific block- 
ade applied to all Mexican ports. The 
first objection to this is that if the pres- 
sure of such a step should be effective 
its result would be to weaken the domi- 
nant power, whereas what is wanted is 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



WOOLSEY— Continued. 

to strengthen some authority. The other 
objection, and, I think, a fatal one, is 
that it would not be effective because it 
could not be made to apply to the trade 
of third powers. We ourselves held this 
• — when it was proposed by Great Bri- 
tain and Germany in 1903 to blockade 
the Venezuelan ports pacifically — that 
blockade to be respected by the neutral 
must imply war. But if neutral trade 
is undisturbed blockade loses its value. 
And this brings us to a third and last 
alternative to the recognition of Huerta, 
namely, armed intervention, that is, war. 
Perhaps nothing else would unite the 
Mexican factions, but it would be carry- 
ing altruism to the nth power to hazard 
our own fortunes in war with a neighbor 
in order to patch up that neighbor's do- 
mestic differences. The advocates of in- 
tervention talk of a military expedition 
into Mexico, the protection of American 
property, the restoration of order, a fair 
election under our auspices and then a 
graceful withdrawal, as if such a program 
were possible and easy. But I fancy a 
responsible board of strategy has warned 
the President, even if he is tempted, of 
which there is no sign, that the country 
is not equipped for such an adventure. 
In this connection we may study the 
Boer war to advantage. According to 
the Esher report, the total enrollment 
under the British flag in South Africa 
was 448,000 men to conquer an estimated 
Boer force of about 40,000 and pacify 
the country. This proportion of ten to 
one was made necessary by the vast ex- 
tent of country to be covered, the diffi- 
culty of guarding communications and 
by Boer mobility. The report showed 
further that Great Britain could ade- 
quately arm, equip and officer not much 
over 100,000 men who could be spared 
for African service. The job of Mexi- 
can intervention would be greater than 
this and our preparation for it less. We 
should not intervene, because it is so 
doubtful if we could intervene success- 
fully, whereas intervention to be justifi- 
able must be successful. 

Every one of these alternatives to the 
recognition of Huerta is inadmissible. 
Our policy should be to strengthen some- 
body in Mexico, not to weaken every- 
body: to build up, not to pull down. In 
refusing ever to recognize Huerta, the 
Administration has violated our usage 
and the dictates of common sense. Is it 
honest enough and strong enough to cor- 
rect its blunder? There is an obstinacy 
of strength; there is also an obstinacy 
of weakness. 



MAKING FUN OF IT 

BUT NO JOKE TO POOR MEXICO 



THE MONEY WEAPON. 

"With singular wisdom our Government is 
proceeding in diplomatic action for establishment 
of peace in Mexico. We are utilizing for the first 
time in diplomacy the fact that money is the 
great weapon of warfare ; that an usurper can 
be destroyed by starvation as well as by the 
bullet." 

The above is quoted by the Boston 
"Transcript" from a speech of George 
Fred Williams, recently appointed Min- 
ister to Greece. Even allowing for his 
gratitude to the President and Bryan 
for the appointment, it was certainly a 
glaring indiscretion for him to admit that 
there is a warfare with Mexico in which 
money is the great weapon. George 
Fred should be careful of his words. He 
must not give away the subtle, oh so ter- 
ribly subtle, game of those apostles of 
peace — =fais superiors. 



John Kendrick Banks, Joseph Hodges 
Choate and Chauncey Depew are all hu- 
morists. 

These three men have recently tackled 
President Wilson's Mexican policy, Mr. 
Bangs without engaging the public at- 
tention, but Mr. Choate and Mr. Depew 
with considerable acclaim. It is inter- 
esting to see how they did it. Mr. Bangs 
was in Oneonta, N. Y., about the middle 
of November, on a lecture tour. A re- 
porter for the "Oneonta Star" found him 
before the lecture and proceeded to 
search him for his views. Here is the 
Mexican part of this process: 

"Do you approve of the President's 
Mexican policy?" asked the reporter. 

"I haven't seen a newspaper since this 
morning," said Mr. Bangs, "so I don't 
know what that policy is. Has it been 
announced yet?" 

"Well," said the reporter, "as far as 
I can find out it is a policy of high 
idealism — " 

"Oh — I see," said Mr. Bangs. "Well, 
high idealism is a mighty good thing if 
you can carry it through, and we must all 
wish more power to Mr. Wilson's idealis- 
tic elbow — but somehow or other I have 
never felt that I could win the heart of 
a hedgehog by reciting Rossetti's Son- 
nets of Life, or reading extracts from Mr. 
Bryan's Chautauqua lectures into his 
ear." 

Mr. Choate's encounter with the Presi- 
dent's Mexican policy took place at the 
more recent Chamber of Commerce din- 
ner at the Waldorf-Astoria. Here is the 
way he took hold of it: 

"What is the most stirring thing that 
agitates the hearts of the American peo- 
ple to-day? It is Mexico. What are we 
going to do with Mexico or what is Mex- 
ico going to do with us? I should like 
very much to discuss the policy of the 
United States in regard to Mexico. I 
think I could occupy the whole evening 
with it — if I only knew what that policy 
was." 

Mr. Choate went on to say that when 
we had found out what this policy is, and 
emphatically if anything serious for this 
country comes out of it, we must all stand 
by the President, and was roundly applaud- 
ed for his advice, just as Mr. Bangs said 
that "we must all wish more power to 
Mr. Wilson's idealistic elbow." It 
would be highly un-American to give 
different advice in case the country were 
once seriously engaged, but this did not 
impair Mr. Choate's original jest, that he 
could occupy the whole evening discuss- 
ing this policy if he only knew what it 
was. Mr. Choate is too experienced a 
statesman not to know the diSference be- 
tween a vague longing for the better- 
ment of mankind and practical measures 
of real statecraft. 



Now comes Mr. Depew with his speech 
at the dinner of the St. Nicholas Society 
at Delmonico's last Saturday evening, of 
which it is foolishly said that President 
Wilson's Mexican policy is "commended 
by Mr. Depew." 

Mr. Depew did not sparkle in his treat- 
ment of the far-famed Mexican policy 
which has been produced and so closely 
guarded by President Wilson, but at any 
rate he made the point of his jest obvi- 
ous. He said this: 

He (President Wilson) has his troubles 
as far as Mexico is concerned. He is 
practicing Christian Science there, but 
he has done the business for Huerta and 
Villa. If serious troubles should arise 
there involving us it will be the duty of 
every broad-minded American, irrespec- 
tive of party politics, to stand by him to 
the last. 

The amount of it is, according to Mr. 
Depew, that "if" this absent treatment 
requires a return to the normal and tried 
methods by which two independent na- 
tions deal with each other in case of a 
quarrel, then the man who does not 
stand by his own country is not worthy 
to be a part of it. All these three men 
say that, and there is nothing wonderful 
about it. But they all carefully avoid 
making the Wilson policy itself, either 
in its nature, or merits, or the mere mys- 
tery of it, the basis of their common ap- 
peal to the well-known patriotism of the 
American people. As a matter of fact 
all three, more or less distinguished as 
they are, and certainly all of them fairly 
representative of our soundest and most 
responsible citizenship, bring forward 
and introduce the Wilson Mexican policy 
by making fun of if. It is not that they 
wish to do so; it is that the policy is of 
such a quality that the more a trained 
man studies it the more it stirs his sense 
of humor — a sense with which these 
three men are well equipped. — Hartford 
"Daily Courant." 

TOO BIG A BITE. 

Of course, the question of the means by which 
President Wilson will secure good government in 
Mexico is not of the essence of the problem, as 
regards Anglo-American relations. Every one 
hopes that this end may be brought about by 
peaceful methods, and any criticisms of American 
diplomacy that may have been published on this 
side arise simply from the doubt whether the 
President has made full allowance for the pecu- 
liarities of the Mexican character and tempera- 
ment. The significant thing, however, from the 
English point of view, is that at last the United 
States has fully accepted the responsibility for 
guaranteeing order and good government in Latin 
America. The methods by which she will dis- 
charge that responsibility are her own concern. — 
Special London Correspondence to New York 
"Evening Post." 

Yes, England can very well afford to 
sit back while we pull her chestnuts out 
of the fire. The Administration, to save 
its face or because it doesn't know, is 
assuming most tremendous responsibili- 
ties in Latin America. It remains to be 
seen how they are to be discharged. If 
our course toward Mexico is any cri- 
terion, it would seem that Mr. Bryan 
et al have already bitten off much more 
than they can chew. 



6 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



AS THE MUNSEY PAPERS SEE 
THE OIL GAME. 

If it is true that the Standard Oil 
Company has sent agents into the Tam- 
pico district to acquire oil lands, it is a 
subject of much conjecture as to what 
methods those agents will pursue in the 
efforts to obtain the properties. 

There is little likelihood of the Stand- 
ard Oil entering negotiation with the 
Huerta Government, not only because 
of the foothold which Federal forces 
have lost in the Tampico district in the 
last few days of fighting and the prob- 
ability of the downfall of the entire 
Huerta regime shortly, but because of 
the hatred which Huerta already has 
shown toward the Standard Oil Com- 
pany. 

Madero's chief concessions were to the 
Standard Oil, and his chief revocation 
of the concessions hit the Pearson Oil 
group. Huerta, on becoming President, 
practically reversed that order of things, 
throwing the oil situation back largely 
into the condition in which it existed be- 
fore Madero began his successful cam- 
paign against Porfirio Diaz. 

There are many leading oil men who 
believe the Standard Oil Company will 
not attempt acquisition of more lands in 
the Tampico district until the Huerta 
Government is overthrown. Others con- 
versant with methods followed at the 
time when Madero's forces were pushing 
toward Mexico City for the overthrow 
of the Diaz regime, believe definite agree- 
ments already have been reached with 
the Carranza forces. 

They base this belief particularly on 
the speed with which the Constitutional- 
ist forces pushed their campaign into 
the Tampico district, probably the great- 
est oil-bearing region in the world. 

It was pointed out that in the confu- 
sion of affairs attendant on the change 
of government at Tampico, the Pearsons 
may find their "rights" under the exten- 
sive concessions from Huerta boldly in- 
vaded by the rebels to the advantage of 
rival interests. 

It was even asserted that with the 
Tampico district fully in the hands of 
the Constitutionalists and the latter able 
to defend it against efforts on the part 
of the Federals to retake it, the Standard 
Oil Company need care little, so far as 
its chief interests in Mexico are con- 
cerned, whether or not Mexico City re- 
mains in the hands of Huerta. — New 
York "Press." 



LEST WE FORGET 



"Over in Cananca a few days ago," 
says a mining engineer, "a Chinaman 
was fined .$100 for refusing to take rebel 
money in exchange for his goods. He 
beefed long and loud aliout the fine. But 
finally a brilliant thought struck him. 
He went out and got $100 of the reljel 
money and offered it in payment of his 
fine. But the rebel official who fined 
John for refusing rebel money refused 
it himself and made the Chinaman dig 
up silver dollars for the fine." — El Paso 
"Times." 



Oh, the obliquity of "moral" minds! 

* * * 

How they "pulled" for the success of 
the assault on Tampico! 

* ♦ » 

Hoping the "rebels" woud take the 
town. 

» * » 

Fully aware how the same kind of 
enemies of society had acted in Chihua- 
hua. 

* » * 

Can anybody explain this moral obliq- 
uity? 

* * * 

Ignorance cannot explain it, for the 
horrible facts are matters of common 
knowledge. 

* * * 

The Mexican government could be as 
rotten as New York politics, but that 
would not justify the encouragement of 
murder, pillage and rape by those seek- 
ing to overthrow it. 

* ♦ » 

Which is exactly what the Bryan atti- 
tude amounts to and all the fine words 
in the Administration's stock vocabulary 
will not hide it. 

What a sorry mess it is! 

* * » 

And only one way out of it. 

* » * 

But the pig-headed will not take it. 

They will "view with complacency" 
until — 

Until public opinion will countenance 
the farce no longer. 

* * * 

Which, we prophesy, will be very, very 
soon. 

* * » 

As the truth sinks in. 

* * » 

The truth will have to be faced sooner 
or later. It's Huerta or War. 

A prominent Texan said recently that 
President Wilson was awaiting the psy- 
chological moment to intervene in Mex- 
ico. 

* * * 

It has not occurred to the gentleman 
that the people will have something to 
say about an intervention that means 
war. 

» • * 

We are glad we are not on the pay-roll 
of the Administration. 
« • • 

If we were we couldn't tell the truth 
about Mexico. 

* * * 

We'd be reprimanded or court-mar- 
tialed. 



Funny how school keeps up. 

* * * 

Carranza, Hale, Sherby Hopkins, the 
Maderos et al were fooling the American 
public beautifully with their glowing pic- 
tures of the constitutionalists and their 
cause — till Villa got busy. 

* * * 

Now they wish they had never let him 
get within five hundred miles of the bor- 
der. 

* ♦ * 

But you will notice they have hailed 
his capture of Juarez and Chihuahua as 
great constitutionalist victories. 

* * * 

Several thousand ChUiuahuans fled 
across a desert to escape Villa and hii 
men. 

* * * 

Why? Because the women and girls 
feared a fate worse than death. 

* » * 

You do not hear of the people fleeing 
before the Federal troops. 

* * * 

They are welcomed with open arms. 

* * * 

No foreigners' property is destroyed 
or looted by the Government's soldiers. 

* * * 

They are rushing "envoys" to Villa to 
tell him he is making a bad impression 
on the American public. 

Villa isn't worrying about the impres- 
sion he is making on the American pub- 
lic. We must say he is no hypocrite. 

If Carranza and his clique want to play 
the political game from Sonora, with 
the aid of the American press, that's 
their affair. It doesn't affect Villa in the 
least. He's doing the rough work and 
he takes what's coming to him in his 
own way. T'ell with the American pub- 
lic. 



So the last vestige of, Huerta rule was 
to disappear from Northern Mexico. So? 
The trains are running from Mexico City 
clear through to Laredo, on the border, 
from San Luis Potosi to Tampico and the 
Federal forces have driven the bandits 
out of Torreon, a most important railroad 
junction and of great strategic value. If 
that is the last vestige of Huerta rule, 
well, it's a lot of vestige. The recapture 
of Torreon was noted in the American 
newspapers with only a few lines. Villa's 
taking of the comparatively unimportant 
Juarez was given columns, supplemented 
by detailed accounts of what the rebels, 
meaning Villa's bandits, were going to 
do next. On to Mexico City! Dinner 
in Mexico City, Christmas Day — and 
Mexico City only thirteen hundred miles 
away ? 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



MEN WHO KNOW 



Against the arbitrary dictation of the 
Wilson Administration in Mexico, 
against the encouragement of disorder in 
Mexico by the words and acts of Admin- 
istration "high officials," the govern- 
ment of Mexico has protested, the peace- 
able people of Mexico have protested, 
foreigners in Mexico and foreign public 
opinion have protested, public opinion in 
all Latin-American countries has pro- 
tested, Americans in Mexico and Ameri- 
cans familiar with conditions there have 
protested almost to a man, trained and 
intelligent observers like ex-Ambassador 
Wilson, ex-Ambassador Thomas J. 
O'Brien, Major Cassius E. Gillette, Col- 
onel George Harvey, Professor Woolsey, 
of Yale, and many others have protested, 
but against all this weight of adverse 
opinion, remarkably unanimous in its 
judgment of the situation and in its con- 
clusions, the Wilson Administration has 
set its face and closed its ears, repeating 
over and over its self-hypnotizing shib- 
boleth: "Huerta must go!" 

It is true that so far in its unreason- 
able dictatorial course the Administra- 
tion has found considerable support in 
this country, the support of newspapers 
either friendly to the purposes of special 
interests who desire the continuation of 
trouble in Mexico or keenly alive to the 
news value in the turmoil below the Rio 
Grande; the support, a rather negative 
support, of those who cannot quite make 
out the true purpose of the Administra- 
tion and are disposed to give it the 
benefit of the doubt; the support of peace 
advocates who are inclined to think that 
whatever faults the Administration pol- 
icy may have, it has at least announced 
its opposition to an armed intervention 
that would mean war; the passive sup- 
port of those who know nothing of Mex- 
ican conditions except what they gather 
from the daily papers and who loyally 
give the Administration the credit of 
knowing more about its motives and pur- 
poses than the average uninformed citi- 
zen can possibly know. 

It will be seen that the opposition to 
the Administration's course comes from 
those who are well versed in Mexican 
affairs. That the newspaper editorial 
support, and the coloring of the news 
for the same purpose, come from men 
whose observations of Mexico have not 
extended beyond the walls of an editorial 
sanctum. 

We subjoin a partial list of persons 
whose training and experience have fitted 
them to pass judgment on the meaning 
and the results of the Administration's 
attitude toward Mexico and who have on 
occasion in the last few months publicly 
expressed their condemnation of it: 

James Creelman, journalist and au- 
thority on Mexico. 



Alver R. Dobson, President of the 
American Book and Printing Company, 
Mexico City. 

Ex-Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson. 
John W. DeKay, Mexico City. 
James Brown Potter. 
Paul Hudson, editor "Mexican Herald." 
George Lewis, mining engineer, Bos- 
ton. 

George Lueders & Co., New York, ex- 
porters. 

Colonel Cecil Lyon, Texas. 
Col. Edward R. Dunn, mining engineer. 
Ellsworth J. Wiggins, formerly Amer- 
ican consul at Monterrey, Mexico. 

Rev. John Howland, D.D., missionary 
in Mexico. 

Edward L. Andrews, American repre- 
sentative of the Corporation of Foreign 
Bondholders of London. 

Dwight Furness, for twenty-five years 
a resident of Mexico City. 

Sydney Brooks, well-known publicist. 
Rev. W. Ellsworth Lawson, Foxboro, 
Mass., formerly of Mexico. 

J. T. Willett, American resident of 
Mexico for half a century. 

Louis C. Simonds, contributor to "At- 
lantic Monthly." 

Major Cassius E. Gillette, retired offi- 
cer United States Army. 

Rev. P. J. O'Reilly, Catholic mission- 
ary, Austin, Texas. 

Congressman Allen T. Treadway, of 
Massachusetts. 

Dr. Theodore S. Woolsey, professor 
of international law, Yale. 

Charles Grandpierre, author and Latin- 
American expert. 

Andrew D. Wi.'le, ex-Ambassador to 
Germany. 

Thomas J. O'Brien, ex-Ambassador to 
Italy. 

Colonel George Harvey, editor "North 
American Review." 

Dr. 'William Penn DuBois. 
Hannis Taylor, ex-diplomat and noted 
authority on international affairs. 

These are only a few of the great 
number of Americans familiar with Mex- 
ican conditions who can see no good in 
the AdminisUation's interference in the 
affairs of our neighboring republic. Ap- 
parently they have felt, as we feel, that 
it is the patriotic duty of every American 
who knows the real situation in Mexico 
to publicly call attention to the incal- 
culable dangers and evils of a policy that, 
if not based on ignorance, is inexplic- 
able to all save those who are shaping 
it 



Vilk says he would not recognize Car- 
ranza if the latter became President. 
• • • 

Of course he wouldn't. And he'd prob- 
ably have good "moral grounds," too. 



JUST BEGINNING. 

President Huerta, in a private letter 
last Saturday, answers three questions 
relating to the present condition of the 
revolution, the strength of the army and 
Mexico's foreign relations. Regarding 
the first point Huerta says, in part: 

"The revolt has not terminated, for 
the simple reason that my government 
has barely been ten months in existence, 
and when it took charge it found the 
treasury empty and an armed force 
scarcely numbering nineteen thousand 
men of the regular army and eight 
thousand Maderista Rurales, who, before 
the end of February last, had for the 
most part deserted en masse or had re- 
belled against the new government. 
Thus, I repeat, the government found 
itself without the means indispensable 
for guaranteeing the tranquility of all 
citizens of the republic throughout an 
immense extent of national territory. 

"For this reason my government has 
devoted all its attention to the organi- 
zation of the army, increasing it, with 
the full consent of Congress, first to 
eighty thousand men, which figure has 
been reached. With this nucleus prep- 
arations have been made for the military 
operations which have to be undertaken 
for the pacification of the republic. 

"As is notorious, this period of prep- 
aration has brought about the pacifica- 
tion of twenty-two states, three terri- 
tories and the Federal district and it has 
been possible to confine the revolution 
to five states only. 

Real Campaign to Come. 

"From what I have said, it will be 
seen that the campaign against the 
Northern rebels has not, properly speak- 
ing, been begun, the reason being lack 
of forces, of which, however, the gov- 
ernment is now in possession. The cam- 
paign will be pushed resolutely as from 
January i next, and you may rest as- 
sured, as the government is, that the 
rebels can never make a serious stand 
against the power of the republic." 

Huerta goes on to say that the increase 
of the army to 150,000 men is for the 
purpose of assuring the permanence of 
peace. He adds that each state has a 
local militia of 1,000 men, and 52,000 
'haciendados have been authorized to 
employ ten armed men each for the pro- 
tection of their farms, so that, altogether, 
for the restoration of peace the govern- 
ment counts a force of over 700,000 men. 
In regard to international relations of 
Mexico, Huerta says; 

"I have simply to say to you that we 
are at peace with the whole world, and 
while it is true that a great people have 
withdrawn from us their valued and im- 
portant friendship, it is not we who are 
to blame." 



Secretary Bryan is not so solicitous 
concerning the barbaric crimes of Villa 
as he is that the "constitutionalist" 
cause may be hurt in the United States. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



A LETTER FROM HUERTA 



WHICH HE DID NOT WRITE. 



George Sylvester Viereck contributes 
another chapter to the volume of "Let- 
ters That Never Were Written," in the 
International Magazine for December. 
It is presumed to have been written, 
however, by President Huerta of Mex- 
ico to President, Wilson, on November 
25. 

Sir: In accordance with the duties of 
my exalted office and the dictates of my 
conscience, I am compelled, much to my 
regret, to inform your excellency, that 
it will hereafter be impossible for me 
and my government to recognize your 
administration. I have instructed my 
representative whom, for reasons of your 
own, you have refused to receive, to de- 
mand 3'our instant resignation as Presi- 
dent of the United States. I have no 
quarrel with }'0u personally and I have 
the highest respect for your people, but 

1 feel that the Republic of Mexico owes 
a duty to the democracy of the world. 
To my mind j-ou are an usurper of ad- 
ministrative power, even if, according to 
a loose interpretation of the Constitu- 
tion, you hold your office according to 
law. 

Without quibbling over terms, the 
fundamental fact remains that republi- 
can government is a government by the 
majority of the people. If you will scan 
the election returns of 1913 you will find 
that you were never legally elected by a 
majority of the voters of your great 
country. My colleague, Senor Blanquet, 
informs me that the votes cast for Pres- 
ident in the election to which you owe 
your alleged elevation to office were di- 
vided as follows: 

Senor Taft 3,369,331 

Genera! Roosevelt 4,057,429 

Senor Debs 812,731 

Senor Wilson 6,292,718 

It is iherefore clear that you repre- 
sent a minority of the American people 
which, by violating the great principles 
that inspired George Washington and 
our immortal Juarez, has arrogated to 
itself the government of your country. 
The vote against you exceeded your vote 

2 millions. It is painful for me to state 
the facts so bluntly to your excellency, 
but I do not see hov/ you can remain 
in ofifice against the clear and unmistak- 
able verdict of the majority of the peo- 
ple. I owe it to myself, I owe it to 
my country and to the traditional friend- 
ship existing between the Mexican Union 
and the United States of America, to in- 
sist that you and your entire Cabinet in- 
stantly vacate the White House. 

I shall not be satisfied if your excel- 
lency were to resign merely as a matter 
of form while continuing to hold the 
reins of government by means of a 
dummy. I shall not permit Senor Mar- 
shall to succeed you, inasmuch as he 
is disqualified from office for the same 
reasons that render your election in- 
valid from the point of view of the Mex- 
ican constitution. Nor shall I recog- 
nize Senor Bryan, Admiral Daniels or 
any member of your official family, as 
your successor. 

I demand the immediate proclamation 
of a new general election. Meanwhile, 
however — for it is not my intention to 
embarrass your government and the 
noble people of the United States — I 
shall be perfectly content if you will 
name Senor Champ Clark as provisional 
president. If the honorable senor ac- 
cepts the designation, my government 



will deal with him as the de facto execu- 
tive of your glorious republic. Mean- 
while, in case any accident should be- 
fall Senor Champ Clark, I shall hold 
your excellency personally strictly re- 
sponsible. 

I must insist, moreover, to make my- 
self perfectly plain that neither you your- 
self nor anyone else connected with 
your administration shall be a candi- 
date for election. I have no objection 
to the candidacy of General Roosevelt. 
His absence from .A.merican soil, how- 
ever, renders him ineligible to oflice ac- 
cording to Mexican law. I suggest a 
quarantine of all American ports, in view 
of the ravages of malaria in the interior 
of Patagonia, if the general should indi- 
cate the desire to return to your country 
before election. I should like to make 
plain that his excellency, the Honorable 
William H. Taft. is the candidate whose 
election would be most acceptable to my 
government. 

Shortly before his departure my la- 
mented predecessor called my attention 
to another matter of grave importance. 
It seems that your lower house likewise 
was not elected in accordance with the 
Mexican constitution. I will not insist 
on an immediate dissolution of congress, 
but I demand that every candidate who 
has not received a clear majority of the 
votes in his district shall immediately 
enter another special election, running 
against the candidate who reeeived the 
largest number of votes next to him. If 
this request is not complied with, I shall 
be forced to repudiate congress and de- 
clare the election void. 

Any disagreement with my views will 
be construed by my government as an 
unfriendly act. I realize that my posi- 
tion may be regarded as academic, but 
I cannot deviate from the path laid out 
to me by conscience, even at the ex- 
pense of my country and untold sacri- 
fices in blood and money. 

If your excellency should fail to ac- 
cede to my well meant suggestions with- 
in forty-eight hours from date, I shall 
place an immediate embargo on chili 
pepper. In case of your failure to rec- 
ognize Senor Clark as your successor, I 
shall recognize the leader of one of your 
rival factions in the sovereign states of 
New York and New Jersey as provision- 
al president of the United States. I am 
still wavering between Senor Nugent 
and Senor Murphy, but I shall dispatch 
a personal representative to negotiate 
with the two leaders. His clerical and 
journalistic experience — he is the editor 
of the periodical which prints my speeches 
— vouch for his consummate skill in the 
game of diplomacy and international 
politics. 

I trust that your excellency will not 
misconstrue my gentle insinuations as 
an ultimatum. Nothing could be further 
from my mind. It is not my intention 
to meddle with internal affairs of neigh- 
boring republics. I am not even acting 
in the interest of my country. I offer 
my friendly advice merely because I am 
a man of iron principle, actuated by high 
ideals. I believe firmly in the govern- 
ment of the majority when the majority 
is right. I believe in the government of 
the people when the people agree with 
me. 

Pray be not alarmed by the dispatch of 
mv entire fleet to Bar Harbor. It is 
merely. I assure your excellency, for the 



CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE 
FRONT. 

(By Private Wire to "The Sun Dial.") 

Pennsylvania Station, New York, Dec. 
13. — Heavy firing heard in all the after- 
noon newspapers. No Mexicans in sight 
as yet. 

Hotel Shoreham, Washington, D. C, 
Dec. 13. — The "Washington Post" an- 
nounces that Tampico has fallen. Have 
not yet been able to verify this. Mexico 
is a great country. 

New Orleans, La., Dec. 15. — I learn 
from the New Orleans "Picayune" that 
Gen. Huerta is now President of Mex- 
ico. A drummer tells me that Spanish is 
widely spoken in Mexico. All quiet here. 

El Paso, Te.x., Dec. 17. — At 9 p. m. 
to-morrow the Associated Press will an- 
nounce the capture of Tampico by the 
Federalists. At 8 a. m. the following 
morning the A. P. will contradict this 
rumor. — New York "Sun." 



NO TROUBLE AT ALL. 

"No effort will be made to get ship- 
ments of munitions of war out of New 
Orleans for Mexico," was the statement 
made by friends of the Carrancista move- 
ment yesterday in denial of the report 
that they were in communication with a 
certain shipping agency here with a view 
to getting a steamer to transport arms 
and ammunition to some place on the 
Mexican coast. 

"We have all the arms and ammunition 
we need now," it was declared, "and if 
we need more, we will not get them out 
of this port," it was stated. 

The revolutionists are experiencing lit- 
tle difficulty in getting munitions of war 
across the Rio Grande at points between 
Eagle Pass and El Paso, "where we have 
many friends," it was intimated. Large 
shipments, including a number of ma- 
chine guns and mountain pieces, passed 
through here a fortnight ago, en route to 
an unnamed destination on the Texas- 
Mexican frontier, and, it is admitted, a 
considerable portion has already been 
delivered to General Villa. 

"The Constitutionalists have sent no 
shipments of arms out of New Orleans 
by steamer," it was declared, "for we 
have not found it necessary to do that." 

New Orleans, it was understood from 
other sources close to the Carranza 
movement, continues to be the point from 
which the distribution of arms and am- 
munition is directed, however. Manuel 
Castrillo Brito, formerly governor of 
Campeche and whom the Mexican Gov- 
ernment tried to extradite on a charge of 
murder, is reported to be the man who 
is directing General ' Carranza's affairs 
here. Mr. Brito, it was stated, makes 
frequent visits to Washington, where he 
communicates with certain high officials 
of the government through Captain S. G. 
Hopkins, General Carranza's legal ad- 
viser in the national capital. — New Or- 
leans "Picayune." 

protection of Mexican citizens in the 
United States. Do not, I beg of you, 
misinterpret the call to arms of three 
hundred thousand men as a warlike 
movement aimed against your glorious 
repuliHc. Convey my compliments to 
Senor Bryan and believe me, 

With cordial regards, your sincere 
vifellwisher, 

HUERTA, President. 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



INFORMAL AND OFFENSIVE. 

President Wilson and Mr. Bryan have 
the most unusual notions as to what is 
proper in international relations. They 
think that they can send private persons 
upon any sort of an errand into one of 
the smaller countries of this hemisphere 
— to see how strong those countries are, 
to see how they behave, to see how they 
conduct their electoral and other politi- 
cal functions — and that the countries con- 
cerned ought to be rather glad to be 
the objects of these unofficial inspections. 
These private inspectors are not accred- 
ited to the government of the country 
to which they are sent; they cannot be, 
for they have no standing in the law as 
representatives of the United States. 
They are merely private agents sent out 
by the President and his secretary of 
state in order to secure information and 
make reports which never see the 'ight 
of day, but upon which the government 
of this country, so far as our government 
is embodied in President Wilson and Mr. 
Bryan, proposes to base its policy and 
its acts. 

Both the social and the diplomatic 
rule is for the greater to show more re- 
spect and exercise more formality to- 
ward the lesser. The most important 
man in the neighborhood does not treat 
his less well-known neighbors with less 
courtesy, but with more, simply because 
he is the better known. Least of all 
does he presume upon his wider reputa- 
tion to send agents to see how they 
treat their wives or whether they pay 
their servants regu'arly or not. It is so 
between states when their relations are 
friendly. The larger country is very 
punctilious with the smaller country, 
simply because the people of both coun- 
tries know very well that the larger 
country can do pretty much as it pleases. 
These unofficial and confidential missions 
sent out by President Wilson are offen- 
sive violations of this rule. 

The Constitution of the United States 
provides for a diplomatic and consular 
service as the means by which this gov- 
ernment acquires its information about 
foreign countries, whether they are near 
at hand or far away. There is no other 
regular way for our government to se- 
cure this information. President Wilson 
does not appear to like or trust this 
customary and official means of conduct- 
ing international business. He uses it 
where he has no special interest in these 
relations between states; but when he is 
specially concerned he sends private per- 
sons of his own selection and who are 
responsible to him alone. Then he ex- 
pects the smaller and inspected countries 
to look pleased over this informality 
and irregularity. The fact that the 



United States is also left out of the ac- 
count in this new method is also a fact 
to be noted. — Hartford "Daily Courant." 



PRESS COMMENTS ON THE 
MESSAGE. 

"President Wilson's first annual mes- 
sage to Congress is like his inaugural 
message and his special messages, vague 
and indefinite as to most matters of large 
public concern. The reference to Mexi- 
can affairs is brief, evasive and altogeth- 
er unsatisfactory. The country has been 
expecting a ringing note against the 
trusts. .\t reading his first message, 
however, and finding it as empty of prac- 
tical suggestions as any of the special 
messages which have preceded it, pub- 
lic opinion is very likely to despair of any 
other leadership than that expressing it- 
self in Congress through a party caucus 
and the disposition of spoils. — St. Louis 
"Globe Democrat." 

"Undoubtedly his policy of watching 
and waiting is a far more commendable 
policy than the policy of intervention 
urged by our jingoists and our exploiters 
of the John Hays Hammond dollar 
mark, but how much better policy it 
would have been if, discarding the mis- 
chievous Roosevelt perversion of the 
Monroe Doctrine and disabusing himself 
of the notion that it is for the United 
States to dictate the standard of govern- 
ment or morals of Latin America, he 
had blazed out as the Wilson doctrine 
that it is for the United States to work 
out its own ideals in its own territory, 
without essaying to lay down standards 
of government or morals for peoples for 
whom we have no responsibility and 
over whom we have no authority save 
that which we may assume — in short, if 
he had set his jaw and made up his mind 
that, in so far as he was able to effect it, 
we were going to mind our own business 
and leave other nations to mind theirs!" 
— Louisville "Courier Journal." 

"We shall hope to see constitutional 
order restored in distressed Mexico." Of 
course we shall, but how? Mr. Wilson 
tells us "by the concert and energy of 
such of her leaders as prefer the liberty 
of their people to their own ambitions." 
Fine and dandy! But where, oh, where, 
in all Mexico are such leaders to be 
found? Certainly they are not in the 
ranks of those bloodthirsty and murder- 
ous bandits who, with the moral support 
of this government, to-day are making 
Mexico a waste. — Ft. Wayne "Evening 
News." 

The President, who is a sincere be- 
liever in certain important reforms, has 
not hesitated to impose the power of 
the executive branch upon the legisla- 
tive branch. He has not hesitated to 
drive through measures which could not 
have been driven through without his 
backing as a dispenser and withholder of 
patronage. He has not hesitated to send 
as his personal representatives to Mex- 
ico, in matters of the very highest im- 
portance to that country and to this, 
"envoys" who could not represent offi- 
cially the nation in any emergency. In- 
deed, there are times when it seems to 
the' average observer that Mr. Wilson 
is not so much concerned for party plat- 
forms and for the fundamental law as he 
is for his own prestige, power and for 
his control of federal legislation. — Bos- 
ton "Journal." 



TRYING TO EXPLAIN. 

General Carranza's reply to Governor 
Hunt, who had sent a friendly and un- 
official remonstrance against the execu- 
tion of Mexican Federalist prisoners at 
Juarez, is not likely to inspire confidence 
in the methods of the Constitutionalists. 
The insurgent chief infers that the revul- 
sion of feeling caused in the United 
States by the barbarities of Villa is due 
to "an imperfect understanding of the 
peculiar character of the Mexican prob- 
lems;" and then General Carranza pro- 
ceeds to explain that the acts complained 
of are in reprisal of more numerous and 
similar acts of the Federals — as if the 
American people did not know what they 
were talking about when they express 
horror over the Mexican practice of sav- 
age retaliation. General Carranza may 
asseverate, until he is blue in the face, 
that he and his followers are merely 
"proceeding with calm and severe jus- 
tice" — he will never reconcile this nation 
to that peculiar Central American insti- 
tution, the "political gallows." 

When the Mexican insurgents extend 
their vendetta to persons of other na- 
tionality than their own they invite com- 
plications, which cannot be disposed of 
by the remarks that the peculiarity of 
Mexico's problems requires treatment so 
peculiar as to be beyond the comprehen- 
sion of foreigners. The banishment of 
the Spanish residents of Chihuahua and 
the confiscation of their property by 
Villa are outrages which General Car- 
ranza cannot expiate by writing a de- 
precatory letter. Of course, the Span- 
iards in Mexico are primarily under the 
protection of their own consular and 
diplomatic representatives; but, after im- 
posing upon other foreign nations our 
policy of non-intervention in Mexico, it 
would be unreasonable for this Govern- 
ment to deny its moral responsibility for 
the safety of their people. — Philadelphia 
"Record." 



WHY IT IS NOT MORAL. 

Mexico City. — It is also claimed that in 
Morelos, Puebla, Guerrero and else- 
where in Central and Southern Mexico 
there are many Villas on a smaller scale, 
and the hope is expressed here that 
Washington will take into account that 
the Huerta government, whatever its 
origin maj' have been, is the sole power 
that can protect the law-abiding ele- 
ments of the community from the ex- 
cesses of these enemies of society, and 
that every weakening of the Huerta gov- 
ernment means a corresponding diminu- 
tion of its ability to accomplish that task. 
— ^New York "Tribune." 



THEY DON'T. 

If the considerable number of soldiers 
operating along the Mexican frontier 
now are unalde to check the shipment of 
large quantities of arms and ammunition 
into that country for the use of the 
rebels there is little use in discussing the 
question of raising the embargo on such 
shipments. No doubt the ease with 
which rifles and cartridges are smug- 
gled across the border has had much to 
do with the success of the forces under 
Carranza and Villa. Except that the rais- 
ing of it might be of political importance 
to the Constitutionalists they probably 
care very little about the embargo. — 
Savannah (Ga.) "Weekly News." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



THE REAL VILLA. 

The defence by General Carranza of 
the execution of Mexican federal officers 
at Juarez by his military colleague, Gen- 
eral Villa, is somewhat disingenuous. In 
answer to Governor Hunt of Arizona 
who, writing as a private citizen, said 
that the continuation of summary execu- 
tions by insurgent commanders would 
horrify the people of the United States 
and alienate their sj-mpathy, General 
Carranza speaks of "the struggle for 
civilization and justice" which the consti- 
tutionalists are carrying on, and sug- 
gests that owing to "the peculiar char- 
acter of the Mexican problems" a "wrong 
construction" is likely to be placed on 
their acts. He then dilates on the "mur- 
der" of constitutionalists who "fell 
wounded while fighting for the liberty 
of the people," and this he makes the 
basis for the characterization of Villa's 
deeds of bloodthirstiness as "calm and 
severe justice." To Carranza these deeds 
do not appear needless cruelty visited 
upon prisoners of war but merely such 
punishment as was prescribed by the law 
applicable to offenders against the public 
peace and safety. 

It is desirable to ascertain whether the 
real Villa is a civilized general or a des- 
perate bandit. As Zapata has ravaged 
his native state of Morelos, Villa is rav- 
aging Chihuahua. His policy as a rebel 
leader is one of pillage, savage reprisals 
and indiscriminate slaughter. Yet if the 
constitutionalists win, it is possible that 
this villain may attempt to make himself 
president of Mexico." — Rochester "Post- 
Express." 



READING THE LAW. 

Somehow, it is not clear why, or hovy, 
it is conceived by those who may want 
to think that way, that the Monroe Doc- 
trine gives the United States the right to 
do as she pleases with the lesser nations 
in this hemisphere. That we may inter- 
vene any time we see fit, either under the 
guise of the welfare of the nation in- 
volved, but really for our own. In short 
that we are the big boss of this half of 
the world, and can do as we please with 
it. 

The truth is the Monroe Doctrine gives 
the United States no more privilege than 
any other country. Under international 
law it could not. When the Monroe 
Doctrine notified the world that the 
United States would act as the protector, 
the friend, the active ally, if need be, in 
repelling invasion of any country on this 
side of the world, for any cause whatso- 
ever, we also notified the world that, un- 
der no circumstances except for protec- 
tion, would the United States intervene 
in the affairs of any of the American na- 
tions. 

This is a point that those who want 
the United States to rush into Mexico 
seem either to not know or else to stu- 
diously ignore. But if we, who have 
made the law, are the first to break it, 
or the only country to break our own 
law, what may we expect of other na- 
tions? Can we hope to force them to 
respect our law which we cannot respect 
ourselves? Can we expect them to keep 
out of a country while we go in? — St. 
Louis "Globe-Democrat." 



Hucrta tried to establish a government of order 
and law, but President Wilson's financial block- 
ade prevented him from borrowing money, and he 
could not raise it as the bandit chieftains do by 
thievery and extortion. If Villa captures the 
capital and treats it as he ticated Victoria and 
Durango, the stricken city may thank the aston- 
ishing diplomacy of the President of the United 
States. — Rochester "Post- Express." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

CONSIDER GRIEF, NOT GLORY. 

Forcible intervention in Mexico would mean: 

An army of 200,000 American youth at a cost 
of ?1,000,000 a day and many lives kept in a 
dangerous climate probably for years. 

A continuous homeward procession of physical 
wrecks with new blood forwarded to replace them, 
draining our nation's vitality. 

The spread of sorrow in homes now happy, the 
disturbance of peaceful industry and commerce, 
more pension burdens, a generation fretted. 

Who are calling for such a sacrifice? 

The owners of property in Mexico, many of 
them mere gamblers on a long chance. Big in- 
terests which find in war new opportunities for 
public plunder. The restless, the speculative, the 
turbulent. And those money magnates who want 
a herring drawn across the trail of the American 
people's pursuit of privilege. 

Not one of the men who are clamoring for 
the invasion of Mexico would be in the ranks. 
Those men never fight, except by proxy. You 
would have to do the fighting — you or your sons. 
The men who now clamor for war would stay 
home and pull chestnuts out of the fire. 

Even so, it is inconceivable that the necessity 
for an invasion of Mexico might arise. But it 
hasn't come yet and itisn't in sight. — Minneapolis 
"News." 



Be this as it may, the case is different to-day. 
Not one per cent, of Americans want war with 
Mexico. There is no evidence that what may 
be called manifest destiny is impelling us to 
expansion southward, and if a blind obstinacy or 
a blundering diplomacy pushes us into war it will 
be a national misfortune, disaster, crime. Fate 
seems at times to force a great emergency on 
individuals or nations and, if they meet it bravely. 
Providence enables them to acquit themselves with 
credit and the end is overruled to their advantage. 
But where men blunder against intuition, light and 
leading into a mistaken course, all they get out 
of it of value is the lesson, and they pay a costly 
price for that. 

A war for the right, a war imposed upon a 
nation by its destiny, a war which is a part of 
some comprehensive, unseen plan for human de- 
velopment, a war which helps to straighten out 
time's mighty tangle, adds lustre to a ruler and 
glorifies the people it wakens to a national con- 
sciousness. There is said to be a time for war, 
wars that are of God, a book of the wars of the 
Lord. But wars brought on a people by short- 
sightedness or folly against the popular intuition 
and desire can never exalt a nation. — Rochester 
"Post-Express." 



A GRAVE RESPONSIBILITY. 

Paris, Dec. 3 — Commenting upon Pres- 
ident Wilson's message to Congress, 
"The Temps" says: 

"It appears to have forgotten that 
Porfirio Diaz ruled with only a sem- 
blance of constitutionalism; yet he as- 
sured peace, order and prosperity in 
Mexico during a generation. It is only 
since the revolution in the name of con- 
stitutionalism was begun that Mexico has 
fallen into anarchy and chaos in which 
the constitutionalists themselves are the 
worse factors. 

"One cannot fail to be struck by the 
contrast between the tranquil and studied 
idealism with which President Wilson 
follows out his Mexican policy aud the 
brutal realities reported in even the mild- 
est dispatches from Mexico. 

"President Wilson is taking a grave 
responsibility in his determined efforts 
to overthrow Provisional President 
Huerta because his dictatorship is the 
only organized social force still existing 
in Mexico." 



"HUMANITY" AS MANIFESTED BY 
CARRANZA. 

Because they could not afford to keep them, 
because they suspected them of being deserters 
from the Constitutionalist ranks, because the in- 
surrectos needed clothes, because the captives had 
fought too bravely are some of the reasons given 
by Carranza's lieutenants for the wholesale murder 
of prisoners after the recent battle at Juarez. 

The dispatches tell of one company of thirty 
men, stripped even to their shoes, so that their 
clothing would not be marred by bullet holes, 
and shot dead. The clothes, it appears, were 
precious. The lives worthless. The conviction 
of civilized nations that prisoners are to be 
humanely treated and their assassination is a foul 
blot on the commander permitting it is looked 
upon by these Mexicans — whom our Administra- 
tion holds in high regard — as a ridiculous bit of 
Gringo sentimentality. 

The continued successes of the followers of 
Carranza may uphold the contention that Huerta 
is unable to maintain his authority. That con- 
tention never had much force or effect anyway. 
But it is clear that the greater the success of 
"patriots" of this sort the more convincing is 
the evidence that they are utterly incapable of 
erecting a government that shall take Mexico out 
of the wallow of blood in which she has lain 
since the fall of Diaz. — San Francisco "Exam- 
iner." 



AFTER? 

What reason is there to believe that 
Carranza will be able to bring about 
peace and good order in Mexico on the 
heels of revolution when Madero failed 
in times of comparative quiet, supposing 
Carranza to be successful in deposing 
Huerta? 

What reason is there to believe that 
Villa will be the faithful coadjutor of 
Carranza? 

What reason is there to believe that 
an}' of the other bandit chiefs will be 
faithful coadjutors of Carranza? 

There may be a moment's rejoicing in 
America when Huerta falls, because we 
have decreed that he must fall. But to 
what purpose, if Huerta's fall means for 
Mexico nothing more than change from 
one scene of disorder to another? — Des 
Moines "Register and Leader." 



BANDITS. 

As was expected there are a number 
of small floating bands of bandits scat- 
tered through a large part of Mexico. 
They care nothing for Huerta or Car- 
ranza. They are looking after their own 
interest. Naturally, since they have noth- 
ing, they preach the distribution of 
wealth and the cutting up and division of 
lands. They don't want to work. They 
want something for nothing. They are 
glad the country is in foment, for there 
is no authority now that can spare the 
time and men to hunt them down. They 
will exist until there is a settled, power- 
ful government in Mexico. Porfirio Diaz 
had to deal with such bands long ago. 
He solved the problem by converting 
them into rurales. Mexico will have to 
go through a long sj^stem of evolution, 
of popular education, of interior develop- 
ment, before there will be no danger of 
the formation of bandit bands again. — 
Savannah "Weekly News." 



Just how our State Department figures out 
that the success of the rebels would bring peace 
to Mexico is not apparent to people familiar with 
conditions in Mexico. It is not even apparent just 
how Huerta could be replaced did he elect to 
resign and retire, as our government demands. 
The notion that Mexico can be governed along 
constitutional lines is an absurdity. — New Or- 
leans "Picayune." 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: In spite of all the evidence of the 
friendly relations cultivated by the Master of the 
White House toward the chief of the Mexican 
rebels through the ex-Rev. Dr. Hale, it is hard 
to realize that the President of the most cultured 
nation on earth is seeking the friendship of the 
worst class of bandits, yet such is the case, and 
still worse — the daily press informs us that the 
Administration in Washington, and even "Presi- 
dent Wilson" himself, is inclined to view the 
recent acts of the Mexican rebels "with com- 
placency," and it is common knowledge that these 
"recent acts" have included every violation of 
civilized warfare from the murder in cold blood 
of prisoners of war to the ravishing of defenseless 
women. 

It is almost unbelievable that Mr. Wilson and 
Mr. Bryan can view these acts "with complac- 
ency" and that the American government is 
nominal head of the various marauding bands 
that form the "constitutionalist" party, yet this 
remarkable declaration of the Administration's 
feeling in the matter was made "after" the recent 
carnival of cold-blooded murder in Juarez I 

The idea that the friendship extended to these 
rebels who are responsible for every outrage 
known to the catalogue of crime can possibly 
be done in the interests of "humanitarian" prin- 
ciples is clearly untenable, and perhaps soon we 
may know the real reason when the American 
public tires of "watchful waiting" and demands 
to know the true motive for instigating bandits 
to devastate a helpless people. Let "Dollar 
Diplomacy" be condemned if it is unworthy of 
support by the American people, but let us hesi- 
tate to substitute "cut-throat diplomacy" by aid- 
ing and abetting Carranza and his ilk to trample 
the prostrate form of war-devastated Mexico. 
Baltimore. Md. C. U. MUESTA, 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: We as a race are careless, and in 
such a rush most of the time that we don't 
stop to think until an avalanche is on us, but 
the average American wants to be square, and 
when you once can reach the better part of him 
he will be, to Mexico, or any one else, and the 
time will come when he will know, and in this 
city there are many now who openly denounce 
the methods taken in Mexico by the United 
States. 

Very truly yours, 
Kansas City, Mo. N. GRAVES. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I wish you would explain to me 
and your other readers this contradiction: 

The Administration and the newspapers that 
support it have insisted for months past that the 
object of the refusal to have anything to do with 
the Mexican Government was to discourage revo- 
lutions in Latin-American countries. 

The Administration officials and the same news- 
papers openly express their gratification with the 
revolutionists in Mexico. 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

"915 0Jiig^,^r7GT^o"rlj':?>'.^c^ 1916 
Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



Does it mean that we are for revolutions when 
they serve our selfish interests and against them 
when they do not? 

Then why do we talk of "morality above ex- 
pediency"? 

What does it mean? 

PUZZLED. 



FROM LIND'S CHALLENGER. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I wonder if you noticed the 
headlines in one of the evening papers 
the past week. Something like this: 
"Lind Taking No Chances. Practically 
Prisoner in the American Consulate." 
Isn't it the truth? Wonder how the cap- 
tion passed the censorship. Bet some 
one lost his job for letting a thing like 
that through. No wonder no acceptance 
has come to the bona fide challenge I 
made Mr. Lind, to go with me to Du- 
rango and Chihuahua incognito. The 
mess table of the Admiral's flagship is 
so much more congenial. And it is so 
easy to insult a nation from behind the 
protection of American marines. One 
can also form such an infallible opinion 
of conditions in the north of Mexico 
from the bay at Vera Cruz. Stay where 
you are, Mr. Lind — it's safer. 

I suppose I am one of the "insignifi- 
cant smaller citizens" that "important 
citizen" Hearst wants to protect. Funny, 
isn't it, that we who have lived in Mex- 
ico don't want the kind of protection 
William Randolph Hearst thinks good 
for us? Mr. Hearst has long boasted of 
the impartiality of his newspaper syndi- 
cate. Why does he not with the usual 
flare of trumpets throw open the col- 
umns of his newspapers to the opinions 
of those who have lived in Mexico? Why 
will he not be broad enough to help save 
a nation? Why will he not call to his 
offices representative Americans from 
Mexico and tell them frankly that the 
policy of the Hearst papers will be for- 
mulated from the consensus of opinion 
expressed at that meeting? Mr. Hearst 
would earn the undying gratitude of 
the Latin - American people. True, 
the Washington Administration would 
frown upon such a frank viewing of facts 
face to face. But party politics are 
evanescent. What if the doors were 
closed to your Washington correspond- 
ent, Mr. Hearst! A much larger, whole- 
somer, and glorious portal would be 
opened forthwith. The golden key to 



millions of affectionate hearts would be 
handed you. And myriads of patriotic 
lips would murmur benedictions on the 
man who was great enough to stand 
alone in defense of a nation beaten to 
the dust. 

The passing of Huerta would mean the 
death of Mexican nationalism, and the 
names of those instrumental in commit- 
tms the crime will go down the ages 
covered with lasting and merited 
ignominy. 

Yours sincerely, 
THE CHALLENGER. 
New York City, Dec. 7, 1913. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, December 20, 1913 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran 



15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
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MORALITY. 

If you were a decent, respectable Mex- 
ican — and there are millions of them — 
and your sister, wife or daughter were 
assaulted by the savage bandits of Villa, 
and in your overwhelming shame, an- 
guish and helplessness you could only 
raise your hands to heaven and ask God 
how such things can be, you would re- 
alize to the full the immorality, the crim- 
inality of those who are encouraging Vil- 
la and others of his kind in their devil's 
work of pillage and rapine. And you 
would put the blame and the responsi- 
bility on those rapacious Americans who 
are supplying the bandits with arms and 
munitions of war across the border, on 
the American newspapers which howl 
with glee at every new prospect of bandit 
success in Mexico, yes, and on the Wash- 
ington Administration which has openly 
invited the co-operation of these self- 
same bandits to justify its "moral" stand 
against the Government of Mexico. 

Morality, morality, morality, oh, what 
a crime is being committed in your 
name! 

If the Southern negroes, worked up to 
a barbaric frenzy by ambitious and clever 
agitators, harping on the grievances of 
disfranchisement, segregation and race 
prejudice, should receive arms and am- 
munition from Mexico, financial aid from 
Mexican interests seeking to exploit our 
Southern States, as well as moral sup- 
port from the President of Mexico, and 
thereupon should leave their work in the 
fields and towns to form into mobile 
bands to loot and murder and ravish in 
the mountains and unprotected towns 
and villages, it would almost exactly 
parallel the present conditions in Mex- 
ico. And such are the very conditions 
that our esteemed President and his 
equally esteemed. Secretary of State are 
doing their best to prolong. Is that mor- 
ality? 

Of course it is true that back of this 



condition of barbarous brigandage in 
Mexico there are deep and vital griev- 
ances affecting the well-being and future 
of the masses of the people. Nobody de- 
nies this. Nobody denies that the ne- 
groes in this country have deep and 
vital grievances that in time, by a process 
of evolution, will have to be faced and 
dealt with for the greatest good of the 
greatest number. But the solution of 
intricate racial and economic problems 
takes time. We are not gods who can 
accomplish by fiat. We are only poor 
human beings who must work out our 
destinies in never-ending travail. Cer- 
tainly the most idealistically moral in- 
tention to "satisfy the aspirations" of the 
masses of Mexico does not warrant the 
encouragement of the heinous crimes of 
the Villas of that unhappy land. 

If the conditions described above could 
and should become prevalent in our 
Southern States, what would be the duty 
of the President of the United States, 
whatever his personal belief in the right 
or justice of the grievances that served 
as an explanation or an excuse for the 
lawlessness and violence? Would he 
not owe it to the country, to civilization, 
to humanity to use all the force at his 
command, with relentless purpose and an 
iron hand, to put an end to a vicious ar 
intolerable rebellion? The very life of 
the nation would be at stake, and he 
would be a coward and a traitor who 
would not fight to save it. And while the 
President, hampered for lack of money 
and available forces, was striving with 
superhuman might to crush the beast of 
anarchy and hold in check the ready pas- 
sions of a barbarous race, what would he 
feel, how would the people of the country 
feel, how would the world feel toward the 
President of a neighboring republic who, 
unctuously speaking moral platitudes, by 
his personal antagonism would encour- 
age the forces of anarchy and seek to 
close the money markets of the world 
against our Government? 

If Huerta were the worst criminal in 
the world, that fact would not justify 
our promotion of a saturnalia of crime. 



We beg to call the particular attention 
of our readers to the incisive, perfectly 
logical statements of Dr. Woolsey, Pro- 
fessor of International Law at Yale, con- 
cerning the refusal of the Wilson Admin- 
istration to recognize the provisional gov- 
ernment of President Huerta. Dr. Wool- 
sey's statements were published in the 
weekly "Independent," and we reproduce 
them in this issue of MEXICO. No 
doubt John Bassett Moore, the learned 
counsellor of the State Department, has 
long since pointed out to President Wil- 
son and Secretary Bryan that their atti- 
tude toward the Mexican Government is 
indefensible in international law. It re- 
mained for Dr. Woolsey, as an equal 
authority on international law, to point 
out that the Administration's course is 
opposed to good usage and common 
sense as well. 



INSIDIOUS. 

As an illustration of the insidious 
power of the press and the cleverness of 
the campaign of misrepresentation 
against Mexico, ask any newspaper 
reader whether Huerta became Presi- 
dent before or after Madero was killed. 
Almost invariably the answer is "after." 
In discussing Mexico the uninformed 
always take it for granted that Huerta 
was the beneficiary of Madero's death. 
The fact is that Huerta became Provis- 
ional President of Mexico several days 
before Madero was killed. This is a fact 
perfectly well known to the officials of 
the Washington Administration and to 
the editors of newspapers, yet how care- 
fully they, help to create and intensify 
the impression that the death of Ma- 
dero was either caused or permitted by 
Huerta so that he might assume the 
Presidential chair. 



"WHATEVER IT MAY BE." 

Ex-President Taft asked for the coun- 
try's support of the Administration's 
Mexican policy, "whatever that may be." 

In the same speech he deplored United 
States intervention and pointed out what 
a bloody and costly undertaking it would 
be. 

But in the opinion of many the Ad- 
ministration's "whatever it may be" pol- 
icy is daily shaping events that may 
make armed invasion a necessity. 

Is it not better first to find out about 
this "whatever it may be" policy before 
it plunges us into the very situation that 
ex-President Taft and all other far-see- 
ing men wQJild avoid? 

Blind support is not the part of 
patriotism under these circumstances. 



IT WILL OUT. 

In order to save its face before the 
voters of the country the Administra- 
tion has been forced to take an optimis- 
tic view of the outcome of its unprece- 
dented and ineffectual methods of inter- 
ference in Mexican internal affairs. If 
this view has not actually been taken in 
private it has always been expressed for 
public consumption. The White House 
and State Department have dished out 
optimism in huge platters to the news- 
paper correspondents, whose duty it has 
been to pass it along to the people of 
the country. 

But the truth will out. 



At last reports Bryan's conscience is 
still clear. 



Transparent is the word. 

* * » 

Well, what's the matter with you? Isn't 
his name going down in history? And 
hasn't John Lind got a soft job? And 
mustn't the blood of Madero be avenged? 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to PrtMnote intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Run« Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth CUmbg Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. I— No. 19 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1913 



FIVE CENTS 



LIES OF A WEEK. 

Spaniards of Chihuahua were robbed 
and expelled for their own good. 

* * * 
Tampico attacked again. 

» * • 
New note from Washington to Gen- 
eral Huerta. 

* • • 

Little ammunition left in Mexico City. 

Mexico City in danger from Zapa- 
tistas. 

* • • 

Villa advances on Mexico City with 
army of 15,000 men. 

* * * 

Mexican foreign loan fails. Efforts of 
Huerta to raise money in Paris futile! 

* • • 

Mexico City will fall in one month! 

* * * 

Villa will eat his Christmas dinner in 
Mexico City. 

* * • 

Huerta will resign. 

* * • 

Lord Cowdray will name new Provi- 
sional President. 

* • • 

Huerta's men rob Americans' houses 
In Tampico. 

* • • 

Gloom in Mexico City at Christmas 
time. 

* • • 

Mexicans fire on United States troops. 

* * * 

Huerta's men mutiny. 

* • * 

Huerta's cabinet disagrees. 

» * » 

Huerta tottering. 

* * * 

Huerta defies United States. 

* * * 

Rebel "control" extended. 

* • • 

Rebels will fire on foreign ships bear- 
ing arms to Mexican Government. 

* * * 

Federal troops not paid and may make 
trouble. 

* • • 

And so on, and so on and so on. 



LOOKING AT THE 



BRIGHT SIDE 



There is no cloud so black that it has 
not a bright side even though it may 
be hidden from our sight. The cloud 
hanging over distracted Mexico has its 
silver lining. 

Rebellion, pillage, loot, destruction, 
rape, so efificiently, so successfully en- 
couraged by the Washington .Adminis- 
tration, are proving to be a deadly 
boomerang against the men who direct- 
ly or indirectly are responsible for their 
existence. 

Villa and his men defeated themselves 
and the "cause" which they represent 
when they were successful in capturing 
Ciudad Juarez and were allowed to take 
possession of Chihuahua. 

No greater victories have been won 
by the Mexican Government and by the 
cause of civilization, law and order than 
those gained by the very success of 
Villa's purposes. 

It may be safely predicted that if 
Villa and other bandit leaders are al- 
lowed to take possession of a few more 
northern cities the rebellion against the 
Huerta Government will receive a self- 
inflicted mortal wound. 

It is sufficient to enumerate the prin- 
cipal causes for the prolonged life of the 
rebellion to perceive clearly the self- 
evident truth of our assertion. 

Tliese causes are twofold, one exter- 
ior and one interior. The exterior one 
is the support received by rebels and 
bandits on this side of the Rio Grande, 
owing to the attitude of the Washington 
Administration. This attitude, until now 
countenanced by a part of the .American 
public, has made possible the prospering 
of rebel juntas in this country, the un- 



hindered supplying of rebels and bandits 
with arms, munitions and money. 

Public opinion has not lifted a mighty 
protest against such an attitude because 
public opinion was deceived and kept in 
ignorance, even by the Administration 
itself, as to the purposes of the so-called 
revolution and as to the character of 
its leaders. 

The interior cause has been the natu- 
ral apathy of Mexicans themselves and 
the selfishness and indifference of their 
wealthy class. 

This is the class that, having at its 
disposal the greatest means to help in 
the restoration of peace and order, does 
the least to help the government to ac- 
complish the task of restoring order and 
peace. 

It is the class that expects from the 
government full protection for property 
and life but has not been willing to give 
either money or men to insure such pro- 
tection. 

Let us consider the present status of 
the exterior influence. 

The killings of Ciudad Juarez within 
hearing and sight of the American peo- 
ple, the sacking of Chihuahua, the ex- 
pulsion of foreigners to the American 
border, all these atrocities and more 
have suddenly opened the eyes of those 
Americans who had heretofore been blind 
to the truth. No effort on the part of 
the rebel juntas or on the part of the 
Administration, that called to its assis- 
tance men like Governor Hunt of Ari- 
zona, has succeeded in warding oflf the 
revulsion of sentiment when the truth 
was learned. The attempts to explain 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



LOOKING AT THE BRIGHT SIDE— 
(Continued) 

and even justify such crimes as those 
committed by Villa and his men have 
failed. 

Whatever moral support the bandits 
devastating Mexico in the name of the 
Constitution have received from the 
people of this country will be gradually 
withdrawn and the bandits' friends and 
accomplices will be compelled to with- 
draw theirs. For the people of this 
country will not acquiesce in a policy 
that is making them responsible before 
the world for the barbarities of which 
Villa and other rebel leaders are guilty. 

As to the inhabitants of those Mexi- 
can cities which have fallen or are likely 
to fall into the hands of the rebels, their 
apathy and indifference will be shaken 
by the outrages to which they have to 
submit. 

The wealthy will find out that it is 
far better to make some personal or 
pecuniary sacrifice to support the gov- 
ernment than to be the victims of loot 
and despoliation. 

The spirit of self-preservation will 
finally awaken and kindle a civic spirit 
which has been sadly lacking in Mexico 
except in rare cases. 

Wherever the citizens of a city are 
not willing to organize in self-defense, 
wherever they are not willing to lend 
their open and loyal support to the gov- 
ernment, they can hardly blame the gov- 
ernment for their deserved fate. A few 
lessons such as that received by the in- 
habitants of Chihuahua will perhaps be 
sufficient to dissipate once for all the 
proverbial apathy of the Mexicans. 
They will also serve to bring the recal- 
citrant rich to a realization of their du- 
ties to the country and to the govern- 
ment. 

But there is more to the bright side 
of the dark cloud. 

In the prolonged struggle weak and 
useless human elements are being elim^ 
inated. Military training is being ex- 
tended. By this the race will profit. 

The prolonged strife reveals to the 
world the wonderful vitality of Mexico. 
It reveals its soundness at heart. With 
news of war and agitation is also spread 
the knowledge of Mexico's wonderful re- 
sources, of its immeasurable wealth, of 
its potential possibilities. In other 
words, Mexico is being advertised all 
over the world. 

And as a consequence we shall wit- 
ness in Mexico upon the restoration of 
■peace the most extraordinary material 
and social development of any modern 
■/lation. 



"GETTING HUERTA" 



As soon as Huerta disposes of Villa, 
the Carranza crowd will begin twittering 
eweet "constitutional" songs agziin, 
music to the ears of Bryan. 
♦ * * 

There's a reason. 



They are still watchfully waiting. For 
what? "To get Huerta." That's all. 
Mexico can go to the dogs. Europe can 
fret and fume. Latin-America can cry 
out in protest against the Colossus of the 
North, the people of the United States 
grow sick and tired of the whole shabby 
business, but the Administration must 
"get Huerta." 

One of the arguments advanced by 
those who are with admirable but mis- 
taken loyalty upholding the Administra- 
tion's policy of "watchful waiting" is that 
the whole subject of Mexico is so com- 
plex and the mixture of good and evil so 
baffling in every phase that it is the part 
of wisdom to let events take their course 
until a clear way is seen out of the press 
of difficulties. 

This argument has, on the surface, an 
element of truth in it, but the deeper, 
more abiding truth is that the Adminis- 
tration in the beginning did not approach 
and at no time since has shown any ten- 
dency to approach the Mexican situation 
from so open-minded and impartial an 
angle. 

Mexico and its problems are complex, 
involved, baffling, even staggering, to 
those who would seek a prompt and last- 
ing solution. The keenest and deepest 
student of Mexican affairs hesitates be- 
fore suggesting any one method or plan 
that would solve everything. 

But fools rush in where angels don't. 
The Administration has shown by its 
words and actions that before coming into 
power it had never made a study of Mex- 
ican conditions or problems. It resented, 
quite naturally from a certain viewpoint, 
the intrusion of the Mexican question, 
an inheritance from a previous Admin- 
istration, into its carefully formulated 
and nurtured program of internal re- 
forms. But when the matter pressed for 
some action, some settlement, the Ad- 
ministration petulantly waved it aside 
with the statement that under no circum- 
stances would it recognize Huerta, there- 
by committing itself and tieing its hands. 
The reason given was that it was B'~- 
moral to recognize a government "stained 
with blood." 

From that time on the Administra- 
tion dismissed curtly any suggestions 
that it might be mistaken either in the 
facts on which it based its negative pol- 
icy or in the policy itself. It refused 
information from Americans in Mexico 
that might have thrown light on the in- 
creasingly complicated results and dan- 
gers of an off-hand and cocksure conclu- 
sion. It showed through more or less in- 
spired daily reports in the public press 
and later in the President's special mes- 
sage a personal irritation and a personal 
vindictiveness against the Provisional 



President of Mexico, regardless of the 
consequences. It welcomed all that 
President Huerta's enemies did and said 
against him and turned a deaf ear to 
anything in his favor. 

It has not from the beginning, in 
either official or semi-official utterances, 
indicated a constructive program in 
dealing with Mexican affairs, has not in- 
dicated what plans were in mind for the 
improvement of Mexican conditions or 
the solution of the problem of our rela- 
tions with Mexico. Not one word in 
this connection, except the expression of 
a vague hope that after the elimination 
of President Huerta things might be all 
right. But many words of vituperation 
and calumny directed at the person of 
the ruler of a neighboring and friendly 
nation. 

Has this been the attitude of a wise 
and broad-gauged Administration which 
has recognized the difficulties and com- 
plexities with which it has had to deal, 
and has used judicious care and patience 
in handling the situation? Has this been 
the attitude of a humane and far-seeing 
Administration seeking light and the ul- 
timate good of the world? Has this 
been the attitude of an unbiased, impar- 
tial Administration, with an ambition for 
justice and truth above the petty pre- 
judices of contending interests? 

We think not. 

We believe it has been an attitude 
born of misinformation, prejudice, irri- 
tation and personal antipathy, cloaked 
in meaningless flowery phrases, diluted 
with the hope, perhaps, that somehow it 
might turn out to be right. 

And we think this is the spirit of the 
"watchful waiting" to-day. We think 
that there is not the slightest indication 
that the Administration is watching the 
course of events with the idea of learn- 
ing the truth, analyzing the good and 
bad as they are coming to the surface, 
and forming its judgment of conditions 
and events accordingly. 

The watchful waiting means only that 
the Administration has determined that, 
because it has said so, because of its un- 
warranted fiat, unwarranted in both in- 
ternational law and common justice, one 
man. President Huerta, "must go," and 
that to accomplish this purpose it will 
use every insidious weapon in its power. 

We believe that the Administration 
will have to wait a very, very, very long 
time. Not because it is Huerta. But 
because so arbitrary and intolerant an 
attitude, by the very heart of wrong in 
it, will, in the natural course of human 
events, be revealed in all its littleness 
and nakedness, and will be defeated by 
itself. 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



MEXICO 



IS VENUSTIANO DEAD? 



Venustiano Carranza is dead. His 
name is only a cloak for the operations 
of a junta. This junta, with headquarters 
in Washington, is directed and advised 
by Captain Sherby G. Hopkins, who is 
also attorney for the Waters-Pierce Oil 
interests. Americans newspapers and 
news agencies have waged a campaign 
of lies and misrepresentations against the 
Huerta Government, at the behest of the 
American oil interests, to prevent the 
Huerta Government from getting money. 
President Wilson's efforts to do the same 
thing have tied civilized Mexico hand 
and foot while the savages of the coun- 
try have burned, destroyed and outraged 
her. 

These were some of the most telling 
points of an address delivered on the 
evening of December 20th by Major Cas- 
sius E. Gillette, U. S. A., before a large 
audience in the United Engineering So- 
cieties auditorium, New York City. 

Major Gillette, who, while in the Engi- 
neer Corps, exposed the Carter-Greene- 
Gaynor frauds in Savannah, said he had 
good reasons for believing that Carranza 
died last August 27th in the State of 
Tamaulipas, and that the man whom 
William Bayard Hale, investigator for 
President Wilson, was said to have seen 
in Nogales, was not Carranza but one 
who impersonated him. The speaker 
pointed out that while Carranza has been 
at various times reported by the junta 
as in this or that part of northern Mex- 
ico, telegrams alleged to be from Car- 
ranza have still been sent from Sonora. 
No one who knew Carranza in Chihua- 
hua, of which State he was formerly 
governor, has been permitted to see the 
man in Sonora. He has always been in 
some other place when he was wanted. 
Major Gillette said further: 
"When Latin-America realizes what 
President Wilson has done to Mexico 
under his unwarranted extension of the 
Monroe Doctrine, some of their artists 
will paint the Bird of Freedom, not as 
an American eagle protecting a brood 
of young republics, but as a big black 
buzzard, standing on Panama, with the 
tip of one wing over Sonora and the 
other over Terra Del Fuego, with every 
feather dripping beautiful words and 
crude petroleum." 

The speaker said that for fifty years 
after Mexico had gained her independ- 
ence, the country was in a constant tur- 
moil; that Diaz, a popular hero and a 
genius, established peace and maintained 
a rigorous military dictatorship under 
all the forms of a pure demoracy. He 
characterized Madero as a mentally un- 
balanced dreamer who committed a col- 
ossal crime when he armed the savages 
and put them on the war path, from 



which they have not returned from that 
day to this. Major Gillette is a warm 
supporter of Gen. Huerta, and he said: 

"The stories of Gen. Huerta being an 
assassin, traitor, bandit or usurper are 
pure fabrications and without a grain of 
truth to back them up. Much of the 
news sent out from Mexico in regard to 
Huerta are malicious lies intended to in- 
jure his credit and to prevent him from 
borrowing money. The oil interests of 
America are undoubtedly the cause of 
this and the President of the Uni' 
States is assisting them in every way 
possible. The arguments advanced as 
reasons for the ousting of Huerta have 
taken some various tumbles. At first it 
was from altruistic motives, then because 
Huerta had incurred debts which if rec- 
ognized would take precedence over our 
claims for damages, and on Dec. 2nd the 
President gave a still lower motive, oil 
concessions." 

The policy of the Administration, "the 
drifting policy," as the Major described 
it, must lead inevitably to intervention 
by the United States. There is only one 
thing to be done now. There must be a 
change of face by President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan. They must realize that 
Gen. Huerta and the educated better 
classes of the country alone can restore 
peace. Huerta must be recognized; the 
country must be allowed to conduct its 
elections in its own way, and it must be 
accepted that only a dictatorship, an ad- 
ministration of fear, can control the 
hordes of half savages who are now over- 
running the country. 

"The War Department figures for in- 
tervention for six months only were 
260,000 casualties from death, disease and 
desertion," said Major Gillette, "$330,- 
000,000 in cash and $800,000,000 in future 
pensions, enough to build another Pan- 
ama Canal and all the harbors, roads, and 
navigable channels that the American 
people are now dreaming of. Under the 
present drifting policy mtervention is in- 
evitable, and I believe the present Ad- 
ministration wants it. 

"In the Philippines, which are under 
the full control of the United States, we 
do not let the natives vote at all. Why 
should we, therefore, try to force a 'full 
and free' election upon Mexico, with its 
inevitable horrors of peon government?" 
Secretary of State Bryan also came in 
for some criticism, the speaker declaring 
that it was the Secretary's policy to dis- 
credit and ignore all information and 
advice from people interested in Mexico, 
because, he said, according to the speak- 
er, "that all they thought of was what 
they had lost and what they expected to 
lose. 



"Is that the right point of view for 
our Foreign Affairs Department to 
take?" he went on. "Is not one of its 
functions to take proper cognizance of 
American losses in foreign countries? 

"We believe that intervention, or con- 
trol of the country by the United States 
would alone vastly increase our material 
welfare, but Mexico owns that country, 
and to take it just because we are bigf 
enough would not only load our country 
with a big problem, not its own, but 
would be utterly repugnant to the prin- 
ciples that have given us our standing 
among nations." 

The speaker said many of the news- 
papers throughout the country were re- 
sponsible to a great degree for the exist- 
ing state of affairs. He said the policy 
of many of them was directed from 
Washington and that of many more by 
the oil interests. 

John Lind was an estimable gentleman, 
he admitted, but he failed to see how a 
Scandinavian from the Northwest could 
have special knowledge of the Mexican 
viewpoint. He is naturally the prey of 
every scandalmonger and the victim of 
every rumor. 

In conclusion the speaker said that 
while it is admitted that Mexico needed 
reforms, it is no less a fact that nothing 
can be done until peace is established and 
that the only just and feasible way to 
accomplish that was to recognize the 
Huerta Government at once. In the opin- 
ion of Major Gillette such recognition 
would do more to save life, lessen want, 
and promote prosperity in Mexico than 
any other act within the power of the 
President or Congress of the United 
States. 



AT MONTERREY. 

Judging by the incessant noise of firing for 
the best part of forty-eight hours you might 
have supposed that the streets after the battle 
would be heaped with dead. I went about very 
early in the morning after the insurrectos had 
been repulsed and saw wonderfully few. Alto- 
gether there can hardly have been more than 
a couple of hundred killed, counting all parts of 
the field. Yet in all, nearly 10,000 men were 
engaged, for early in the afternoon of the second 
day the garrison was heavily reinforced. It was 
magnificent to see the relief march into the 
city. The frightened inhabitants came out into 
the streets, which till then had been as empty 
as in dead of night, to cheer and give the sol- 
diers all the food and cigarettes they had. I 
shall never forget the emotion of -that hour. — 
H. Hamilton Fyfe, Mexico correspondent of the 
London "Daily Mail." 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



FROM THE FRONT 

{Special Co-rrcspondcnce from Mexico City to Ike New York "Sun.") 



The trouble is that although under 
the name of the Republic of Mexico a 
strong dictatorship endured here for a 
third of a century the Mexican republic 
is little more prepared for government 
by popular suffrage than when Hernando 
Cortez landed at Vera Cruz. 

How little the submissive Indians of 
Mexico care for the ballot was suffi- 
ciently demonstrated when less than 20,- 
000 votes were cast in the election by 
which Madero was raised to the Presi- 
dency, and by virtue of which he was 
recognized by the United States — 20,000 
votes cast by a people numbering nearly 
18,000,000. Government by the exercise 
of the suffrage succeeds where the peo- 
ple would rather work and vote than 
fight; the Indian would rather fight than 
vote or work. Unqualified to govern 
himself, he obviously must be governed. 
At the same time submissive and child- 
ishly impressionable, he is easily led and 
as easily misled, and therefore needs a 
strong government which will protect 
him, sternly subduing or destroying 
those who would mislead him into law- 
lessness and disorder with specious ap- 
peals to his emotions. 

Carranza and Villa and the rest have 
succeeded in extending the revolution, 
started by them for their own ends, un- 
til now there are bands of rebels almost 
everywhere in the republic, by assuring 
the simple people that the great repub- 
lic of the north is on their side because 
of its love for liberty and justice, for 
which they are fighting, and these people 
gladly turn from their monotonous and 
ill rewarded toil to fight for those high 
sounding things enjoyed by theic north- 
ern neighbors and which their northern 
neighbors (they are assured) will help 
them to attain for their own enjoyment. 

Meanwhile the Government of Mexico, 
which, however evil in its origin, repre- 
sents the only class intelligent enough ■ 
to govern and is the only Government 
existing in the country, is exerting itself 
desperately to restore the reign of order 
and authority, balked in every effort by 
the hostility of the Washington Gov- 
ernment, and the encouragement given 
by that Government to the rebels. 

Intelligent persons here with knowl- 
edge of conditions, whether Americans 
or other foreigners, or Mexicans, can- 
not understand why recognition should 
be denied to Huerta on ethical grounds 
and encouragement be given to such as 
Francisco Villa, Genoveva de la O and 
Zapata, whose only apparent merit is 
that they are in rebellious arms against 
Huerta. 

To those upon the ground President 
Wilson's policy seems to have degener- 
ated into a personal quarrel with Huerta 



based on nothing but personal antipathy. 

Here every one realizes, as none can 
in the United States, that Mexico, with 
all the vast American and European in- 
terests within her territory, is being 
ruined, and that each day of Washing- 
ton's procrastination incalculably in- 
creases the danger of consequences more 
serious than any that could ensue upon 
decided action. And it is beyond the 
speculation of any here to guess what 
solution Washington awaits — certainly 
not the triumphant suppression of the 
revolution by Huerta, while upon the tri- 
umph of the rebels only confusion can 
ensue. With Huerta eliminated and the 
capital in their hands. Villa, Carranza, 
Blanco, Zapata and Aguilar would each 
develop Presidential aspirations, only to 
be realized by the removal of the others. 
Would President Wilson recognize the 
survivor? And if he did would the par- 
tisans and relatives of his deceased rivals 
accept him? 

Enough has been published about 
Francisco (Pancho) Villa's barbarities 
for everyone to recognize in him an ex- 
ceptionally able specimen of the fron- 
tier type, combination of bandit, cattle 
thief and ruffian. 

But while Villa has in goodly measure 
the bad qualities of the cave man, it 
cannot be denied that he possesses too 
our primeval ancestors' faculty of get- 
ting what he wants, as witness his tak- 
ing of Torreon, Juarez and Chihuahua, 
and last but not least his bride, quite in 
the fashion of the cave man. 

When Villa took Torreon after rest- 
ing from the arduous work of loot and 
massacre he went to the leading empor- 
ium where men's raiment was to be had, 
known as the American Clothing Com- 
pany, for like most frontiersmen along 
the Mexican side of the Rio Grande 
Villa has a passion for enduing himself 
in American store clothes. On entering 
the store the rebel chieftain caught sight 
of the cashier and looking upon her saw 
that she was fair. Fresh from the rude 
toil of battle and war's alarms, the hero 
was in susceptible mood and forthwith 
revealed his admiration for the girl. She, 
however, was fcornful and the hero 
turned to the serious business of select- 
ing garments fit to adorn the person of 
a conqueror. 

On his way out after making his re- 
quisitions Villa renewed yet more ar- 
dently his attentions, the girl remaining 
unresponsive. A few paces from the 
store Villa found one of his captains, 
whom he ordered to surround the store 
with a hundred picked men. Terrified 
at finding his store surrounded, the pro- 
prietor issued forth and tremblingly 



asked the captain if Gen. Villa had not 
received proper treatment in his store. 
The Captain answered that Gen. Villa 
had been treated all right, but that there 
was something he had left behind and 
that was to be sent to him at once, to 
wit, the pretty cashier. 

Crying bitterly, the girl was brought 
forth and taken under escort to Villa's 
hotel. Villa shortly appeared, gorgeous 
in his new attire, and with the aid of a 
priest and the necessary civil authorities 
whom he had requisitioned bound to him- 
self in holy wedlock the disconsolate 
girl. When Villa left Torreon to cap- 
ture Juarez and Chihuahua he drove off 
in the handsomest carriage in the town, 
which he had commandeered, his bride 
beside him and a guard on the box be- 
side the coachman. Those who' saw the 
carriage start off with the couple on 
their romantic honeymoon say that the 
bride looked resigned. 

Villa, who has been doing most of the 
big fighting of the revolution, has come 
to look upon himself as the logical suc- 
cessor to the Presidency when Huerta 
shall be eliminated, and it is understood 
here that he has recently given Car- 
ranza to understand that he no longer 
recognizes that leader's chieftainship. 



THE SAME SPIRIT. 

You may be sure that the spirit that 
animated the reprimand to the army and 
navy officers who dared poke harmless 
fun at the Administration is the very 
same spirit that has animated the Ad- 
ministration's attitude toward the gov- 
ernment of Mexico. It is unfortunate 
but not so terribly important that the 
Carabao diners should have been made 
the victims of intolerant school-room 
discipline, but it is a national calamity 
that the same frame of mind should 
have shaped a- foreign policy that com- 
mits a hundred million people to a 
course fraught with the dangers of a 
cruel and needless war. 

We do not think that there is going 
to be a war with Mexico. In the first 
place, because the people of the United 
States do not want it, and do not see 
any occasion for it. In the second 
place, because we confidently believe that 
in the absence of any more meddling 
by the Washington Administration 
President Huerta will speedily bring 
peace to Mexico. The Administration, 
if it really is desirous of avoiding war, 
should give thanks that at the helm of 
state in Mexico is a man whose cour- 
age, ability and patience have stood 
every known test and who is looming 
larger every day as the immovable buf- 
fer between Mexican nationality and an- 
archy. The pack of wolves who would 
rend and tear Mexico if the hand of 
Huerta were weak would make interven- 
tion imperative. Washington surely 
must know this and, we repeat, should 
thank its lucky stars that Huerta is the 
kind of man he has shown himself to be. 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



MEXICO 



THE UNSPEAKABLE VILLA 



By Herbert Corey 

In DciJZ'cr "Times." 



"Villa," said the man who had returned 
from Mexico, "is half devil and half 
cur. He is the most unspeakable wretch 
that ever straddled a horse, but he 
doesn't expose himself to danger if he 
can keep out of it. I suppose he has 
killed as many men with his own hands 
as any other man in Mexico. I doubt if 
half a dozen were given the chance to 
shoot back." 

The speaker is one of the wealthiest 
mine owners in Mexico. He has spent 
his life in Spanish-American countries, 
and the last ten j^ears in Mexico. Not 
many weeks ago his mine superintendent 
was called out of his house one day by 
Mexicans who were personally known 
to him — and supposed to be friendly to- 
ward him — and shot down without a 
word of explanation. His employer 
fought his way to the border with the 
murdered man's wife and children. 

"The bandits," said he, "outnumbered 
the men in our escort. But most of our 
men were Americans and they would 
all fight. A Mexican bandit is unable to 
see any profit in getting shot. He will 
always avoid a fight in which he has a 
chance to get licked." 

Villa is cut from the same card, ac- 
cording to the mine owner. 

"My friends in New York," said he, 
"seem to think that Villa is a sort of 
leader of irregular horse — a semi-recog- 
nized guerrilla chieftain. They do not 
know that he is a murderer and thief — 
and far worse." 

Enjo3ang the Slaughter. 

He told of one occasion in the early 
days of the present insurrection in Mex- 
ico when Villa captured twenty men of 
a band that had been badgering him. He 
condemned them to death in his usual 
way, never bothering with court-martials 
or other flubdubbery. Then he desig- 
nated himself as the executioner of his 
own decree. He had the men bound, 
hands behind backs, but with eyes un- 
bandaged. 

"This will seem impossible to you," 
said the mine owner, "but Villa walked 
down that line of men, revolver in hand. 
From time to time he shot a man through 
the heart, and stood by him until the 
victim had kicked his last kick. He 
taunted the bound men. 

" 'I want you to enjoy this as I do,' 
he told them. Those who gave way to 
terror he put aside, to be shot last of all. 
In that way they savored to the last 
twinge the full agony of their position. 
Some of them he half encouraged to be- 
lieve that he might spare them. Then 
he killed them, fairly Ticking his lips as 
he did so." 

There was another story of Villa's gar- 
roting half a dozen men one day. For 



some reason he did not want to shoot. 
He slipped a short loop over the head 
of each man, thrust a stick through it 
and twisted. As the victim gasped for 
breath he let up on the pressure, so that 
the death agonies might be as sweetly 
prolonged as possible. An eye-witness 
told the mine owner of this series. 

"When they were all dead," said the 
witness, "Villa was so tired he slept like 
a babe." 

Robs Isolated Ranchos. 
"For years," said the man from Mex- 
ico, "Villa has made a practice of rob- 
bing isolated ranchos or little towns. 
First he killed every man he could find, 
both because he liked to kill and because 
he carries caution to an absurd excess. 
Then he took the women. He led his 
men in the excesses that followed. 

"For twenty years Villa has been a 
bandit. In that time he has never ex- 
posed himself willingly to bullet or knife. 
I do not say that the man is a coward. 
I merely declare that fair play, as Anglo- 
Saxons understand it, is folly to Mexi- 
cans. They hate and fear Villa, but it 
has never occurred to them that he was 
anything but superlative!}' sane in lying 
behind a rock when he shot down his 
man or in approaching a man with smile, 
only to thrust a knife through him when 
his back was safely turned. They do 
things differently in these Latinized coun- 
tries. We have a litle of that spirit in 
our southern mountains where feuds are 
decided from behind trees. There is 
more of it in New York's streets, where 
gunmen — for the most part of Latin 
blood — shoot at each other's backs with 
true Latin hysteria of aim." 

A Robin Hood sort of a tradition has 
grown up about Villa. It has been re- 
peatedly told that he became a bandit 
because an army officer insulted his sis- 
ter — whereupon Villa shot the rascal 
down on the street ana took to the hills. 
"This is puerile nonsense," said the 
man from Mexico. "Villa's sister be- 
came the mistress of an army officer with 
the full consent and approbation of Villa 
himself and all concerned. As a matter 
of fact the Villa family stepped upward 
on the social road through this left- 
handed connection. A knowledge of 
Mexican affairs is required to appreciate 
the advantage the Villas made through 
it." 

Shot Man From Behind. 
Villa was on borrowing terms with 
the officer until his credit was cut off. 
When he threatened, the officer prom- 
ised him a whipping if he offended 
again. Whereupon Villa lay in wait for 
him, shot him from behind on the street, 
robbed the body of money and orna- 
ments, and took to the brush. So much 
for the romance of the bandit's storv. 



OUR FATAL MEXICAN POLICY. 

There is charity — and God knows 
there is need of it — in the reflection that 
Mr. Wilson does not comprehend the 
extent and the depth of the misery which 
his fantastic illusions in Mexican affairs 
are imposing upon a suffering people. 
While he is waiting in amiable self- 
assurance for the working out of his 
amazing policy Mexico is being harried 
by rival and contending bands of ruf- 
fians. There is no sort of cruelty known 
etiher to civilized or barbaric warfare 
which is not practiced every day in Mex- 
ico. Assassination, murder, human tor- 
ture, outrage upon women, wanton de- 
struction of property, paralysis of indus- 
try involving multiplied forms of distress 
— these make the order of the day. Only 
some strong hand can halt this carnival 
of abominations; and there is no strong 
hand because President Wilson is enforc- 
ing a condition which nullifies every ef- 
fort at pacification. By his course 
against Huerta, supplemented by his in- 
trigues with Carranza, he has made a 
situation which binds poor Mexico hand 
and foot and subjects her to the scourges 
of sword, fire and outrage, with no imme- 
diate prospect of release. Nero, who in 
a spirit of sardonic malice fiddled while 
Rome burned, did nothing worse or more 
cruel than President Wilson is doing in 
the spirit of fire-eyed and self-satisfied 
beneficence. The only practical differ- 
ence between the two is that between a 
leer and a smile. The effect is the same. 
And supposing President Wilson's pol- 
icy should succeed — that he should, as he 
probably will in time, drive Huerta from 
Mexico — then what is to happen? Car- 
ranza is no whit a better man than 
Huerta and he lacks Huerta's basis of 
authority. Furthermore he is at the 
head of forces both savage and rapacious, 
without really commanding them. The 
incidents of every day exhibit the fact 
that he is powerless to restrain his men, 
even if he were disposed to do so. Villa 
and Zapata, other factional leaders, are 
mere bandits, for years active in the lead- 
ership of gangs of murderers and rob- 
bers. From which of these — assuming 
that his influence might decide between 
them — could President Wilson hope to 
get less cruel, more wise, less selfish, 
more humane treatment for prostrate 
Mexico than Huerta? What assurance 
has he that with Huerta out of the way 
there would follow a condition more 
favorable to humanity and peace? 

It is the opinion of those having first- 
hand knowledge of conditions that the 
removal of Huerta would mean nothing 
more nor less than elimination of at once 
the strongest and most restrained factor 
in a bad situation. It would leave the 
country subject to the contentions of 
rival bandit leaders and bandit armies. 
It would still further confound a cruel 
and devastating confusion. The reign of 
terror maintained in every district under 
the armed forces of rebellion would be 
spread over the whole country. And 
who will doubt that this would mean 
such wholesale destruction of property, 
such a deluge of blood, as recent times in 
any country have hardly witnessed? 

The logic of such a situation, plus ur- 
gencies which would certainly come from 
other countries having interests in Mex- 
ico — and who with incredulity and a con- 
tempt poorly concealed have waited upon 
our policy — would force intervention 
upon us. We could not avoid military 
occupation of Mexcio; and military occu- 
pation, however justified or justifiable, is 
war. The very things which Mr. Wilson 
has pledged the United States not to do 
would have to be done. Having neutral- 
ized nr r^T'^-fV fr..-t1i t'-o ^-.^ — .-- r.-^V. 



6 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



ably capable of commanding the situa- 
tion, we should have to step in and make 
peace. There would be no other way. 
Europe would demand it under penalty of 
nullifying our Monroe Doctrine. We 
would be compelled therefore to take 
marching orders from Europe. 

In the meantime we can but suspect 
that there is storing up for us a grievous 
day when we shall be called upon to an- 
swer to the owners of destroyed prop- 
erty in Mexico. The United States, by 
staying the hand of Huerta and intriguing 
■mth Carranza, is making itself responsi- 
ble for the continued chaos in Mexico. 
It is to be noted that the British govern- 
anent has on several occasions taken note 
'of this fact. Ultimately there will arise 
a multitude of claimants — English, 
French, German, Dutch, and what not — 
for property destroyed. Their demands 
will be made, not without reason, upon 
the United States for restoration or re- 
compense. The account will be prodig- 
ious, and in the end, we suspect, we will 
have to pay it. — San Francisco "Argo- 
naut." 



LEST WE FORGET 



THE INSINCERITY OF IT. 

Arms and ammunition are carried 
across the border with comparative im- 
punity while most of the United States 
troops who are available to prevent the 
smuggling are concentrated in a camp 
at Texas City, inactive, both officers and 
men disgruntled. If these forces were 
really used to stop the transportation of 
munitions of war across the border, they 
■would be better satisfied, revolution in 
Northern Mexico would lose its great- 
est resource and the Administration 
would convince the world that it is sin- 
cere in wishing peace in Mexico. It is 
very hard to convince anybody that you 
wish well to the man whom you supply 
with a loaded revolver when he has 
shown a suicidal tendency. 

William Alden Smith, of Michigan, is 
head of a Senate investigating commit- 
tee that, following the Madero revolu- 
tion, took voluminous testimony as to 
the relations existing between the revo- 
lutionists and American Big Business, 
especially the oil interests. Senator 
Smith and his colleagues months ago 
presented their report to the Foreign 
Relations Committee of the Senate, and 
expected that it would be made public. 
Senator Bacon, chairman of the com- 
mittee, and a spokesman of the Admin- 
istration, has scrupulously withheld the 
report from the public's eyes. It is se- 
curely pigeonholed and will probably 
remain pigeonholed for a long time. Is 
it possible that the publication of the 
report at this time would embarass the 
Administration in its efforts to convince 
the people that morality and not busi- 
ness expediency has dictated its Mex- 
ican meddling? If the Administration 
were sincere in its protestations it 
would let the people read that report 
which Senator Bacon is so carefully 
secreting. 



Some assert the troubles with Mexico 
and in Mexico have been caused by 
Bryan's crude diplomacy. 

* ^ * 

The well-informed agree as to the 
CRUDITY but they substitute PETRO- 
LEUM for diplomacy. 

* * * 

From the championship of the Prince 
of Peace to the championship of the 
King of Crude Oil is quite a fall. 
« * • 

Decensus averno facilis est, 

* * * 

The buzzards of morality are still hov- 
ering over Mexico in watchful waiting. 

* * * 

The monumental crime of modern 
times. 

* * * 

In words the Administration is the 
friend, nay, the champion of liberty in 
Mexico. In action and in inaction it is 
the friend, nay, the champion of savagery 
— pillage, murder and rape. 

But the tremendous responsibility 
seems to weigh lightly on the gutta- 
percha consciences. 

They "viev,r with complacency." 

Meanwhile the history of a crime 
against civilization is daily being writ- 
ten. And history will accuse the Wash- 
ington Administration as the perpetrator. 

Or the catspaw — just as bad. 

* * « 

It is more and more obvious from day 
to day that if Huerta crumbles, as the 
President in his omniscience prophesied, 
then Mexico as a nation crumbles. 

* * • 

Is that what the buzzards want? 

* * * 

It is a monstrous thought — but what 
else can you think? 

* * * 

Has the Administration or any respon- 
sible person suggested either how the 
elimination of President Huerta will bet- 
ter conditions in Mexico or what practi- 
cal constructive purposes are to follow 
his getting out? 

* * * 

Is the bandti Villa to take up the reins 
of government? Or the gentle Geno- 
vevio de la O? Or the angelic Zapata? 
Or the junta that operates under the 
name of Carranza? Is there any assur- 
ance that any one of these or a dozen 
other ambitious leaders would submit to 
any government? 

* « * 

And can Huerta be ousted except by 
force? And we have refused to recog- 
nize him because he was not elected at 
a "fair and free election." 



Would we recognize his revolutionary 
successor? 

» • * 

Would the followers of the present 
government, including the army, submit 
to a United States-made ouster of 
Huerta? 

* * * 

Then how, in the name of all that is 
sane, how can we justify our watchful 
waiting for Huerta to criunble? 

• * * 

Unless we want to turn Mexico into 
a shambles. 

* • ♦ 

Is that what the Administration wants? 
Is that what you want, Mr. Bryan? 

• >» * 

Well, whether you want it or not, that 
is what you are in the way of doing. 

The Administration has encouraged 
bloody rebellion in Mexico and has sol- 
emnly announced that it is opposed to 
revolution and blood-stained govern- 
ments. 

If that is not insanity, it is criminal 
hypocrisy. If not hypocrisy, it is de- 
liberate malice. 

tt * * 

A child can see that. 

Has the Administration helped Mex- 
ico? The condition of the country to- 
day is an answer to that. 

* * * 

Has the Administration helped the 
people of Mexico? It has encouraged 
the incendiaries who have fired the in- 
herited savagery of its lowest elements 
and these are seeking to bring the whole 
people down to their level. 

» » a 

It has encouraged a warfare between 
barbarism and civilization and ranged 
itself on the side of barbarism. 
« * « 

Has the Administration helped the 
position and the prestige of the United 
States? It has made the United States 
the laughing-stock, of Europe and 
brought into new life a Latin-American 
distrust that may take a generation to 
overcome. 

• * * 

Has the Administration helped any- 
thing or anybody in the whole Mexican 
muddle except the group of Maderists 
who, under the able direction of the 
well-known Waters-Pierce attorney. Cap- 
tain Sherby Hopkins, have cleverly in- 
trigued the Administration into a posi- 
tion that is worth millions — to them? 

• * * 

Crude petroleum, again. 

* * • 

It always comes back to that. 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



MEXICO 



BRYAN'S FRIENDS 



SPANISH NUNS AND PRIESTS ARE 
DRIVEN OUT BY HUERTA. 

El Paso, Dec. 13. — With only enough 
clothes to cover their backs and a few 
cherished belongings tied in handker- 
chiefs, 350 Spanish residents of Chi- 
huahua arrived at Juarez this morning 
on a special train, being driven out of the 
capital by General Pancho Villa, who 
threatened to execute all Spaniards he 
found in the city after to-morrow. 

The priests and nuns bring a tale of 
revolting cruelty by soldiers that coming 
from any other source would scarcely 
be believed. 

Among the refugees who arrived were 
nuns, priests and little children. 

The refugees state that Villa has 
threatened to execute all Spanish resi- 
dents of Mexico and that men, women 
and little children, fearing his vengeance, 
are fleeing to the hills leaving all their 
belongings behind. 

Those who arrived to-day abandoned 
property valued at more than $2,000,000. 

Since his troops took Chihuahua Gen- 
eral Pancho Villa has had more than a 
half hundred persons executed, many of 
them wealthy Spanish and Mexican resi- 
dents of that city, according to a state- 
ment made this noon by one of the 
Catholic priests who is now at the Hotel 
Dieu. 

The priest said the rebel general had 
the priests thrown in jail and threatened 
to execute them if they did not pay him 
$5,000 ransom. They did not have this 
sum, but compromised by giving him 
all they had. 

The Sisters of Charity are also said 
to have been mistreated by the rebel sol- 
diers. According to the Catholic priests 
many of them were in rags when they 
arrived. 

They were not permitted to bring any 
of their belongings or church fixtures 
with them. 

One of the sisters of charity who ar- 
rived with the refugees stated that when 
the train was ready to pull out of the 
Chihuahua yards General Villa walked 
through the coaches with his bodyguard 
and with drawn revolvers threatened to 
kill all Spanish citizens who returned to 
Mexico during the time he was in control 
of that city. — New York "American." 



PRISONERS BUTCHERED BY MEX- 
ICAN REBELS. 

Civilized people everywhere are shocked at the 
reports coming from Mexico that the Constitution- 
alists are killing the prisoners falling into their 
hands. Not only this, but it is said that in 
numerous instances the prisoners have been bru- 
tally butchered. They are made to dig their own 
graves and after completing the work they are 
shot down like dogs. This should be stopped.— 
Montgomery (Ala.) "Journal." 



Dictator Villa seems to have lost his head 
entirely, if the reports coming from Mexico are 
to be trusted. This bandit has usurped supreme 
power, and as he knows nothing about interna- 
tional obligations or the customs of civilized gov- 
ernments, he is acting in a high-handed manner 
that must eventually bring down upon him a 
crushing defeat. — Memphis "News-Scimitar." 



THE ADMINISTRATION'S WORDS. 

We shall frown upon revolution in 
Latin-American countries. 

We are the champions of constitutional 
liberty. 

We want a free and fair election in 
Mexico. 

We are against the highbinder methods 
of the Trusts. 

We are the sincere friends of peace. 

We put morality above expediency. 



THE ADMINISTRATION'S ACTS. 

It invites and encourages revolution in 
Mexico. 

It has made possible the atrocious law- 
lessness of Villa. 

It presumes to dictate who shall not 
be candidates. 

It uses against Mexico the Trusts' fav- 
orite weapon — financial starvation. 

It "views with complacency" the bar- 
barous warfare of Villa. 

It finds it expedient to condone the 
immorality of the Mexican bandits. 



THE NEW ORDER OF LATIN- 
AMERICAN "DIPLOMATS." 

Doubtless John Hay prided himself 
more upon his achievement in making 
the beginning of a real diplomatic ser- 
vice than upon any of his specific tri- 
umphs in diplomacy, notable as several 
of these were. And yet an Administra- 
tion of reckless spoils grabbing has 
succeeded in destroying in a few months 
what he and his successors had been 
four administrations in building up. 

Every man without exception that his 
predecessors have found worthy of pro- 
motion he has found worthy only of dis- 
missal from the service to make room 
for a Bryanite "fresh from the people." 
to use a favorite phrase of his. For 
this barbarous proceeding the President 
himself must take his share of the re- 
sponsibility. 

We have already suggested, as the in- 
ternal evidence itself suggests, that the 
President has reserved Europe for him- 
self and given this hemisphere for the 
"loot" of his Secretary of State. 

Indeed, the President's selection, if it 
was the President's, of a special envoy 



to Mexico in the person of Mr. John 
Lind, was nearly as absurd as the best 
of Mr. Bryan's selections for Latin 
America. Mr. Lind might conceivably 
have made a creditable representative to 
a Scandinavian country. It is only as an 
envoy to a Spanish speaking country 
that he is absurd. When President Polk 
had occasion to select a special emissary 
to Me.xico, in a situation as delicate as 
tliat which Mr. Lind was sent to Mexico 
to compose, he chose John Slidell, who 
was recommended not only by his gen- 
eral reputation for discretion but by his 
special qualification of a command of 
SpatiTsTT Of the present President's un- 
official emissary to Mexico it is unneces- 
sary to speak, since Dr. William Bayard 
Hale has just been "feelingly reminded" 
by a "Constitutionalist" leader that he 
has no credentials and no status. 

The Bryanites have arrived and begun 
to operate in Latin America with the re- 
sults that might have been expected. At 
least one considerable scandal has al- 
ready ensued in the Caribbean. It was 
at a South Ainerican capital that the 
dismissed predecessor of Mr. Bryan's 
"man fresh from the people" informed his 
successor that, inasmucn as he himself 
had taken his official farewell, the incom- 
ing Minister would have to present his 
own credentials to the President, but was 
dissuaded by the piteous appeal of Mr. 
Bryan's man not to forsake him in his 
hour of bitter need and leave him to 
tackle the President when he did not 
know the President's "lingo." It was also 
at a South American capital that an 
American who had business with the 
President asked him what he thought of 
the new American Minister, and received 
the diplomatic response: "The same as 
you do." In fact, Mr. Bryan is furnish- 
ing the South American capitals with 
American representatives who, if he tells 
them to deliver a message to the Presi- 
dents or the Foreign Secretaries of the 
countrjTto which they are accredited will 
be utterly unable to do so in speech or 
in writing. They will remain so long as 
they are suffered to remain, at worst 
scandals, at best jokes, jokes to the offi- 
cials with whom they have to deal, jokes 
to their diplomatic colleagues, contrib- 
utinsf to the prayety of other nations and 
to the shame and disgrace of their own. 

It is this miserable state of things that 
Mr. Bryan has what can only be called 
the impudence of justifying to the cor- 
respondent of the "Evening Post" as an 
advance upon the state of things which 
it has supplanted and of pretending that 
the motive to it has been a desire to 
improve the diplomatic service. A more 
brazenly and shamelessly false pretence 
was never made. President Wilson must 
groan in spirit when he considers, if he 
considers, that he must carry such a bur- 
den as Mr. Bryan for three years to 
come. — New York "Sun." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 




We do not see why the "Evening 
Post" should have taken such pains in 
trying to persuade the American public 
that President Wilson's reprimand to 
the Carabaos vifas not due to a lack of 
sense of humor and that the Adminis- 
tration is not thin-skinned. 

Does any one really doubt the happy 
possession of a keen sense of humor on 
the part of the Administration? We 
think not. 

That humor may at times be a little 
grim, but it is there. 

Has not the Administration made 
clear to the people that its attitude to- 
ward Mexico is nothing but a conse- 
ciuence of the declaration made last 
March that it would look with disfavor 
upon any Latin-American Government 
which might ascend to power by force 
of arms? 

And has it not made it clear that its 
opposition to the Huerta Government 
and its open support of the Villas and 
their like is based on moral grounds? 
And has it not asserted that the attempt 
to establish a financial blockade around 
the Mexican Government and to ruin 
Mexico is "moral suasion"? 

How in the name of heaven can any 
one doubt the Administration's sense of 
humor? 



THE PHELPS-DODGE CASE. 

PHOENIX, Arizona. — After ten days of legal 
activities, during which the merits of the case 
were thoroughly tested, the jury selected to hear 
the evidence returned to-day a verdict acquitting 
the Phelps-Dodge Mercantile Company, the Doug- 
las Hardware Company, W. H. Brophy and F. E. 
Coles of the charge of conspiracy in transporting 
arms and ammunition across the international bor- 
der into Mexico. The verdict was in accordance 
with the instructions of Judge Sawtelle, who told 
the jury that the Government had not sustained 
the charges against the defendants. 

The evidence only showed that a sale of am- 
munition had been made to parties who were buy- 
ing for the rebel forces in Mexico. It was shown 
that the Douglas Hardware Company had sold 
ammunition to the same parties who had bought 
from the Phelps-Dodge Company, delivery being 
made in Bisbee. 

Of course there is a broad distinction 
between selling ammunition for the rebel 
forces and conspiracy to export the 
goods to Mexico. Of course. It is too 
bad, though, that the company of Presi- 
dent Wilson's friend and adviser, Cleve- 
land H. Dodge, should be mixed up in 
a case like this, in view of his vast Mex- 
ican holdings. 



CHRISTIAN SCIENCE. 

Paul Pendleton, mind reader, is given a column 
interview in the Tucson "Star," in which he 
declares that thought, if directed by a million 
people, would drive Huerta from Mexico, or cause 
a stone wall or even the Pyramids to fall. — Bisbee 
(Ariz.) "Review." 

Paul, look out 'for a reprimand. You 
are stealing Washington's thunder. The 



Administration would not stop at the 
Pyramids, though. The heavens them- 
selves would present few difficulties if 
that colossal mind wanted them to fall. 



OIL FUEL IN THE BRITISH NAVY. 

British service journals regard the coming sub- 
stitution in the royal navy of oil for coal fuel as 
a foregone conclusion. • * • 

Apart from a purely naval aspect the question 
possesses an especial interest for us at this mo- 
ment if, as reported, the Admiralty has been suc- 
cessful in placing large contracts with producers 
in Mexico. The newest British destroyers and 
the latest light cruisers and five battleships — the 
new "fast wing" — are designed for its exclusive 
use. Disturbed conditions in Mexico will be sure 
to affect the supply and proposed great storage, 
and the conseqttence of this can never be absent 
from our calculations. — New York "Herald." 

The New York "Herald" is greatly to 
be commended for its frankness. It was 
time that a newspaper of international 
fame like the "Herald" should at last 
come out in the open and state clearly 
the motives which have actuated the 
American press in its support of lawless- 
ness and disorder in Mexico. 

No longer can the "Herald," at least, 
be accused of hypocrisy. The publishing 
of distorted truths, the launching of false 
news, the facility with which its columns 
have been open to the Hopkins-managed 
junta in Washington are now well under- 
stood. The "Herald's" policy (and, we 
infer, that of other newspapers) will no 
longer be interpreted as being dictated 
by an unbounded love for liberty in 
Mexico. 

The support of barbarism and the op- 
position to the Mexican Government is 
now explained and justified by the "Her- 
ald's" own frank and naive words: "Dis- 
turbed conditions in Mexico will be sure 
to affect the supply and proposed great 
storage (of oil for the British navy) and 
the consequence of this can never be ab- 
sent from our calculations." 

Now everything is quite clear, isn't it? 



Much of the excitement in Mexico has re- 
sulted from poorly substantiated reports. ^Mere 
rumors have had the effect of inflaming the 
imaginations of the people until they were pre- 
pared to believe almost anything. A late instance 
is the alarm of a few days ago over the threat- 
ened attack on the oil industry in the vicinity of 
Tuxpam. Word comes now from the Constitu- 
tionalists that they have had no thought of 
attempting anything of the sort. Another big 
scare over nothing. If the newspaper men in 
Mexico would stop hunting for sensations they 
would help the situation immensely. — Raleigh 
(N. C.) "News and Observer," Secretary Daniels' 
paper. 

If the Administration, of which Secre- 
tary Daniels is so able an official, would 
stop expressing "gratification" and "com- 
placency" at every report of bandit dep- 
redations in Mexico, it is quite possible 
that the newspaper men here would not 
find them such good "copy." 



London, Tuesday. — Armed with Generp.l Car- 
ranza's threat to sink foreign vessels carrying 
munitions of war intended for the provisional 
government of General Huerta, Miguel Covarru- 
bias, one-time Mexican Minister to Russia and 
now confidential agent in London of the Mex- 
ican revolutionists, appeared at the office of the 



secretary of Lloyd's Maritime Insurance Agency 
this evening and formally deposited the pro- 
nunciamento of the Mexican constitutionalist 
leader. The secretary of Lloyds posted the 
warning on the notice boards, where it at- 
tracted the attention of the underwriters. — New 
York "Herald." 

Why did the "Herald" suppress that 
part of the cable from London which 
said that the underwriters read the no- 
tice with amusement? 



It is true that despatches from Mexico 
City are usually padded by the tele- 
graph editor in the newspaper offices, yet 
it is also true that correspondents in 
Mexico City are free to send any news 
or supposed news they please. 

Any one familiar with Mexico City — 
the greatest rumor-manufacturing place 
in the world — can easily see every day 
in the dispatches from that capital that 
most of the stuff sent is picked up in the 
streets, in the bar-rooms and in the 
American Club. We have been corre- 
spondents in Mexico City and we know 
the rose by its color and the fish by its 
smell. 

* * * 

MEXICAN NOTES. 
Telegraphic communication has been 
restored between Ameca, Mexico, and 
Huauchinan.go, Puebla; Zacapoaxtia and 
Cuetzalan, Puebla; Puente de Ixtla and 
Iguala, Cuautla and Yautepec, with the 
office at Tlatlauqui, Morelos, This is 
the section in which Zapatista "control" 
has been reported in the American news- 
papers, 

* * * 

A counter revolution in favor of the 
Federal government has started in Sina- 
loa, under the leadership of the Rubi 
brothers. Concordia, the principal town 
of the district of that name, has been 
recaptured from the rebels, and opera- 
tions are being directed to retake the 
important mineral district of Panuco. The 
.greater part of the Sinaloa district also 
has been retaken by these men, work- 
ing in conjunction with the Federals. 



Calixto Contreras, the principal rebel 
leader in Durango. has declared that he 
is neither Carrancista, Maytorenista, nor 
Villista. nor is he in arms against the 
Federal government, but had revolted 
against the state administration. The 
rebel bands throughout this state are re- 
ported operating independently of each 
other, devoting their principal attention 
to robbery. 

* * * 

EuselMO Vasquez. called the terror of 
the Malitzi, has been captured at San 
Taldeo, Tlaxcala. by the expeditionary 
force under Major Francisco Legaspi. 



RIO PAPER ATTACKS WILSON 
POLICY. 

(By Mexican Cable to the N. Y. "Herald.") 
Rio Janeiro, via Galveston, Texas, Tuesday. — 
The newspaper "Noite," commenting on the Mex- 
ican question, again recommends that the gov- 
ernment combat the imperialistic policy of the 
United States as being a danger to the whole of 
Latin America. 

Manuel Ugarte wrote to Luis Gomez approv- 
ing the idea of forming a corps of Latin-American 
volunteers to help Mexico in case of American 
invasion. 



Saturdav, December 27, 1913 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



ANOTHER SPECIAL REPRESENTA- 
TIVE. 

It begins to be apparent that Carranza, 
the constitutionalist leader, has no con- 
trol over affairs, and little influence, if 
any, with the other rebel leaders who are 
holding the Northern provinces down. 
He was unable or unwilling to come to 
an understanding with Personal Repre- 
sentative Hale, but perhaps that matters 
little in view of the fact that the rebel 
chief has no real power. The half-breed 
bandit Villa appears just now to be the 
dominant personality among the rebels. 
* * * For years a hunted outlaw and 
fugitive from justice he now calls him- 
self "General" Villa, has a bigger follow- 
ing than that with which Madero over- 
threw Diaz, and is in absolute control 
of Chihuahua, the largest and one of 
the richest Mexican states. 

Villa is an ignorant, vicious brute, half 
Indian and half beast — "Pancho, the 
tiger," he is commonly called — and 
Huerta and Diaz are haloed saints in 
comparison. So atrocious and inhuman 
has been his treatment of captured 
towns, and he boasts so insolently of 
his intention to dispose of all foreigners 
as soon as he is done with the Spaniards, 
that the department of state at Washing- 
ton may be wondering if it did not "put 
its money on the wrong horse," to use 
a famous diplomatic phrase. 

Secretary Bryan has sent a personal 
representative to humanize the bandit 
and soften his heart, by informing him 
that "his murders will create a painful 
impression in the United States" and are 
likely to be criticized as at variance with 
the principles for which the constitution- 
alists are supposed to be fighting. It 
will thus be seen that Mr. Bryan's heart 
is in the right place. If any organ is out 
of order it is his head. Conceivedly this 
third personal representative may be 
quite as successful as Lind and Hale in 
getting back alive; especially if he has 
had the forethought to take with him a 
copy of the lecture on "The Prince of 
Peace." That might be effective to 
soften the heart of the swaggering ruf- 
fian, and if the envoy insisted on reading 
it to him every day, even that case-hard- 
ened cutthroat might be brought to his 
knees. 

What Mexico needs is a resolute ruler 
who will enforce order with a firm, 
strong hand, stamping out anarchy as 
Diaz did by any means, legal or illegal, 
at command. Huerta would have done 
this had not Washington checkmated 
him financially and hampered him in 
every possible way for the last ten 
months. The numberless lives and the 
millions of property which have since 
then been destroyed will be charged up 
by the Mexicans to the good man with 
an impracticable theory who has unwar- 
rantably interfered in their internal af- 
iadTs 



RAVAGED MEXICO. 

The bloodthirstiness of the so-called Constitu- 
tionalists in Mexico exceeds even their greed for 
gold and their contempt for the most primitive 
principles which the rules of civilization have en- 
forced for a century. It is exceeded only by 
the practices of the Turks who were accustomed 
to put whole villages to the sword, the savage 
soldiery through whose monstrous barbarities a 
former Sultan earned the title of Abdul the 
Damned. 



The notorious "Pancho" Villa did not kill all 
the people whom he found in Chihuahua when 
he entered that unhappy town a short time ago. 
According to the reports, he wreaked his wrath 
on only a few score as an example of what any 
"Federal" or Federal sympathizer who fell into 
his hands might expect, and he permitted sev- 
eral hundred refugees of various nationalities to 
leave for the border with what they could carry 
on their backs, adding as evidence of good faith 
that so far as the Spaniards were concerned he 
would kill them all if they were not out of the 
country in ten days. In the meantime all the 
property, public and private, of the city has 
been confiscated by this illiterate ex-bandit who 
has proclaimed himself absolute dictator there, 
and a reign of terror now prevails in the de- 
voted place. 

It was the same when the rebels took Durango. 
It was the same in Juarez. It is the same in 
and about Tampico to-day, where Admiral 
Fletcher saw as many as twenty-five corpses 
swinging from the telegraph poles in portions of 
that city temporarily captured by the rebels. 
Wherever in Mexico there are rebel forces an- 
archy reigns and slaughter goes on unchecked. 
There is no longer even a pretense of respecting 
the rights and property of foreigners Even their 
lives are no longer safe. 

It is easy here on this side of the Rio Grande 
to shrug one's shoulders and say that it is a 
family quarrel and none of our business. But this 
wanton ravaging of their own property by men 
who have shown themselves to be worse than 
beasts is a spectacle which shocks the civilized 
world.— Philadelphia "Press." 



IN THE INTEREST OF WALL 
STREET. 

Every movement of President Wilson 
in Me-xico has been in the interest — 
seemingly solely — of great Wall Street 
financial interests. "The Republic" is 
not disposed to blame those interests for 
seeking to protect themselves from the 
encroachments of foreign financial in- 
terests in Mexico and Central America, 
but it feels justified in exposing Presi- 
dent Wilson's Pecksniffian and hypocriti- 
cal attempt to hide his real purpose be- 
hind platitudinous preachments about 
constitutional rights, civil liberty, etc. 
The New York "Herald" and "Sun" 
were vigorous at first in demanding rec- 
ognition of the Huerta Government, but 
since the real purpose of Great Britain 
in Mexico and Central .\merica has been 
disclosed, they are both now violent 
in the demand for the removal of 
Huerta. — Texas "Republic." 



Professor Wilson's idiotic policy is 
bearing fruit. Had he recognized 
Huerta, or had he pursued a dignified 
and proper course of non-interference 
in the internal affairs of Mexico, that 
distracted country would be at compara- 
tive peace to-day, and posterity as well 
as the impartial historian will hold Wil- 
son as the responsible party for much of 
the bloodshed and devastation wreaked 
upon the unfortunate country since the 
death of Madero. 

And while millions starve and perish, 
the. pedantic Professor, with unctuous 
hypocrisy, glibly sends forth perfunc- 
tory platitudes and delivers himself of 
pharasaical cant upon the beatitudes — 
"Peace and Brotherly Love." — Texas 
"Republic." 



WILSON AND CARRANZA. 

President Wilson has become a parti- 
san of Carranza and is seeking to aid 
him. So far as anybody can make out 
there is no reason for this favoritism — if 
we except his hatred of Huerta — beyond 
the fact that Carranza with subtle judg- 
ment has chosen the name of "constitu- 
tionalist" for his faction. A party desig- 
nation so happily chosen makes appeal 
to an American President predisposed to 
estimate things by their names, and who 
finds it difficult to distinguish between 
pretensions and facts. Now for some 
weeks President Wilson has been giving 
moral support and encouragement to 
Carranza, and he is obviously hoping for 
some turn in the situation under which 
he may be able to contribute directly to 
his revolutionary efforts. The spectacle 
of the American government trafficking 
with and seeking to promote a provincial 
rebel whose only title of authority is his 
sword is not a pleasing one. It bears 
all the marks of conspiracy with assimip- 
tion and treason without even the merits 
of candor and courage. It's a mighty 
shabby business. 

Let us reflect a moment upon what will 
happen if this intrigue with Carranza 
shall work out successfully. It is essen- 
tial first to survey the geography and 
to consider the interests involved. The 
State of Sonora, the seat of Carranza's 
revolutionary activities, is one of three 
rich Mexican states whose northern 
boundaries coincide with the American 
line for nearly two thousand miles. In 
soil and climate these three states of So- 
noro, Chihuahua and Coahuila approxi- 
mate the general conditions of the Amer- 
ican states of Arizona, New Mexico and 
Texas. It is a group of fine countries. 
Years ago American enterprise discov- 
ered this fact and has long been active 
there. There are in the country large 
-American ranch interests, mining inter- 
ests and oil interests; and this is only 
another way of saying that in each of 
these states there is an industriously pro- 
moted and liberally endowed "American 
party" — that is, a party eager for annexa- 
tion under any conditions. 

In each of these three states there is 
organized rebellion against the Huerta 
government and, in so far as it may be 
dared, rebellion against any Mexican 
government. Large property interests in 
the hands of Americans are anxious to 
fetch over these Mexican states into the 
American Union. This is why rebellion 
in Sonora, Chihuahua and Coahuila is 
alwaj's well organized and liberally 
financed. 

Now in trafficking with Carranza Pres- 
ident Wilson is in effect conspiring to 
the end of robbing Mexico. Justice to 
Mr. Wilson requires it to be said that 
in his innocence of practical affairs he 
doesn't understand the situation and 
doesn't realize the effect of what he is 
doing. His purpose in dickering with 
Carranza is to strike a blow at Huerta. 
But the purpose of those in relation to 
whom Carranza is a mere agent and tool 
is that of American annexation. And this 
purpose will not be put aside in respect 
of any scruples Mr. Wilson may cherish 
or on account of any pledges he has 
given. The success of Carranza will 
mean just one thing — a gigantic grab of 
Mexican territory by the United States. 
And Mr. Wilson, however he may be dis- 
posed, will be powerless to prevent it. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, December 27, 1913 



Long ago, under compulsion to make 
apology for an act of unpardonable rude- 
ness, he confessed that his was a "one- 
track mind." He sees only one thing 
at a time. At the beginning there got 
into his head a quixotic view of Mexican 
affairs and he has not been able to get 
any other view. Facts and arguments 
make no impression upon a mind snugly 
disposed upon its single track. He can 
see neither to the left nor to the right. 
To a congenital narrowness he adds an 
academic cock-sureness. And so, because 
we have a theorist instead of a man of 
practical wisdom in the President's chair, 
we are rushing headling into violation of 
established principles and of solemn 
promises and into a position where the 
President's own professions must suffer 
discredit and dishonor. — San Francisco 
"Argonaut." 



AFTER HUERTA— VILLA? 

A month ago the alternative to Huerta 
was Carranza. Carranza himself does 
not seem to be a really objectionable 
character. We could, then, confine our 
attention to getting Huerta out of office. 
But it is significant of Mexico's difficul- 
ties that a few victories by one of the 
Constitutionalist leader's lieutenants 
should have thrown the leader himself 
out of the limelight. 

This morning's reports of Villa's be- 
havior at Chihuahua are probably much 
exaggerated. We may doubt whether 
that town contains a $1,500,000 depart- 
ment store to be looted. But his record 
from Juarez on has been increasingly 
bad, and with it, unfortunately, his im- 
portance as a personage with whom this 
country might sooner or later have to 
deal increasingly great. 

The whole American public has long 
been vaguely asking itself: "After 
Huerta, what?" and postponing the an- 
swer in favor of the sufficiency of the 
day's own evil. But the glimpse of the 
possible future we are now getting is not 
a pleasant one. — Washington "Times." 



THOSE MEXICAN MILITARY 
OPERATIONS. 

Before the recent activities of the Mex- 
ican Constitutionalists began it had been 
asserted repeatedly that their territory 
included the six northern states, and the 
claim was extended to the borders of the 
Federal district. But every conquest that 
has been credited to them has been in 
those six northern states that were sup- 
posed to belong to them. 

Juarez is just across the river from El 
Paso and farther from the City of Mex- 
ico than Boston is from Chicago. Chi- 
huahua is about a thousand miles from 
the national capital. Torreon is in the 
extreme northern part of the State of 
Durango, near the boundary of the State 
of Chihuahua. Victoria is the capital of 
the State of Tamaulipas and Tampico 
is a port of that state. Monterrey is 
the capital of Nuevo Leon. 

The latest news is that the Constitu- 
tionalists have been driven back from 
Tampico and that they have abandoned 
Torreon under the fire of the Federals. 
There have been conflicting reports con- 
cerning both Victoria and Monterrey. 
The conquests appear to be reduced to 
Juarez and Chihuahua, though there is 
unquestionably desultory fighting over a 
large area of thinly populated country, 
all of which lies within the territory that 
was "claimed" by Huerta's opponents 
some time since. 



PUBUC OPINION-Continued 

_ Carranza, the chief of the Constitu- 
tionalists, remains at Hermosillo, where 
his energy is devoted to issuing pronun- 
ciamentos. This city is much farther 
from the capital than Chihuahua. It is 
on the Pacific coast side of the moun- 
tains. 

The principal military operations of 
the Constitutionalists are carried on by 
Francisco Villa, a brigand who is profit- 
ing by the unsettled condition of affairs, 
and who announced that he would be in 
the City of Mexico by Christmas. The 
tone of the dispatches generally has been 
much more favorable to his party than 
to the Federals, but he is now so clearly 
convicted of murder and robbery that the 
enthusiasm over him is likely to be short- 
lived. It is manifest that recognition of 
such cattle is impossible and that the 
country can never have peace until the 
banditti who are masquerading as pa- 
triots have received the only discipline 
that they can understand. — Chicago **Rec- 
ord-Herald." 



Doubt as to the wisdom of President 
Wilson's policy of watchful waiting in 
dealing with the Mexican situation was 
expressed by Herbert S. Hadley, of Kan- 
sas City, former governor of Missouri, 
in an address before the twenty-eighth 
ward Republican Club of St. Louis last 
week. 

*'If the policy of the Administration 
is such as will prevent the calamity of 
war," said Mr. Hadley, "then the Presi- 
dent can be assured that we will support 
him to the utmost. If through bungling 
diplomacy and an attempt to impose un- 
familiar moral standards upon the people 
of Mexico and to inject ideals into their 
management of public affairs which they 
cannot comprehend, he shall bring upon 
us war, then for such a result the pres- 
ent Administration must answer. I would 
be unwilling to see sacrificed the life of 
an American boy in order to protect the 
oil wells and mines which may have 
been developed by American capital in 
Mexico." 



NO GENUINE CONSTITUTIONAL- 
ISTS. 

It is somewhat wide of the facts to say that 
Constitutionalists in Mexico now control about 
two-thirds of the area of the country. Various 
bands of insurrectionists, outlaws and plain ban- 
dits, differing much in degree and purpose, occupy 
and terrorize enough territory to make that pro- 
portion when all added together, but they have 
not a common purpose nor are they under a com- 
mon headship. There is no assurance that they 
would or could work together in the event of the 
overthrow of the present federal government. If 
the future may be judged by the past, we may 
be sure they would not. When Madero overthrew 
Diaz, and by the usual military controlled elec- 
tion was chosen president, all the elements of 
insurrection did not unite with him in giving sta- 
bility to his government. They will no more unite 
now. Each leader must be appeased with some- 
thing worth while in the way of personal aggran- 
dizement. 

There are not wanting plain indications of a 
break between Villa and Carranza even before 
Huerta is overthrown. Villa is showing symp- 
toms of desiring to become the figure head of the 
revolution, and the chief dispenser of patronage 
and wicldcT of power, and to relegate Carrp.nza to 
a secondary place, if not to eliminate him entirely. 
Other rebel leaders arc likely to develop like per- 
sonal ambitions. There is nothing hopeful in the 
situation whatever, and there is almost a certainty 
that the fall of Huerla, and the success of the in- 
harmonious and disconnected insurrections, would 
create a situation even more difficult to be met 
by the United States than any that has existed 



since the first outbreak against the Diaz Admin- 
istration. 

As a result of a policy which appears to have 
been founded upon a determination to oust Huerta 
from power regardless of the consequences to 
Mexico herself or to our relations with that coun- 
try, or the effect of such action upon other Ameri- 
can republics, we may be called upon to take 
military action which the entire country desires 
to avoid. The approval we could not give to 
Huerta and his methods we could scarcely extend 
to Villa, Carranza and other rebel leaders. As- 
suming that our implacable hostility to Huerta is 
founded upon repugnance to his cruel, dictatorial 
and usurping methods, as it is and must be, we 
should be brought face to face with the choice 
between indorsement of other leaders with as black 
a record, or of taking the entire situation into our 
own hands, and setting up a government in Mex- 
ico by the bayonet, and under the color of our 
own election methods, however much the spirit 
of them might be wanting. It would be such an 
enlargement of our military tutelage as we should 
be anxious to avoid. — St. Louis *'Globe-Democrat,'* 



INFORMING THE "WORLD." 

To the Editor of "The World": 

As "The World" is the leading educator of 
the American public, did it ever occur to you 
that the people and the world at large are in 
total ignorance on the following points : 

1. Is there an organized revolution in Mexico, 
or are there various bands of bandits fighting 
and looting in their localities? 

2. What is the biography of the supposed 
leaders, Carranza, Villa, Urbina, Chao, Herreros? 
Do they recognize a cause, a common leader, and 
what have they done for or against their coun- 
try since January, 1911, up to the present? 

3. What men are there among the so-called 
Constitutionalists who have shown themselves 
capable of ruling Mexico by their ability, educa- 
tion and public record for the last ten years? 

4. What is to prevent one man with a horse, 
a gallon of coal-oil and some matches from 
keeping a hundred miles of railway closed when 
there are at least five culverts and trestles, all 
of wood, per mile? Ten men will keep a thou- 
sand miles closed. If you can solve this last 
question, there will be peace in Mexico in two 
months. You cannot guard them, so the only 
way is to shoot the man. Did you ever consider 
that ten determined men with automobiles and 
nitro-glycerine could cripple transportation out 
of New York for several weeks by one night's 
work destroying bridges and tunnels? 

Your help along this line will do more to 
restore peace and business and save lives in 
Mexico than any other policy. 

A. D. WATTS. 
Bridgetown, Barbados, Dec. 10. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir : Those educated Americans residing 
in Mexico who have an intimate knowledge of 
affairs in that country are profoundly convinced 
that the policy of President Wilson has been 
demonstrated to be not only erroneous but dis- 
astrous. 

The present deplorable conditions and unrest 
in the neighboring Republic are the direct result 
of the unjustifiable refusal of the Administra- 
tion in Washington to recognize the actual Gov- 
ernment of Mexico. By refusing recognition to 
the Provisional President of Mexico the only 
thing that Mr. Wilson has accomplished to date 
has been to encourage the enemies of law and 
order and to continue a state of affairs fatal alike 
to the well-being of Mexico and to the large 
foreign commercial interests established in that 
country. 

For several months President Wilson has sought 
means of imposing his will on Mexico and the 
only result of his personal activities has been 
the spread of the worst features of bandit war- 
fare. 

While Mr. Wilson may be perfectly sincere in 
his desire to promote the spread of text-book 



Saturday, December 37, 1913 



MEXICO 



11 



methods of government among an alien people 
over whom he has no juriBdiction, it is obviously 
& most dangerouB delusion to believe that the 
rebels in Mexico are warring in defense of any 
fundamental principle, although the name "con- 
stitutionalist" tinkles so sweetly to the ears of a 
sentimental group of idealists in Washington. The 
primary object of the various armed bandits in 
Mexico is undoubtedly naught else but loot, and 
among the leaders the gratification of ambition 
to wield power, and it is likewise perfectly ob- 
vious that lacking aid from wthout that these 
rebel "movements" could be put a stop to, and 
peace reestablished, but such outside aid is 
not lacking — the Madero faction aids the petty 
leader, certain well-known large interests aid 
the Maderos, and the tendency of the Professor 
in the White House to idealize the rebels merely 
smooths the way for all the sordid game of in- 
trigue along the border. 

Policies announced as humanitarian seem to 
have dwindled down into a personal animosity 
toward the government of a friendly country at 
present in great distress, no word of sympathy 
or encouragement for the people of Mexico in 
their trouble, only carefully turned phrases about 
the origin of government, elaborate personal in- 
sults for the man at the head of the Mexican 
nation, and finally instead of some definite an- 
nouncement of policy an entire evasion of the 
whole question by the establishment of the ghoul- 
ish Watchful Waiting 1 

C. M. T. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: In pursuance of his "policy" toward 
Mexico President Wilson has recently achieved 
several vicarious triumphs. Through the activity 
and energy of one Francisco Villa, a product o! 
"constitutionalism" as interpreted by Carranza 
and encouraged by Washington, the city of Juarea 
has been captured and one hundred and fifty 
prisoners wantonly slain in sight of citizens ol 
El Paso, Texas; in Torreon fourteen Spanish sub- 
jects, non-combatants, were shot down in cold 
blood, and finally the long list of barbaric out- 
rages committed in Chihuahua has come to 
crown the work of the group of rebels who are 
receiving support from the United States authori- 
ties not only on the frontier but directly from 
Washington, 

Thus the first fruits of Watchful Waiting are* 
being harvested, and the first triumphs of the 
higher morality are becoming known to the 
American public, and perhaps now, in the full 
light of that "pitiless publicity" mentioned by 
President Wilson, that same public will begin to 
realize the full significance of what such a polic> 
and such a victory means not to the people of 
Mexico alone but to civilization. How much 
longer will the American people permit the 
starry banner to be defiled by being made the 
symbol on this side of the border of the deeds ot 
Villa, the outlawed assassin ? 
Baltimore, Md. M. C. 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 



1916 



iqie MUNSEY BUILDING 
laio WASHINGTON. D. C. 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



FEARFUL IN WASHINGTON. 

Washington. — Democratic members of both 
houses of Congress are fearful of the out- 
come of President Wilson's Mexican policy. 
They do not know just what to make of it, 
and they say freely enough privately that while 
the morality of the President's plan is all right 
that the result is likely to be a continuation of 
political immorality in Mexico with a last con- 
dition as bad as the first. Briefly, Democrat* 
do not seem to think the President, with a 
mere insistence on morality, will be able to 
produce stable conditions south of the Rio 
Grande. 

It is still understood the European powers 
will be asked to indorse definitely Wilson's 
plans. The President's prime desire apparently 
Is to get rid of Huerta and to avoid the cloth- 
ing with power of any man bent on an Ad- 
ministration like that of the present Mexican 
chief. The Democratic of^ciale are asking if 
the Administration's "face will be saved" by 
action which simply will eliminate Huerta and 
keep one of his immediate chiefs from office. 
They believe no election in Mexico will be a 
real election, and that any man who is chosen 
will be indebted to the present controlling in- 
terests for hie advancement. So the reasoning 
is that the conditions folkjwing Wilson's mo- 
rality propaganda will be those which exist to- 
day. 

The State Department knows well enough 
that what England, France, Germany and tht 
rest of the countries desire in Mexico is a 
reign of order which will enable business to go 
on and keep their mercantile and mining inter- 
ests safe, at least temporarily. The great Eu- 
ropean powers on the surface of things of 
course are strong for morality, but under the 
surface they are strong for anything which will 
enable their subjects to make money out of their 
Mexican holdings and to go about their busi- 
ness without fear of being killed by a bullet in- 
tended for some Mexican who has ambition to 
climb. • * • 

The Administration has been trying to find 
out if it is not possible that Mexico, if its 
affairs are properly directed at this time from 
without, can become a real republic with gov- 
ernmental order and business stability moving 
hand in hand. The reports which are received 
are all of a kind to give a negative answer. 
Confessedly most of the men who say no are 
those who have business interests in Mexico, 
and who would prefer a dictator to a president 
of true Democratic principles. Representatives 
of big business in Mexico say that the consti- 
tutional leaders are little better than bandits, 
and that all they want is loot, and that if one 
of them should get into power he would fall 
out with the other leaders of bis kind within 
twenty-four hours, and that the rows would 
begin all over again. — Chicago "Evening Post." 



The elimination of President Huerta 
seems to be the aim of the Administra- 
tion in its Mexican policy. But will this 
mean the solution of the Mexican situa- 
tion? Just what guarantee the Adminis- 
tration has that any other leader would 
be an improvement on Huerta is hard to 
understand.— Bridgeport (Conn.) "Stand- 
ard." 



ARBITRATION TREATY. 

What such a treaty is, or could be made 
worth, under existing conditions, becomes an 
mterestmg question. The persistent refusal to 
recognize any Govertunent in Mexico compli- 
cates matters materially for any purposes of 
arbitration. Consideration of the limited 
possibilities in the case soon put. one abruptly 
up agamst the question of what there it for 
either country to arbitrate. This question in- 
evitably opens a wider field of inquiry. What 
IS our grievance against Mexico, so peculiarly 
ours, as distinguished from that of other na- 
tions whose citizenship is represented in the 
Mexican population? What is the bother all 
about, the talk of ultimatums, invasions and 
mobihzations? Could we enter a court of ar- 
bitration, which is essentially a court of equity 
with clean hands, if showing nothing more 
than complaints relating to Mexican govern- 
ment, and not vitally affecting us, or our in- 
terests in that country? On the other hand, 
could the Mexican Government consent to sub- 
mit to any arbitration court the question of iu 
nght to exist, under Mexican law? Mexican 
law is the only law which could govern the 
action of an arbitration court, since there ii 
no law of nations which could possibly apply 
to an arbitration of our demand that the Mex- 
ican Government shall cease. We are rather 
pleased than otherwise at the prospect that it 
never can be, although confident that the same 
friendly and peaceful disposition which led to 
our making of the Mexican arbitration treaty 
is still our prevailing one. In the dozen ar- 
bitrating decisions rendered by The Hague Tri- 
bunal, none deals with any question at all re- 
sembling this one our diplomacy has raised for 
us with the government in Mexico.— St. Louis 
"Globe. Democrat." 



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MEXICO 



Satitrday, December 27, 1913 



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A FATAL BLUNDER. 
There is a constantly growing number 
of persons in this country who are con- 
vinced that in dealing with Mexico the 
Wilson Administration has made a fatal 
blunder, the only tangible result of which 
has been the prolongation of barbarous 
rebellion and the encouragement of the 
lawless elements of the Mexican people. 
These persons have compared the Ad- 
ministration's protestations of morality 
and big purposes with the actual immor- 
ality of the conditions which the Ad- 
ministration has helped to foster. It 
would be utter folly for the most ardent 
partisan of the Administration to con- 
tend that its attitude has been one even 
approaching impartiality. Its open and 
virulent antagonism for the Huerta Gov- 
ernment has been as obvious as that of 
the Villas, Zapatas and all the other ban- 
dit leaders. Every one who knows Mex- 
ico and the Mexicans can ascribe the 
blunder to only three things, colossal 
ignorance, egotistical blindness, or per- 
nicious advice. Every one familiar with 
Mexican conditions and problems knows 
that one or all of these has been re- 
sponsible for the Administration's atti- 
tude, even though admitting that in a 
mentally superficial way its purpose was 
one of good intention or idealistic im- 
pulse. 



THE BLOOD OF A FISH. 

It can hardly be believed but it is a 
fact that some persons claiming to be 
American have upheld the Administra- 
tion's vulture policy of watchful waiting 
with the argument that it will give the 
Mexicans a chance to exhaust and de- 
stroy themselves, to the end that instead 
of a war of intervention being necessary 
the United States can easily absorb 
Mexico — peacefully; 

It is almost unbelievable that any en- 
lightened product of American civiliza- 



tion could propose so monstrous a na- 
tional crime. The fact is that we have 
actually heard this "solution" of the Mex- 
ican problem suggested by a certain 
speaker, whose name in charity we shall 
not mention, at a New York club din- 
ner at which the subject of Mexico was 
discussed. It must be said for the true 
Americanism of the other diners that the 
heartless, fish-blooded proposition wa^ 
received in frigid silence. 

The awful criminality of such a course 
in the name of the American people is 
only too apparent when it is remembered 
that American money and American 
guns, supplied by American interests, 
have been, with the assistance of some 
unpatriotic Mexicans, an important fac- 
tor in the internecine strife that has 
devastated Mexico in the last three 
years. 

Unfortunately on careful analysis it is 
at times forced on our reluctant belief 
that the Washington Administration is 
as cold-blooded and perverse as the 
speaker mentioned above in its policy of 
"watchful waiting" while the forces of 
greed and the forces of ignorance and 
barbarism loot and wreck and destroy 
the beautiful country on our border. 

But we know that the vast majority 
of the American people, when they real- 
ize the true situation in Mexico and the 
relations between the United States and 
Mexico, will rise in their might of fair- 
minded, square-deal opinion against the 
enormity of any Administration's holding 
to so un-American an atttiude. 

Therein lies the hope of Mexico. 

A SENSE OF HUMOR. 

Villa and Zapata, those worthy men 
who owe such a debt of gratitude to the 
Washington Administration, have re- 
vealed a sense of humor that must have 
proven very edifying to their benefactors 
who so sedulously have endeavored to 
explain and even justify their actions. 

Villa has declared that he had confis- 
cated the Spaniards' property and ex- 
pelled them from the country in order 
to protect them from the ire of the 
populace! Also that the property will be 
returned to those Spaniards who can 
prove that they have not been favorable 
in any way to the Federal Government. 
Villa — of course — will be the judge 1 

Zapata issues a proclamation announc- 
ing that after he captures Mexico City 
General Huerta and all his adherents will 
be tried by a court martial and then 
hanged from the palace balconies. 

What is the use of a court martial if 
the sentence has been decided upon be- 
forehand? Well, they are great jokers, 
and Bryan is their prophet! 



"REBEL BLOOD." 

The desolation in Chihuahua under 
the bandit rule of Pancho Villa is a fair- 
ly good sample of what the fate of all 
Mexico would be if the forces of "Con- 
stitutionalism" should gain the upper 
hand. It is the peculiar faculty and the 
"Times" to wade merrily into the mire 



unspeakable crime of the Maderos and 
their ilk to be able to start a conflagra- 
tion and to destroy, all in the high- 
sounding names of the Constitution and 
liberty, but immediately they get into 
power they can neither control the de- 
structive forces they have brought into 
play nor inaugurate the constructive, 
which is the true business of responsible 
government. They are of "rebel blood" 
as the indiscreet Escudero so naively 
revealed recently. Their business is to 
tear down, not to build, and a profitable 
business it is. If it were not profitable 
they would not be in it. As they looted 
the public treasury during the Madero 
regime, so they would loot all Mexico, 
and so they are looting and destroying 
and will continue to until they find the 
business of looting so unprofitable on 
the one hand and so dangerous on the 
other that they will be forced to yield 
to the forces of law and order. That this 
happy day for Mexico seems to many 
far in the future is due more than any- 
thing else to the efforts of the Washing- 
ton Administration, enamored of the 
name of "Constitutionalist," to help the 
looters in their career of destruction. 
DEGRADING. 

In our issue of September 27th we 
rendered a just tribute to the fairness and 
honesty of the El Paso "Times" in de- 
precating the enormous amount of "war 
dope" and "Mexican rot" published in 
southwestern newspapers or sent out of 
El Paso. 

We regret to be compelled now to rec- 
ord a newspaper "feat" of the "Times," 
which reveals in itself to what depth of 
degradation even an American newspaper 
can sink. 

We refer to the eulogy of Pancho Villa 
published by the El Paso "Times" in its 
editorial columns. While the whole coun- 
try was shocked to its innermost at the 
barbarities committeed by the infamous 
outlaw, the El Paso "Times" was uphold- 
ing him as a great Mexican patriot, one 
of the greatest, in fact, not even except- 
ing Juarez, and as a man worthy of the 
love and respect of the "Times' " readers! 

It is quite unnecessary for us to com- 
ment on this disgraceful performance or 
to seek the motives which actuated the 
"Times" to cast such a blot on a sup- 
posedly civilized American press. 

The fact that many El Paso merchants 
profited by the purchases made by Villa 
with stolen money could never be suflS- 
cient justification for the glorifying of 
a bandit whose exploits shocked even the 
somewhat dulled sensibility of border in- 
habitants. 

The finger of scorn is already pointed 
at those Americans whose greed has 
made them disregard all ethics of honest 
business and induced them to buy stolen 
cattle or bullion. In this country as 
well as abroad they are becoming known 
as receivers of stolen goods. 

It remained, however, for the El Paso 
and eulogize the thieves' chief as a great 
Mexican patriot! 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intellident EMscasslon of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1— No. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 3, 1914 



FIVE CENTS 



DEMOCRACY OR AUTOCRACY. 

"World's Work" realized the urgent 
necessity for making a defense of Pres- 
ident Wilson's Mexican policy. The ef- 
fort was commensurate with the neces- 
sity. 

The President's apologist, even though 
reluctantly, acknowledges that the Pres- 
ident's policy has not met with the Amer. 
ican public's approval. This he attrib- 
utes to the fact that the President's con- 
ceptions of the Mexican situation have 
not penetrated the public's mind. 

Our conception of a true democracy is 
— perhaps erroneously — that the Presi- 
dent of a democratic country should not 
adopt a policy which is neither under- 
stood nor approved by the people. 

For the President of a democratic na- 
tion is supposed to be the representative 
of the majority of the people and the 
upholder of the wishes of that majority. 

When there arises the necessity of ex- 
plaining (not effectively as we have 
shown in another column) a policy and 
defending it on the ground that after nine 
months of watchful waiting the public 
mind has presented such a corneous cor- 
tex that the President's conceptions have 
been unable to penetrate it, then we say 
we are not living under a representative, 
democratic form of government. 

We must be living under a more or 
less autocratic form of government in 
which the head of the nation adopts a 
policy first and then, for the sake of 
forms and peace, endeavors to explain it 
to a public that does not understand it. 



John Lind to Pass Christian! 

Let's hope he passes some Christian 
advice. 

And not merely the suggestion that 
Protestant missionaries alone can save 
Mexico. 

Which is Mrs. Lind's Mexican policy. 

How much the more Christian to stop 
putting arms in the hands of the North- 
ern bandits. 

If this were done and John Lind re- 
turned to Mexico City as a duly accred- 
ited ambassador the Mexican problem 
would be settled in short order. 

And we would make Mexico our sin- 
cere friend. 

Which would not hurt us and would 
reassure all Latin America. 



NOT QUITE 

ALL ABOUT IT 



The January number of "World's 
Work" contains a series of articles on 
Mexico, embraced in this modest title: 
".'Ml about Mexico." 

The publication of these articles is pe- 
culiarly interesting in view of the fact 
that before and since the appointment 
of its editor, Mr. Walter Page, as Am- 
bassador to Great Britain "World's 
Work" has been an ardent supporter of 
President Wilson and the most enthusi- 
astic exponent of his theories. 

Although on the whole these articles 
appear to be written in a fair spirit and 
contain truthful statements of Mexican 
conditions, the straining to find justifi- 
cation for the President's Mexican pol- 
icy is quite evident, particularly so in 
the first article, which purports to be 
an explanation of that policy. The er- 
rors of fact embodied in the other ar- 
ticles are doubtless due to their writers' 
lack of time to investigate conditions or 
to a careless acceptance of others' opin- 
ions, either formed hastily or malicious- 
ly expressed. 

The title of the first article, by Edward 
G. Lowry, is: "What the President is 
trying to do for Mexico." Perhaps it 
would have been more appropriate under 
the circumstances if the "for" had been 
substituted by a "to." But no matter. 

The President's apologist begins thus: 

The first item of President Wilson's Mexican 
policy has been: Huerta must go. That is but a 
preliminary detail and an incident of the larger 
general conception. A second item of his policy, 
and the ultimate end, is: The concessionaries and 
foreign interests must go. Not that foreign cap- 
ital must leave Central America, but that it shall 
cease to be a dominant special interest. This 
policy is to apply not only to Mexico but to all 
the Latin-American republics to the south of us. 



I'resident Wilson has served plain notice that 
foreign interests and concessions are no longer to 
be the first consideration in the relations between 
the United States and the Southern repub'.ics. 
Material interests are to be set aside entirely. 
They are dominating forces to-day in most of 
the Latin-American republics. They have caused 
most of the troubles of those republics. They are 
at the bottom of the disorder and strife in Mex- 
ico to-day. To President Wilson it is just as 
intolerable that Mexico should be dominated by 
English oil interests or American mining interests 
or German commercial interests or French banking 
interests as it is that the United States should 
be dominated by these interests, or by the Stand- 
ard Oil interests, or the Steel interests, or the 
Tobacco Trust, or any other manifestation of so- 
called Big Business. He has clearly set out to 
decrease the potency and power of these foreign 
interests in Mexico and, incidentally, in the ad- 
joining Latin republics. He has lucidly stated 
his policy : 

"Politics," says Mr. Wilson, "is made up in 
just about equal parts of comprehension and sym- 
pathy. No man ought to go into politics who 
doesn't comprehend the task he is going to at- 
tack. He may comprehend it so completely that 
it daunts him, that he doubts whether his own 
spirit is stout enough and his own mind able 
enough to attempt its great undertakings, but 
unless he comprehend it he ought not to enter 
it. After he has comprehended it there shoula 
come into his mind those profound impulses of 
sympathy which connect him with the rest of 
mankind, for politics is a business of interpre- 
tation and no men are fit for it who do not 
see and seek more than their own advantage and 
interest." 

"Foreign interests must go." "Mater- 
ial interests are to be set aside entirely. 
Th«y are dominating forces to-day in 
most of the Latin-American Republics." 
True, but material interests are dominant 
in the United States and all over the 
world. 

How are they to be made to go? Mere- 
ly by President Wilson's words? Or is 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



NOT QUITE ALL ABOUT IT-Continued 



this country going to compel by force 
cf arms or financial starvation every 
Latin-American Government to enter in- 
to no contract or financial arrangement 
with any foreign interests unless ap- 
proved by the American State Depart- 
ment? 

In any case, how are the countries 
mentioned to be developed without con- 
cessions to foreign capital? And we 
say advisedly without concessions, be- 
cause, however sincere may be the senti- 
ments of Mr. Wilson, capital will not go 
to those countries unless assured of high- 
er returns in compensation for greater 
risk. We still fail to see how President 
Wilson can change by his sole "fiat" a 
fundamental economical law: that the 
return is in direct proportion to the risk. 

"They (the material interests) are at 
the bottom of disorder and strife in 
Mexico to-day." 

They are, and particularly the Amer- 
ican interests opposed to Huerta and en- 
deavoring with the assistance of the Ma- 
dero family, their former ally, to restore 
the Madero regime, an easy instrument 
in their clever hands. By opposing Gen- 
eral Huerta Mr. Wilson is encouraging 
armed strife caused by these very inter- 
ests which he professes to abhor. 

"To President Wilson it is just as in- 
tolerable that Mexico should be dominat- 
ed by English oil interests or American 
mining interests or German commercial 
interests. * * *" 

In the first place, no one is yet con- 
vinced that President Wilson was elect- 
ed President of Mexico and that any 
domination — if it existed — need necessar- 
ily be intolerable to him. 

However worthy of praise the Presi- 
dent's intentions may be, the right of 
Mexico to be a sovereign and indepen- 
dent State cannot be set aside. 

Secondly, we note that the President's 
apologist fails to mention here the dom- 
ination of .American oil interests, and 
therefore fails to mention the real cause 
of discord. This evidently intentional 
omission is very significant. As to the 
assertion that the President has lucidly 
stated his policy, as explained in the last 
paragraph of the foregoing quotation, we 
shall let our readers decide. For our 
part we cannot for the life of us inter- 
pret a scholastic declaration of what a 
politician should be as the enunciation 
of a Mexican policy. 

But let us proceed. The author goes 
on to say: 

President Wilson has tried at least twice and 
in the most public way imaginable to make clear 
the basic conceptions on which his Mexican policy 
rests. It is larger than a mere Mexican policy, 
it is a Latin-American policy. Dollar diplomacy 
has been supplanted by diplomatic welfare work, 
but Mr. Wilson's concepts of our duties, our re- 
sponsibilities, and our opportunities with respect 
to Mexico and Central-American republics have 
not penetrated the popular intelligence. 

The fundamentals, the framework, the broad, 
essential, and salient' points of that policy are 
not far to seek. President Wilson has been to 
this juncture reticent only about details. He has 
not submitted to the country step by step all the 



plans and all the negotiations that have gone on, 
looking to the ousting of Huerta. President Wil- 
son has said time and again: "Huerta must go." 
Why must Huerta go? Under all the precedents 
of international law and usage, this Government 
would have been justified in according him diplo- 
matic recognition and acknowledging his headship 
of affairs in Mexico. President Wilson did not 
recognize Huerta because he is looking beyond 
the present. He has proclaimed a new Latin- 
American policy so bold, so simple, and so origi- 
nal that not yet is it understood. The President 
is seeking to put an end to revolutions in Latin- 
American States. As the simplest way of pre- 
venting revolutions, he is seeking to remove the 
root cause of most of them. What he is trying 
to do is to cure the revolutionary disease in 
Mexico and to discourage it in the Latin-American 
republics. Mr. Wilson is assured that he has 
discovered the germ that causes this revolutionary 
disease and his present task it to isolate that 
germ and then to destroy it. 

Mr. Wilson's concepts have not "pen- 
etrated the popular intelligence" — which 
judging by the author's statement, would 
appear to be very obtuse — because Pres- 
ident Wilson's words and the practical 
results of his poUcy are so diametrically 
opposed that the American public can- 
not find in these results any proof or 
evidence of the vague purpose expressed 
in the beautiful words. 

While it is stated that the President is 
seeking to put an end to revolutions in 
Latin America the fact remains that the 
President's attitude has encouraged, 
more, fostered rebellions in Mexico. 

While he is said to have discovered 
the germ of revolutionary disease, and 
his present task is said to be to isolate 
that germ and then destroy it, the prac- 
tical result of his policy has been to 
create a most fecund culture of that 
germ. 

The author makes a frantic effort to 
answer the question that every one has 
been asking of late: "Why must Huerta 
go?" and we quote again his reply: 

Under all precedents of international law and 
usage, this Government would have been justified 
in according him diplomatic recognition and 
acknowledging his headship of affairs in Mexico. 
President Wilson did not recognize Huerta because 
he is looking beyond the present. He has pro- 
claimed a new Latin-American policy so bold, 
so simple, and so original that not yet is it 
understood. The President is seeking to put an 
end to revolutions in Latin-American States. As 
the simplest way of preventing revolutions, he is 
seeking to remove the root cause of most of them. 
What he is trying to do is to cure the revolu- 
tionary disease in Mexico and to discourage it in 
the Latin-American republics. Mr. Wilson is 
assured that he has discovered the germ that 
causes this revolutionary disease and his present 
task is to isolate that germ and then to destroy it. 

If, after reading this reply, our readers 
or those of "World's Work" know just 
exactly why Huerta should go, their 
power of comprehension is infinitely 
greater than ours. 

But in this paragraph, as well as 
throughout the article, the truth is twist- 
ed with an ingenuity worthy of a better 
cause. The meaning implied is that Huer- 
ta must go because he encourages for- 
eign interests. Of course, we all know 
that this is not the "real" reason why 
President Wilson wants Huerta to go, 
but supposing it were, how could his 



apologist explain the support given to 
rebels who receive money and arms from 
American interests? 

What is the underlying cause of the present 
troubles in Mexico? Foreign interests and con- 
cessions. They have been at the bottom of most 
of the Latin-American troubles. 

President Wilson and the author hit 
the nail on the head when they state 
that foreign interests are at the bottom 
of Latin-American troubles but they 
fail to explain that American interests 
are at the bottom of the Mexican trou- 
ble. That the opposition to General 
Huerta and the support to the revolu- 
tionists have come from the disinclina- 
tion of General Huerta to be the instru- 
ment of those interests. That encour- 
agement was given by the Diaz Gov- 
ernment to European capital simply to 
offset the dominance which special Am- 
erican interests were acquiring in Mexi- 
co and to prevent the greedy absorp- 
tion of the whole country's resources by 
these very interests. They fail to ex- 
plain how the present struggle is fos- 
tered by these interests, that will let 
nothing stand in the way of their re- 
gaining the dominance lost through the 
fall of Madero. 

Yet it is not to be supposed that either 
President Wilson or the author has 
lacked means to ascertain the truth. 

Further on we read: 

He is trying to prove to Mexicans and to 
Latin-Americans that the United States can do 
both a service that apparently they have not 
dreamed of doing for themselves. 

And almost in the same breath: 

Mr. Wilson has said, as plainly as it can be 
said, that while Mexican affairs are in their pres- 
ent posture, that the time has come when Mexico 
and all the Latin-American countries must be al- 
lowed to manage their own affairs and be free of 
the domination of foreign business interests. 

If Mexico is to be allowed to manage 
its own affairs why then has President 
Wilson interfered in the affairs of that 
country? If not by force of arms, at 
least with the force which his exalted 
position gives him? Why is he insisting 
on rendering a service which is not 
wanted? And — what is more important 
— why is it that no Latin-American coun- 
try, no Latin-American government, no 
Latin-American people has risen in 
grateful appreciation of the President's 
words? 

Why is it that his Mobile declaration 
of policy instead has caused a recrudes- 
cence of antagonism on the part of 
those people and created a feeling of 
mistrust stronger than it ever e-xisted be- 
fore? 

Is it because all Latin-Americans are 
as obtuse and as idiotic as the author 
would have us believe the American peo- 
ple are into whose "popular intelligence" 
President Wilson's concepts have not 
penetrated? 

Or is it because the Latin-American 
people perceive clearly in the words of 
the President a menace to their sovereign- 
ty and one more evidence of the grab- 
bing tendency of the United States? 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



MEXICO 



Mr. Lowry's article wtih so promising 
a title is nothing more or less than an 
attempt to justify the Wilson policy by 
using President Wilson's already well- 
known words. 

Hence, in common with the "popular 
intelligence" of the American public and 
cf the Latin-American people we are still 
just as much in the dark as we were be- 
fore as to the real meaning of that pol- 
icy. It is too much to ask a whole con- 
tinent to be contented with words. The 
judgment of the people is passed upon 
consideration of facts, not words. 
Again more words: 

Could anything be more plain-spoken than his 
own deliberate, premeditated utterance: 

"There is one peculiarity about the history 
of the Latin-American States which I am sure 
they are keenly aware of. You hear of 'con- 
cessions' to foreign capitalists in Latin America. 
You do not hear of concessions granted to foreign 
capitalists in the United States. They are not 
granted concessions. They are invited to make 
investments. The work is ours, though they are 
welcome to invest in it. We do not ask them 
to supply the capital and do the work. It is an 
invitation, not a privilege; and the States that 
are obliged, because their territory does not lie 
within the main field of modern enterprise and 
action, to grant concessions are in this condition, 
that foreign interests are apt to dominate their 
domestic affairs, a condition of affairs always 
dangerous and apt to become intolerable." 

In the comparison of Mexico or some 
of the Central American Republics with 
the United States we see again that ig- 
norance which has been so much lament- 
ed in all quarters. 

"Foreign capitalists are not granted 
concessions but are invited to make in- 
vestments in the United States." 

It is true, but conditions are vastly 
different here. Although it would take 
volumes to explain in detail this differ- 
ence, yet it is self-evident. .A.gain we 
must repeat that the trouble in Mexico 
has been fostered by American inter- 
ests who were checked in their monopol- 
istic purposes by the Diaz Government, 
which realized that American interests 
were "apt to dominate their domestic af- 
fairs, a condition of affairs always dan- 
gerous and apt to become intolerable." 

The author continues to quote Presi- 
dent Wilson, this being the best means 
he can find in his effort to penetrate the 
public intelligence. Then exclaims: 

The day is imminent when Mexico and the 
other Latin-American States will lie, to use the 
President's phrases, "within the main field of 
modem enterprise and action." The day of the 
opening of the Panama Canal for traffic will mark 
their entrance to that field. The President thus 
says as plainly as he can that that day should 
mark the emancipation of these countries from 
the foreign capitalists who provide the capital 
for exploiting and developing the natural resources 
of these countries. Mr. Wilson sets forth com- 
pactly the position in which the Latin-American 
countries will find themselves when the Isthmian 
waterway is an accomplished fact. "The Latin- 
American States which, to their disadvantage, have 
been off the main line, will then be on the main 
line." As he says, "We shall presently find that 
some part, at any rate, of the centre of gravity 
of the worid has shifted." 

This tremendously vital change in the whole 
aspect of Latin-American affairs is of immense 
significance to the United States. To President 
Wilson it means that we must prove ourselves the 



NOT QUITE ALL ABOUT IT-Continued 



friends and champions of these countries to the 
south of us upon terms of equality and honor. We 
must show this friendship "by comprehending 
their interest whether it squares with our own 
interests or not." Or, as he phrases it again; 
"Human rights, national integrity, and opportu- 
nity, as against material interests, is the issue 
which we now have to face," and we "must re- 
gard it as one of the duties of friendship to see 
that from no quarter are material interests made 
superior to human liberty and national opportu- 
nity." President Wilson's policy is to fight for 
the Mexicans the fight we have been and are 
fighting for ourselves, to divorce Big Business 
from governmental affairs. He says it himself 
in so many words: "We have seen material in- 
terests threaten constitutional freedom in the 
United States. Wherefore, we will now know how 
to sympathize with those in the rest of America 
who have to contend with such powers not only 
within their borders but from outside their bor- 
ders also." 

Beautiful, splendid words! We can 
only exclaim on our part, "Amen!" But 
the facts? 

When the day shall come when certain 
-American republics find themselves in 
the "main line," those republics will no 
longer find it necessary to grant conces- 
sions, or to pay subsidies for the build- 
ing of railways or the development of 
their natural resources. 

The people of the United States, in 
spite of their power and wealth, in spite 
of their higher standard of public educa- 
tion, are not yet emancipated from the 
domination of big business. Also it is not 
very many years since the United States 
Government paid enormous subsidies for 
the building of transcontinental railways. 
The writer goes on to state: 
President Wilson does not pretend that the 
present negotiations with relation to Mexican af- 
fairs are mere questions of policy and diplomacy. 
He expressly says that they are not questions of 
policy and diplomacy, but are "shot through with 
the principles of life." He acknowledged that it 
would be more convenient to recognize Huerta. 
To have recognized the provisional Government 
of Mexico would have saved all the negotiations 
that have gone forward, saved all the turmoil 
and stress and apprehension and the possibility 
of an armed clash, but Mr. Wilson takes the 
ground that he "will never condone iniquity be- 
cause it is most convenient to do so." What he 
is trying to do in Mexico has a meaning, a bear- 
ing, and a significance to the head of every Latin- 
American State. 

By the support given by his Adminis- 
tration to the Mexican rebels is not Pres- 
ident Wilson condoning the iniquities of 
Villa, of Urbina, and others? And these 
are proven iniquities, while the "iniquity" 
attributed to General Huerta has never 
been proven. 

The iniquities, the unspeakable atroci- 
ties committed by rebels and bandits, re- 
ceived the official seal of approval from 
the Washington Administration when 
leaders of these rebels were received with 
^..fficial honors on board an American 
man-o'-war by an admiral of the United 
States Navy. 

How will the heads of all Latin- 
Ameriean States interpret these facts, 
when they learn from the distinguished 
apologist that: 

"What he (President Wilson) is try- 
ing to do in Mexico has a meaning, a 



bearing, and a significance to the head 
of every Latin-American State!" 

Against all evidence we see repeated 
the feeble excuse that "there is no rea- 
son to suppose that prompt recognition 
of Huerta would have put an end to the 
chain of succession; and, "He, too, 
would have been killed or driven out in 
time as others have been killed and driv- 
en out." 

Then why the tremendous efforts of 
the United States Government to drive 
him out now? Is there any reason to 
suppose that the triumph of Carranza, 
Villa and Zapata will put an end to the 
chain of succession? On this point the 
author is silent, of course. Yet thereon 
hangs the justification or the indictment 
of President Wilson's policy. 

No fault could possibly be found with 
the abstract meaning of the last para- 
graph of this article, an article truly re- 
markable for its fatuity. 

There will never be any peace in Latin America 
so long as the Presidents of those States are 
put into office and maintained in office by one 
set of concessionaries, while another set of con- 
cessionaries, being out of favor, is striving hj 
every expedient to pull down the Government and 
erect another more friendly in its place. 

True, gospel. 

General Huerta was not put in power 
by a set of concessionaries. He did not 
take part in the revolutionary movement 
engineered by General Mondragon and 
headed by Felix Diaz. That, we believe, 
is conceded even by his enemies, for he 
was the leader of the Madero forces un- 
til the last day. 

Put the concessionaries that with the 
fall of Madero lost their monopolistic 
grip, being out of favor, or rather, being 
incapacitated to exert supreme influence 
in the present government, are striving 
by every expedient to pull down the gov- 
ernment and erect another more friendly 
in its place. 

-And despite all the beautiful words we 
were compelled to read once more the 
fact remains that the most potent pull- 
ing is being done by the Wilson Admin- 
istration which has decreed: "Huerta 
must go," and which has erected a finan- 
cial blockade against that government! 



THOSE BRITISH MARINES IN 
HONDURAS. 

Great Britain's action in landing marines in 
British Honduras to "police" the northern border 
adjoining Mexico need cause no excitement. 

If this step has been taken to prevent aid and 
comfort being given Mexican revolutionists at the 
south it is nothing more than the United States 
is doing along the northern border of Mexico — 
at least ostensibly. — New York "Herald." 

That word ostensibly is surcharged 
with significance, coming as it does from 
the esteemed "Herald" — so concerned 
that the British may get any oil wells 
near the Panama Canal, and so terribly 
overwrought with indignation that 
Huerta will not be dictated to by 
American oil interests. Ostensibly! 
That's a good word. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



THE FICTION FACTORY 



One would think that in the Mexican 
situation as it reall}' is and the larger 
international situation of which it forms 
part there would appear so much drama 
and interest that the newspapers would 
serve their readers best by serving them 
the truth. But for various reasons, which 
we have explained many times, they still 
carr3' on their merry campaign of lies, 
misrepresentations, and half-truths — 
merry to them but tragic to poor Mex- 
ico. Keeping in mind that the great ob- 
ject of the press campaign is to discredit 
the Mexican Government, both to justify 
the Administration's hostility and to in- 
jure Mexico's financial credit, let us re- 
view some of the highly imaginative 
falsehoods concocted by the correspon- 
dents, news agencies and editors since 
last we went to press. 

Most of the false news that comes 
from Washington is created in the fer- 
tile and resourceful mind of Captain 
Sherbourne G. Hopkins, who manages 
the Washington junta, of Maderist and 
Pierce Oil affiliations. From all accounts 
he has the run of the State Department 
and, unlike so many others, has no 
doubts in his own mind as to what the 
Mexican policy of the Administration 
really is. 

As to the reports that come from Mex- 
ico City, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mo- 
heno within the last week has had to 
caution the correspondents against send- 
ing out absolute falsehoods to the injury 
of Mexico. In justice to some of the 
correspondents it must be said that they 
are not to blame, as the cables they send 
are usually in skeleton and are "doctored 
up," distorted and twisted in the offices 
of their newspapers and agencies here, 
much to their own discomfiture. This we 
actually know to be the case and have 
letters from Mexico City correspondents 
to prove it. Not only that, but we have 
personally had New York editors, hand- 
l:ng the Mexican "story" daily, boastfully 
admit to us that they have "fixed up" the 
Mexican news to suit the policy of their 
papers. "It's all in the newspaper 
game," they say. 

As to the El Pasograms and border 
news generally, lying is a profession and 
a meal-ticket down there and some won- 
derful fiction writers have been devel- 
oped along the Rio Grande. Munsey, 
take notice. 

The New York "Herald" of December 
83rd scareheaded this wild dream: 
"Huerta Said to Fear Banks are Trying 
to Force Him Out." We'll let it go at 
that, without comment. 

From Washington two weird yarns 
were given out'by Hopkins, one about 
the "constitutionalists" controlling more 
than half of the National Railways and 
sending a representative to deal with the 



New York management of the company 
to reorganize the lines and "arrange for 
credit." The only control the "constitu- 
tionalists" have of Mexican- Railways is 
dynamite in the hands of bandits. Of 
course the object of this "story" was to 
irighten the Railways bondholders and 
injure the credit of the company. A lit- 
tle speculation in bonds may have been 
back of that. The other "story" was one 
of Federal atrocities to offset the effect 
of Villa's doings. There was not a fact 
or detail to back it up, but it was couched 
in bloodcurdling generalities, made out 
of whole cloth. 

Another "story" most of the New York 
papers fell for was that the interest on 
the National Railways bonds would not 
be met by the Mexican Government on 
the first of January, despite the official 
statement previously of the bankers con- 
cerned that the payment had been sat- 
isfactorily provided for. 

Really, there are too many of these lies 
to enumerate. To do so would take up 
more space than we care to give and dig- 
nify most of them more than they de- 
serve. 

You may remember the following and 
by comparing what has really happened 
since they were published so short a 
time ago you can readily see how much 
there was in them: 

"Huerta to resign in favor of Goros- 
tieta and go to the front to fight the 
Northern rebels." 

"Rebels about to attack Tampico." 
(This one is repeated every day when 
nothing else can be made up on the spur 
of the moment.) 

"Huerta hears the booming of the en- 
emy's guns at the capital's gates!" 

"Envoy de la Barra fails in his Jap- 
anese mission." He went to Japan to 
give the formal thanks of his country to 
Japan for the latter's participation in the 
Centennial Celebration of Mexican In- 
dependence. He was received by the 
Mikado and welcomed by the Japanese 
people. So he failed! 

"Rebels in control of the oil zone!" 

"Line from Tampico to San Luis Po- 
tosi cut!" 

"Shortage of fuel in the capital and all 
railroads tied up in two days." 

"Train blown up at Charcos, North of 
San Luis Potosi, and 150 Federals killed." 

"Mazatlan and Tepic again captured." 

"Many Mexican banks and commercial 
houses will fail before the first of the 
year." 

"Federals desert at Guaymas." 

"Zacatecas captured." 

And so on. 

All of which did not happen and was 
later denied in the same newspapers, al- 
though inconspicuously. 

You did not read, however, that the 
whole State of Coahuila is at present un- 
der the absolute control of the Federal 
Government. That the trains are running 
regularly between Mexico City and La- 
redo. That customs receipts are as high 
as they have ever been and that business 
in the South of Mexico has never been 
as good as it is now. 



FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS. 

By Colonel George Harvey in 

"North American Review" 

for January. 

It is a cardinal principle of foreign 
powers, and of Great Britan par- 
ticularly, to protect the persons and 
property of their citizens the world 
over. The patience which they have 
manifested, at our solicitation, at the 
devastation in Mexico is unprece- 
dented, as an evidence of special 
consideration. But how long can it be 
maintained by any Government, how- 
ever friendly? How soon will it cease 
to be regarded as a virtue by a pow- 
erful Opposition? 

The Tory journals of England are 
becoming more critical daily, French 
newspapers are drawing sharp contrasts 
between the "ineffectual idealism" of our 
"watchful waiting" and the shocking bru- 
talities which characterize the fighting 
in Mexico, and the spokesmen of Ger- 
many constantly and caustically inquire 
how we can justify the policy announced 
by the President at Mobile. 

And how, in truth, can we? Because 
foreign investors have driven hard bar- 
gains in South America in the past, are 
we warranted in prohibiting the grant- 
ing of concessions which presumably 
tend to development of resources in 
the future? 

"What these States are going to see," 
declared the President, "is an emanci- 
pation from the subordination which has 
been inevitable to foreign enterprises. 
•I" * * I rejoice in nothing so much 
as in the prospect that they will now 
be emancipated from these conditions, 
and we ought to be the first to take 
part in assisting in that emancipation." 

"It is a policy," added Secretary 
Bryan, "that has been substituted for 
Dollar Diplomacy. The foreign capi- 
talist has too often been a disturbing 
factor in Latin America." 

Now, what can this mean? That lit- 
erally we shall forbid South American 
Governments to make further conces- 
sions to European capitalists? Or mere- 
ly that we shall insist upon supervising 
the trades and fixing the terms? 

Countries like Peru and Ecuador and 
Bolivia cannot uncover their vast re- 
sources without the use of quantities of 
money which they themselves do not 
possess. If they are not to be allowed 
to obtain the requisite capital from Eng- 
land or France or Germany upon the 
best terms they can obtain, where are 
they to get it? 

Surely not from the Treasury of the 
United States. Not even Secretary- 
Bryan would propose that. 

From American investors, then, upon 
most modest terms fixed by the State 
Department? Hardly! Our people have 
never shown a disposition to embark in 
South American enterprises, even when 
offered the extraordinary inducements 
which attracted foreigners. Are they 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



MEXICO 



FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENTS— 
Continued, 
likely now to hazard their fortunes for 
profits, not only prospective but re- 
stricted, in far-off lands, when billions 
of tested securities at home are awaiting 
absorption? Whence, then, is the 
"emancipation" by considerate lenders 
at easy rates to come? 

Is it emancipation? Is it not enslave- 
ment? By what conceivable right or 
upon what fancied theory can the United 
States assume a suzerainty so complete 
and so farreaching? That is the ques- 
tion which some South American or Eu- 
ropean Government is bound to raise, 
and soon too, with respect to a definite 
transaction. 

What will be the answer of the Ad- 
ministration? What can it be? Shall 
we, if pressed, recede from the Mobile 
declaration? Or shall we fight, if need 
be, in defense of a doctrine which is 
obviously untenable? In either case, 
how would Bolivia or Ecuador or Peru 
profit from such interposition in favor 
of "human rights, or national integrity, 
and opportunity as against material 
interests?" 

We cannot but conclude that Presi- 
dent Wilson did not perceive the end- 
ing of this extraordinary proposition 
when he launched its beginning. And 
we can but hope that contingencies 
likely to result in embarrassment, if 
not humiliation, to both the country 
and himself may not arise." 



WHY WE ARE PROUD 



NOT TOO LATE. 

There is a tendency on the part of 
some newspapers and individuals to sigh 
self-complacently and, seeing only hope- 
less anarchy ahead in Mexico, assert 
that, anyhow, it's too late to recognize 
Huerta now. 

It is n jt too late for recogni- 
tion. But recognition is not so impor- 
tant in itself as that it would indicate 
to Mexico and to the world the inten- 
tion of the Washington Administration 
to withdraw its support from '.he bandits 
who are terrorizing Mexico, to enforce 
the neutrality laws so that arms, ammu- 
nition and money could not be supplied 
by the .•\merican fomenters of revolu- 
tion, and to keep hands off Mexico's in- 
ternal affairs. 

The honest enforcement of the neu- 
trality laws alone would do more to re- 
store peaceful conditions in Mexico than 
any other single factor. 

That's where we are not "straight" in 
this Mexican situation. We rail at the 
conditions in Mexico which we, at least 
some of our respectable corporations, 
have helped to bring about. We rail at 
Huerta because he hasn't improved con- 
ditions, and we try to tie him hand and 
foot. 

Never has there been a case of more 
blatant national hypocrisy. 

No wonder European nations question 
our motives. 

No wonder Latin-American nations are 
suspicions. 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: — In that searching of the 
heart which is enjoined on all good 
Christians on such occasions as the 
opening of the New Year, I humbly sug- 
gest that we Americans have cause to 
be proud of our Government in general 
and our State Department in particular. 
Let me particularize: 

In diplomacy we have seen the intro- 
duction of an entirely new conception of 
the duty of one State toward another, 
and that is not the customary, time-hon- 
ored, universally recognized principle of 
international comity of which misguided 
text-books on international law are fond 
of prating, but the entirely new prin- 
ciple of the personal likes or dislikes of 
one ruler to another. To be specific, Mr. 
Wilson does not like Huerta; therefore 
we Americans must believe Huerta a 
villain and a scoundrel engaged in ruin- 
ing his country; Mr. Wilson says so. 

In the next place, we Americans 
should be proud of the way in which 
Mr. Wilson casts off the ancient tram- 
mels of an outworn system of logic. He 
says Huerta became president because of 
the assassination of Madero. As a mat- 
ter of cold fact, Huerta became presi- 
dent before the death of Madero. To 
most human minds a man cannot-become 
a thing which he already is; and, by the 
same token, Huerta could not become 
President because of Madero's death in- 
asmuch as he was already President at 
that time. We Americans have just 
cause for pride in Mr. Wilson for eman- 
cipating himself from the shackles of 
logic in this masterful fashion, and a 
college professor, too! Princeton, 
Princeton, Princeton, yip, yip, hurrah! 

As patriotic .\mericans our admira- 
tion for Mr. Wilson is further enhanced 
by the attitude of our Government to- 
ward our beloved cousins across the Rio 
Grande, our beloved friends to honor 
whose President our Mr. Taft crossed 
the border and shook hands all around. 
And, not to be outdone, that horrible 
man, Porfirio Diaz, returned the visit, 
passed over into American soil, where 
he was feasted, acclaimed and honored. 
And an astonished and envious world be- 
held these two adjacent nations fall on 
each other's neck and weep — in love and 
peace and amity. But Mr. Wilson has 
changed all that. Buttressed with a con- 
sciousness of his own rectitude, he is- 
sued but a short time ago these five 
peremptory commands: 

1. Huerta must resign. 

2. Huerta must not be a candidate 
for the Presidency. 

3. The Mexican people must not vote 
for Huerta. 

4. The Mexican Congress must not 
assemble. 



5. The Mexican Congress must not 
transact business. 

To be sure, no attention was paid to 
these ukases from Washington and the 
wicked world laughed at the edifying 
spectacle of President Huerta avec le 
doigt au bout de nez at President Wil- 
son. Additional point was lent to the 
jest by the fact that Huerta ruled a 
weak, distracted nation of fourteen mil- 
lions, most of them Indians, while Wil- 
son ruled some 100 millions of wealthy, 
prosperous white people. All this tends 
to fortify unkind critics — coarse practical 
men of affairs who know Mexic o by per - 
sonal experience — in the belief that we 
are regarded by Latin-Americans as a 
nation of cowardly hypocrites and bluEE- 
eTs] soft, overgrown babies, muddle- 
headed theorists, slaves to a shibboleth, 
a treacherous friend and a contemptible 
foe. 

But we should worry! Other — be- 
nighted — nations place at the head of 
Foreign Affairs their best scholars 
long-trained and tried in diplomatic mat- 
ters under the — misguided — idea that a 
nation's reputation among the rest of 
the world is worth looking after. Not 
so we, who breathe the free air of the 
prairies. What do we do? We take 
from the plains — the wind-swept plains 
of Nebraska— a corn-fed half preacher, 
half country editor, thrice discredited by 
the voters of this country, a Chautau- 
qua attraction who appears with yodlers 
and trained dogs at so much per per- 
formance — and set him at the head of 
the State Department — where he can do 
the most harm in the most conspicuous 
manner. We thus demonstrate to the 
world our complete emancipation from 
the silly idea that any training is nec- 
essary for the highest offices of gov- 
ernment. A loud voice, a copious vocab- 
ulary and an itching for posing in the 
limelight — surely these valuable assets 
render a man fit for directing our rela- 
tions with foreign nations. Mr. Bryan's 
loud voice connotes acquaintance with, 
say, Mexican history and character. His 
copious vocabulary fits him to perceive 
the justice and intricacy of international 
questions. His itching for the lecture 
platform — with yodlers and trained dogs 
— proves conclusively his sense of jus- 
tice toward resident Americans in Mex- 
ico and his comprehension of the 
world's opinion of American diplomacy. 

Hence we Americans should be proud 
of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bryan and our atti- 
tude toward poor distracted Mexico. 

In other times it was a proud boast to 
call oneself a Roman citizen. With 
equal pride I subscribe myself. 

CIVIS AMERICANUS SUM. 

Chicago, 29 December, 1913. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



WAITING AND BLUNDERING. 

As one who has some acquaintance 
with Latin-America and who in 1912 ad- 
vocated the election of Wilson, may I be 
permitted to express a feeling — common, 
I fancy, to many who had the privilege 
of voting for him — a feeling of wonder 
and of amazement that in electing a 
President of the United States we un- 
wittingly chose, it appears, an arbiter of 
morals and a political dictator for the 
Western Hemisphere. 

To assume to criticise the course of 
our able, conscientious and scholarly 
President may be lese majeste, yet I 
venture a few observations. 

As a mere question of good manners, 
not to say diplomatic etiquette, what 
could be less likely to secure a desired 
result from a proud-spirited or almost 
any sort of people than to dispatch an 
unofficial agent to demand of a nation's 
ruler that he step down and out? Were 
any influence possible in the domestic af- 
fairs of an independent nation a regular 
ambassador who might with absolute 
secrecy present suggestions of so deli- 
cate a nature might seem to have the 
only infinitesimal chance of success. 

Precisely why our President felt 
called upon to interfere at all is a graver 
problem. True, many Americans believe! 
that we are competent to rule the uni- 
verse, that Mexico should be ours to 
exploit and to enrich our existing and 
our would-be millionaires. They hope 
yet to see our flag wave from pole to 
pole. Such, however, is not the view of 
the President. .At least by conquest he 
has said we shall never again take a foot 
of territory. Just how he is able to speak 
for his successors it is difficult tD under- 
stand. We may take his word for his 
own administration, though Latin-.^mer- 
icans may fee! less implicit confidence, 
remembering our professions of altruism 
at the outset of the Spanish War and our 
subsequent taking of Porto Rico and the 
Philippines, in which they may fail to 
see our purely altruistic motives. 

But where did we gain the right to 
dictate to other nations as to the moral 
character or the mode of selection of 
their rulers? Are we to pass judgment 
tipon the rulers of Europe, or of America 
only? 

The first function of government would 
seem to be the preservation of public or- 
der. This Huerta for some time largely 
secured. We insist upon a constitution- 
allv elected President? Who was Por- 
firio Diaz but a dictator, whose repeated 
elections were a farce, although his re- 
gime, by no means free from assassina- 
tions, was long satisfactory to the ma- 
jority? 

Madero was constitutionally elected. 
"What profit, with fighting in the streets 
of Mexico City and the slaughter of hun- 
dreds of innocent non-combatants? Any 
ruler strong enough to keeo the peace 
might well be preferred. The prompt 
recotrnition of Huerta as de facto ruler, 
enabling him to procure the necessary 
funds, would probably have brought 
peace long arro. Is the slaughter of thou- 
sands, for Afhich our President's course 
may be largely responsible, a desirable 
sequence to an oversensitive attitude of 
one or iwo persons? Are we certain that 
Villa. Zapata and Carranza are more ex- 
cellent men than Huerta, who will more 
strictly follow the constitution, and that 
is the vital question? 

With our own countrv reeking with 
corruption from one end to the other, 
despite valiant efforts here and there to 
clean the ,\ugean stables, with more mur- 
ders, fatal accidcfits and disappearances 
than any other civilized country on the 
globe, would it not be more becoming not 
to insist upon our own particular brand 
of righteousness, but to permit other na- 



LEST WE FORGET 



Still "WatchfiU Waiting." 

* * * 

For black to become white and white 
black. 

* * * 

For the sun to rise in the West and set 
in the North. 

* ♦ » 

For the leopard to change its spots 
and Bryan his "complacency." 

* * * 

If Huerta were everything they have 
said against him — and not proved — he 
would be an angel child in comparison 
with the outlaws this Administration is 
supporting. 

* * * 

"Constitutional!" Summary executions 
and confiscation of the property of the 
rich. Very, very constitutional. 

* * » 

The old bewhiskered gentleman Car- 
ranza was a man after Bryan's heart — he 
sent out such high-sounding programs of 
principles. But the mask was removed 
and back of the whiskers was Villa. 
' * * * 

And the benevolent old gentleman con- 
doned his atrocities — in most beautiful 
words. 

* * * 

That's one thing Huerta lacks — a flow- 
ery vocabulary. 

But not a stout heart. Nor a mind 
chat can see beneath pharasaical words. 

* * * 

Meanwhile Carranza is reported so- 
journing at Hermosillo, mountains be- 
tween him and Villa. Also he has been 
reported dead. He might as well be as 
attempt to break in on VUla's little game. 

The deplorable condition of brigandage 
in certain sections of Mexico is an ob- 
vious fact. Madero with the assistance of 
American Big Business made it a fact 
and could not check it. Huerta has 
striven nobly to do it against tremendous 
odds and if any one can succeed he is 
the man. But the Administration lends 
its moral support to the brigands and Big 
Business supplies the material support. 

But "constitutionalism" as a force or a 
popular political movement is a fiction — 
written for the American papers by those 



tions to govern themselves after their 
own fashion, at least, till we can set 
them a better example? 

Shall we drift until the calamity of 
Mexico becomes our own and we are in- 
volved in an expensive war with a peo- 
ple with whom we have no quarrel? — 
Annie S. Peck in Baltimore "American." 



past masters of fiction writing — Captain 
Sherby Hopkins and his Madero-Waters- 
Pierce junta in Washington. 

* * * 

And the newspapers swallow the fiction 
whole. Maybe it's because they and their 
readers like good fiction — maybe fiction 
brings a good price these days. 

* * * 

And back of all the fiction is the in- 
satiable desire of American interests to 
control the oil fields of Mexico and the 
National Railways. 

* * * 

Competition and contest for material 
advantages are not criminal in them- 
selves. 

* * * 

But they are criminal when they 
would destroy a country and its people 
and cloak their purpose in "morality." 

* * * 

Their are just two purposes behind 

the campaign of misrepresentation 
against Mexico in the press of the 
United States. One is to destroy the 
credit of the Mexican Government. The 
other is to create public feeling in favor 
of intervention. 

» * ♦ 
If either succeeds the hope of the 
precious managers of the campaign is 
in the mix-up to "get their hooks in" 
Mexico. Oil and railways. Oil and 
railways. The Maderos, the Hopkins', 
the Carranzas, the "constitutionalists" — 
that's all. Oil and railways. 

* * » 

Does the United States want to shed 
its blood and sink its treasure for the 
purposes of such as these? 

No, emphatically no. That's why they 
have to talk "morality," and "usurpation" 
and Constitution, and "foreign conce«- 
Fionaires," and all that buncombe in- 
tended to deceive the people. 

* * * 

All signs indicate that the people have 
not been deceived. 

And they won't be. 

* * ♦ 

The campaign of lies and misrepresen- 
tation could never have amounted to 
anything had not Bryan in the beginning 
been taken in as a country bumpkin is 
taken in by a confidence man. 

* * * 

He's probably been trying to justify 
himself ever since. We have heard of 
some confidence victims who come back 
for more after drawing their last sou 
from the bank. 

* * » 

They never learn — there's one bom 
every minute. 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



MEXICO 



AS TO ATROCITIES 



As to the atrocities that have been 
committed in Mexico in the last three 
years of strife and internal disorder, 
these facts must be kept in mind: 

The vast majority of the Mexican peo- 
ple are peaceable and have been the suf- 
ferers from rather than the perpetrators 
of these atrocities. They should be the 
recipients of our deepest sympathy rath- 
er than the indiscriminate condemnation 
that is heaped on the entire Mexican 
people for the barbarous deeds of the 
lowest element in the popialation. 

In every case where an atrocious 
crime has been committed, the facts and 
details reported, it has been the work of 
the bandits and brigands, so-called reb- 
els and revolutionists. 

To offset the effect of these reports on 
the mind of the civilized world, the po- 
litical and financial interests who are fo- 
menting and seeking to take advantage 
of the disorder caused by these bandits 
r.nd brigands issue statements couched 
in general language, incapable of proof, 
charging that the Federals are guilty of 
outrages of equal barbarism. Such a 
statement was given out the other day 
by Captain Sherbourne G. Hopkins, "le- 
gal representative in Washington for the 
Constitutionalists," and published by 
manj'^ newspapers as a statement of fact. 
Is this fair to the law-abiding Mexican 
people or to the forces of law and or- 
der who are trying to prevent these very 
atrocities, when these statements are 
made without a single fact or detail to 
support them? 

Here is an account by an eye-witness 
of what he saw as war correspondent 
with Federal troops. It is by N. C. 
Adossides in the New York ".American." 

It was late at night when we left Mapimi to 
march against the enemy. Many soldaderas — 
wives and sweethearts of the Federal privates — 
accompanied this march across the Durango desert. 
Most of these Spartan creatures were demoralized 
by the crushing defeats of their army, and many 
of them crazed by the loss of sisters or other 
relatives who had been taken prisoners by the 
rebels. 

At dawn as we were emerging from a ravine 
we came upon fourteen female bodies hung to 
telegraph poles. The bodies were naked and 
frightfully mutilated. 

"Good God!" cried Captain Taloca, an artil- 
lery officer who was sitting next to me on the 
gun carriage. "This kind of thing will be the 
finish of our country!" 

A moment later a wild-eyed soldadera tried to 
climb the wheel of the carriage. 

"Look, senoresi" she shrieked at us. "They 
are not dead — they stare at us I Save them — 
save them!. Senores — we might all be hanging 
there with no one to save us I" 

I closed my eyes to shut out the sight, but 
the hysterical wail of the women photographed it 
on my brain. Even when we had passed the 
dreadful spot I heard the nerve-racking screams, 
finaJly silenced by whom or what I did not know. 

Violence to the Federal women is a part of the 
rebel plan for settling scores. 



Such atrocities and worse are constantly hap- 
pening in blood-spattered Mexico, but it is the 
South, the territory dominated by Zapata, holds 
the record. 

It was a band of Zapatistas who murdered the 
young wife of a German engineer and bung her 
body in the doorway of her own home, and, not 
contei^t with so much horror, waited for the hus- 
band and after a terrible scene, in which he 
was forced to figure, strangled him on the door 
step. 

An American living in Mexico City and well 
versed in Mexican affairs told me of an encounter 
between a noted rebel general whom he named 
and a Mexican woman who was the wife of a 
wealthy Belgian rancher in the State of Chihua- 
hua. 

Both the Belgian and his wife were naturalized 
American citizens, who had been living for some 
years on the outskirts of the town of Santa Ro- 
salia, where they had considerable land and cattle. 
The husband had a fad for fine racing horses, 
and was raising them on the hacienda. 

The general, at that time a common mountain 
bandit, knew of the horses and with a few of 
his cowboys visited the ranch with a view of 
selecting for himself a steed of good blood. 

The master of the ranch being away the general 
ordered a servant to announce his arrival to the 
mistress, insisting that he wished to see her in 
person. 

Before appearing, the woman, who was exceed- 
ingly handsome, ordered the servant to hoist the 
American flag. The flag raised, she appeared 
beneath its fluttering folds. 

The general saluted — not the flag, but the 
woman. 

"With your permission, Senora, I should like 
to visit the ranch ; especially the stables, as my 
men and myself are in need of good horses." 

The woman, with great self-possession, informed 
the bandit that her husband was absent and it 
would not be possible to visit his property. 

"Then," retorted the soldier with devilish ur- 
banity, "would you permit me to smoke a cigar- 
ette and gaze from near at your beautiful eyes?" 
She pointed to the flag. 

"But you are my country-woman," insisted the 
general, advancing. 

Unabashed, the woman covered the brigand with 
a pistol, an action which startled and subdued him 
to a state of profound apology and admiration. 

One of the greatest obstacles to the 
restoration of normal conditions in Mex- 
ico is the damage done to railroads by 
bandits. Ten men with dynamite can de- 
stroy a bridge that has taken months to 
build. There are about twenty thousand 
miles of railroad in Mexico to patrol 
which, especially in wild places, would 
require a force of men equal to the com- 
bined standing armies of the United 
States and Mexico. The responsibility 
for the destruction of railroads rests, not 
so much on the misguided, irresponsible 
criminals who do the actual work, as on 
those who to keep Mexico in a turmoil 
hire the bandit leaders and make the 
work of destruction profitable. And the 
truth is that most of the money that 
pays for this hire comes from the United 
States. Let the report of the Senate In- 
vestigation Committee of which Wil- 
liam Alden Smith was chairman be re- 
leased for public reading by Senator 
Bacon; of the Foreign Relations Com- 
mittee, and the source of most of Mex- 
ico's woes will be revealed to the world. 



AN AMERICAN WOMAN'S LET- 
TERS. 
From "World's Work." 

An American woman's letters from 
Saltillo, Mexico, form the third article 
of the all-embracing "All about Mex- 
ico." These letters are interesting and 
apparently written by an unbiased wit- 
ness of events in Saltillo, the former res- 
idence of Carranza. Whatever judgment 
this woman expresses about events in 
Mexico City is based on hearsay while 
her opinion and statement of facts as 
viewed by her in Saltillo are based on 
first-hand information. 

We have no comment to make on 

these letters but reproduce here some 

paragraphs which are, as the editor 

states, "a vivid portrayal of conditions": 

Saltillo. March 4, 1913. 

Sunday, the 23d, the Governor (Car- 
ranza) got all the troops (Maderistas) in 
the city, and all volunteers together in 
the plaza, and after a brilliant speech the 
whole "pueblo" (populace) was ready to 
follow him. He headed the march, say- 
ing he was going north * * * Since 
then he comes in to conferences with 
the business men; sends his messengers 
and soldiers into the city. He took all 
the arms and ammunition; arms from 
the pawnshops, too, and all the State's 
funds. Then one day he took 150 men 
from the penitentiary — took the police- 
men's revolvers and what horses he 
could from the public coaches for them. 
Another day he took the Federal funds 
— $30,000 (Mexican, equal about half that 
sum in gold). Then he sent in a de- 
mand for $.tO,000 from the merchants. 
When they parleyed he sent in and held 
up one of the banks and a hardware 
store, but got nothing, though they 
promised to pay on conditions. 

(Later) 

They say the bankers have given to- 
day $50,000 (pesos) to Carranza^ and to- 
morrow the merchants will have to give. 
March 6th, 7th. 8th. 

Situation about the same except the 
Governor got $100,000 out of the mer- 
chants yesterday, and is collecting all 
arms from private citizens and collecting 
tents. It was reported 300 bandits were 
coming from .Arteaga last night, but they 
did not come. 

(Noon.) 

Just now shots were fired, bells rang, 
and people began to run for the plaza. 
General Basquez came into the city with 
4.50 Federal soldiers — well armed and. as 
the Mexicans say. took the plaza. We 
hope he will keep it. I suppose he will 
be acting-governor. Carranza and his 
men evidently gave Gen. B — the oppor- 
tunit}' to enter. They say he has gone 
farther north after getting all the money 
he could out of Saltillo. We hardly 
think be will come back here. He may 
go to Cuba to form a plot to take the 
Presidency. 

March 9th. 

There is quite a story about that SlOO,- 
000. Carranza's aide was left behind to 
get what he could after Carranza had got 
$50,000 out of the bank and $50,000 in 
other ways. This man first got all the 
arms he could out of private houses, 
then demanded the $100,000. 

Friday A. M. the citizens had collect- 
ed $70,000 and it seemed impossible to 
get more, for the rebels demanded it in 
paper money. So they sent a committee 
of four to confer with the rebel chief and 
(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



AN AMERICAN WOMAN'S LET- 
TERS— Continued. 

ask him to accept that ($70,000), but he 
refused and put the committee under 
guard. He sent word that if the rest of 
the money was not forthcoming one man 
would be shot and the others carried off. 
So fifty citizens scoured the town for 
more money and at midnight made up 
the amount, and the four men were set 
free. In the meantime the rebel chief 
had taken $40,000 of the taxes collected. 
At one o'clock he and his men left the 
city. They were in a hurry to get out 
because they knew General Basquez was 
here. Last night about 8 o'clock Gene- 
ral Basquez sent a detachment out to 
hunt up these rebels and try to get back 
the $140,000. Nothing has been heard 
from it yet. Really, it is astonishing how 
much Carranza got out of the to\vn — 
about $1,000,000, people say. Won't the 
taxes soar now? 

March 11th. 

Really, some of the things have been 
dreadful, now that we know things. 
What I feared the most was a mob, and 
if General Basquez had not come as he 
did we would have been at the mercy of 
one. 

March 33d. 

Things here in the North look serious, 
and if the Central Government can't con- 
trol this situation in a couple of months 
it will mean the downfall of the Huerta 
Government and a bigger revolution 
than ever. 

May 12, 1913. 

Oh, my, will this ever end! And now 
tension is being strained to a breaking- 
point by President Wilson's refusal to 
recognize the Huerta Government. It is 
bringing _ up again that anti-American 
feeling — just these last few days. I hear 
the young men here (upper class) talk 
of nothing else on the street, and talk 
bitterly against us. 

October 4. 1913. 

* * * A very dreadful thing hap- 
pened near Catorce two weeks ago. The 
trains from here to San Luis Potosi had 
only been running ten days after being 
interrupted four months when the rebels 
blew up a passenger train. They placed 
dynamite on the track and killed all but 
five of the fifty composing the military 
escort on the train and a good many sec- 
ond-class passengers. Then they robbed 
the first-class passengers. It was hor- 
rible. 



CONSTRUCTION WORK 



The improvised experts who prate 
lightly of Mexican affairs have acquired 
the habit of stating that the Huerta Gov- 
ernment is composed of elements of the 
old Diaz regime. That is, that the 
Huerta Government is a reactionary gov- 
ernment. 

This statement is often made in gen- 
eral terms, yet there is never a proof ad- 
vanced — no names, no specified in- 
stances are ever offered as evidence to 
prove this contention. 

The fact is that the supporters of the 
Diaz regime are mostly old men now, ex- 
hausted by years of work and political 
struggle, men who are living either in 
Europe or in retirement in Mexico. 

Very few of them take any active part 
even in business. General Huerta has 
surrounded himself with young men who 
under Diaz were "yet to be." Some of 
them, like Minister Moheno, belonged to 
the opposition and spent many dreary 
months in jail for having opposed the 
old ruler. 



Plans recently prepared by the gen- 
eral staff of the Mexican army for the 
complete reorganization of the army of 
the country, and submitted to President 
Huerta, have been approved by him. A 
decree has been issued by the chief mag- 
istrate, through the Department of War, 
ordering the reorganization of the army 
in accordance with the plans of the gen- 
eral staff. 

In his decree President Huerta states 
that he has taken these steps in order 
to concentrate the command of the dif- 
ferent divisions of the army and for the 
purpose of obtaining better results in 
military operations. 

The federal army in the future will be 
used solely to continue the campaign 
against the rebels in the north, leaving 
the protection of the different States to 
the State troops that have been organ- 
ized. 

According to the decree of the chief 
magistrate the 150,000 men that will 
compose the army of Mexico will be dis- 
tributed in six army corps, one division, 
and several corps of cavalry scouts. 

Each of the army corps will be com- 
posed of two divisions, and these divi- 
sions will have 10,000 men each. Each 
division will be supplied with artillery, 
engineering, transportation, ambulance 
and other detachments. 

The most experienced generals of the 
Mexican army will be appointed to cqni- 
mand the different corps, while the divi- 
sions and brigades will be commanded 
by officers recentlv promoted. Military 
authorities here believe that this new or- 
ganization will result in the success of 
the present campaign against the rebels, 
as well as in a successful defense of Mex- 
ican territory in case of a foreign war. 

The decree of President Huerta, or- 
dering the reorganization of the army 
is the following: 

"Victoriano Huerta, ad-interim presi- 
dent constitutional of the United Mexi- 
can States, know ye: 

"That in use of the faculties granted 
to the executive by the congress of the 
union and considering that having in- 
creased the number of the divisions of 
the army, and for the purpose of con- 
centrating the comm.and and for the bet- 
ter result of the operations in the re- 
gions where they are stationed and also 
to make more effective the action of the 
army, all the different detachments will 
be called to their respective headquar- 
ters, leaving the State troops to defend 
their own territory. The location of 
these State troops to be left to the judg- 
ment of their commanders. I have de- 
creed the following: 

"Art. 1. — The territorial military divi- 
sion of the republic shall be by army 
corps, composed of two divisions each 
one. When mobilizing these corps com- 
manders are to count upon one addi- 
tional composed of the State troops of 
their respective jurisdictions. 

".'\rt. 2. — Each army corps on the fron- 
tiers shall have an extra division of ex- 
ploring cavalry, composed of four or 
more regiments beside its regular cav- 
alry allotment for each division. 

"Art. 3. — The headquarters of the 
army corps, divisions and brigades shall 
be established in the places designated 
by the ministry of war, and according 
to the requirements of the service. 

"Art. 4. — The army corps shall be dis- 
tributed in the following order: 

"First Corps. — Comprising the States 



of Sonora, Sinaloa and the territory of 
Lower California. 

"Second Corps. — Comprising the 
States of Chihuahua, Durango and Zaca- 
tecas. 

"Third Corps. — Comprising the States 
of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamauli- 
pas. 

"Fourth Corps. — Comprising the States 
of Jalisco, Collma, Aguascalientes, San 
Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Queretaro and 
Territory of Tepic. 

"Fifth Corps. — Comprising the States 
of Michoacan, Mexico, Hidalgo, More- 
los, Puebla, TIaxcala, Vera Cruz and 
Federal District. 

"Sixth Corps. — Comprising the States 
of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Ta- 
basco. 

"Art. 5. — There shall be a division 
called Division of the Peninsula, com- 
prising the States of Yucatan and Cam- 
peche and the Territory of Quintana 
Roo. 



MEXICAN NAVY IS TO BE IN- 
CREASED. 

The Mexican government is taking 
preliminary steps for increasing the 
strength of its navy, that at present 
time consists of about a half dozen of 
gunboats and several transports. 

The naval department of the war of- 
fice has been instructed to make plans 
for increasing of the navy. The first 
steps that will be taken are to establish 
two naval schools, one on the Pacific 
and another in the Gulf coast, where 
sailors will be turned out in a relatively 
short time. 

Plans also are being prepared to btiy 
several more modern vessels. It is said 
that the war offices shortly will ask for 
prices and estimates of construction in 
foreign countries. 

The government also is planning to es- 
tablish a naval base on Clipperton island, 
now in dispute with the French govern- 
ment. The government of Mexico 
hopes that King Victor Emmanuel of 
Italy, the arbiter in this case, will render 
a decision favorable to Mexico. 



TRADE GOOD. 

W. F. Sturges, traffic manager of the Gulf 
Coast Fruit and Steamship Company, who also 
returned on the Atlantis, has spent some four 
months in southern Mexico, but is now back to 
stay with the home office for some time. Mr. 
Sturges says that everywhere he has visited re- 
cently things have been quiet and that business is 
going on as well as any one could wish. The 
business of this company has increased at a rapid 
rate during the last few months and is very 
satisfactory. 

Around the ports of call for the Gulf Coast 
Company there has been little interruption to 
business on account of the trouble between rebels 
and federals and traffic has been moving regularly, 
says Mr. Sturges. 

The Atlantis brought no fruit on this voyage, 
coming directly from Vera Cruz to Galveston and 
bringing nothing except eight passengers and 
some freight cargo. No cattle were brought this 
time, but it is stated by officials of the company 
that beginning soon each arrival of their line will 
see between 100 and 130 head of cattle landed at 
Galveston, the first ventures in this business hav- 
ing proved successful for those backing the move- 
ment. — Galveston "Tribune." 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



A CATHOLIC VIEW. 

Secretary Bryan announces that "he 
does not think that the situation could 
be better than it is." 

Well, as the Sun says, every man may 
cuddle his own Utopia. Mr. Bryan is 
free to have his own opinion. But we 
can hardly see how the situation could 
be much worse. 

We have every reason to believe that 
President Wilson was sincere when he 
reached the conclusion that Huerta must 
go. * * * 

But the moment President Wilson de- 
clared that Huerta must go, that instant 
he was guilty of undue interference in a 
friendly nation. It was really an act of 
intervention and was so interpreted by 
the world at large. * * * 

But it must pain the heart of a sin- 
cere idealist and it should worry the 
soul of one who never tires of announc- 
ing that he loves peace for peace's sake, 
to see brother fighting brother on the 
Mexican battlefields. The whim of an 
idealist is dearly paid for by the slaugh- 
ter of thousands and the destruction of 
immense properties. 

And when Huerta is gone, who looms 
up as the man of the hour, as the real 
ruler of Mexico? A blood-thirsty bandit 
chief, who is ignorant of civilized amen- 
ities, knows nothing of the science of 
government, slays at will and with mani- 
fest delight in the shedding of human 
blood, a monster whose history is the 
record of outrage against human rights 
and Christian civilization. 

Will General Villa satisfy the idealism 
of President Wilson? 

Or may it not be destiny that the new 
year about to dawn will look down upon 
a harvest of American dead bleaching on 
the bare hillsides of Mexico? 

There is a suspicion that will not down 
in the hearts of the American people that 
this whole Mexican situation from the 
very beginning has been produced and 
fostered by warring financial corpora- 
tions. It is the curse of modem com- 
mercialism that hovers like a spectre to- 
day over unhappy Mexico. British shill- 
ings and American dollars have become 
the Nemesis of our sister republic. For- 
eign lust of gain is driving the foolish 
Mexicans who are all fighting in order 
to forge more closely the chains of the 
commercial despotism in which their 
land is ensnared. 

President W'ilson, in his history of the 
American People, describes our former 
onslaught on Mexico as "a war of in- 
excusable aggression." Will a future 
chapter of his history describe the pres- 
ent series of revolutions as the result of 
a "degrading commercialism which the 
idealism of a sincere and high-minded 
President was powerless to avert or heal? 



In the meanwhile, with characteristic 
hypocrisy, let us blame it all on Huerta! 

When it is all over, the blood money 
of Mexico may be used to build a god- 
less univerity or two or, mayhap, a 
"peace" palace! — Catholic "Monitor." 



MR. WILSON'S REBEL FRIENDS. 

An expression of opinion from Presi- 
dent Wilson on the atrocities of his erst- 
while friends, the Constitutionalists, 
would be appropriate at this time. They 
have not as yet murdered Huerta, con- 
fining their slaughter to less prominent 
persons and directing their outrages 
against priests and nuns. 

Mr. Wilson let it be known that he 
was strongly attracted to their cause be- 
cause Huerta was not a model gentle- 
man. Gen. Carranza was represented as 
an inspired, Kosciusko-like patriot, mag- 
nanimously battling for freedom. Huerta 
was the personification of Thersites and 
Ganelon. Huerta climbed onto a wob- 
bly Presidential chair and proceeded to 
legislate without consulting a text-book. 
President Wilson cannot conceive of any 
President being either intelligent or hon- 
est who does such things. 

But now the rebels have discarded 
their patriotic garments; they are plun- 
dering and murdering like any other bri- 
gands; they are treating their enemies 
with the savage brutality of church- 
wreckers and cut-throats, and between 
them and the control of the Mexican re- 
public stands the solitary figure of 
Huerta^-somber, resolute, fierce and un- 
afraid — wielding some sort of authority 
to crush rebellion and establish a gov- 
ernment that will endure. — Los Angeles 
"Times." 



RESULTS OF CHAUTAUQUA 
DIPLOMACY. 

Are Britain and Germany combining 
to check the growth of .'American com- 
merce abroad? So we hear, by way of 
Washington — in a press story of uncer- 
tain inspiration. 

At first glance it does not seem at all 
likely that a government which includes 
Mr. Asquith, Sir Edward Grey, Mr. 
Lloyd George and Lord Haldane would 
enter into any anti-American understand- 
ing with the German government, or 
into any kind of an understanding that 
would be likely to promote German com- 
merce abroad. But we already have evi- 
dence that the boycotting of the Panama 
fair by Great Britain and Germany is 
the result of such an understanding. 

The policies of nations with regard to 
commerce are mutually hostile. There 
is no getting away from that proposition. 
There is no such thing as a "gentlemen's 
agreement" between them in these mat- 
ters. Each nation must push its own 
trade, and if its pushing limits the activ- 
ities of other nations, so much the worse 
for other nations. 

It is to be expected that the other 
nations should take advantage of the era 
of Chautauqua diplomacy in this coun- 
try to promote their own economic ad- 
vantage at our expense. But it is un- 
likely that a German-English combina- 
tion, even if it existed — which is not very 
likely — would be able to do our commer- 
cial interests as much harm abroad as 
the Bryan diplomacy has already inflict- 
ed upon us in Mexico and China. — New 
York "Evening Mail." 



AN UNPLEASANT INCIDENT. 

The wisest international policy is liable to 
continual misinterpretation, but it is well in a 
critical situation that officers of our Government 
should avoid all actions which are likely to lead to 
heated controversy. We had confidently expected, 
in view of the untrustworthy character of many of 
the reports from Mexico, that the tale of the re- 
ception by Admiral Cowles on board the Pitta- 
burgh at San Bias of certain Mexican Constitu- 
tionalists would be authoritatively contradicted, 
but it has been confirmed in later dispatches, 
and, although the excitement the incident has 
caused among the supporters of Huerta in the 
City of Mexico may seem exaggerated for pol- 
itical effect, sober-minded Americans will feel 
sorry that an American naval officer has been so 
indiscreet. No announcement has been made 
that the United States is supporting any one of 
the rebellious factions in Mexico. The reception 
of Manuel Bonilla and his lieutenant, Lee Christ- 
mas, aboard an American war vessel off the coast 
of Honduras some years ago, when Bonilla was 
endeavoring to overthrow the legally constituted 
Government of that State, caused much unfavor- 
able comment. The fact that the success of 
Bonilla's "revolution" thereafter was generally 
credited to American interference is not for- 
gotten. 

We have no idea that the affair at San Bias 
has any political significance whatever, but the 
Administration must know that our Mexican 
policy is not invariably attributed to lofty and 
benevolent motives in other countries. It is to 
be hoped that the San Bias incident will be the 
last of its kind. As for the hostile comments it 
has inspired in Mexican newspapers, they need 
not bother us, while the tales of the landing of 
arms from American ships for the use of the 
rebels will gain no credit here. The naval offi- 
cers on American ships in Mexican waters should 
be cautioned, however, that acts of courtesy are 
liable to be misunderstood. In pusruing the policy 
which the famous peace advocate, Alfred Fried, 
calls "diplomatic postponement," and praises for 
its humane intent, we cannot be too careful to 
avoid the appearance of taking sides.— New York 
"Times." 



THE EXTENT OF MEXICO. 

It is harder to govern a large country 
than a small one, and some allowance 
should be made our Mexican neighbors 
for any shortcomings in government on 
that account. A person leaving El Paso, 
Tex., by railroad for Mexico City, and 
finding that he must travel 1,224 miles 
to get there, begins to realize the extent 
of the country. In area Mexico is ten 
and a half times larger than the State 
of New York. It is larger than the Ger- 
man Empire. France and Spain together. 

It is an elevated plateau, divided by 
mountain ranges into vast plains and nu- 
merous valleys. In the 263 miles from 
Vera Cruz to Mexico City the railroad 
climbs 8,330 feet, Mexico City itself hav- 
ing an altitude of 7,400 feet. While there 
are over 15.000 miles of railroad — just 
about the same number of miles that 
Texas has — and 25,000 miles of telegraph 
lines in the country, wagon roads are 
scarce and poor — some States not hav- 
ing any — and the means of communica- 
tion difficult. The population is said to 
comprise 14,000,000, of which 3,000.000 
are pure whites and the balance Indians 
and mixed bloods. Lack of education 
makes many of the people an easy prey 
to falsehood and prejudice. Let us be 
thankful that they are as good as they 
are. — General C. C. Andrews in New 
York "Evening Post." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



FOREIGN COMMENT. 

London, Dec. 27. — In an article on the world's 
unrest, the "Spectator" sums up the Mexican 
situation thusly : 

"President Wilson is still trusting to the finan- 
cial collapse of Huerta. But the new candidate 
for the Presidency, be it federal or rebel, is not 
likely to be less bloodstained than. Huerta, against 
whom, by the way, assassination never has been 
proved. 

"We recognize the fine intentions of Mr. Wil- 
son, but can't see how his policy can end ulti- 
mately in anything but failure or effective inter- 
vention. You cannot order daily conduct of any 
country without establishing such control as will 
be indistinguishable from a protectorate, which in 
turn is often indistinguishable from annexation. 
Yet annexation is repudiated by Mr. Wilson as 
something inconceivably wrong." 

In an article similar in tone the "Outlook" says: 

"Mexican scandal and misery remain, of course, 
where the unscrupulous cupidity of the northern 
neighbors of Mexico called them into being. The 
ineffaceable sanctimoniousness of politicians at 
Washington continues also to make the frank bru- 
tality of the Standard Oil agents comparatively — 
can we say? — respectable." 



ALL BANDITS. 

Perry Chief: John P. O'Malley of the 
People's National Bank has returned 
from a trip to Brownsville, Corpus 
Christi, and a few other border Texas 
towns. While in the south he went 
across the border, talked with the rebels 
and the rebel sympathizers and got an 
insight into the Mexican situation which 
he otherwise would not have had. The 
Perry man was in a party of Americans 
who ventured into Mexico and saw what 
the ravages of war were doing to the 
country. 

"It is very unpopular to be a federal- 
ist in northern Mexico. In fact nobody 
admits that they are. The loyal feder- 
alists are robbed of all their property and 
if they haven't got enough of that they 
pay for their patriotism with their lives. 
Without entering into the merits of the 
Huerta Administration, for I don't know 
much about that, I have my doubts if 
the Constitutionalists, as the rebels are 
called, will ever restore peace in Mex- 
ico. The rebel army is made up of ban- 
dit bands. The members and oftimes the 
leaders are men who have a price hang- 
ing over their heads and who during the 
Diaz Administration were held in sub- 
jection. The rebels are not the ones 
who represent peace and law in Mexico 
in the past, and their actions would in- 
dicate that they will not in the future. 

"When a rebel army captures a town, 
the first thing done is to pillage it. The 
officers then visit the banks and the 
bankers are forced to turn all their funds 
over to the rebel cause. Federal sympa- 
thizers are robbed of all their property, 
and if the officials of the city and those 
who have aided the government in any 
way can be captured they are killed. 
There are no prisoners taken. The fed- 
eral soldiers captured are given a chance 
to join the rebel army, and if they don't 
they are lined up with the officers cap- 
tured with them and are shot." — Des 
Moines "Capital." 



BLAMES POLITICS FOR MEXICAN 
ROW. 

"The present trouble in Mexico was 
caused by political jealousy and not, as 
most people suppose, by discontent 
among the common people," said Mrs. 
Mattic Locke Macombcr, of .1120 King- 
man Boulevard, wlio has made no less 
than sixteen trips to that country, and 
has been familiar with conditions there 
for years. 



PUBUC OPINION—Continued 

"Many will disagree with me on this 
point," continued Mrs. Macomber, "but 
the truth is that at the time internal 
strife broke out in Mexico the nation 
was enjoying a period of extraordinary 
prosperity. Five years ago it would have 
been hard to imagine a gayer capital 
than Mexco City. Its citizens were rid- 
ing in $5,000 imported French automo- 
biles while we in America were still in 
the $3,500 class. The country was roll- 
ing in wealth. 

"About twenty-five years ago French, 
English, German and lastly American 
capital began to find its way into Mexi- 
co. From that time on a steady stream 
of gold poured into that land. The for- 
eigners bought up plantations, mines, 
sugar cane farms and ranches. The Mex- 
icans sold much of their property. Mar- 
velous developments took place. Work 
was plentiful and times were good 
among the peons. Of course, now all 
this has changed and Mexico is in a most 
pitiful condition economically. 

"I have no patience with people who 
go into spasms of concern over the de- 
plorable state of the peons. They are 
really the contented class of the coun- 
try. The great mass of them have no 
political aspirations. They never have 
had any say in governmental affairs nor 
do they seem to desire political power. 
"Wages among the laboring classes are 
more nearly proportionate to the cost of 
living than they are in our own land. 
It is wrong to think of the Mexican as 
being poor. He makes seventy cents a 
day, and he can buy a meal for one cent, 
which includes a tortilla and gravy, half 
a yam, lettuce, chili and a radish. The 
same menu would cost perhaps ten 
cents in the United States. The peon 
has at his door bananas and cocoanuts, 
and eggs are generally about five cents a 
dozen. 

"Mexico was ostensibly given a repub- 
lican form of government under Juarez, 
but under Diaz the constitutional repub- 
lic became a mere farce. While there 
was an election every six years, Diaz 
had no opposition. The governors of 
the different States were under his hand 
and were ratified by him. 

"The younger generation of energetic, 
scholarly Mexicans not realizing that 
Diaz had brought order out of chaos, be- 
came disgruntled because they were de- 
nied a voice in the government, and the 
present trouble is the result. 

"The common impression that the 
Mexicans are treacherous and dishonest 
is unjust to them. I have found them 
to be trustworthy, and have never lost a 
penny in my dealings with them. As a 
rule they are gentle, polite, intelligent 
and cultured. They are also gay and 
witty, although they never rush through 
their pleasures and business transactions 
as we do in the North." — Des Moines 
"Capital." 



"SAD CONDITION OF MEXICO." 

The marvellous capacity manifested by 
some American women in absorbing in- 
stantaneously a vast amount of infor- 
mation without any visible help, is insist- 
ed on at least indirectly by the Boston 
"Herald" of November 39, in an article 
entitled "Sad Condition of Mexico." Mrs. 
John Lind, the wife of the extraordi- 
nary United States Envoy to Mexico, 
informs the world that "she never saw 
anything so abject as the condition of 
women in that country," and that "it is a 
common report in Mexico that well-to- 
do Mexicans keep harems." The "Her- 
ald" then_ proceeds to unload some of 
its own discoveries about the peons and 



the illegitimacy of the Mexicans in gen- 
eral. 

Now there are several reasons why it 
is more than likely that the lady in ques- 
tion never made the remarks attributed 
to her. In the first place, while she was 
with her husband in her brief visit to 
Mexico, she had no time to learn any- 
thing about the conditions that pre- 
vailed there. Even he has so far learned 
very little. Secondly, as, like her distin- 
guished spouse, she did not know a word 
of Spanish, all her knowledge must have 
been second hand. Thirdly, she could 
not have had any acquaintance with 
Mexican women. For we have it on the 
best authority that even the most culti- 
vated and charming foreigners, among 
whom Mrs. Lind of course must be count- 
ed, might be a resident for years in the 
country without ever being able to pen- 
etrate into the houses of the wealthier 
Mexicans. Had she been able to do so, 
she would not have found their condi- 
tion "abject," but, as one of her Protes- 
tant countrywomen says, "she would 
have seen them educated, graceful and 
beautiful, and cultivating the virtues of 
love, charity and self-denial taught to 
their ancestors by the old Franciscan 
missionaries four centuries ago." 

Again, we refuse to admit for a mo- 
ment that such a delicate subject as the 
"harem," was ever discussed by her with 
the reporters. It is, however, possible 
that she read carelessly a passage of 
Carson's "Mexico" in which he speaks of 
the Mexican household as a harem, not, 
however, because it was a seraglio; far 
from it; but, because it was considered a 
veritable sanctuary which he and other 
outsiders and particularly Americans 
were not permitted to enter. Or perhaps 
the information came from some hotel 
clerk who foresaw a tip. For although 
the desire for knowledge manifested by 
foreigners about social and political af- 
fairs makes as much impression on the 
average Mexican as a pocket-knife on the 
sides of Popocatapetl, on the other hand, 
a thriving trade is carried on in relating 
fairy stories to satisfy inquirers. 

About the oppression of the peons, we 
Americans should not be too vociferous, 
when we face the industrial slavery that 
disgraces our own country. On the 
whole the peon is having a fairly good 
time of it, and will continue to enjoy 
himself unless Carranza drafts him into 
the ranks of the revolutionists. 

The charge of illegitimacy is more se- 
rious, for the Boston "Herald" informs us 
that: "The offical statistics of the Mex- 
ican Government shows that in one year 
there were 304.337 illegitimate children 
born, almost as many as of legitimate 
children. But as many illegitimate chil- 
dren are not recorded the probability is 
that more than one-half of the children 
born in Mexico are illegitimate." 

_ The record looks pretty black, at first 
sight, but as the United States very dis- 
creetly keeps no official records of such 
things, we are unable to find out how 
much more virtuous we are than the 
Mexicans. Perhaps the statistics are 
withheld, just as were those of divorce, 
which were particularly shameful. 

Moreover, there is always a difficulty 
even for statisticians to determine what 
constitutes illegitimacy. In Italy, for 
instance, only civil marriages are con- 
sidered valid by the State and such is 
the case in Mexico. But the question 
naturally arises, are the offspring of 
chiirch marriages to be stamped as ille- 
gitimate because a few rancorous anti- 
Christian politicians who have seized the 
machinery of the State will have it so? 
Evidently not. — "America, a Catholic 
Review." 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



MEXICO 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: For some time past I have been 
reading your paper and in the name of the 
Mexican people I wish to thank you for the good 
work you are doing in trying to prevent an unjust 
war between the United States and Mexico. 
I notice that everywhere the leading question is : 
Why does President Wilson refuse to hear the 
opinion of people who are well informed as to 
the real conditions in Mexico, and why has he 
evaded an answer to the Congress of the United 
States in regard to the Mexican situation, a situa- 
tion that has been created by himself? 
I think I can answer those questions. 
President Wilson, for reasons best known to 
himself, has decided to entangle his country in 
a war with Mexico and, having decided, refuses 
to listen to people who are familiar with the true 
state of affairs in that country, as he is well aware 
that were he to listen to them, those same per- 
sons would some day confront him with that 
same information. Not receiving the information, 
he then can claim — when things are brought home 
to him — that he was misinformed, was deceived, 
very sorry, but had he known it, etc. etc. 

He has refused to inform Congress of his in- 
tentions because he has no valid pretext for war, 
which is just what he wishes, notwithstanding his 
repeated declarations to the contrary. But has 
he declared or will he declare that there will 
not be war no matter what provocation he may 
have from the Government of Mexico? Or if 
Mexico, tired of Wilson's butting in, should de- 
clare war on the United States? I guess not. 

Mr. Wilson's waiting game is simply this: He 
will harass the Mexican Government until it will 
be forced to declare war on the United States. We 
Mexicans are very proud, especially in matters 
that touch upon our national honor. 

When war is declared by Mexico, Mr. Wilson, 
pretending great indignation, will inform Congress 
and that high body will be compelled to accept 
that unjust war to uphold the national honor. 

Mr. Wilson's diplomacy has been criticized as 
amateurish. If the above deductions are correct, 
it will be seen that he is not so much of an 
amateur diplomat as people think. There is a 
reason for his seemingly amateurish acts. 

I don't think that any man, whatever his 
power, has the moral right to get his country 
into a war that will involve the loss of thou- 
sands of lives and millions in money. 

If there should be war will he not have on 
his conscience all the lives lost in that war? 
Being of a religious nature, would he not suffer? 
I should not like to be in his shoes. 

Mr. Wilson refuses to recognize President 
Huerta or any other President elected by popular 
vote, while he, Huerta, is in power. But does 
he suggest how an election can be held with no 
one at the head of the Government? Shall Gen- 
eral Huerta and his Cabinet abandon Mexico and 
leave the people have an election all by them- 
selves? Even if General Huerta should leave the 
chair, who would take his place? Whom does 
Mr. Wilson suggest? Carranza? Villa? Or per- 




1913 WASHINGTON 19I4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

•915 ^i^^fr^^f^it.'ii^^. 1916 
Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



haps he has in mind a Governor General and 
wishes the job for the meek but sanguinary Mr. 
Hale or Mr. Lind? Maybe Mr. Rockefeller 
would be best suited for the post, as he or his 
company started the trouble in Mexico. It may 
be that Mr. Wilson might put Mrs. Madero in 
a trance and consult the spirits for the right man 
to step into General Huerta's shoes. Or, who 
can tell, perhaps he will consult Mrs. Lind and 
her missionaries. Really, Mr. Wilson has been 
so impudent to the Mexican Government that 
such a proposition would not surprise us. 

Mr. Wilson refuses to recognize the present 
Government of Mexica and at the same time 
holds that Government responsible for damages 
to American lives and property, thereby inciting 
his friends, the rebels, to commit such acts. Can 
any one hold a Government responsible for acts 
committed by other persons when that Govern- 
ment is not recognized as such? Heads, I win; 
tails, you lose. 

But enough of this. People of the Carranza and 
Villa type who, under the cover of revolution, 
give free rein to their low animal passions and 
commit crimes and atrocities which my pen re- 
fuses to describe but that are, nevertheless, known 
to the whole shocked civilized world — with the 
exception of Messrs. Wilson, Bryan, et al, of 
course— will never be tolerated in Mexico and 
as true as there is a God they will be strung up 
to the handiest telegraph pole, and we, people 
of Mexico, will string them up, even if Mr. Wil- 
son puts them in power and if it takes years to 
do it. 

A MEXICAN 
who holds the welfare of his country above all 
governments, past, present or future. 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: Enclosed herewith please find draft 
for $2.00 to cover a yearly subscription to MEX- 
ICO, which I will thank you to send to my ad- 

I have seen but one issue of your paper, but 
that looks good to me. I am an American; have 
been in Mexico thirteen years ; and am general 
manager of this company, which is a French- 
Mexican corporation. I know Mexico from the 
Rio Grande to the Isthmus, her people and her 
history, and believe I have a thorough knowledge 
of the political, social and industrial problems 
which have confronted her during the past three 
years. 

I congratulate your editors on having gotten 
at the truth about Mexico and hope they will 
keep up the good work. 

L. L. S. 



"I know nothing about General Huerta except 
what has been printed in the papers. But I am 
convinced from a very complete study of the situ- 
ation through the newspapers that Huerta is by 
no means the worst alternative down there and 
that the quickest means to a settlement of the 
Mexican difficulties, with conditions as they are, 
is the best means. 

President Wilson's attitude would be almost 
laughable, if it was funny, which it isn't. Huerta 
is at least a fairly respectable military man, and 
there can be no doubt that many decent Mexican 
individuals believe him the best man available for 
the position he wants. But President Wilson 
doesn't want him, and that settles it. Mexico be 



blamed, Mr. Wilson must be pleased. — W. P. 
HAYES in New York "Herald." 

WILSON ERRS, SAYS BEARDSLEY. 

(Special Cable to New York "American.") 

London, Dec. 27.— Henry Beardsley, president 
of the Beardsley banking concern in New York, 
gave to the New York "American" correspondent 
to-day his opinion of what he termed "Wilson's 
dilatory policy in Mexico." 

Mr. Beardsley, who has first-hand knowledge of 
the conditions in Mexico, said that in his opinion 
the President had made a bad mistake at the 
cutset by not recognizing Huerta. 

"Until President Wilson learns that it is im- 
possible to govern Mexicans except with a hand 
of iron, he will fail to solve the great problem. 
Already he has allowed the situation to get so 
bad that it seems now to be impossible to handle 
it with anything but armed force. 

"Had Huerta had the support of the United 
States in the first place, various brigand leaders 
would have felt but little confidence in the ulti- 
mate success of their selfish aims, and conse- 
quently would have allied themselves to the exist- 
ing government." 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, January 3, 1914 



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HOW MUCH IS BRYAN? 

Just how much of the Mexican "pol- 
icy" is President Wilson's and how much 
Bryan's? It is quite possible that when 
the clouds are lifted it will be found that 
the Chief Executive, with the single pur- 
pose of devoting his mind to the prom- 
ised measures of internal reform, let him- 
self be guided in the handling of the in- 
trusive Mexican problem by the Secre- 
tary of State, whose position, if not his 
qualifications, would bring it entirely 
wthin his province. If a President can- 
not depend on his Secretary of State for 
the formulation of a workable foreign 
policy, what business has the Secretary 
of State to hold office? 

The first open move made by the Ad- 
ministration toward a solution of the 
vexing Mexican problem was the send- 
ing of John Lind to Mexico City with 
his absurd and impossible proposals, 
which in the opinion of every thinking 
person at the time were foredoomed to 
refusal and failure. It is definitely known 
that John Lind was recommended for 
the idiotic mission by Bryan. Outside 
of loyalty to Bryan and a locked jaw, 
John Lind's special qualifications for a 
delicate diplomatic mission to a Latin 
country were not obvious to even the 
most optimistic, even to those who 
wished him well. John Lind was Bryan's 
man. There are many who would like to 
think, in justice to the President, that 
the demands carried by John Lind were 
Bryan's too. 

It is true that President Wilson has 
personally expressed them as his own 
ideas and feelings, but might not this 
be in a measure the result of a' natural 
reliance on his Secretary of State in 
matters of foreign affairs, and his con- 
ception of a duty harmoniously to back 
up with all the force of his position and 
personality Mr. Bryan's novel venture 
into international politics, hoping it might 
be successful? Certainly it would never 



do for the chief and the premier of a 
Democratic Administration to be at log- 
gerheads, especially in view of their mu- 
tual obligations, dating back at least to 
the Baltimore Convention. At any rate, 
the President was very, very busy with 
pressing internal matters, as witness the 
complexity and the successful passage 
of the tariff and currency bills. 

There are many loyal Americans who 
would breathe heartfelt thanks to know 
that the country was committed to a 
horribly blundering attiude toward a 
friendly nation in distress, not by a Pres- 
ident whom they have every reason and 
every wish to trust implicitly, but by a 
subordinate whom the country has three 
times repudiated, and who through polit- 
ical necessity had to be placed in a posi- 
tion where his inexperience and his pe- 
culiar casuistry could injure the whole 
Administration. 

If this were the case, the country could 
feel sure that if any mistake has been 
made, it is not irreparable, that the last 
word has not been said, committing us to 
a course that means a war with all its 
horrors if we persist in both meddling in 
Mexico's internal politics and encourag- 
ing the forces of anarchy who are seek- 
ing to destroy Mexico. 



THE PRACTICAL RESULTS OF 

"WATCHFUL WAITING" 

As They Affect the United States. 

We are without an ambassadorial rep- 
resentative in Mexico, one who could 
take his honored place in the diplo- 
matic corps and with authority advance 
and protect the interests of his country 
and countrymen. 

Thousands of American citizens, or- 
dered by our Government to flee Mexico, 
have left their all in that country, in 
many cases at the mercy of the roaming 
bands of marauders who call themselves 
revolutionists. We cannot hold them re- 
sponsible for the damages to the prop- 
erty of Americans, for they are not re- 
sponsible and have no responsible head. 
We can hardly in equity hold the Mexi- 
can Government responsible, for the ac- 
tion of the Americans in fleeing was 
wholly inspired by the attitude and 
words of the Washington Administra- 
tion. The entire loss, amounting to mil- 
lions, must fall on our own Government. 

At a moment when every nerve should 
be strained to promote closer commercial 
and social relations between this country 
and all Latin-American countries, in view 
of the increase of trade that is expected 
to follow the opening of the Panama Ca- 
nal, we have assumed an arbitrary atti- 
tude toward one of those countries that 
has aroused tremendous resentment and 
distrust of our purposes in Central and 
South America. These feelings have 
been strongly reflected in the press of 
the Latin-American countries, and have 
added greater difficulties in the way of 
our getting their trade in competition 
with the more tactful and far-seeing 
England and Germany. 



We have given to England, Germany 
and other foreign nations in competi- 
tion with us for Latin-American trade a 
powerful weapon of national sentiment to 
use against our advances. 

Our dog-in-the-manger insistence on 
having our own unreasonable way in dic- 
tating to Mexico has naturally aroused a 
more or less repressed irritation among 
the European nations who have nationals 
and interests suffering by the prolonga- 
tion of internal disorder. This irritation 
has worked to our disadvantage in such 
reprisals as the refusal of England and 
Germany to exhibit at the San Francisco 
Fair, and the popular demonstration of 
hostility in Japan. 

Is it worth while to suffer all these 
material losses that the theoretical whim 
and the personal dislikes of the Wash- 
ington Administration may have their 
fling? 

We think not, and we are sure that the 
sober common sense of the people, 
aroused to the huge blunder we have 
made, in the name of a morality which 
works immorality, will repudiate it. 



NOT LIKE THE SOUTH. 

It is absolutely beyond our comprehen- 
sion that any Southern statesman, Con- 
gressman or Senator, or anybody with 
Southern blood in his veins, should coun- 
tenance for an instant — let alone lend 
moral support to — the barbarous Villa 
and his crew of cut-throats and ravish- 
ers of women and girls. It is one of the 
strangest anomalies of a so-called South- 
ern Administration that it should have 
ranged itself on the side of men, or mon- 
sters, who would swing from the nearest 
tree or lamp-post in Southern States. 
Surely the Southern spirit, the Southern 
fire and the Southern chivalry have not 
died in those who have come to be pow- 
ers in the nation! We may not strictly 
advocate lynch law as the only way to 
handle such villains, but is it not be- 
lievable that, because they happen to be 
in another country, we should give them 
"moral support"? Which we are doing. 
Which is a crime against civilization. 
Only ignorance of the true conditions in 
Mexico or the misrepresentations of the 
press, guided by rapacious Northern in- 
terests, can account for such a thing. 
This ignorance, we are happy to say, is 
being overcome daily by unsuppressable 
facts and the press campaign, we venture 
to prophesy, will crumble from the 
weight of its own fabrications. 



Read "MEXICO" 

[^■^ JONCE_AWEEK| 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIOIGRANDE 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promole Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL 1— No. 21 



Error Run* Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY JANUARY 10, 1914 



FliiE CENTS 



TRY IT. 

Suggested as a f oi mula to aid those 
who would understand what the Admin- 
istration's attitude toward Mexico means. 

Repeat the following at intervals of 
five minutes, each day for six months, 
until it takes. Then the Administration's 
point of view will be perfectly clear. 

There is no Mexico. 

There is no Mexican Government. 

There is no other nation. 

There is no international law. 

There is no such thing as diplomacy. 

There is no Mexican people. 

There is no Villa. 

There are no bandits. 

There are no killed and wounded. 

There is no responsibility. 

There is no history. 

There is no national sovereignty. 

There is no matter. 

All is I and grape juice. 



PERFECT ANTI-CLIMAX. 
How the News is Written. 

1st Day — Rebels attack fiercely in 
overwhelming force. Federals in panic. 
Pleeing across border. End of Huerta 
regime in North. Victorious rebels will 
press on to Mexico City. 

2nd Day — Rebels driving Federals 
back into the Rio Grande. Last rem- 
nant of Huerta's army hopelessly rout- 
ed. All who do not escape will be exe- 
cuted on the spot. 

3rd Day — Federals fighting a losing 
fight. Panic-stricken, hundreds are de- 
serting. Others are kept in the trenches 
at the point of their officers' guns. 
Huerta's rule in the North doomed. 

4th Day — Rebels make gallant charges 
against tremendous odds. Federals seem 
to be holding their own, but cannot last 
much longer. Not so many desertions. 

5th Day — Rebels play waiting game. 
Their desperate charges against the Fed- 
erals' impregnable positions result in 
heavy losses. Federal ammunition 
nearly exhausted. 

6th Day — Rebels' victorious leader on 
way to renew the attack. Vows he will 
kill every Federal. Federals on defen- 
sive. The last desperate stand of 
Huerta's army in the North. 

7th Day — Rebels retire. No disorder. 
Will renew the attack some other time. 



The Administration is right in not in- 
tervening by force of arms in Mexico, 
tut it is wrong in stubbornly making in- 
tervention a possibility. 



i *%)?) 



THEY CAN 

NOT DESTROY 



Day by day it is becoming more and 
more apparent that our newspapers have 
been extremely fortunate in securing the 
co-operation of great political econom- 
ists who, disguised as correspondents or 
editorial writers, have generously con- 
descended to impart to the public their 
inexhaustible knowledge of Mexican 
financial conditions. 

These economists have shown, how- 
ever, a certain disregard for the swallow- 
ing capacity of an already surfeited pub- 
lic. 

During many months they have tried 
to force down the reader's throat — or 
whatever the mental counterpart is — 
cocksure statements to the effect that 
Mexico is on the verge of bankruptcy 
and the Government on the brink of fi- 
nancial starvation. 

In support of their gloomy contention 
these economists have presented an array 
of crushing proofs, such as: The Huerta 
Government has decreed that paper cur- 
rency shall be accepted as legal tender. 
It has forced the acceptance of 50 cent 
coins, together with the silver peso, etc. 

That financial conditions in Mexico 
are far from being as satisfactory as they 
were before the fall of the Diaz Admin- 
istration no one can deny. That they 
have been made difficult by the unwar- 
ranted interference of the Washington 
Administration is well known to every 
one familiar with the efforts of this Ad- 
ministration to blockade Mexico finan- 
cially. 

That owing to this attitude of the 
Washington Administration a whole peo- 
ple — a friendly people — is made to suf- 
fer, also is a matter of common knowl- 
edge. 

But to understand that in spite of all 
these fiendish destructive efforts, finan- 
cial conditions in Mexico are far from 
being critical, it is sufficient to com- 
pare them not only with those prevailing 
in Mexico thirty years ago, but also with 
those prevailing in this country during 
the Civil War. 



It is foolish to assert that because the 
Washington Government has used its 
powerful influence to prevent the lending 
of money by foreign bankers to the 
Huerta Government, Mexico will be 
starved into submission to President 
Wilson, the self-appointed overlord of 
all the Americas. 

Mexico is a self-supporting country, 
a country of wonderful resources. 

But leaving this aside, even if the 
present disturbance should continue, it 
vvill be a very long time before finan- 
cial conditions in ^lexico will sink to the 
level of those existing in this country 
during the Civil War. 

The extremely high cost of gold, the 
forced use of scrip money, of paper cur- 
rency in denominations as low as 10 
cents, 5 cents and 2^ cents are still vivid 
in the memory of many who were alive 
in those desperate years. 

Yet this country survived those trying 
times. 

Mexico may have to endure worse con- 
ditions than those she is enduring at 
present, but Mexico also will survive — 
in spite of the croaking economists. 



BRYAN'S PRAYER. 
"The peace movement — God speed 
it in its passage around the world. I 
pray God that He may help me to 
make it unnecessary that this Gov- 
ernment shall go to war with Mexico. 
I do not want men to die before guns 
for their country; I want them to live 
for their country." 



BRYAN'S ACTS. 

He has helped to make possible the 
conditions in Northern Mexico, cost- 
ing hundreds of human lives, and giv- 
ing the jingoes an excuse to talk of 
war. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



THE POISONED PEN 



of Ojinaga, against the green woods on the river 
banks, appeared high hats, bobbing up and down 
like little sailboats in a breeze." 



When one picks up a magazine of the 
character of "The American Review of 
Reviews," of which Dr. Albert Shaw is 
the distinguished editor, it comes as a 
distinct shock to find that its monthly- 
resume of the progress of the world 
chronicles as facts some of the most out- 
rageous of newspaper lies about Mexico. 
Of course, the field of the resume is lim- 
ited to a digest of the news as it appears 
in the daily papers, but it seems that the 
editor who culled the Mexican data for 
the latest issue had a marvelous digestion 
as far as the lies of the press was con- 
cerned, and a terrible attack of acute in- 
digestion when he came to anything re- 
motely favorable to the Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

Here are some of the things served to 
the magazine's readers as gospel: 

"In the South Zapata and his bandits 
were menacing the capital and occupying 
one town after another in neighboring 
States." 

"The victories of the rebels in Tamau- 
lipas and Chihuahua have given them 
practical control of the Mexican oil 
fields." 

"Huerta having changed his abode 
from the National Palace to the strongly 
fortified Castle of Chapultepec * * *" 

"Mexico's paper constitution forbids a 
provisional president from continuing in 
office more than six months." 

"His (Huerta's) Administration was 
constantly disgraced by assassination and 
by shameful abuse of authority. He was 
growing weaker every day. It had long 
been evident that he had no idea or de- 
sire to re-establish government by the 
people. Yet he continued to defy the ex- 
pressed wishes of the United States Gov- 
ernment, the displeasure of the American 
people, the financial unfriendliness of Eu- 
rope and the armed revolutionists." 

Ye gods! Some defier, that! 

With these and many other equally 
false statements the magazine published 
a shaded map showing virtually all of 
Mexico in the "control of the constitu- 
tionalists." Of course. Also a picture 
of a group of northern rebels. The cap- 
tion of the picture indicated that the 
group includes General Venustiano Car- 
ranza, General Jesus Carranza, General 
Blanquet and General Pascual Orozco, 
"the famous outlaw chieftain." All of 
these together, mind you, in perfect 
amity. No explanation at all as to what 
the Mexican Minister of War, General 
Blanquet, would be doing with the north- 
ern rebels, or when Orozco had turned 
his back on Huerta and become an "out- 
law chieftain." One of the group really 
was Jesus Carranza, but the caption 
writer did not even pick out the right 
one for Jesus. 

The civilized world is ruled to-day in 
a large measure by the public opinion of 
the average man, and the average man 
takes much of his opinion from just such 
publications as the "Review of Reviews." 
It would seem fair and reasonable to ex- 
pect some sense of justice and responsi- 
bility in those who mold this public opin- 
ion. 



The New York "Herald" of January 
5th had to announce the failure of the 
rebel attack on Ojinaga. It was hard to 
do, but it had no be admitted, however 
reluctantly. But the "Herald" was not 
dismayed. Next to the account of the 
rebel defeat it ran a three-column scare- 



liead, as follows: "Huerta Regime is Be- 
lieved Tottering; lo,ooo Bandits Men- 
ace Mexico City," and underneath was a 
letter purporting to be from the "Her- 
ald's" Mexico City correspondent, dated 
December 27th. It was a very lugu- 
brious account of conditions in Mexico, 
and the conclusion the writer drew was 
something awful for General Huerta. A 
striking peculiarity about the letter was 
this: It was dated December 27th. No 
mail left Mexico City for the United 
States between December 27th and De- 
cember 31st. If the letter came on the 
boat leaving December 31st, which was 
the soonest it could get on its way, it 
could not possibly have reached New 
York City before January 7th, even by 
way of Havana and Key West. But the 
"Herald" published it on January 5th. 
And there you are. The "Herald" sim- 
ply had to do something that day to off- 
set the rebel repulse at Ojinaga. A few 
days later when it developed that the 
brave defense of Ojinaga was creating 
the impression that the Mexican Feder- 
als really could fight and fight hard, the 
"Herald" had another letter, this time 
from Tampico, dated December 27th also, 
in which a United States Army officer — 
no name given — is made to say at great 
length that the recent successful defense 
of Tampico was not as good as it ought 
to have been, that the Federal generals 
did not get all they might have out of 
the forces at their command, and so 
forth. 



Really sane editors gave space to the 
absolutely absurd rumor that President 
Huerta was on board the "Chester" with 
John Lind when he came to Pass Chris- 
tian. It simply shows to what lengths 
the rumor-mongers will go. 



The "Herald" of January 3d had a des- 
patch from Hermosillo, where the Car- 
ranza crowd hangs out, to the effect that 
the "constitutionalists" were going to 
reorganize the National Railways in their 
territory, and increase the train service 
from Hermosillo to Nogales. Now, the 
fact is that the only railroad in the 
State of Sonora is the Southern Pacific, 
which has not the slightest connection 
with the National Railways of Mexico. 



The New York "Times" correspondent 
at Presidio is a master of fiction writing. 
That fellow could write an epic about 
the fight of two tomcats in a backyard. 
The Ojinaga siege was a positive inspira- 
tion to his flights of fancy. Here are 
some samples of his classical style: 

"The beginning of the attack came as a com- 
plete surprise to the Federals, enjoying their noon 
day siesta and cigarettes in the trenches. Care 
free, the men in the ranks were chattering to 
their wives and sweethearts who had huddled to- 
gether behind the breastworks. The Feder,-il gen- 
erals, Castro, Landa, Orozco and Martinez, were 
mapping out their plans for further defense. 

"The explosion of a rebel shell brought the 
generals to their feet and off they rushed, buck- 
ling their swords as they ran. With field glasses 
they saw the main column of Ortega's wing mov- 
ing south as if in retreat to Lamula Pas's. 

"A note of victory was sounded on the trumpets, 
but before it had ceased to echo in the hills the 
rebel column swung around and the Federal com- 
manders realized the purpose of the foe. Quickly 
the junction with Rodriguez's men was made and 
the attack was on. 

"The combat was spectacular. Off to the west 



The New York "World" has been mak- 
ing virulent attacks on the British Am- 
bassador to Mexico, Sir Lionel Garden, 
evidently inspired by tlie same sources as 
the "World's" j^revious attacks on Henry 
Lane Wilson. Also it has started a series 
of "Who's Who in Mexico," in Vi^hich it 
describes everybody in the Mexican Gov- 
ernment from Huerta down as somehow 
bad and everybody opposed to the Gov- 
ernment as somehow good. 



MORE OF THE LIES. 

Sir Lionel Garden removed on demand 
of Washington. 

Foreign bankers would seize Mexican 
customs. 

Line to San Luis Potosi in hands of 
rebels and San Luis Potosi menaced. 

Huerta seizes oil tanks. 

Huerta to resign. 

Oil Supply for Railways Fails. 



EVERYBODY WRONG BUT— 

Washington, January 3. — There is 
some reason to believe if statements 
made in reliable quarters are to be be- 
lieved that the principal reason for the 
c 'nference was the desire of John Lind 
to convey directly to the President cer- 
tain ideas which have been forming in 
his mind during his long exile in Mex- 
ico. 

President Wilson's special agent is re- 
ported to have become more of the mind 
of practically all Americans and other 
foreigners in Mexico regarding the pol- 
icy of the United States. From the 
brevity of his conference with the Pres- 
ident and the lack of any important an- 
nouncement from the latter after the 
conference it is assumed here that if Mr. 
Lind ventured to make any suggestions 
of a change they were not accepted by 
the President. 

The apparent lack of results from the 
conierence has served to remind Wash- 
ington of another notable conference 
which President Wilson had last sum- 
mer with a man who was supposed by 
virtue of his long residence in Mexico 
and experience in dealing with the Mex- 
ican Government to have special infor- 
mation on the subject. This was the 
conference with Henry Lane Wilson. 

A similarity between the President's 
statements to the press following these 
two conferences was noted with interest 
here. After his talk with the former 
Ambassador the President said with un- 
m.istakable emphasis that his conference 
with the diplomat neither had changed 
his analysis of the Mexican situation nor 
altered his view as to what should be 
done. 

He told the newspaper correspondents 
practically the same thing, though it is 
presumed his words were without a cer- 
tain acrimony which marked those fol- 
lowing his talk with Henry L. Wilson. 

In other words, it is the opinion here 
that the President has his own ideas on 
Mexico and is not particularly interested 
in what any one else has to say about 
it. — New York "Sun." 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



MEXICO 



RECOGNITION URGED 

BY PROMINENT MEN 

(From New York "Sun," January 6.) 



Carnegie Says U. S. Should Have Rec- 
ognized Huerta. 

The followincf communication was re- 
ceived yesterday from Andrew Carnegie 
in reply to a request from the "Sun" that 
he express an opinion regarding the Lon- 
don "Spectator's" suggestions as to the 
attitude of the United States toward 
Mexico: 

"In reply to your request, my opinion 
is entirely opposed to that of my friend 
\iJ' S'rachey, editor of the "Spectator." 
We should not interfere in Mexico. We 
should have recognized Huerta after the 
European Powers did. The man who 
interferes in a family quarrel usually 
ends in arousing the enmity of both op- 
ponents and they unite against him. In 
the words of the immortal bard, beware 
of entrance into quarrel. 

"ANDREW CARNEGIE." 

White Urges Recognition. 

Ithaca, Jan. 5._"Xow that we have 
got ourselves into this fix I can see noth- 
ing to do but await the course of events " 
declared Dr. Andrew D. White to-day in 
response to a question from the "Sun" 
correspondent as to what the United 
States should do about the Mexican sit- 
uation. 

The venerable statesman and scholar, 
who has served his country as Minister 
to Russia and .Ambassador to Germany 
and who at 81 still manifests a keen in- 
terest in public affairs, evidently disap- 
proves of the policy of the Wilson Ad- 
ministration in failing to recognize the 
Huerta Government, but now that the 
fat IS in the fire he seems to think that 
the country must make the best of it, 
because, as he says, "we are hung on 
the course of events and must trust to 
time and good luck to get us out of it." 

Dr. White is unable to understand why 
the Huerta regime was not recognized. 
"We have recognized." he said, "many 
other de facto governments and rulers 
who at the time held executive author- 
ity, both in Central and South America. 
In fact, if my memory serves me, we 
recognized a few years ago in Santo Do- 
mingo a man wlio was said to have been 
a murderer, and we have recognized in 
Hayti men of the same type." 

Dr. White added that Gen. Huerta at 
this time was in no worse position than 
was Porfirio Diaz when he began his 
regime. 

.•\sked about the outcome of a Consti- 
tutionalist victory he said: 

"If the Constitutionalist successes con- 
tinue the time may come when we might 
recognize them, but when I consider 
Carranza, who ordered that no Federals 
be spared, and Villa, whose practices re- 
garding the treatment of prisoners are 
well known. I wonder if either of them 
are any better than Huerta and if we 
will be in any better position in recog- 
nizing *hem than we are in refusing to 
recognize Huerta." 

In reference to John Lind Mr. White 
was asked: 

"What do you think about the policy 
of sending a special representative to 
Mexico?" 

"Well." he said with a smile, "I hope 
if we send any more we will send a man 
who knows something about Mexico and 
can speak Spanish and French." 

Of Henry Lane Wilson lie said: "Our 
former Ambassador in Mexico has a 
good record in the diplomatic service. 



He seerned to be familiar with conditions 
in Mexico. He seemed to know what 
he was talking about when he urged that 
Huerta be recognized. I think we 
sliould have acted on his advice." 



Foraker for Recognition. 

Cincinnati, Jan. 5.— Ex-United States 
Senator Foraker when asked for his 
ideas as to what the United States should 
do in the Mexican trouble said: 

"I have not changed my mind since 
the expression of my opinion in my 
Hamilton, Ohio, speech of a couple of 
weeks ago. On that occasion I ex- 
pressed my views in the matter as fol- 
lows: 

"Huerta is at the head as provisional 
President of the established Government. 
No matter whether it be the Government 
de jure, as it is forcibly claimed to be, 
or a mere de facto Government, it is the 
only national Government that has been 
recognized as such. 

"He has been recognized as provision- 
al President by the unanimous vote of 
both the Senate and the House of the 
Congress of the Republic of Mexico, and 
by all the army and by all the depart- 
ments of the Government. He has been 
so recognized by Great Britain, France 
and Germany and many other nations. I 
know of no reason, at least I have heard 
of none, why he should not also be rec- 
ognized by us. except only, to use a 
common expression, that there is 'blood 
on his hands.' 

"It may be there is blood on his hands. 
It would be hard to find a Mexican of 
distinction who has no blood on his 
hands. Some of them are bloody from 
head to foot. But suppose Huerta be 
driven out of office, as he probably will 
be, in consequence of our policy with 
respect to him and what our Government 
is doing in hostility to him, then what? 
After the deluge what comes next? Who 
then will be recognized? Will we still 
wait for some one without blood on his 
hands? Then surely we will not recog- 
nize any leader of the Constitutionalists. 

"The record made by them is one of 
blood and waste and anarchy and ruin. 
The inhuman and brutal murder of cap- 
tured prisoners has been such as to 
shock the whole world. The newspapers 
account for these brutalities by describ- 
ing Villa and other generals as bandit 
chieftains who have been oflficially out- 
lawed for years. 

"If Huerta drops out, then some of 
these chieftains will probably succeed to 
the Presidency. 

"If the fact that a man may have 
blood on his hands be a reason why he 
shall not be recognized, then the same 
trouble will arise. In the meanwhile as 
now our treaty will continue suspended, 
for if there be no Government we can 
recognize, there is, of necessity, only an- 
archy. Anarchy like war suspends treat- 
ies of peace and amity for the simple 
reason that there is no Government in 
existence responsible for their enforce- 
ment, and therefore nobody against 
whom we can assert a claim of violation 
of a treaty and secure redress for the 
destruction of .American life and .Ameri- 
can property. If it were calculated to 
avoid war, otherwise inevitable, it might 
be justified, but it is not. On the con- 
trary it makes war, otherwise improb- 
able, almost a certainty, if not now later. 



for the seeds of strife have been sown. 

"The whole situation is most unfor- 
tunate. A bad feeling toward Americans 
already existing has been made worse, 
and at best years will pass before rela- 
tions that arc cordial in fact will again 
be restored. 

"There is much more that might be 
said. For the present I leave it with 
the expression of regret that a Presi- 
dent who, although entertaining views 
with which I do not agree, with respect 
at least to I his phase of our foreign pol- 
icy, should make the mistake of putting 
our country in such an indefensible atti- 
tude as that which we have assumed 
in this matter." 



NOT SO BAD. 

The City of Mexico still shows few 
signs of hard times and is far gayer 
and more animated than at any time 
during the Madero regime. Confidence 
in Huerta seems to be growing. The 
military situation begins to look bright- 
er, with the failure of the rebels to 
take Nuevo Laredo, their disappear- 
ance from before San Luis Potosi and 
their evacuation of Durango. 

Moreover, the morale of the army is 
visibly improving, and of its devotion 
to Huerta there can be no doubt. It is 
believed here that Huerta has only to 
hold on to win, as there is too much 
disunion and too little cohesion among 
the rebels for them to evolve an ad- 
versary surrounded with the necessary 
prestige and authority. 

The dog Togo, mascot of the Federals 
at San Luis Potosi, has had the un- 
usual honor of promotion to the rank 
of first sergeant. This reward is for 
the dog's gallantry in the Bocas fight, 
where the rebels were routed. Togo 
pursued a rebel mule laden with three 
thousand cartridges, knocked it down, 
and held it until soldiers came up and 
secured the booty. — New York "Tri- 
bune," January 5. 



JUST A LITTLE HABIT. 

Every time a rebel victory has been 
reported some of the newspapers have 
immediately proceeded to publish long 
editorials demonstrating with copious ar- 
guments how that particular victory of 
the rebels means the impending down- 
fall of the Huerta Government and the 
"breaking up of the remnant of the Fed- 
eral Army!" 

Whenever a Federal victory is report- 
ed those newspapers are strikingly silent 
on the subject and one never reads that 
the Federal victory means the breaking 
up of the rebel army. 



ANOTHER. 

Whenever the jingoes run out of other 
ammunition they insinuate a close under- 
standing between Japan and Mexico. It 
hasn't been very long since the papers 
announced in big headlines that on de la 
Barra's reception in Tokio fifty Japanese 
army officers had offered their swords 
to Mexico, the inference being that they 
wished to fight for Mexico against the 
United States. Of course, as usual, the 
fiction was denied later, inconspicuously, 
but the effect desired had been created in 
the minds of the American people. If 
there is a subtle understanding between 
the Mexican Government and Japan why 
is it that whatever Japanese are fighting 
in Me-xico are among the rebels? 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 




Chicago, Jan. 5. — Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary 
of the Treasury in the Taft Administration, had 
the following to say to-day on the Mexican situa- 
tion ; 

"I believe that President Wilson has been en- 
tirely right in refusing to recognize Huerta. Presi- 
dent Taft, had he continued in office, would never 
have recognized Huerta*s claim to the Presidency 
of Mexico. I am convinced that I express the 
sentiment of the entire Taft Administration in say- 
ing that."— New York "Sun." 

Mr. MacVeatjh is presumably sure of 
his ground wlien he asserts so definitely 
that President Taft would never have 
recognized Huerta. At the same time 
we say — on the authority of men who 
were as close officially to President Taft 
as was Secretary MacVeagh — that only 
a delay in settling certain outstanding 
differences as to boundaries and claims 
between Mexico and the United States 
held back recognition of the Mexican 
Government during the last days of the 
Taft Administration. 

Had Mr. Taft remained in power the question 
would have been speedily settled and Mexico to- 
day would be on the way to tranquility. * * * 

His strong common sense would have prevented 
him from inquiring too closely or pedantically into 
the title of a President of a Spanish-American 
State in a time of revolution. So long as the 
new head of the State gave proof of resolution 
and capacity — and General Huerta has given proof 
of both qualities — Mr. Taft would have treated 
with him, even though he was unable to produce 
a certificate of his election from the receiving offi- 
cer, and even though charity itself could not pre- 
tend that he was anything more than a successful 
military adventurer. As for ray second assumption, 
that an early recognition of General Huerta would 
by now have brought Mexico within sight of peace 
and security, the whole course of events in the 
past half-year appears to justify it. As Mexico's 
immediate and most powerful neighbor, with a 
stake in the country greatly in excess of that of 
any other nation, America's attitude toward the 
Republic necessarily means more, and carries with 
it greater implications and significance than the 
attitude of all other Governments put together. 
* * * — Sydney Brooks in October "North Ameri- 
can Review." 



INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS. 

Gulfport, Miss.— While the President was on the 
pier he was observed with great interest by the 
throng of oyster shuckers busily toiling in the 
draughty shed of the packing company. He saw 
children 7 or 8 years old working their ten-hour 
shift in steam and blustering wind, their little 
hands sore and bleeding from the action of the 
acrid juices and the brine. 

The President started to take a walk through 
the oyster packing plant, but a whiff of the 
noisome steam struck him and he retired to the 
motor car. — New York "Sun." 

If this had been reported from Mex- 
ico, whaf a thrill of virtuous indignation 
would shiver the press of the United 
States. Non-recognition would be justi- 
fied — intervention the only way to end 
such intolerable conditions! 



POST-HYPOCRISY. 

Upon the outcome of the obstinate battle itill 
under way at Ojinaga events of critical importance 
for the future of Mexico may depend. The prei- 
ent upflare of pro-Hucrta sentiment it directly to 
be traced to this unexpected check which th« 
Constitutionalist forces in the North hare encoun- 
tered after a scries of dramatic victories. Fran- 
cisco Villa has recognized the vital importanca 
of a victory at "Ojinaga by hastening to take 
charge of the operations. More than the rebel 



repulse at Tampico, a Federalist triumph in the 
■ north would be a body blow to the Constitution- 
alist cause. For even if the rebel forces were to 
fail in their advance against the capital and the 
southern provinces, there remains the possibility 
of a secession by the States under Constitution- 
alist control and the setting up of an independent 
republic in the north. But with the presence of 
a U-.rge Federalist army on the northern frontier 
such a bold stroke is not to be thought of, and 
the Constitutionalist campaign would have to be 
fought over again. For the future of Mexico, 
any temporary strengthening of Huerta's power 
is ominous. By this time it is plain that the 
people of the republic as a whole will not accept 
his rule.— New York "Evening Post." 

If this last assertion is true, why is it 
that wherever the Federal forces go to 
the relief of a bandit-ridden town they 
are welcomed with open arms? Why is 
it that the "constitutionalists" are a ter- 
ror and a scourge from which the inhabi- 
■ants Aee — if they can? The "Post" is 
fearfull}' concerned because Huerta's 
power is growing. The "Post" as a well- 
known peace advocate is worried because 
there is every indication that Huerta 
will bring peace to Mexico. Selah! 



List to R. V. Pesqueira's defense of the 
"patriotism and character" of Villa. Pes- 
queira is one of the go-betweens of Car- 
ranza and the American oil interests. He 
is vociferous in championing the cause of 
the poor people of Mexico. In his suite 
at the Hotel Vanderbilt, where there are 
no poor, he gave the following remark- 
able statement to a reporter of the New 
York "Times." 

"Any story that Gen. Villa will try to seize 
the primary power for himself or that he has not 
subordinated himself to Gen. Carranza is false," 
Mr. Pesqueira said. "Gen. Villa has proved his 
loyalty to Gen. Carranza and the Constitutionalist 
cause many times. He was an ardent supporter 
of Madero in the revolution against Diaz and 
after the success of the revolution until the murder 
of the President. In 1912, because of the hostility 
of Gen. Huerta, who was the commander of Ma- 
dero's forces, Villa consented to go to prison for 
his own safety and for the sake of internal peace. 
While he was a prisoner leaders of the Conserva- 
tive party offered him money and support if he 
would lead a revolution against Madero, but he 
refused. These same men later enlisted Huerta in 
their cause, so that, had Villa accepted their 
offers, he would now occupy the position held by 
Huerta." 

The reason given for Villa's term in 
jail is a gem! "For his own safety and 
the sake of internal peace." Why, the 
notorious bandit was jailed for stealing a 
horse. And Madero let him out. Ma- 
dero liked horse thieves. The ingenious 
last few lines, designed to place an out- 
law like Villa in the same category as a 
regular army officer of Huerta's class, 
are a masterpiece of perversion. 



Nations are not destroyed, national in- 
dependence is not surrendered on the 
verbal or mental say-so of an alien med- 
dler with even the best intentions. 

♦ • ♦ 

That is the law and the prophets, and 
all the theorizing and mentalizing in the 
world cannot change it. 



Lest we Forget 

It's a long road from the border to 
Mexico City. 



Especially as all the supplies for the 
rebels come across the border. 
« » » 

And the border newspapers and cor- 
respondents are good press agents. It 
would be a shame for Villa to leave 
them. What would the "revolution" be 
without them? 

And Villa was at Juarez, only two 
hundred miles away. 

Trying to collect ransoms and dispose 
of stolen silver bullion. 

While Carranza spends his time put- 
ting out fiat money in Sonora. 
« * * 
Patriots for what there is in it. 

But, never mind. We have some of 
the same kind of patriots and "friends 
of the peepul" on this side of the border. 

We lend moral support to the atroci- 
ties of the Villas and the Zapatas and 
then our jingoes call for intervention to 
put an end to them. 

* * • 

There is nothing so false as the as- 
sumption of minds like Bryan's that any- 
body with material interests in Mexico 
cannot tell the truth about it. 

* * « 

Every time an American with property 
in Mexico expresses public disapproval 
of the Administration's cruel and de- 
structive attitude toward Mexico, the 
New York "World" goes to extreme 
lengths in its efforts to discredit the 
statement. Taking its cue from the Ad- 
ministration it so bhndly worships. 
» * * 

The "World" certainly ought to know 
just how far material interests may 
warp the judgment — even the judgment 
of metropolitan newspapers. 

If Huerta doesn't crumble by March 
1st, the Washington Administration is 
going to do something real drastic, the 
"World" says. 

* * * 

Whaddoyu mean, drastic? Hasn't the 
Administration egged on the East Side 
thugs of Mexico to "get Huerta"? 
Hasn't it dickered with the money lend- 
ers to starve him out? Hasn't it called 
him names and told the world that he 
was positively hateful? Hasn't it cir- 
cled over him like a buzzard? But nary 
a crumble. 

* * « 

As we have remarked before, if Huerta 
crumbles Mexico as a nation crumbles. 

* • * 

That's why Huerta hasn't crumbled. 
That's why he can't crumble. That's 
why he won't crumble. 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



MEXICO 



WHO'S A DESPOT? 



To the Editor of MEXICO: 

Congratulating you on your splendid 
work in the cause of justice and peace, 
I take this opportunity to let you know 
of a marked change in my point of 
view. 

Until about two months ago I tried 
to make myself believe that the "high 
moral plane" was something more than 
empty words, but now it seems strange 
to me that I, or anyone else, could 
have fallen for the high moral bun- 
combe. 

When one considers the decided dif- 
ference between deeds and words, it is 
evident that in the Mexican policy (so 
called), the "cloak of respectability has 
been used to cover nefarious designs." 
Deeds and words differ as much as the 
professed doctrine of "pitiless publicity" 
differs from actual practice of what 
might be termed "pitiful secretiveness." 

It is impossible for any thoughtful 
man to believe otherwise than that the 
deliberate design has been, from the 
first, to place Mexico prostrate and help- 
less, in order the more easily to seize 
her territory. Think of the huge number 
of offices that will then be available for 
the hungry office-seekers! 

The crafty hand of the "Apostle of 
Peace" is clearly seen. He has been 
known for many years to many millions 
of Americans as the apostle of insincer- 
ity, and of hypocrisy. His solicitude for 
the Maderos. relatives of the arch-crim- 
nal who committed the arch-crime of 
arming the peons of Mexico, and his 
composure and calm in regard to the 
many who have been robbed and mur- 
dered by the rebels (our allies), under 
such cutthroats as Villa, Zapata and de 
la O., makes one tremble for the future 
of our country under such guidance. 

Frederick the Great said: "If I wished 
to ruin a province I would place a phil- 
osopher to rule over it." A year ago 
last November at the polls the minority 
of voters who elected a Democratic 
President might well have profited by 
the wisdom of this great man. 

In less than a year of philosophic 
rule it began to appear that America is 
now face to face with a despotism as 
far reaching as that of George the Third. 

Mexico has been surfeited with high- 
sounding words, and in a recent inspired 
newspaper article one reads: "Depart- 
ment officials declared that dispatches 
from Mexico were highly satisfactory. 
This suggests that the 'financial starva- 
tion' policy of the United States is rap- 
idly approaching fruition." Is not this 
the acme of meanness and treachery! 
In addition to this, the suggestion as to 
the financial situation of Mexico is man- 
ifestly false. 



Looking back once more to the early 
days of last March, it seems that it is 
not an opinion but a certainty that if 
General Huerta had been recognized as 
the de facto President of Mexico there 
would now be no Mexican problem con- 
fronting the United States. Since that 
date the protection General Huerta has 
given to foreigners and to property in 
all parts of Mexico under the control 
of the Federal troops, has strengthened 
his right to such recognition day by 
day. General Huerta has been termed 
a despot, but even the blind will soon 
awaken to the realization that the despot 
sits in Washington, not in Mexico city. 

"There will be no war!" The ".apos- 
tle of Peace" says so. However, there is 
a fleet of United States battleships off 
Vera. Cruz, Tampico and Tuxpan, a 
United States Army concentrated on the 
Southern border. 

For moral effect, of coursel Thought- 
ful citizens of the United States have 
been searching to detect the influence on 
the so-called revolution of these mili- 
tant moves. If they had any deter- 
mined effect on the looting, the destruc- 
tion and the murder carried on imder 
the land-pirates Villa, Zapata and de la 
O., one fails to detect it. 

It is said that any one who begs to 
differ on the Mexican problem not only 
gets no hearing, but gets a short shift 
and a syift exit. 

To my mind the highest patriotism 
is to one's country. If the United States 
were attacked by any great power, an 
appeal to patriotism would be de- 
cidedly in order, but in the case of Mex- 
ico we arc the aggressors. We have 
nagged, goaded and interfered. If war 
comes it will be an unjust and unneces- 
sary war, in which no self-respecting 
American will care to bear a part. 

What folly to talk of financial starva- 
tion for Mexico! Trade reports show 
that during the past three years both 
the exports and imports of Mexico have 
increased. I wonder if Americans real- 
ize the fabulous wealth of the Republic 
of Mexico, and the enormous sources 
of money that patriotic Mexicans can 
provide, to maintain their government 
and their independence. General Huerta 
grows stronger every day. After the 
turn of the year it is certain that active 
operations will begin against Villa and 
his fiendish kind — it would be an honor 
to any honest man to be present at 
his capture and to be the first to put 
hand to the rope that will end his 
miserable existence. 

Meantime it is becoming so clear as 
to be pellucid that America needs to be 
saved, not Mexico. 

Yours truly 

B. A. 

Washington, D. C. December, 20 



BY WHAT RIGHT? 

The basis of the misunderstanding in 
the United States regarding the situation 
in Mexico to-day is due to the mislead- 
ing accounts of recent events. Your 
representatives, your writers and the 
others who have gone to Mexico to in- 
vestigate conditions have had the wrong 
attitude. I will be specific: To you Ma- 
dero is a martyr, because he was shot; 
General Huerta is an assassin because he 
is supposed to have killed Madero. 

This would not be significant if it 
were merely a popular opinion, but it is 
the reason behind the action of Presi- 
dent Wilson in denying recognition to 
Huerta. I can understand the feeling 
that prompted the action. I could not 
kill or order a man to be killed, because 
it is against the beliefs of my soul. Pres- 
ident Wilson's feeling about such things 
are no doubt the same. It is different 
with a soldier in Mexico. But I do not 
admit that Huerta is responsible for the 
death of Madero. 

Madero was not a martyr. He was 
a — what you call a faker. I have said to 
you before that Madero was a traitor. 
He is so looked upon in Mexico to-day 
by people generally. But to judge Ma- 
dero in the same way that Huerta has 
been judged, he was also an assassin. 
He imprisoned and later killed General 
Bernardo Reyes, his rival for the Presi- 
dency, and he killed others. 

However this happened before Presi- 
dent Wilson took office. It was follow- 
ing the Tragic Ten Days in Mexico, 
when the streets ran blood. It has been 
said on this account that President Wil- 
son inherited the situation in Mexico 
from the Taft Administration. I do not 
think that is the case. President Taft 
wisely. I believe, took no action, so that 
Mr. Wilson would be left free and unem- 
barrassed when he came to dealing witk 
Mexico. 

\^'hat did he do? I will make for you 
a case, and construct a plausible hypoth- 
esis as a foundation of President Wil- 
son's action. I believe that with all the 
sensational demands on the part of cer- 
tain financial interests and a portion of 
the "yellow" press for intervention at 
different times prior to the overthrow of 
Madero, that President Wilson entered 
office with a fixed purpose of refusing 
any such unreasonable demands. 

We see, then, that President Wilson 
was first of all against intervention, and 
fr^r peace. I believe that he is still op- 
posed to intervention, and that he ear- 
nestlv desires peace in Mexico. But it 
was his subsequent acts -hat has made 
peace impossible. He was within his 
rights, clearly, in refusing to recognize 
Huerta. and in refusing to intervene with 
arms. But he did not stop there. He 
went beyond. He did not remain neu- 
tral. Instead he placed upon Huerta a 
boycott, and used the force of his gov- 
ernment to prevent Huerta getting 
money in Europe. That is the wrong. 
He did not stop at refusing to recognize 
Huerta. He declared ttiat he would 
never recognize him, and has endeavored 
lo "starve him out!" 

By what right does he do these 
things? Huerta is called a dictator. Is 
not President Wilson, by his action, a 
dictator, not only of the United States 
and Mexico, but of South America and 
the world? He tells Mexico that he will 
not recognize the only government that 
exists there. He tells all of Latin-Amer- 
ica that civil war is not allowed. And 
he tells Europe that she shall not lend 
money to a government that is in his 
disfavor. Bv what right can these things 
be? — R. de Zayas Enriquez in Brooklyn 
"Daily Eagle." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, Janttary 10, 1914 



AS IT REALLY IS 

"Constitutionalism"' in Action. 



To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: — I beg to enclose several 
newspaper clippings regarding conditions 
in Mexico, on which no doubt you can 
intelligently comment. I shall only in- 
form you of the following of which no 
doubt you are well aware, as these are 
private things only known to rebels or 
Americans, which here amounts to prac- 
tically the same thing. Of course there 
are many Americans, like myself, who 
respect our Government c.cials, but at 
the same time we are in favor of a 
square deal — and Mexico is not getting 
it from the United States now. 

Wlien Carranza was in Cananea re- 
cently it was generally understood he 
was during all these days under the in- 
fluence of liquor, and although his fol- 
lowers tried to cover it, they could not 
do it altogether. I was in Nogales a 
few days after and I myself saw Car- 
ranza under the influence of drink in a 
carriage the daj' the report came of 
the defeat of the Federal troops at Cul- 
iacan. I was informed that he was cele- 
brating that important event, and that 
was the way he did whenever good news 
came. I was also in Nogales during the 
days of the interview between the repre- 
sentative of President Wilson, Mr. W. 
Bayard Hale, and Carranza, and I am 
informed on good authority that Car- 
ranza was drinking heavily those days, 
this being the real reason why Hale 
could only see Carranza personally 
once; although the President's represen- 
tative insisted in other personal confer- 
ences with the chief of the "constitution- 
alis'.s," even threatening to break ne- 
gotiations. Escudere and the other of- 
ficials kept Carranza under guard in a 
room of the Custom House building, as 
otherwise there would have occurred a 
scandal. , 

Escudera, himself is another inveterate 
■celebrator, although he managed to keep 
sober during those days, but some days 
later, I am informed, that being sent 
■on a mission to bandit Pancho Villa by 
Carranza, recommending the former not 
to kill so many people on the border as 
he did at Juarez, Escudero got celebra- 
ting at El Paso, and from there he went 
to New York, with about $100,000, which 
had been entrusted to his care by Car- 
ranza. Escudero never came back to 
Sonera and he does not seem to want 
to come any more. Carranza in anger 
has taken away from him the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs and of Finance. The 
flight of Escudero is considered a great 
loss to the rebels. 

Although apparently the State of Son- 
era is quiet, conditions are terrible. The 
system of forced loans continues as well 
as the issuance 'of fiat money by the 
State as well as by the State of Sinaloa; 
besides, Carranza has flooded all this 



part of the country with fiat money he 
has issued at Herraosillo as coming from 
the State of Coahuila, this last issue 
amounting to FIVE MILLIONS PE- 
SOS. As the people are compelled to 
receive these bills under penalty of im- 
prisonment, etc., the consequence is that 
all the real money (silver coin and 
gold, as well as bank bills) have been 
gathered by the rebel government, and 
the fiat money is the only thing cir- 
culating, there being bills of every de- 
nomination from 25 cents to $1,000. It 
is easy to see the condition of ruin 
and misery which will come to this coun- 
try with such high finance methods. The 
matter of collection of taxes, import 
duties and all other revenue is done in 
such a way that it is no exaggeration 
to say that probably one third of the 
money goes into the treasury; the other 
two-thirds is taken by grafters. The 
service of mail and telegraph is only 
for rebels and their friends. The major- 
ity of letters are opened and thrown 
away unless they belong to foreigners. 

Quite a number of men, I am in- 
formed, have been executed without the 
formality of a trial, here and in other 
parts of the State, one of the most scan- 
dalous executions being that of a Mex- 
ican newspaper man of Nogales, Ari- 
zona, who I am told, was dragged from 
the Arizona side of the line by two 
rebel sentries, in plain view of American 
soldiers patrolling the line. This man 
was executed by direct order of Carran- 
za, who I am assured, is as bloodthirsty 
as Villa or Zapata. It is well known 
that the murders at Juarez, which 
reached approximately 300, the majority 
being non-combatants, were ordered by 
Villa with the approval of Carranza. In 
Chihuahua, I am told, there have been 
killed about 400 in the same way, and 
the end is not in view. It is really 
incredible that a man of President Wil- 
son's high moral principles should assist 
these murderers and cutthroats, when 
he should help to exterminate them as 
they are a menace to humanity. 

I am an American citizen, engaged in 
mining in Sonora and in other States 
of Mexico, where I have all my money 
invested, and I would like to see peace 
restored in this country; and I do not 
see any reason why it can not be done 
in a short time. The cause of the present 
conflict is purely personal, it seems, and 
it ou.ght to be ended, without delay, be- 
fore the country is definitely ruined. 
I have never meddled in politics in Mex- 
ico, and probably this is the reason why 
I always manage to keep out of trouble. 
In the present instance I could not help 
giving you the information, as I believe 
it is only right that our countrymen 
should know the conditions of this strug- 
gle as they really are from an unpreju- 



diced business man's point of view. 
Respectfully, 

M. J. M. 

Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, 
December 22, 1913. 

P. S. — With regard to the repeated 
report that Americans have sustained 
great losses in this revolution, will say 
that there is no such a thing. The great 
majority of our investments are in min- 
ing and, and while there may be some 
trouble and inconvenience in operating 
under present disturbed conditions, 
there is no real loss, as the values in the 
mines are not taken away, but remain in 
the property to be taken later. These are 
real facts and they can be supported 
by any miner in Mexico who wishes 
to be honest and truthful. Europeans in 
proportion have sufifered considerable 
losses, as their investments are in mer- 
cantile and industrial business, many of 
which have been looted and totally de- 
stroyed by the rebels. 



THEY LOVE THEIR TEACHER. 

(By Telegraph to the New York "Tribune.") 

Juarez, Mexico, Jan. 1. — Juarez College, the 
leading agricultural college of Northern Mexico, 
was seized by General Pancho Villa to-day and 
converted into quarters for his rebel soldiers. The 
professors, including the president of the college, 
Romulo Escobar, and the students were ordered 
out of the buildings, and many took refuge in El 
Paso. All of the college buildings, the experi- 
mental farm and the extensive barns and corrals 
have been occupied by rebel soldiers, and the col- 
lege has been designated by Villa as a reserve 
troop barracks. 

Villa gives as his reason for seizing the college 
that it has always been a Federal institution, 
conducted by Federal sympathizers and teaching 
Federal doctrines, and he considers it a menace 
to peace in Northern Mexico. 

Because of the revolutionary troubles in and 
around Juarez the college recently had lost most 
of its pupils, but still was being conducted when 
Villa took it by force. 



WHY BANDITS CAN OPERATE 
NEAR MEXICO CITY. 

Zapata is now believed to have his 
headquarters between Cuautia and the 
capital not forty miles from the latter. 
This is one of the most rugged bits of 
country in the whole world, spider- 
webbed with deep defiles between al- 
most perpendicular mountains a mile 
high from which the rebels can pour 
their fire down upon the invaders of 
their fastnesses while themselves in per- 
fect safety beyond the range of their 
enemies' rifles. 

On one occasion when Gen. Robles 
penetrated this region he found himself 
fired upon from one of these perpendic- 
ular heights, eight men of his immediate 
escort being wounded. Looking up and 
locating the cliff above his head from 
which the bullets dropped, he asked his 
guide how he could reach the place. 
The guide answered that it would take 
two days of most difficult climbing. It 
had taken Gen. Robles and his com- 
mand six weeks to reach the spot upon 
which he then stood, starting from the 
city of Mexico, only forty miles distant 
in a straight line. 



Saturday, January 10, 191-1 



MEXICO 



MORE SMALL BUSINESS. 
To Hon. Woodrow Wilson, 

President, United States, 
Washington, D. C. 

The Mexican Republic, through me, 
has the honor of wishing a happy 
New Year to the glorious people of 
the United States, so worthily repre- 
sented by Your Excellency. 

(Signed) V. HUERTA. 

"President Wilson said in his mes- 
sage to Congress, 'There is no gov- 
ernment in Mexico.' " said Acting Sec- 
retary of State Moore. "Therefore 
this government cannot send any 
message to Huerta or other Mexican 
officials concerning the new year." 



The weakness of the Washington Ad- 
ministration is that its slaps are directed 
at Huerta, the person. (Read what the 
President said in his last message, in 
which the personal animus is unmistak- 
able.) 

* * * 

The strength of Huerta lies in the 
fact that he stands as the representative 
of Mexican national sovereignty. 



WHY WASHINGTON RUMOR 
FORECASTS INTERVENTION. 

This is the point of view of the Hearst news- 
papers, quoted from the N. Y. "American." The 
"American" is right as to its premises but wrong 
in the conclusion that the remedy is intervention. 
The remedy is the recognition of the Mexican 
Government. The people do not want a war 
with Mexico, and that is the only other alterna- 
tive. 

The increasing force of the Washing- 
ton rumors that the Administration is on 
the verge of abandoning its futile policy 
of "watcliful waiting" and taking steps 
toward intervention in Mexico is easily 
enough explained. 

Probably the Administration has said 
nothing officially, even to the represen- 
tatives of foreign powers vitally inter- 
ested. But what other possible course 
is open to the United States in the ex- 
isting situation? 

Huerta's hold on the reins of govern- 
ment is not shaken. I' is true that the 
rebels are winning victories and occu- 
pying territory, but Huerta is still the 
government de facto and as such has 
evidently been able to borrow money 
enough to keep the wheels of his admin- 
istration moving. Reports of his ne- 
gotiation of a very large loan stubbornly 
persist, though denied, but it is at least 
apparent that the Wilson policy of sub- 
jecting the Mexican president to a 
course of financial starvation has as yet 
shown no signs of success. * * * 

So far as the United States is con- 
cerned the repeated triumphs of the in- 
surgent forces bring no promise of re- 
lief. A government by Carranza and 
Villa would be no more inspiring to con- 
fidence than that of Huerta. which we 
repudiate because founded upon blood. 
Villa, the man of blood and iron in the 
insurrection, would probably in the 
event of success repeat the tactics of 
Huerta. Could the United States more 
gracefully recognize him? 

It is the way in which Mexican events 
are shaping themselves that make the 
Washington rumors of intervention 
plausible. Doubtless the President him- 
self will be quick to deny them, but 
events are becoming too strong for him. 
At no time since embarking on his dis- 
astrous policy has he rightly considered 
the end. but that end. inexorable and in- 
evitable as fate, now immediately con- 
fronts him. 



The Facts About Mexico 

By John Rockwood Phillips. 
In "Pioneer Western Lumberman." 



The author of this article visited Mex- 
ico for business purposes soon after the 
first election of Porfirio Diaz as presi- 
dent. He lived on the border for many 
years, was in the midst of the Apache 
campaigns during the early eighties, has 
had large interests in Mexico in the past 
ten years, has good friends and bitter 
enemies in both countries. He has re- 
cently visited London, Paris and Wash- 
ington for the purpose of confirming in 
his own mind, by interviews with the prin- 
cipal actors in the international drama, 
impressions formerly obtained by confer- 
ences with members of the financial 
world of New York and Boston, by per- 
sonal acquaintance with several members 
of the Foreign Relations Committee of 
the United States Senate, by contact 
wdth residents of Mexico, foreign and 
native, and by a study of the testimony 
given before the sub-committee of the 
Senate Committee appointed to investi- 
gate the causes of the Madero revolution. 
He has also a personal acquaintance with 
Porfirio Diaz. 

While earnestly desiring a continuance 
of the integrity of the Mexican Repub- 
lic and the avoidance by the United 
States of a shameful act, he will not 
knowingly misstate any fact and believes 
that his conclusions are fully warranted 
and that the fairness and unprejudiced 
portion of the American public will, 
when fully informed, concur in his con- 
clusions. 



Victoriano Huerta, provisional presi- 
dent of the United States of Mexico, un- 
der a positive provision of a constitu- 
tion designed to meet just such an emer- 
.eency as that which faced the Republic 
after the death of President Madero is 
rep:rted to have said that the people of 
the Uni ed States of America were not 
in sympathy with the policy adopted by 
their President and S*ate Department in 
deal'nc- with the Mexican problem. 

The truth is that the people at large, 
either because of ignorance of the facts, 
or by reason of the mass of misinforma- 
tion which has been fed to them through 
press agencies for the past six years, 
have been up the air on the Mexican 
question, and are seeking information 
which is denied them by the Government 
at Washington. It is no wonder there 
is a confusion of opinions, because the 
sitration is extremely complex even had 
the facts not been shaded and clouded 
and completely obscured by the press 
agencies of the most powerful financial 
force on this continent, if not in the 
world. 

The reader who desires knowledge 
may perhaps best understand the situa- 
tion by putting himself, for a time, in 
the place of a patriotic Mexican and tak- 
ing a view from that position. He may 
be assisted in taking this place by the 
suggestions of a no less patriotic Amer- 
ican, the author of this article, who as- 
sumes the right to present the compos- 
ite result of views taken from many an- 
gles, first, because he is a patriotic 
.\merican. and. as such, entitled to crit- 
icize the Government administration in 
the presence of his fellow citizens; sec- 
ond, because as such he considers it his 
du'y "to help inform his compatriots of 
the real situation, and. third, because as 
a sentimental friend of Mexico, and of 
elemental justice, he desires the contin- 
uance of the integrity of the Republic of 



Mexico, almost as fondly as if it were 
of his own nativity, and he deprecates an 
interference by our Government that 
might eventuate in acquisition of terri- 
tory at the cost of our honor, as power- 
ful and friendly neighbors of a strug- 
gling Republic. 

The information given and the views 
expressed herein will not be relished by 
the ardent annexationists in the United 
States and Mexico, who are owners of 
property which would be quadrupled in 
value were their hopes realized; nor by 
Government contractors throughout the 
country and business men in the border 
towns who would profit directly in the 
event of hostilities. The so-called Con- 
stitutionalists in the Northern States of 
Mexico would lose the remittances now 
more or less regularly received from 
across the border should the public of 
the United States wake up to a knowl- 
edge of the whole game. PubUc opinion 
would compel our authorities to break 
up the industrious revolutionary juntas, 
which are actively propagating unrest and 
treason in Mexico, from their headquar- 
ters at Los Angeles, San Antonio, Wash- 
ington and many border towns. With 
an established government in Mexico, 
their vocation and means of subsistence 
gone, these paid disturbers might be 
obliged to go to work for a living at 
some honest employment. 

An exposure will not be relished by 
certain Democratic politician-statesmen 
who see in a continuance of disorder an 
opportunity to intervene in the right way 
at the psychological moment before the 
ne.xt presidential election. 

The Interests which started all this 
trouble in the effort to depose Diaz and 
set up in his place a tool of their own 
will pay little attention to this, which is 
an old story, many details of which are 
known only to themselves; and they are 
TOO sure of their omnipotence to doubt 
the outcome of their wonderfully clever 
plans. 

The Taft .\dniinistration, which by 
its vacillating weakness, contributed 
much to the plight in which both Mexi- 
cans and Americans in Mexico find them- 
selves, like Madero the weak and fanat- 
ical tool of the Interests, is dead, but 
the subsequent disorder, due directly to 
two good but weak men in power, is a 
heritage for a new administration, which 
may yet bring dis,grace upon our great 
nation if not probated promptly and 
properly. 

One of the cleverest moves of the 
master minds in charge of this gigantic 
conspiracy of the Interests to steal a 
whole nation was the arrangement by 
which President Wilson obtained his 
first information concerning the death 
of Madero and the state of affairs in 
Mexico from the widow of the dead 
president through an interview purpose- 
!}■ and carefully arranged, and we have 
since beheld the spectacle of a national 
policy regarding a foreign power in- 
spired by a grief-stricken widow's ac- 
count of the death of her husband, of 
which she was not a witness. 

And now an Ambassador of the Unit- 
ed States, qualified above all other offi- 
cials by reason of his personal knowl- 
edge of events, has been made the 
"goat" to carry off the mistakes of an 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



THE FACTS ABOUT MEXICO-Continued 



Executive and State Department com- 
mitted in haste and ignorance, and con- 
tinued in self-righteous stubbornness. 
And then we behold the trial for murder 
of the head of a foreign nation by a jury 
of two men at the head of the Govern- 
ment of the United States, and his con- 
viction (to their satisfaction) as an assas- 
sin. 

But we are getting ahead of our story, 
and a recital of recent events may in- 
terfere with the perspective intended to 
be fully developed for the purpose of 
conveying the details of information to 
the public as promised. If the reader is 
interested, he will have an opportunity 
to learn the tale from the beginning of 
the conspiracy until the present time. 

First, let us learn from our patriotic 
Mexican friend an outline of his part of 
the story. He will tell you of the con- 
spiracy to wreck our neighbor, Mexico 
(a nation with a population double the 
size of our neighbor, Canada), which 
had enjoyed a peaceful existence for 
thirty-five years, and to set its sixteen 
million inhabitants to fighting each 
other without cause, reason or reward. 
A nation trying to lift itself from the 
position of barbaric savagery of three 
hundred years ago by emufa'ting our for- 
mer example of independent prosperity 
and our Government Constitution, and 
which made a longer leap toward im- 
provement from 1876 until disrupted by 
a venal financial power than any other 
nation ever made from the same start- 
ing condition in any thirty-five-year 
period. 

A carefully devised program began a 
press agitation in Mexico and the United 
States over four years before the resig- 
nation of Diaz was forced by circum- 
stances brought into being by this cam- 
paign of agitation as conducted in the 
press. It can be proven that the money 
for this continuous performance was fur- 
nished by American financial interests. 

If _ is impossible, perhaps, to bring 
positive legal proof which would be ac- 
cepted in a court of law to convict the 
most powerful influences of America of a 
conspiracy of such gigantic proportions 
and consequences. But the American 
public usually bases its final judgment 
upon the equities of a case ra*her than 
upon legal technicalities. 

You will be convinced that, knowing- 
ly or unconsciously, certain high officials 
of the United States Government were 
accessories before, during and after the 
deposition of Diaz and the elevation of 
Madero. 

You will learn that the death of Ma- 
dero was the first serious setback en- 
countered by the conspirators, and that 
Huerta was the first Mexican to stand 
strictly for 'he integrity of the Republic, 
and that after the mercenary Maderos 
had emptied the national treasury you 
will agree that the failure by the United 
States to recognize the Provisional 
Government was because of a lack of 
knowledge of the true s'ate of afifairs on 
the part of President Wilson. He sent 
one representative after another to Mex- 
ico to gather information for his guid- 
ance and presumably for dissemination 
among the people of the United States, 
and you will wonder why the people 
were not informed of the facts. 

President Wilson presented as a pre- 
cedent for his refusal to recognize the 
Mexican Government and its Provision- 
al President the refusal of President 
Hayes in 1876 to recognize Porfirio Diaz 
as President, but Hayes' own election 
had been questioned almost to the point 
of a revolution in the United States, and 
he could ill afford to sanction the re- 
moval by force of the illegally elected 



Lerdo, whom the Mexican people, with 
Diaz as leader, recalled in a summary 
manner. If the President of the United 
States had been looking for a parallel 
precedent he might have considered the 
decision of President Lincoln in the case 
of President Juarez, who continued in 
office beyond his term, when Mexico's 
internal aff^airs were too upset for an 
election, thereby saving the Republic, 
although temporarily violating a provi- 
sion of the Constitution, so that both 
the Republic and Constitution were 
saved. And when we come to think of 
it, what is the use of the Constitution of 
a Republic after the Republic has been 
annihilated? 

However, President Wilson in effect 
said to President Huerta: "You are no- 
body, but you must put down this revo- 
lution. You must have a Constitutional 
election, but, of course, under the Con- 
stitution no election can be held imtil 
the revolution is ended. You cannot put 
down the revolution unless you have 
money. You cannot get money unless 
your Government is recognized by the 
United States. At any rate, you must 
resign, and then under your Constitu- 
tion your Congress must appoint anoth- 
er Provisional President, just as you 
were appointed; then your Government 
will be 'constitutional,' as we desire to 
interpret your Constitution." Can you 
beat it? 

Our Mexican friend insists that the 
laws of neutrality were allowed to be 
broken for the benefit of the Maderos. 
to the chagrin and surprise of President 
Diaz, who had implicit faith in the friend- 
ship of the United States Government. 
That every effort had been made at 
Washington and elsewhere to keep the 
real facts from the American public 
while misleading stories were circulated 
bv nearly all the leadins journals to pre- 
iudice the public that it might allow the 
conspirators' plans to proceed without 
protest. 

You will wonder how and why the 
sub-committee of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee. after several 
months of investigaHns the causes of 
the revolution, requested another year 
for the presentation of their report. At 
the same time, members of this commit- 
tee had openly stated that they were 
convinced that the Madero revolution 
was insti^-ated and partly financed in the 
United States. Now the United States 
public was kept in ignorance of this tes- 
timony, and yet a printed copy of all 
of it was in the hands of a revolution- 
ary junta, which was helping to disturb' 
the peace in three Northern States less 
than a month after the committee had 
asked for a vear's extension of time, 
F.very contention of our Mexican friend 
and everv phase of this composite state- 
ment of facts can be proven by evidence 
now in the State Department. In May 
last Senator Marcus A. Smith of Ari- 
zona introduced a resolution in the Sen- 
ate requesting the Secretary of State to 
furnish the documents regarding the 
Mexican situation and three months af- 
terwards the Senate was informed that 
it was incompatible with the public ser- 
vice to grant the request. 

You may be sure that the real facts 
will never be presented to the public 
until they are demanded with no uncer- 
tain voice. 

In the meanwhile the Mexican Repub- 
lic will work out its own salvation, but 
at the cost of blood and property, which 
will be discussed in due course with the 
other items which are to be explained in 
this article, most of which cost might 
have been avoided had the United States 
Government always acted in good faith 



and in accordance with the intention and 
spirit of solemn treaties entered into 
with Mexico, and had kept the given and 
implied assurances of moral and material 
support made by our Executive and 
State Departments from the time of 
James G. Blaine arid John Hay up to 
and including those made by President 
Taft when he met President Diaz a few 
weeks before he, as our Chief Executive, 
assisted in the deposition of the Mexi- 
can President, to whom he had just giv- 
en his felicitations and assurances of a 
continuance of our policy toward Mex- 
ico, first made evident by Lincoln. 
And believing in the honesty of purpose 
of President Wilson, there is a chance 
that help may yet come from that quar- 
ter should he have the courage to ac- 
knowledge his early errors and decide 
upon real action which would terminate 
the already shattered revolution in one 
day. He might also conclude to invoke 
the solemn provisions of the treaty of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which case the 
whole matter would be cleared up quick- 
ly and the former friendly relations re- 
newed between the two countries. 

We are given to understand by the 
course of events that the centralized 
money interests absolutely control at 
present the political and financial desti- 
nies of our own country of 100.000,000 
souls, one Power, controlled by twelve 
or fifteen directors, practically in charge 
of our affairs. 

This Power controls over seven thou- 
sand newspapers, one might say directly, 
and many others by indirect influence or 
false news. The press agents of this 
Power are the educators of the mass of 
the people on present day political and 
business subjects, the history we our- 
selves are making. The instruction in 
our public schools is largely ancient his- 
tory, and our children may learn of the 
past .glories of our Flag while the busy 
citizen is kept in ignorance of the ig- 
nominies heaped upon our good name 
and former glory by the action of this 
Power in respect to some of our neigh- 
boring nations. 

Formerly the "Power" confined its op- 
erations principally to domestic affairs, 
but the enormous accretions of wealth 
and diversity of interests have made nec- 
essary ihe control of foreign affairs, 
sometimes in conjunction with aggrega- 
tions of foreign capital and sometimes 
without them, or in spite of them. 

A few years ago the greatest undevel- 
oped oil fields in the world were dis- 
covered in Mexico. The early prospect- 
ing and partial development of these 
fields were done principally by an Eng- 
lish corporation, commonly known as 
the Pierson Syndicate, in one section of 
the oil area, and by a group of Califor- 
nians, known as the Doheny people, in 
another section. At this time, the re- 
fined petroleum business of Mexico was 
controlled by the Waters-Pierce Oil 
Company, and all illuminating and lu- 
bricating oils were imported from the 
United States. 

When the great extent of the Tampico 
oil fields had been determined by the 
prospecting companies the Standard 
crowd, as usual, planned for control of 
the output. The Piersons and California 
companies had discovered such great 
quantites of petroleum that the problem 
became that of finding a market. Both 
companies were in the position of hav- 
ing a world's supply of crude oil with no 
possible market outside of Mexico with- 
out the co-operation or consent of the 
two combinations which control the pe- 
troleum markets of the world. 

(To be continued.) 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



KEEP OUT OF MEXICO. 

As yet the American people have no 
specific information of outrages against 
the persons or property of foreigners in 
Mexico that would warrant intervention 
by the troops of this country. It would 
be criminal for the United States to be 
carried away on any wave of engendered 
hysteria and enter Me.xico at such dicta- 
tion. The only possible justification for 
intervention would be the .securing and 
publishing of a list of actual depredations 
against persons and property that would 
show the spirit of the l)ellit,'ercnts to be 
primarily anti-foreign, and indicate that 
the possessions and persons of foreigners 
in the republic were not only endangered, 
but were the specific objects of spleen. 
Does such condition exist? Unquestion- 
ably it does not. There has been ad- 
duced no evidence to show that the Mex- 
icans on citlier side have nut Ijeen rea- 
sonably careful to protect and to respect 
the lives and the property of foreigners, 
the exceptions being usually in the case 
of individuals who were known to be 
active partisans. Considering the fact 
that the country is under the cross-fire 
of a half dozen or more bandit organiza- 
tions, beside the major contestants, it is 
rather remarkable that conditions from 
the point of view of foreign investment 
and population are not worse. * * * 

If the government of the United States 
is in possession of facts indicative of 
wholesale depredations upon foreign 
property and widespread killing of for- 
eigners under the direction of anti-for- 
eign animus, it is its duty to make the 
facts matters of public knowledge. Lack- 
ing such an exhibit the United States has 
absolutely no warrant for intervention. 
It is folly to say that it should intervene 
because investments are potentially in 
peril. It is folly to say it should inter- 
vene because in some cases the enter- 
prise of foreign investors has been inter- 
fered with or their works shut down and 
one or two destroyed. These are mat- 
ters incident to the domestic situation 
and were part of the risk that foreign in- 
vestors took when they sought with avid- 
ity the concessions that President Wil- 
son is opposed to upon general princi- 
ples. It is folly to say the United States 
should intervene to set up order in the 
republic, as long as the Mexicans them- 
selves are primarily the sufferers from 
the disorder they are creating. * * * 

War with Mexico would last a genera- 
tion before the bandit hordes were routed 
out, killed off or pacified. The United 
States would be a tremendous loser in 
life and treasure. It would annex prob- 
lems graver than any it has ever had in 
its history and it would create conditions 
of weakness in the presence of any con- 
troversy arising with a foreign power of 
the first class. The United States has 
no obligation to intervene; to do so 
would be folly. It must not permit its 
policy to be dictated by those who are 
influenced by interested motives solely. 
— Baltimore "American." 



MORE MEXICAN CRISES. 

The condition in Mexico is grave and 
there is no glimmer of light upon a 
pathway out. The undigested rumor of 
a coalition between England, Germany 
and Japan against the United States 
with reference to Mexico is, of course. 



moonsliine. It is more than likely that 
England has exchanged notes of inquiry 
to Germany relative to the interests of 
their citizens and investors and it may 
be presumed that Germany has held 
conversations with England and other 
Powers, but neither Germany nor Eng- 
land, nor all the Powers combined, will 
either undertake or dream of under- 
taking a coalition or of pressing too 
closely the United States. 

England, through its responsible Min- 
isters, has already spoken on this point, 
and, in addition, has exhibited an eager, 
almost precipitate inclination to dis- 
avow any intent to trouble the waters. 
England will no more think of interfer- 
ing with us in Mexico than we should 
have considered a proposal to balk 
England's handling of the South Afri- 
can situation in the Boer War, and 
Germany will be as reticent and care- 
ful with respect to Mexico, notwith- 
standing the magnitude of German inter- 
ests in Huerta's domain, as we should 
be in meddling in German East Africa 
or with the present negotiations be- 
tween Germany and England for the 
purchase of Portugal's land in the Dark 
Continent. 

America's "paramountcy" in this crisis 
is complete and unchallenged; the Ad- 
ministration has a free hand; what will 
it do with its freedom of action? "Watch- 
ful waiting" has thus far avoided the 
necessity for intervention, which would 
be a calamity, but the watching and 
waiting cannot last forever. Perhaps 
Huerta may be eliminated eventually, 
but if the principles laid down in reject- 
ing the pretentions of Huerta shall be 
persisted in the Mexican crisis will, in 
all human probability, be perpetual; one 
government after another will topple to 
the ground; rebellion will succeed rev- 
olution; the distress in the country will 
be succeeded by complete paralysis; 
Mexico's resources will be exhausted; 
energy and enterprise will be atrophied; 
the fair land will be wasted; anarchy 
will be the order of the day and chaos 
will "intervene." 

Huerta, let it be admitted, is a rough, 
uncouth man; perhaps his hands are 
stained with blood; he is taboo. But 
Villa is an unregulated bandit and under 
the rule of conduct prescribed for the 
United States he cannot be permitted 
even to attempt to create a stable gov- 
ernment if he should prove his power 
and capacity. Oroczo is an outlaw with- 
out scruples; Zapata is a bushwacker, and 
Carranza, with all his professed constitu- 
tionalism, can never begin to form a 
strong government which will inspire 
respect at home until he has shown that 
he is even more of a man of "blood and 
iron" than Huerta himself. Under the 



policy whicli the United States is evi- 
dently committed to another Porfirio 
Diaz, offering indubital)le capacity to in- 
sure peace, order and prosperity in Mex- 
ico, would not be recognized or counte- 
nanced by Mr. Wilson. 

It is a pity, to be sure, that Mexico 
has no John Hampden at hand. It 
would be so much better for everyone 
if only another George Washington, 
some great patriot and God-given leader, 
should spring to the front, but there 
is grave doubt whether even such a 
man would be recognized by the Mex- 
ican people and afforded the opportunity. 
We must modify our preconceived no- 
tions and adopt a policy possible to the 
Mexican people as they happen to be 
and not as we wish they were. 

This country has nothing to fear from 
European interference in Mexico, but 
there is a genuine cause for alarm in a 
situation and a policy that is likely to 
prolong rebellion until it becomes an 
interminable, desolating warfare of bands 
of guerrillas. We have been fortunate 
to be able to keep hands off; interven- 
tion would be a national calamity for 
us, and so firm are wise Americans in 
this opinion that we should think of 
abandoning a policy which, by prevent- 
ing the Mexicans to attend to their own 
affairs, may lead straight and inevitably 
to action on our part that will be de- 
plorable. 

The Executive should be unhampered 
in dealing with this grave problem, but 
it is more than probable that Congress 
may be forced before long to debate the 
Mexican situation in the hope that in 
counsel there may be light. — Philadelphia 
"Public Ledger." 



THE COMING MAN IN MEXICO. 

Our neighbor, the "World," which 
greailj' admires tl;e Wilson Administra- 
tion's policy of pacific intervention in 
Mexican affairs for the overthrow of the 
Huerta .\dministration because it is 
"founded on blood," gives an interesting 
picture of the man who is likely to be 
Huerta's successor in power should the 
.American government's boycott prove 
effective: 

Gen. Villa, who commands all the revolutioaary 
forces in northeastern Mexico, with a dozen gen- 
erals and probably 30,000 soldiers under his au- 
thority, is a dashing bandit type, picturesque, not 
dignified, often full of merriment, sometimes stem 
and not infrequently cruel. He has been a fugi- 
tive from justice, compelled to live by his wit» 
and with a heavy price on his head (or nearly 
two decades. 

It might be added that this noble rep- 
resentative of "constitutional order" has 
with manly scorn refused to learn the 
effeminate art of reading and writing. — 
New York "Evening Mail." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



DO WE WANT WAR WITH MEX- 
ICO? 
By Charlton Bates Strayer in "Leslie's 
Weekly" of January 1. 

The country will stand behind its 
President in any foreign complication, 
but grievous apprehension exists 
throughout the world as to whether we 
have pursued the wisest policy in regard 
to Mexico. The one thing President 
Wilson has wished to avoid is war. Yet 
his ultimatum to President Huerta of 
Mexico, followed by a waiting policy, 
leads every day nearer to war. The mo- 
tive of the President is above question 
and were he dealing with any other than 
a Latin-American people there would be 
more hope for a successful outcome of 
his idealistic polity. Even if Huerta is 
at last eliminated, there is not any great 
likelihood of anyone taking his place 
whose hands are less stained with blood. 
It is impossible to impress upon the 
people of Mexico the ethical standards 
of the United States, unless through an 
educational process covering many 
years. Moral standards have never yet 
been given to people by coercion or 
threats. Morals are not a matter of be- 
stowal from outside, but a slow growth 
from within. The character of the Mex- 
ican people cannot be made over in a 
year, nor can a free and intelligent ex- 
ercise of the franchise be assured 
through the threatening policy of an- 
other power. 

The London "Spectator," which criti- 
cises President Wilson's Mexican pol- 
icy as being neither one of complete rec- 
ognition of liberty nor a complete sys- 
tem of control, uses a homely illustration 
to show how the policy attempts to con- 
trol while it repudiates the desire to do 
so. The "Spectator" supposes a mother- 
in-law saying to her son-in-law: "As you 
know, I do not believe in interference, 
and my principle is that you and my 
daughter should be absolutely master 
and mistress of your own house. At 
the same time, it is quite impossible that 
you should go on employing your pres- 
ent cook. She is a woman of the worst 
character, though you seem to be quite 
unaware of the fact. I must therefore 
request you to send her away at once. 
If you do not do so, I shall be driven 
to take steps to compel you." * * ♦ 

How much better it would have been 
if the existing government had been rec- 
ognized by President Wilson, with the 
promise of our support on condition that 
it bring order out of chaos, secure pro- 
tection to life and property, and guaran- 
tee to the people the liberties given 
them under their constitution? A coun- 
try that had been for years under the 
despotic rule of a Diaz might have re- 
sponded to the alternative of support or 
intervention on such terms, but could 
hardly have been equal to much more 
than that. 

The elimination of Huerta at this time 
will not bring order to a disorganized 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

country nor promote an era of good will 
between Mexico and the United States. 
Smouldering fires would still exist, and 
these in time bring conflagrations. We 
are finding it more difficult, too, to co- 
erce a disorganized power than it would 
be to coerce a well-organized state. A 
well-organized power would have much 
to risk or lose through foreign invasion. 
On ihe contrary, the many factions in a 
disorganized country like Mexico would 
welcome intervention or invasion as the 
one thin9- that would best unify all war- 
ring factions. 



THE MASTER. 

When the iron-fisted Porfirio Diaz was driven 
from the country, volcanic lawlessness tore the 
republic into fragments. Madero climbed upon 
the chair where a soldierly, perhaps despotic, 
statesman had sat for a generation. With ab- 
stract philosophy and platitudes the well-meaning 
but incompetent dreamer sought to remedy the 
potent evils of a big nation. At no time were 
Zapata and Orozco not beating his armies, incit- 
ing his subjects and plundering those who re- 
mained loyal. Madero was a weakling; he for- 
gave his enemies— he did worse, he trusted them. 

Then came the battle in Mexico City; the 
death of Madero and Suarez; and out of the 
fighting and turmoil rose the conspicuous figure 
of Huerta. Some say that his hands were stained 
by blood. Naturally, he was a soldier and am- 
bitious. He seized the sword of authority that 
Porfirio Diaz had dropped ; he wielded it with a 
strength and a surety that surprised not only his 
own, but the nations of the world. The powers 
of Enrope gave him recognition; President Wilson 
disapproved of his morals and called upon him 
to resign. But Huerta has linked his destiny with 
the Presidency of Mexico ; his back is to the wall 
and he is fighting — fighting — fighting against ter- 
rific odds that would long ago have crushed a 
coward or a weakling. 

Thousands have joined in the tumultous fight. 
They know not what day the strongest man in 
Mexico City will go down before some traitorous 
blow or the arms of the rebellious districts. An 
eye-witness to one of the hegiras said: "Two thou- 
sand men. women and children, wild with fear, 
without food part of the time, half-crazed with 
thirst, marched 190 miles in nine days over the 
desert from Chihuahua City to the Rio Grande." 
The same witness also adds that the line of march 
for over a hundred miles was strewn with their 
goods. 

What will the result be? Revolutions do not 
burn themselves out — they continue with blood- 
shed and rapine, murder and robbery, intrigues 
and battles until out of the jumble and the tur- 
moil one man becomes the master of the many- 
headed hydra and buries it beneath the mountain 
of his authority. — Los Angeles "Times." 



FROM THE MIDST OF CHAOS. 

Letter from an Important BusincM 

Manager Frankly Describing the 

Situation. 

(In New York "Evening Mail.") 
Chihuahua, Mex., Dec. 22, lOU. 

If President Wilson thinks he c«n lettle thU 
•ituation by cutting off financial assiltance from 
Huerta, it is a game that will lait oome little 
time. 

Up to date the government has not had to 
resort to forced loans, and every time the other 
•ide confiscates a big ranch or forces some rich 
man to dig up some few thousands, it is simply 
driving the rest to help the government in self 
defense. 

Huerta, or the government he represents, m«y 
be busted in three or four different ways, but 
one thing you gentle people don't seem to con- 
sider in this business is that every Mexican in 



the country with ten dollars capital, outside the 
Madero family and its job-hungry connections, i% 
bound by all the laws of self-preservation to sup- 
port Huerta or, if he falls, someone else who will 
try to hold the pelados in check. 

As the Villa-Carranza, etc., group arrive on top 
things are just commencing to warm up. 

Of course, having been long out of touch with 
affairs in Mexico City I don't know what condi- 
tions are there, but believe Huerta will be able 
to pull considerable money to him for the reasons 
stated. It is not in man's nature to sit back and 
fold his hands when he is told that when the 
other fellow wins out he will lose all he has. Bet- 
ter lose it trying to save something. 

The Maderista faction, wherever they have con- 
trol, have taken possession of all ranches, cattle, 
etc. For instance, the Santa Cruz ranch, belong- 
ing to Domingo Horigoity, has been taken by a 
"pelado" from Dorado, every head of cattle, some 
15,000, either killed or sold or presented to hit 
friends. Same thing on the Salaices ranch, near 
Jimenez, "General" Chao now being the owner. 

It is very nice for the present, but when "con- 
stitutionalists" win out, every sandalfoot man 
with a gun in his hands will want a nice ranch, 
too, and that means more war. 

I am pinning my faith on an improvement of 
conditions on the small ranches from which the 
greater portion of the "constitutionalist" troops 
are drawn. 

During the past eight months the insurgents 
have cleaned out every big hacienda in the state, 
and during the past two months they have drawn 
heavily on the small men, in fact, cleaning them 
out of corn, wheat and beans, which is practically 
all they raise. This has turned them against the 
movement and, as far as my personal knowledge 
goes, there is not a ranch within a radius of one 
hundred miles of Parral, Jimenez or Santa Rosalia 
and all the country from Torreon, north, where 
any wheat was sown this winter, as they all say, 
"What's the use of doing all the work and then 
have to give up the crop as soon as harvested." 

All of these people depend on their wheat to 
live on until the corn crop comes in, and right 
now with coffee, sugar, flour, lard, beans and rice 
at ten times its ordinary value and very scarce at 
that, it is creating a condition which will either 
send thousands to the "constitutionalist" or the 
government side. 

They are beginning to realize what revolution 
really means and must move one way or the other 
soon, or face starvation. 

The efforts of Villa and his various committees 
to get the foreign mining companies to start up 
shows they realize what is coming, or rather what 
is now here, and I believe they are going to 
make greater efforts than ever to settle the ques- 
tion. 

Wilson's policy of allowing these grafters to 
get war supplies across the border is not going to 
do any good. He is just like lots of Mexicans— 
his personal feelings are everything. 

Believe me, the man, whoever he is, who will 
finally control the situation in Mexico will be one 
of the Diaz-Huerta type. The common herd is not 
yet ready to be let loose, but see for yourself what 
they have done to date. They cannot be reasoned 
with, and the suffering of their own families has 
no effect on them whatever. 

Villa insists that there be no elections, that it, 
those chosen to govern shall be those the troopi 
in the field "select." As Villa appears to be tho 
big "it," he probably will be selected ; if so, watch 
for fireworks. Diaz and Huerta will be angelt 
compared to him. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE 



Saturday. January 10. 1914 



MEXICO 



11 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: President Woodrow Wilson and his 
Administration are really responsible for the 
present condition of affairs in the Republic of 
Mexico. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
encouraging the enemies of law and order, and 
for continuing a state of affairs fatal alike to 
the well-being of Mexico and of the large for- 
eign commercial interests established in that 
country. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
trying to impose its personal opinions on the 
internal affairs of Mexico, and as a result of 
its unjustifiable interference, for spreading the 
worst features of bandit warfare, to the shame of 
its protestations of humanity. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
misplaced sentimentalism, which in international 
policies, far from being a virtue, becomes a dan- 
gerous vice. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
wilfully ignoring obvious facts in its handling 
of the Mexican problem. A prejudiced mind and 
intentional avoidance of facts are inexcusable in 
the Chief Executive of a nation. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
destroying industry and commerce and promoting 
rebellion, brigandage and bloodshed in Mexico 
by its refusal to recognize the properly consti- 
tuted Government of General Huerta. President 
Wilson's declaration that no Government stained 
with blood could endure is a fine utterance, but 
entirely inapplicable to any nation of the earth, 
past or present. 

The Wilson Administration is responsible for 
the failure to enforce the neutrality laws, and of 
otherwise protecting and aiding the bandits who 
under the name of "constitutionalists" are burn- 
ing, murdering and raping in Northern Mexico. 
Large bodies of armed men have freely crossed 
into Mexico, coming via Douglas, Arizona, to 
aid in the attack on Juarez. From El Paso, 
Texas, there is a constant traffic in arms. Re- 
cently more than a million rounds were sent 
across the line from that place in automobiles and 
in carts covered with alfalfa. After his barbarous 
and bloody deeds in Juarez the bandit Villa was 
given a banquet in the Hotel Sheldon, at EI Paso, 
and on several occasions slept in that city. Thus 
are the laws of neutrality observed ! 

And to crown all, the well-meaning, upright 
Puritan views this with "complacency" and 
"watchful waiting," telling the people that it is 
all in the name of humanity and civilization, and 
prompted solely by his affectionate interest in 
behalf of the Mexican people and their Constitu- 
tion. 

It is hard to realize that the President of the 
most cultured nation on earth is helping the worst 
class of bandits; yet such is the case, and still 
worse ! 

And in the meanwhile did any one by chance 
mention the word "petroleum"? 
Baltimore, Md., Jan. 2, 1914. C. U. MESTA. 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

IQir MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
Ij;i0 WASHINGTON. D. C. ' ^ "> 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: While sitting in my club this P. M. 
I happened to casually pick up a recent issue (De- 
cember 20th) of your weekly. 

I have lived in Mexico for twelve years, where 
I have practiced ray profession of civil and mining 
engineer continually, and I so thoroughly agree 
with the views so efficiently expressed in your 
publication that I could not other than feel that I 
should write you this letter in commendation of 
your e-xpressed purpose of enlightening the Ameri- 
can people, on this side of the border, as to real 
conditions in Mexico. I except those of us who 
have lived there and know the country as it really 
is and not as our esteemed President, who hu 
never known it at close range, would like to hare 
it, because I feel that almost to a man we agree 
with you. 

I am glad to know that a publication such u 
yours has come into being, and it should receive 
the active support of all who have the true inter- 
ests of our country, as well as those of Mexico, 
at heart. 

I would like to receive the paper in the future 
and will remit you a year's subscription in «d- 
vance. upon receipt of a statement. 

Yours very truly, 
Los Angeles, Cal., Dec. 31, 1913. W. F. L. 



COUNTERFEITERS ANNOY CAR- 
RANZA. 

(By Direct Wire to the Los Angeles "Times.") 
Hermosillo (Sonora) Dec. 31. — [Exclusive Dis- 
patch.] Fears that a grave financial crisis may 
follow the Mexican money muddle and the dis- 
covery that a gang of expert counterfeiters has 
been reaping a rich harvest led to the calling in 
to-day of all notes issued by the State of Sinaloa. 
Immediate steps will be taken to substitute the 
Constitutionalist bank notes made by a regular 
engraving company in Washington for the non- 
descript bills printed on ordinary paper which 
are now in circulation all over Northern Mexico. 
Just how much of the State money has been falsi- 
fied is a matter of speculation, but it is authori- 
tatively stated that scarcely a town under the 
control of Gen. Carranza has escaped a visit from 
the counterfeiters. In one case an entire herd of 
cattle was purchased with the false notes and 
the cattle were sent to the United States and 
sold before the discovery was made. Rumor de- 
clares that the holder of the bad bills said noth- 
ing, but simply put them into circulation again. 

The decree issued by Carranza to-day stipulates 
that only the genuine notes will be accepted for 
redemption and to-night there is a scramble to 
get rid of suspicious bills, leaving the other fel- 
low to hold the bag. 



SAYS FOREIGNERS ARE SAFE. 

Washington, Jan. 2.— Col. Moreton F. Gage, 
Military Attache at the British Embassy, who re- 
turned to-day from a visTt of three weeks in 
Mexico, saw nothing to indicate danger to for- 
eigners there, and so far as his observations went 
had difficulty in realizing that a revolution was 
in progress. He said he noted signs of ordered 
government about the capital and along the rail- 
way to Vera Cruz, and was much impressed with 
the rurales, on whom the duty of maintaining 



order must fall if the regular troops were with- 
drawn for service in the field. 

"I do not believe," said the Colonel, "there is 
any danger to foreigners in the city except pos- 
sibly in the event of the Government being sud- 
denly deprived of its head. In that case civil 
riot might arise." 

To the publicity given by American newspapers 
to what are regarded in Mexico City as exag- 
gerated reports of rebel victories along the north- 
ern border Col. Gage attributed what he termed 
"the unfortunate impression prevailing among 
Mexicans that the American public favored the 
cause of the rebels." As to statements that Mr. 
O'Shaughnessy had been forced to take a round- 
about course to obtain an interview with Huerta, 
Col. Gage said it was well known in the Mexican 
capital that relations between the two were most 
cordial. — New York "Times." 



It IS said that Pancho Villa can neither 
read nor write. Nor has he need to as 
long as the American papers supply him 
gratis with press agents. — New Orleans 
"Picayune." 



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AUTHENTIC IN HISTORY, PEOPLE 
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MEXICO 



Saturday, January 10, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturd»y by 

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VICARIOUS INTERVENTION. 

At least two-thirds of the support the 
Administration receives from those who 
publicly comment on the Mexican "pol- 
icy" is based on the assumption that the 
Administraton has shown admirable wis- 
dom and patience in resisting the clamor 
of those who have urged intervention. 
This is rather negative praise of a nega- 
tive attitude, but undoubtedly it is sin- 
cerely genuine. Armed intervention in 
Mexico would be a national calamity, un- 
necessary and unjustifiable, and would 
lead this country into perilous paths from 
which there would be no turning and in- 
to pitfalls of international complications 
without end. It would cost many thou- 
sands of lives and countless treasure, 
and place on the shoulders of the na- 
tion a racial, social and economical bur- 
den far greater than any we now have, 
that would have to be borne through 
generations and centuries to come. 

But the Administration has actually in- 
tervened in Mexico. It has intervened 
to an extent that makes its complete 
withdrawal from an unwarranted posi- 
tion the only alternative to the armed in- 
tervention that is inevitable if it wovdd 
enforce its dictation to an independent 
neighbor. Of course, the Administra- 
tion may take the ground that there is 
no Government in Mexico, but that is 
simply verbal quibbling and mental jug- 
gling that will not stand the test of time 
or actuality. With all its power it can- 
not gainsay facts that are accepted by 
the Mexican people, their courts and in- 
stitutions, and recognized by all great na- 
ti'iiis 'if the world except our own. 

The Wilson Administration has inter- 
vened in Mexico in an absolutely unpre- 
cedented way. It has intervened in a 
hypocritical, un-American way, by en- 
couraging the lawless element of Mex- 
ico to fight against the Government. It 
is not like an .'\mcrican to get somebody 
else to do his fighting for him. That 
smacks too much of hiring gangsters to 
"do up" somebody against whom you 
have a grudge. By this open encourage- 
ment to the for<res seeking to overthrow 
the Mexican Government, and by trying, 
after the approved manner of Big Busi- 
ness, to "starve out" that Government, 
it has intervened just as surely, but not 
as honorably, as it would by sending in 
armed forces. 



This intervention is despicable, mean 
and unworthy of the great United 
States. There is nothing glorious, and, 
oh, so much that is shameful, in the ac- 
tion of a great power which deliberately 
wrongs a weaker neighbor, tries to ruin 
that neighbor, and drive it to despair. 
Would the Administration have dared 
take toward a stronger nation the atti- 
tude that it has assumed toward Mex- 
ico? There is the test. And to be hon- 
est with ourselves we must look at the 
situation in this light. 

The Administration has taken advan- 
tage of a neighbor's ills to act the part 
of a bully. It has intervened in Mex- 
ico by ranging itself on the side of crim- 
inality against a struggling civilization. 
It has taken sides with bandits, looters, 
violators of women, robbers, thieves and 
brigands. It has intervened in a way 
that should make us blush before the ac- 
cusing fingers of the civilized world. 

If the President is entitled to praise 
and support for not having made the su- 
preme blunder of armed intervention in 
Mexico, he is at the same time open to 
condemnation for having intervened in 
a less honorable and therefore less 
.American way. 



THE LESSON OF HISTORY. 

The aim of the rebels in so far as 
they can be said to have any concerted, 
definite aim, is revenge and the restora- 
tion of "Maderism," that is, the seiz- 
ure of power by a few men who were 
ousted by the Diaz revolution in Febru- 
ary. 

The aim of the Madero family is re- 
venge. Rafael Hernandez, cousin of 
Madero, ex-Minister of the Interior, de- 
clared at a luncheon a few days ago in 
New York City that the whole Federal 
,A.rniy would be killed — that every offi- 
cer would be shot. Some one remarked 
that as there are five .thousand Mexican 
Army officers, even if they killed ten 
every day — supposing that the Maderos 
should get into power again — it would 
take nearly two years of assassination to 
do away with all the officers. 

The declaration of Rafael Hernandez 
is typical of the attitude of the rebel 
leaders and gives a clear idea of their 
purposes. 

From such wholesale murder and an- 
archy as that promised by Carranza and 
his followers democracy cannot be en- 
gendered. But the state of anarchy al- 
ready a fact in many parts of Mexico 
makes necessary the existence of a tem- 
porary dictatorship until peace and order 
are restored. It has ever been thus. 
.'Vnarchy, following upon the heels of so- 
cial revolutions, has always engendered 
dictatorships, never democracy. Vide 
Napoleon and Cmmwell. But dictator- 
ships have engendered democracies be- 
cause they make possible the eco.nomical 
and social development of the people. 
Vide France and England after the rule 
of Napoleon and Cromwell. 

Mr. Wilson in handling Mexican rela- 
tions is bent upon disregarding all his- 
torical lessons and breaking all prece- 
dents, but he cannot change the world, 
nor humanity as it exists in Mexico. 



GETTING TOGETHER. 
Bryan publicly prayed to God to help 
him save the country from war with 
Mexico. 

* • • 

With no reflections on the efficacy of 
prayer, we would suggest to the pious 
Commoner that a practical way of sav- 
ing the country from such a calamity 
is open to him. 

* • • 

Stop antagonizing the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. Stop encouraging the Mexi- 
can bandits and rebels. Stop playing 
the game of the American interests who 
want control of Mexico — by force of 
arms if they can not get it any other 
way. 

* * * 

It's very simple — and the prayer would 
be answered. 

* * • 

It is very significant that all the fight- 
ing in Mexico recently has been along 
the American border. Which does not 
look much like that promised irresistible 
advance on Mexico City. Villa was to 
eat his Christmas dinner there, wasn't 
he? Well, well, now, isn't that strange? 

* • * 

The border correspondents should 
bless the siege of Ojinaga. It has given 
them wonderful opportunities for fiction 
writing at so much per column. The pa- 
pers want color and action. Can you 
blame the correspondents for putting it 
on thick? 

* * * 

The public's taste in fiction changes 
every now and then. Signs of the pub- 
lic's getting sick of the Mexican "stories" 
are more obvious every day. 

* * ♦ 

The secret and mysterious talk with 
Lind was simply a little "get together" 
chat. 

* • • 

Why not get together with the Ameri- 
can people? 

* * ♦ 

Or are foreign affairs too deep and 
abstruse for the general public? Some- 
thing to be grasped only by a superior 
mind? 

* » ♦ 

But if mistakes are made it's the dear 
public that has to pay the cost. 

The one conviction of the people at 
large is that war must be avoided at all 
costs. 

* * * 

Whatever public support there is for 
the Administration "policy" is based on 
the belief that the intention of Wash- 
ing is to avoid war. 

* • * 

That may be its intention — but cer- 
tainly its actions are in an opposite di- 
rection. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Run. Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth CUmb. Slowly.-Ori«nt.l ProTerb 



VOL. I— No. 22 



THE WHY OF IT. 
Many persons cannot understand why 
Latin-American countries fear and dis- 
trust us. We cannot help being big and 
powerful, but our people have no desire 
to encroach on the rights of the other 
Americans; they are too busy about their 
own affairs to think about any such 
thing. 

But the fault does not lie with the 
American people. The reasons for this 
Latin-American distrust are the domi- 
neering and ignorant actions and words 
of our public men, clothed with a brief 
authority; the machinations of American 
Big Business, backed by a servile State 
Department and frequently represented 
by unfit and unworthy "diplomats"; the 
overbearing manner and tactlessness of 
some Americans who have gone into 
those countries for their own profit with 
the manners of a pig and the loud boast 
of superiority. 

« * « 

The visit of Senator Root to all the 
Latin-American countries a few years 
ago, when he was Secretary of State, did 
much to overcome the unfriendly spirit 
that had been aroused in the people to 
the south of us. 

* • * 

And now the blundering — or worse — of 
the Wilson Administration in relation to 
Mexico has added fuel to the lire of dis- 
trust — and it will hurt us for years to 
come. 

• • • 

Hurt us materially and morally. 

• * » 

We want more Latin-American trade 
and progressive manufacturers are pre- 
paring to get it upon the opening of the 
Panama Canal. 

* * • 

And at this auspicious time for a dis- 
play of national good-will and friendship 
we are acting the bully to Mexico, and 
all her kin to the south are against us. 

All because the Administration has a 
philosopher's dream of a millenium of 
"constitutionalism" and a busybody's in- 
stinct to meddle in others' affairs. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY JANUARY 17, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



NO REASON FOR 

Gloating 



Exactly four months ago, in our issue 
of September 13th last, we said: 

"It is unconscionable to suppose that 
the friendship for Mexico expressed in 
such glowing terms by President Wilson 
should be revealed in an attempt to shut 
off from that country all sources of finan- 
cial supply. Especially when this block- 
ade would not result in the establish- 
ment of peace, but in prolonged troubles 
for Mexico." 

In case of the effectiveness of such 
a financial blockade we prophesied: 
"Mexico could say to the world: 
"We have done our best to maintain 
our credit intact and faithfully to respect 
all our financial obligations now as in 
the past. 

"European bankers, knowing the sta- 
liility of our credit and the extent of our 
resources, are ready to give us all the 
financial support we need to re-establish 
peace and develop our resources. 

"The President of the United States 
refuses to recognize our Constitutional 
Government. Moreover, to demonstrate 
that he has the power to enforce his will 
upon us, he has brought to bear his po- 
tent influence on the bankers of Europe 
to surround us with a financial block- 
ade. 

"We protest at this unfair treatment, 
but we are compelled to declare a mora- 
torium on the payment of interest on 
our national debt. 

"We* shall keep the money at home, 
use it in the work which we have deter- 
mined to carry on to a finish — that of 
restoring order and reopening all the 
sources of fruitful production. It may 



take us one, two or three years to do 
this. When this is done we shall begin 
again payment of interest on our national 
debt, compounding the amounts due for 
non-payment of interest during the time 
of suspension. Mexico in peace can 
easily assume a much larger national 
debt than it has now, as in proportion 
to territory, population and resources, 
it has one of the smallest national debts 
in the world. 

"Tliis is not of our own volition. We 
are forced to it by the unjustified deter- 
mination of the United States not to 
recognize a government which our own 
Congress and Supreme Court have de- 
clared to be the Constitutional Govern- 
ment of Mexico. 

"We are sorry, but now our creditors 
shall have to bide their time." 

"If the alleged plans to shut off all 
financial help * * * e.xisted and were car- 
ried out. Mexico could say all this to 
the world with clear conscience and 
clean hands. And the world would rec- 
ognize the justice of Mexico's stand." 

As a result of the powerful pressure 
brought by the Washington Administra- 
tion to shut off financial help from the 
Mexican Government, the situation that 
we prophesied has naturally arisen. 

With the consent of the foreign bank- 
ers concerned, the Mexican Government 
has decreed that it will apply its cus- 
toms receipts toward bie work of pacifi- 
cation in preference to the payment of 
interest on the bonded debt. 

No default was made in the payment 
of interest due January ist (although 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



NO REASON FOR GLOATING— 

(Continued) 
some newspapers sought to convey this 
impression), but the customs receipts 
that ordinarily would be set apart for 
'the interest charges due in April and 
June will now be available for internal 
necessities. Since the attitude of the 
Washington Administration made this 
the only course for the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, and since eventual payment of 
the interest and compounded interest on 
■what has accrued is a certainty, the ar- 
rangement was inevitable and necessarily 
acceptable to the bankers. 

This does not signify that Mexico or 
the Mexican Government is bankrupt. 
It simply means that the ordinary func- 
tions of government are checked and 
hampered by the interference of the 
Washington Administration. It means 
that the Mexican Government must of 
necessity depend on its own resources 
to pacify the country against the oppo- 
sition of Washington, which has made 
the work of pacification more difficult. 
It means that an additional four mil- 
lion dollars, Mexican, will be available 
•monthly for the essential military opera- 
tions of the Government. 

To fully understand how this will 
operate to strengthen the hands of the 
Government, it must be remembered that 
of the $30,000,000 gold which the Gov- 
ernment received last June, on account 
of the $100,000,000 foreign loan, less than 
$5,000,000 remained for the Government's 
use after payment of debts and interest 
on debts contracted by the Madero 
regime. With this paltry sum the Gov- 
ernment has more than held its own 
against the encouraged forces of rebel- 
lion and despite the destructive enmity 
of the Wilson Administration. President 
Huerta, with such limited resources, has 
shown himself a capable and economical 
manager. It is safe to predict that with 
his increased available cash he will 
achieve results in generous proportion. 

There is not the slightest doubt that 
the arbitrary Big Business methods of 
financial starvation adopted by the Ad- 
ministration toward Mexico have suc- 
ceeded in piling up difficulties for th- 
Mexican Government, which was exactly 
the object and intention. The difficulties 
piled up for the Mexican Government 
are difficulties for a troubled Mexico and 
a suffering Mexican people. 

Does not our country — or rather the 
Administration — present a pitiable spec- 
tacle to the world — representatives of a 
happy, prosperous, powerful nation hov- 
ering over a weaker, luckless people and 
gloating over the suffering they have 
caused? 



BLOOD AND INTRIGUE 



Public opinion in Central and South 
America is dea'd set against the way the 
Administration has dealt with Mexico. 
* • • 

There must be a reason for this una- 
nimity of opinion. 



Rebellion in Alexico is not a fight of or 
Uir principles. It is an occupation. 

A profitable occupation. 

To the leaders it means personal 
power and local prestige. It means the 
wealth derived from blackmail, confisca- 
tion and robbery. It means the oppor- 
tunity to be hired or bought by unscrup- 
ulous politicians, not to mention certain 
American interests. 

To the followers it means a free and 
easy life. It means loot and it means 
women and girls of a class they have 
had to respect before. 

And it is for such as these that some 
of our newspapers and "high officials" 
of the Administration profess sympathy. 

Of course there have been abuses and 
wrongs in Mexico, as in every country, 
which, combined with racial traits and 
economic conditions, have made this 
state of aflfairs in Mexico possible. 

There is much to be done in Mexico — 
and every intelligent Mexican realizes it 
— before the present conditions shall 
have Ijcen made forever impossible. 

This is Mexico's great problem, with 
which it must struggle as other more de- 
veloped peoples have had to struggle 
with theirs. 

But little can be done until lawlessness, 
Ijrigandage and unprincipled rebellion 
have been stamped out and the country 
restored to peace. 

It is to restore peace to the country 
that the Mexican Government is com- 
mitted and pledged. 

The opposition of the Washington Ad- 
ministration has been the greatest factor 
in postponing the work of pacification 
and giving a new lease of life to unprin- 
cipled rebellion, pillage and rape. 

Whatever the final outcome of the 
Administration's interference in Mexican 
affairs may be, the fact can never be 
blotted out that for the terrible condi- 
tions in certain parts of Mexico during 
the last six months it is morally respon- 
sible. Whatever the future may hold 
of good or evil, the hundreds of lives 
that have been lost by barbarous execu- 
tion, the hundreds of women and girls 
who have been violated, the sacking of 
cities and villages must be laid at the 
door of those who, professing morality, 
have watched with the satisfaction of 
vultures and rubbed their hands in self- 
righteous gloating. 

The Administration may say, that it 
set out to destroy only Huerta. What- 
ever it may say, it has deliberately set 
out to destroy Mexico. In the first place, 
it had no right to destroy a President of 
Mexico, whoever or whatever he might 
be. whose office and whose power were 
recognized and accepted by the vast ma- 
jority of the Mexican people, no right in 



international law, no right except the 
right of might. In the second place, it 
not only had no right, but it committed 
a greater national crime, when it per- 
sisted in seeking to destroy President 
Huerta after it became evident that to 
do so it must needs destroy the national 
credit of Mexico and strengthen the de- 
structive rebels and bandits. 

If that does not indicate a deliberate 
purpose to destroy Mexico as a nation 
and the life and security of the Mexican 
people, then facts are not facts and truth 
is not truth. 

And at every reported blow to the 
Mexican Government, which is at the 
same time a blow to Mexico and the 
Mexican people, we are rold that Wash- 
ington is pleased, that its policy of 
"watchful waiting" is justified. 

It would be interesting to know how 
these moral buzzards would feel if they 
had women or girl relatives in the zone 
of the rebels' activities. Wh)^ did all the 
women and girls who could possibly do 
so trek across the desert from Chihuahua 
for two hundred miles to the American 
border to escape the hordes of Villa? 
. It may be said in Washington that 
this sort of thing goes with a state of 
war. It does not. It goes with a state of 
barbarism and the men who are fighting 
the fight of the Washington Administra- 
tion against the Mexican Government 
are the barbarians. 

What there is of civilized warfare in 
Mexico is conducted by the Federal 
troops. Because they represent a civil- 
ized, responsible government they do not 
loot, they do not rape, they do not com- 
mit acts of vandalism. They are the only 
protection of the decent people against 
the bandits and the barbarous rebels. 

Since rebellion in Mexico is an occupa- 
tion which will be profitable until it is 
stamped out by force, the mere elimina- 
tion of General Huerta as President of 
Mexico would not in any degree con- 
tribute to the end of rebellion. No mat- 
ter who should succeed President Huerta 
as President, he would be confronted 
with the same conditions. All that would 
be accomplished bj'' the elimination of 
President Huerta at the dictation of the 
Washington Administration would be the 
surrender of the national sovereignty of 
Mexico. No one can blame General 
Huerta as a Mexican for his refusal to 
do that. Washington's very demand on 
him to eliminate himself has virttially 
made it impossible for him to do so even 
if he were so inclined. 

General Huerta is persona non grata to 

the Washington Administration because 

he is the beneficiary of a revolution to 

overthrow the Madero Government. That 

(Continued on next page) 



Salurday, January 17, 1914 



MEXICO 



may be, but does that put him in any 
worse or even as bad a light as our revo- 
Uuionists in Washington who have 
plotted to overthrow the present Mexi- 
can Government and have used as wea- 
pons the murdering, ravishing Villa and 
the Power of Money? If the present 
Government is stained with blood and 
contaminated with financial intrigue, are 
not our Washington revolutionists drip- 
ping with the blood of hundreds and 
besmeared with the same intrigue? 



CRUDE PETROLEUM 



TAKE THE HINDMOST. 

Just to-day there has i>een an inter- 
change of felicitous messages between 
Carranza and Villa, showing that the best 
of feeling exists between the two men. 
It certainly does — so long as Carranza is 
in Sonora and Villa is in Chihuahua. 
There arc several hundred miles between 
them. 

I do not say that Carranza would not 
make an admirable President. On the 
contrary, if he could control the peon 
class he would make a splendid man; 
but he is of the landed gentry, he owns 
large tracts of land over in Coahuila, and 
he has a great number of peons working 
for him; and it is the big land-owners 
that are a large part of all the trouble 
in Mexico to-day. 

It has been reported times without 
number that Carranza had made a com- 
bination with the Zapata brothers and 
that they were working under his direct 
orders. Just about as much truth in that 
report as there was in the one that he 
was about to join Villa. Carranza stands 
absolutely alone, the same as does every 
other rebel in Mexico. It is a case of 
"God bless us all and the devil take 
the hindmost." 

You will notice in all the reports sent 
out about the recent battle of Ojinaga it 
is stated that Pacual Orozco and Ynez 
Salazar, two of the Federal generals, 
have disappeared and there are some 
thousand or more men with them. Villa 
would give a good deal to know just 
where these two men are. For years 
there has been a deadly feud between 
Villa and Orozco and Salazar. Villa has 
offered large rewards to get them in his 
hands. He has directed the rebel sol- 
diers to kill them on sight. His big 
personal reason for taking command at 
Ojinaga was to get Orozco and Salazar. 
But he missed fire, and now they have 
gone. 

Of course, the country immediately 
surrounding Ojinaga is a dead desert, and 
if a crow flew across it he would have 
to carry his own rations with him, but 
above and below Ojinaga are plenty of 
places where such a command could live, 
and it is safe to say that Pancho Villa 
will get many a sting from his two bitter 
enemies before he is through. If Villa, 
in his future operations, should leave his 
base unguarded he would soon find out 
where these men were. — Colonel Jasper 
Ewing Brady, in New York "Tribune." 



Our efforts to enlighten American pub- 
lic opinion as regards Mexican affairs are 
showing good results every day. Months 
ago we pointed out facts about the oil 
war in Mexico which, through our ef- 
forts, are now generally accepted by the 
press and public. 

By some queer trick of fate, the New 
York "World" of January 9 published 
the following from its Washington cor- 
respondent. As it reveals the very facts 
which we have sought to bring out and 
which the "World" has done its best to 
hide or to obfuscate, we must conclude 
that either the "World" has become con- 
science-stricken or that somebody, like 
Jove, nodded: 

(Special to The World) 

Washington, Jan. 8. — The State De- 
parttnent has on file the reports of in- 
vestigations showing that the Waters- 
Pierce Oil Company of the United States 
aided in financing the revolution of Fran- 
cisco I. Madero a,gainst Porfirio Diaz, 
which began in November, 1910. 

Thescf reports were made by Secret 
Service agents in the spring of 1911 and 
by the then .American Ambassador to 
Mexico, Henry Lane Wilson. Mr. Wil- 
son's report was based on hearsay evi- 
dence, that of the Secret Service oper- 
atives on direct evidence, it is stated. 

Former President Taft, Secretary of 
State Knox and .\ttorney-General Wick- 
ershani knew of the aid the Waters- 
Pierce Oil Company was rendering Ma- 
dero, and that was one of the reasons 
why Mr. Taft held off many months from 
lending moral support to the Madero 
cause, it is said. 

.At the time the Secret Service agents 
reported that Madero was getting finan- 
cial help from the Waters-Pierce Oil 
Companj-, there was a strong border 
patrol of troops and agents of the De- 
partments of Justice, Commerce and the 
Treasury to prevent arms and ammuni- 
tion being sent across the border. Dur- 
ing this time the Washington .Adminis- 
tration was throwing its influence to 
Diaz. 

Mr. Wickersham, at the time of his 
appointment to the Cabinet, represented 
the Mexican Government on the Board 
of Directors of the Mexican National 
Railways, .\fter Mr. Wickersham came 
into the Cabinet. Henry W. Taft, brother 
of President Taft, represented the Mexi- 
can Government on the Mexican Na- 
tional Railways Board. It was while 
Mr. Taft held this position with the rail- 
ways that the .American Government was 
lending its influence to Diaz. 

The entrance of the Waters-Pierce 
Oil Company into the affairs of Madero 
came through Capt. S. G. Hopkins, an 
attorney of Washington, who has rep- 
resented many revolutionists in Cen- 
tral .America as counsel. Capt. Hopkins, 
at the time the Maderos engaged him as 
their representative, in October, 1910, 
just before Francisco Madero started his 
revolution, was counsel for H. Clay 
Pierce, President of the Waters-Pierce 
Oil Company. 

At that time the Standard Oil Com- 
pany was trying to oust H. Clay Pierce 



as head of the Waters-Pierce Company, 
because of his failure to drive the Brit- 
ish oil corporation — the Pearson syndi- 
cate, of which Lord Cowdray is the head 
— out of business in Mexico. This fighl 
between the Pearson and Waters-Pierce 
Oil Companies had been going on for 
years, and at the time the Standard had 
control of the Waters-Pierce. 

It is reported that the money paid to 
Madero amounted to more than $250,000. 

.According to information obtained re- 
cently, the equivalent of this money the 
Waters-Pierce Company received back 
from the Madero Administration, in ad- 
ditional oil concessions. Capt. Hopkins 
went to Mexico City to engineer the 
concessions. He had no difficulty in 
negotiating . the deal, as the Madero 
family was under obligations to Hop- 
kins, although they paid him well as 
their attorney. The obligation the Ma- 
deros owed Capt. Hopkins was the re- 
sult of Hopkins saving to the Madero 
family its entire estate in Mexico from 
confiscation by the Federal Government. 

When Francisco I. Madero revolted 
against Diaz, his father, brothers and he 
owned valuable farming, grazing and 
mining lands in Northern Mexico. By a 
process known to many American cor- 
poration lawyers, Capt. Hopkins incor- 
porated all the Madero property into an 
.American corporation. .According to the 
information obtained by the correspond- 
ent of the "World," this corporation 
was chartered in the State of Delaware. 

The corporation raised some of the 
money which financed the Madero revo- 
lution. Other money was raised in the 
manner the present revolutionists are 
raising it, by subscription and levy. 

It is unlikely that the .Administration 
here will take any cognizance of the 
acts of Madero in 1910, or of any Ameri- 
can corporations which contributed to 
his revolution, as the question of how 
Madero financed his campaign is regard- 
ed as having no material influence on 
the present situation. There is no law 
preventing .American corporations doing 
business in Mexico from contributing to 
a war campai.gn fund. 

The last sentence of the above is the 
only one consistent with the "World's" 
"policy." Why shouldn't American oil 
interests promote revolutions in Mexico? 
Why, indeed? Bringing untold suffer- 
ing to the Mexican people and the thou- 
sands of Americans with legitimate inter- 
ests in Mexico, who want only peace? 
Why, indeed, when the Government of 
the L^nited States will help the game in 
the name of morality? Why not, even 
though the people of the United States 
may have to pay the price of a long and 
cruel warfare with Mexico? The mor- 
ality of the "World" in this respect is 
on a par with the morality of the Ad- 
ministration in lending support to the 
Villas and Zapatas. 

The day after the publication of the 
above, the "World" sought to straighten 
itself out with itself editorially, as fol- 
lows: 

Opinion in Europe which holds that the trouble 
in Mexico is nothing but a fight betwen rival oil 

(Continued on n^xt page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1U14 



companies in w^ich this country appears only as 
a partisan is not abreast of the times. 

There is reason to believe, spite of present 
denials, that the Madero revolt was aided by the 
Waters-Pierce Oil Company. It is equally cer- 
tain that Porfirio Diaz, who was exiled by 
Madero in 1911, was the faithful servant of the 
Pearsons of England, likewise in oil. Plain as a 
pikestaff also is the fact that the counter- 
revolution of Feli.\ Diaz and Huerta, culminating 
in murder and usurpation nearly a year ago, was 
engineered by the Pearsons. 

What Europe overlooks in this case is the fact 
that the antagonism of the United States to 
Huerta does not necessarily involve championship 
of Waters-Pierce and Standard Oil. The essence 
of President Wilson's policy is not favor for one 
hut disfavor for all of these successors of the 
ancient freebooters. He has decreed their sep- 
aration from government on this continent. 

It is not many years since enlightened nations 
ceased discussing the horrors of the slave trade; 
yet at its worst that traffic was hardly more of a 
scourge to mankind than the wars that have been 
fomented and waged in the name of commerce. 
On this hemisphere it is not the aggression of 
nations and dynasties that is to be feared. The 
enemies of peace, liberty and stability are the 
syndicates without conscience and without com- 
passion which promote strife for gain. 

We have seen what asphalt did for Venezuela ; 
there is no question as to what oil and mining 
have done for Mexico, and exploitation has been 
in progress in many other countries. To all of 
these marauders, American as well as European, 
President Wilson gave solemn warning in his 
Mobile speech. The concession idea is at an end. 
Nations are no longer to be drenched in blood, 
devastated and loaded with debt to enrich syndi- 
cates and monopolies, no matter how rich or 
powerful they may be. 

Those who do not understand this phase of the 
Mexican situation and the relations of the United 
States thereto are painfully misinformed as to the 
merits of the case. 

Let US analyze this editorial in the 
light of cold facts. 

The "World" is perfectly right in say- 
ing that the Madero revolt was aided by 
the Waters-Pierce Oil Company. So 
far, so good. Remember, that under Por- 
firio Diaz Mexico had been at peace for 
thirty years and that it was the Maderos 
and the American oil interests who 
started the conflagration of disorder 
which has lasted three years. 

"It is equally certain that Porfirio Diaz, 
who was exiled by Madero in 1911, was 
the faithful servant of the Pearsons of 
England, likewise in oil." Porfirio Diaz, 
alarmed by the rapacity of American in- 
terests who would have made of Mexico 
a subsidiary of Wall Street, did, as a 
measure of precaution and as a duly to 
his country, encourage British investors 
to compete with the American monopol- 
istic interests. In doing this he was 
actuated by his conception of what was 
best for his country. It does not at all 
follow that he was the "faithful servant 
of the Pearsons." And remember the 
British interests started no revolution 
to work their will in Mexico. It was the 
American interests who did that when 
Diaz sought to protect his country 
against them. 

"Plain as a pikcstaflF also is the fact 
that the counterrevolution of Felix Diaz 
and Huerta, culminating in murder and 
usurpation nearly a year ago, was en- 
gineered by the Pearsons." In the first 




Henry Lane Wilson, former United 
States Ambassador to Mexico, in 
speeches last week before New York 
.societies, was quoted as folUnvs: 

"If the government of General Huerta 
had been recognized at its threshhold, 
it would have made peace throughout 
Mexico and thousand of lives would 
have been saved and millions of dollars 
worth of property, especially of foreign- 
ers and Americans, would not have been 
destroyed. The administration at Wash- 
ington saw fit not to accept my recom- 
mendation to recognize the government 
of General Huerta and at that time I 
predicted exactly what has occurred 
there during the last six months and 
exactly the conditions that prevail there 
to-day. 

"We have now actually intervened in 
Mexico. Don't make any mistake about 
that. Not by arms, but we have never- 
theless actually intervened in Mexico. 

"And we have sent down there private, 
special unofficial representatives of the 
President for the purpose of telling the 
Mexican people how they should govern 
their country, whom they should put 
into office and whom they should put 
out of office." 

Mr. Wilson questioned any precedent 
for the action of President Wilson, as- 
serting that fourteen millions of Mex- 
icans wanted Huerta to be sustained, 
not because they loved him, but because 
they believed it was the only way to 
bring about peace. 

"Whenever before has this Government 
ordered Americans out of a foreign 
country without guarantee of protection 
for their losses, or announced a policy 
which makes us virtual overlords of 
every republic from the Rio Grande to 
Cape Horn and makes it necessary to 
interfere in every turbulent republic in 
that great einpire. 

"The President of this Republic, and 
I have the greatest respect for him, is 
a master of the English language and 
of eloquent and persuasive diction. He 
can smite the harp of idealism, and from 



every idealistic mind in this Republic 
will come a response; from every mind 
wandering in the bogs of estlietic 
dreams. 

"But these good people must know, 
ought to know, that at the judgment 
bar of history they will be responsible 
for all the destruction of property, for 
all the loss of life, for all the hatred and 
rancor in Latin America and suspicion 
in Europe; and finally for the sowing 
of the seeds of antagonism and distrust 
between this country and the greatest 
country in possibilities near us for all 
time to come." 

Mr. Wilson stated earlier in his ad- 
dress that the revolution of Madero 
against Diaz was financed very largely 
from the City of Now York; 'that the 
State Department contained reports of 
secret service agents to prove that "a 
great oil company gave assistance to 
Madero." 

The revolution against Huerta, he said, 
was due to the same interests. 

"It would be a shock in certain cir- 
cles," he continued, "if they knew that 
secretly and unknown to them their 
policy has been suggested during the 
last six months or year by representa- 
tives of these international corporations 
and trusts." 

"The statement that the American Em- 
bassy, when under my charge, was in- 
volved in the overthrow of Madero has 
been made before, and has been dis- 
proved by the united evidence of all 
those present in the embassy; by the 
tes-imony of the American colony in 
Mexico City, by the Protestant and Ro- 
man Catholic American clergymen there, 
by every American organization in Mex- 
ico City, and by the letters of my dip- 
lomatic colleagues. 

"I never met either Felix Diaz or Gan. 
Huerta until the time of the acual bom- 
bardment of Mexico City. I then met 
Huerta upon one occasion in the pres- 
ence of President Madero and his Min- 
ister of Foreign Affairs. I met Felix 
Diaz only once in the presence of my 
German. Spanish, and British colleagues. 



place, the revolution against Madero was 
not a revolution by Felix Diaz and 
Huerta. Huerta was Madero's general 
and put an end to the Diaz revolution in 
the only way that was possible. Huerta 
was never a revolutionist. In the sec- 
ond place, there is not the slightest bit of 
evidence to support the "World's" state- 
ment that this revolution was "engineered 
by the Pearsons." This charge has never 
been made before and is made by the 
"World" entirely gratuitously and either 
through criminal ignorance or deliberate 
malice. The revolution of Felix Diaz 
was a military revolt, pure and simple, 
and Huerta's accession to the Presidency 
was decided upon because he was looked 
upon as the most capable man to restore 
peace to the country. The opposition to 
General Huerta on the part of the .'Ameri- 
can oil interests is not based on any 
undue friendliness of his Government to- 
ward the British interests, but on the fact 
that he is not willing to be the blind tool 



of American oil interests, whose particu- 
lar proteges are Carranza and the Ma- 
dero family. 

"What Europe overlooks in this case is 
the fact that the antagonism of the 
United States to Huerta does not neces- 
sarily involve championship of Waters- 
Pierce and Standard Oil." Not neces- 
sarily, but actually it does. Facts are 
facts, no matter what the ideality of the 
Administration may assert to the con- 
trary. The big fact remains that though 
the "World" interprets President Wil- 
son's policy to mean that "Nations are 
no longer to be drenched in blood, devas- 
tated and loaded with debt to enrich syn- 
dicates and monopolies, no matter how 
rich or powerful they may be," Mexico 
is, with the encouragement of the Ad- 
ministration, being drenched in blood, 
devastated and loaded with debt to en- 
rich a would-be American monopoly, rich 
and powerful. 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



MEXICO 



EXPERT TESTIMONY— (Continued.) 

"During the last months of tlie Madero 
regime my relations with the Admin- 
istration were not what they might have 
been, but this was due solely to my 
activity and agency under the direction 
of the Department of State at Washing- 
ton in making severe representations to 
the Madero Government regarding the 
protection of American life and property. 
There were also questions between Mex- 
ico and the United States which I at- 
tacked, as ordered by the State Depart- 
ment, and in considering which the Ma- 
dero Government vacillated and trifled. 

"I had no personal differences with any 
one connected with the Madero Govern- 
ment. I never interferred in the slight- 
est degree in Mexican politics, and my 
personal relations with every one con- 
nected with the Government remained 
agreeable in character until the last mo- 
ment. I certainly was not in a mind to 
assist in its overthrow, and, of course, 
the idea of killing Madero never entered 
my head. 

"It is an easy matter for these un- 
principled Mexicans, who are engaged in 
the business of destroying their own 
country, to make silly and malevolent 
charges against an American Ambassa- 
dor who was obliged to perform his 
duties in the last hour of an impotent 
and despotic Government in such a way 
as to obtain results rather than court 
popularity; but not one scintilla of evi- 
dence of that kind of feeling against 
Madero that would have led me to vio- 
late the sacred obligations of a sworn 
officer of the United States Government 
has ever been offered, nor will any be 
offered, because none such exists. 

"Let me add," continued Mr. Wilson, 
"one word about former Secretary of 
the Treasury MacVeagh's recent state- 
ment, that the Taft .Administration 
would not have recognized the Huerta 
Administration. Mr. MacVeagh has no 
authority to speak for the Taft Admin- 
istration. Tliat authority rests alone 
with Mr. Taft or Mr. Knox. I have no 
auihority to speak for the .\dministra- 
tion either, but I can say that the Taft 
Administration in letters and telegrams 
to me did recognize the constitutionality 
of the Huerta Government and would 
have recognized the Government formal- 
ly if certain matters pending at the tim», 
which were not connected with Huerta's 
way of rising to power, had been con- 
cluded. There is evidence on file in the 
embassy in Mexico City and in the State 
Department in Washington to prove 
this." 

Mr. Wilson would not discuss the pres- 
ent situation in Mexico, but he did re- 
iterate his statement that Gen. Villa 
and many of those associated with him 
were notorious in Mexico for their self- 
ishness in politics and disloyalty to any 
Government. He said that Gen. Villa 
was a simple bandit, and had opposed 
and supported Madero at different times 
as suited his purpose to rob Americans 
and Mexicans alike. 

Latin-Americans should know Latin- 
American problems and Latin-American 
aspirations much better than those in 
Washington v/ho are so concerned about 
them. 

* * * 

The Administration decries the talk of 
armed intervention, while its very acts 
load the guns of the jingoes. 



LEST WE FORGET 



We have a vague recollection of having 
heard not so long ago that the purpose 
of the Administration's attitude toward 
General Huerta was to discourage revo- 
lutions in Latin-America. 

It is painfully plain to the whole world 
that this attitude has been most encour- 
aging to the Mexicans who are seeking 
to overthrow the Government in a revo- 
lutionary manner. 

And yet the Administration is perfectly 
satisfied, according to reports, that its 
policy is "proving successful." 

* * * 

Can you beat it? 

Can you approach it? 

Madero told the Indians that the 
earth and all its riches were theirs — for 
the taking — and he kindled the fires of 
anarchy. 

President Wilson breathed poetic 
words of abstract morals over the Mex- 
ican fires and brought forth a monster 
of immorality. 

* * * 

The ways of the idealist are hard. 

No doubt Washington realizes what a 
national calamity war with Mexico would 
be. 

* * * 

But is it not provoking war? Has it 
not all along courted war? 

* • • 

One who bulldozes and antagonizes 
and threatens another must be willing to 
back up his attitude in case of natural 
opposition or retire ingloriously. 

* • • 

Is it not criminal to bulldoze, antago- 
nize and threaten another nation and 
thereby commit our people to either an 
unjust and burdensome war or a humil- 
iating backdown? 

* * * 

That certainly would seem to be the 
situation in which the Administration 
has placed a peace-loving country. 

* * • 

But would the honest back-down, com- 
ing from so strong a nation, be humiliat- 
ing? Would it not be the strongest pos- 
sible testimony to our greatness? Cer- 
tainly it would not be so humiliating as 
a brutal attack on a smaller nation, ex- 
hausted after years of internal strife. 

* * * 

And of all the humiliating things, 
could anything be worse than the encour- 
agement of that internal strife to lay 
the smaller nation prostrate that we may 
then more easily enforce our dictation? 



With a threatening United States army 
on its northern border and oiw frown- 
ing battleships at its ports, is it any 
wonder that Mexico discounts our wordi 
of peace? 

• • * 

Is it any wonder, that Mexico feels the 
overshadowing power of "the Colossus 
of the North." 

Is it any wonder that all the other 
Latin-American countries vibrate with 
this same feeling? 

• . * * 

There is something petty and shame- 
ful about the whole business as far as 
the Administration's attitude is con- 
cerned. 

• • * 

And the words that have veiled it in 
serene self-satisfaction have been so full 
of fine sentiments. 

• * • 
That fell on barren ground. 

• • • 

Because the heart was not in them. 
The milk of human kindness and toler- 
ance was — sour. 



STATISTICS. 

(Special to the New York "World.") 

Washington, January 6. — The "World" 
is able to present herewith the lat- 
est information possessed by the State 
Department relative to economic con- 
ditions in Mexico and their effect on 
.\mericans and other foreigners in that 
country. 

Approximately 100 Americans have 
lost their lives in Mexico in three years 
of revolution. Less than 50 per cent. 
of the number have been injured. 

"There has not been a single American 
killed because he was an American," said 
a State Department official yesterday. 
"There has not been a single American 
injured because he was an American. 

"Ninety per cent, of the Americans 
killed and injured in Mexico were in- 
volved in brawls or because of taking 
active part with the factions there. Only 
10 per cent, received their wounds as 
a result of accident or by being in the 
line of fire during an engagement be- 
tween the contending forces. A majority 
of the Americans killed and injured re- 
ceived their wounds prior to 1913." 

Statistics show that 95 per cent, of the 
losses suffered by Americans has been 
at the hands of the revolutionists; also 
that most of the Americans killed were 
associated with the revolutionists. 

All the statistics in the possession of 
the State Department have been fur- 
nished by American Consuls and con- 
sular agents in Mexico, men who have 
been in the country a long time and are 
familiar with conditions now and in the 
past. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



ZAPATA 



The representative of the New York 
■"World" who, with considerable diffi- 
culty, succeeded in reaching ih; lair of 
Zapata, and getting an interview with 
the savage bandit is not the oii!>- news- 
paper man who has induced him to talk 
for publication. Last spring a reporter 
•of the Mexico City "El Diario'' (vhicb 
!.. a daily newspaper, often confused here 
with "Diario Official," the official Gov- 
ernment bulletin), talked with Zapata 
and reported substantially the same facts 
as the "World" correspondent. 

Here are some of the statements of the 
interview, which shed light on the char- 
acter of Zapata: 

^ The reporter had no difficulty in iden- 
tifying Zapata. He had seen and talked 
to him in the spring of 1911, when he 
came to Mexico City to yield fealty to 
Madero. during the Provisional Presi- 
dency of De la Barra. Now, as then, he 
■was the embodiment of sullen, suspicious, 
defiant, insolent, brute force. Across 
his lanky legs, which were encased in 
tightly-fitting charro trousers, stripped 
under dusty tan boots, his red, hairy 
hands lay loosely. Three fingers were 
circled with rings. One finger, from 
the kmickle to the first joint, was cov- 
ered with rings, four or five of them 
bearing huge diamonds and a ruby and 
an emerald. Bigger diamonds were on 
the other fingers. The jewels fairly 
shrieked "loot" at one. So did the gold 
watch that was strapped around his 
w^rist. Every man in his entourage was 
similarly decked out with gaudy but val- 
uable jewelry. 

Impressions of brutality, ruthlessness, 
cunning, but nothing of real cleverness; 
an ill-proportioned ambition, vanity and 
other qualities akin to these, forced 
therriselves upon one as the rebel leader's 
dominant characteristics. He is as im- 
pressive as a gaunt, fiery-eyed, snarling 
tiger-man who has committed some 
monstrotjs crime, or as a repulsive ser- 
pent, is impressive, not because 01 any- 
thing within them latently noble, benef- 
icent or useful, but by reason of malign 
power for harm which they hold. 

One cannot train the imagination 
sufficiently to divine a humane, kind, 
wise or patriotic Zapata. His appearance 
and manner, everything that one turns 
to the world in converse with other men, 
is against him. Revelations of self which 
came during the interview stamped him 
as a man, in intellect, education, aspira- 
tions and knowledge of his own country 
or of other lands, not superior to the 
average peon whom one encounters any- 
where in Mexico during a day's journey. 

Before he raised the standard of revolt 
against Diaz in the fall of rgio he was 
a peddler of cheap wares through the 
countryside. His jackal is a rascally 
ex-schoolmastcr who writes his high- 
sounding pronunciamentos and supplies 
such scholastic veneer as Zapata requires. 
He composes the florid appeals to the 
people of Mexico, reciting their wrongs 
and promising redresses, which are sent 
out in Zapata's name. Discontent with 
agrarian conditions in Morclos — intense, 
acute and militant for generations — pro- 
vided hirn a popular and attractive slogan 
upon which he has reared a fabric of re- 
bellion that never has been worthy of a 
more dignified name than brigandage. 



Were Zapata not a brigand at heart; 
did he not allow his followers full li- 
cense to rob, ravish, murder and burn, 
he would not last as a leader twenty-four 
hours. He maintains his supremacy be- 
cause he is ten times more brute than 
any other man who owes allegience to 
him. If there, were a worse brute, vil- 
lain or rascal among his hordes, that 
man would oust Zapata in a jiffy. 

It IS desiralile that this be clearly un- 
derstood in order that some things 
which Zapata told the reporters may be 
appraised at their real value. 

"For what are you figliting? What are 
your aims?" was one of the questions the 
reporter asked him. "I am fighting for 
the people of Mexico against the aristo- 
crats," was Zapata's reply. "I want to 
give them back the land that has been 
stolen from them. They have been 
robbed for a long time. You Americans 
have robbed them. 

"All foreigners have robbed them. I 
have taken care of all the thieving 
Gatchupinas (Mexican nickname for 
Spaniards) in Morelos. I have killed 
them all, excepting those that ran away 
and have taken their property. They de- 
served to die because they stole from 
the poor. When I become President I 
shall pass laws to keep foreigners out of 
the country. They come in and take 
everything that belongs to Mexicans — 
mines, lands, oil, everything. Diaz let 
them do it. He ruined the country by 
letting foreigners come in and build rail- 
roads. We do not need railroads in Mex- 
ico. If there were none Americans 
would not come here. Only a few of 
them came before there were railroads, 
because it was too long a journey. 

"When I become President I shall take 
only what is my due, nothing but my 
salary. That is plenty. They say that 
the President is paid twenty thousand 
pesos every year for doing — what? 
Nothing. Yes, it is true that I sent out 
a proclamation before Christmas to warn 
every one in the National Palace that I 
was coming to kill them. Huerta and 
every one who is with him I shall hang. 
I shall not shoot them, for they do not 
deserve soldiers' deaths, for they are 
traitors and thieves. 

"Huerta will do nothing for the poor. 
He sent his soldiers to Morelos and they 
took many good men away — honest men 
who worked and who were not fighting 
for me. They took them out to the 
fields and made them go into the army 
to fight for Huerta. Diaz did that, too. 
When the Army of the South takes Mex- 
ico City I shall do away with the army. 
That is, I shall have only a small one. 
There will be no more need to fight, for 
all people will be with me. They will 
not let the aristocrats and thieves put 
me out and there will be no foreigners 
to interfere, for there will be no rail- 
roads left. We shall destroy them. I 
shall build good roads for pack animals 
and wagons. That is all that Mexico 
needs — good roads." 

Zapata sneered and laughed sarcasti- 
cally when he was asked if he had any 
league or alliance with Carranza. 

"Carranza sent to me to fight for him. 
He was very generous. When he be- 
came President, he said, he would make 
me Governor of Morelos. I thought, 
'When I become President, I shall make 
you Governor of Chihuahua.' Why 
should he, who has been fighting less 
than a year, be President instead of me? 



Would that be fair? But he offered to 
send me rifles, cartridges and some can- 
non. I consented. He did send rifles 
and cartridges, but no cannon. Now he 
sends me no more; not even letters call- 
ing me his dear friend. 

"Carranza wanted me to capture Mex- 
ico City. I could do it, but why should 
I turn it over to him? When I take 
Mexico City I shall keep it for myself, 
not gi\e it away to a man who cannot 
win his own battles. I could have cap- 
tured the city many times, but I am not 
ready. For a long time my men were 
afraid. They are poor Indians, used only 
to the country. They were fearful of a 
big city like Mexico. Foolish stories had 
been told them of things that happened 
there, so they were all frightened. But 
they will soon forget that. They know 
I shall do as I promised — capture the 
city and hang Huerta and all his Minis- 
ters unless they run away too fast. No, 
I am fighting for my own cause, which 
is the cause of the common people. If 
others want to join me they may do so. 
Do I not deserve to be the leader and 
have the people elect me President? 
What other man has fought as success- 
fully as I? All the soldiers in Mexico 
cannot catch me. Madero and I are the 
only ones who revolted who have suc- 
ceeded. Orozco failed. So did Reyes 
and Felix Diaz. See, here is how much 
the people think of me." 

So his talk went on hour after hour — 
boastful, swaggering, foolish, unerringly 
betraying his quality as a man. One 
could not help feeling regretful that 
some malign disposition of Providence 
had so ordered events in Mexico as to 
permit Zapata to become a vital factor in 
the present or the future of the stricken 
country. For, regardless of his unworth- 
iness from every standpoint by which 
sincere patriotic endeavor may be meas- 
ured, Zapata is a factor which must 
be reckoned with in the restoration of 
law and order in the republic. 

It is certain that he will resist to the 
last in his mountain fastnesses all en- 
deavors to compel his submission. He 
probabh' is the most hopelessly individu- 
alistic of all Mexican individualists whose 
selfishness, rapacity and lawless tenden- 
cies, loosed under the guise of patriot- 
ism and honest revolution, have brought 
the country to the dust. 



What Washington Thinks 



Washington, January 8. — The impres- 
sion has been growing here that John 
Lind made a pessimistic report on con- 
ditions in Mexico on the occasion of his 
recent conference at sea with President 
Wilson. 

It is understood that the conference 
was sought by Lind because he had ac- 
cumulated during his long exile in Mex- 
ico a very definite set of ideas as to the 
nature of the situation and the way the 
United States should treat it and be- 
cause he was growing impatient for an 
opportunity to place these ideas before 
President Wilson. 

What Private Advices Say. 

Private advices received from Vera 
Cruz and elsewhere in Mexico from time 
to time have tended to indicate that Lind 
was beginning to hold views on Mexico 
more like those of Henry Lane Wilson, 
former Ambassador to Mexico, than 
those of the President and Secretary 
Bryan. 

It is remarkable but none the less true 
that the ofTicials who have most to do 
with Mexico are least in sympathy with 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



MEXICO 



WHAT WASHINGTON THINKS. 

(Continued) 

the policy of President Wilson as a 
course likely to bring about the desired 
results. 

There is not y l)reath of disloyalty to 
the President in official quarters, but in 
eight months it is quite natural that the 
real tlioughts and opinions of officials 
should become apparent despite the ne- 
cessities of their apparent position and 
the requirements of loyalty to the Presi- 
dent. 

.\rmy and navy officers are practically 
unanimous in this view, although none 
can be found in any other attitude but 
that of supporting the President. The 
same situation is true in Congress, 
though no canvass of the situation 
would reveal the true state of the Con- 
gressional minds. 

The Democrats feel obligated to speak 
up in favor of the President when ques- 
tioned, while the Republicans hesitate to 
lay themselves open to the charge of 
trying to embarrass the President by dis- 
cussin;jr the Me.xican situation. 

Yet the fact remains that the Presi- 
dent and his Secretary of State are about 
the only enthusiastic believers in the 
Wilson Mexican policy as a means of 
bringing about a restoration of peace, 
orderly government and tolerable condi- 
tions in Mexico. 

The Diplomats' Attitude. 

.•\s for the members of the Diplomatic 
Corps, these gentlemen make no secret 
among their friends of their disbelief 
in the likelihood of the President suc- 
ceeding in accomplishing anything defi- 
nite and practical by his present policy. 

The diplomats have settled down to 
wait for the Washington /Vdministration 
to reach their point of view, apparently 
confident that the Administration will 
d'T so in the course of time. They are 
also convinced that there is no use of 
trying to get anything done for Mexico 
until the President is himself thoroughly 
convinced that the time has come to put 
an end tn "watchful waiting." 

The faith in the Carranza movement 
which many of the less experienced in 
the State Department used to express is 
seldom mentioned now. The first idea 
of the Democratic officials was that they 
could settle the Mexican problem by ig- 
noring it. Their ne.xt idea was that 
they could solve it by letting the Con- 
stitutionalists do the work of driving out 
Huerta and setting the Mexican house 
in order. 

The last month or two, however, saw 
the reluctant abandonment of faith and 
hope in the Constitutionalists. It is 
generally admitted by some of the most 
responsible officials of the Administra- 
tion that there is no likelihood of Huerta 
either resigning or being forced out, 
nor of the Constitutionalists succeeding 
in setting up the kind of Government 
the President thinks Mexico should have. 

The warmest friends the Constitution- 
alists have in official quarters are now 
admitting that the revolutionists don't 
seem to he making much headway. The 
domination of Villa the bandit m the 
rebel operations in northern Mexico and 
the inactivity of Carranza at Hermosillo 
are probably the two principal factors 
contributing to the loss of faith on the 
part of officials in the likelihood of the 
revolutionists relieving the United States 
of the task of restoring Mexico to a state 
approximating conditions of law, order 
and civilization. — New York "Sun." 



The Facts About Mexico 



By John Rockwood Phillips. 

In "Pioneer Western Lumberman.' 



(Continued from our last issue) 

An effort made by the Standard Oil 
section of the "Power" to obtain exclu- 
sive pipe-line franchises from President 
Diaz was unsuccessful. Diaz was the 
greatest real patriot known to our gen- 
eration of rulers, as will be realized by 
the .American people when they recover 
from the trance into which they are mes- 
merized by the press agents of the 
"Power." 

.■\n effort was made by certain Amer- 
ican interests to obtain a concession for 
two oil pipe lines from the Tampico oil 
fields to tidewater. This would have 
placed the owners of the oil fields at the 
mercy of the owners of the pipe lines. 
Diaz refused a franchise which would 
give a monopoly in Mexico and strength- 
en the power of the "Standard" in the 
oil trade of the world. This refusal was 
a mortal offense to the "Power." Just 
previous to this episode the Diaz Gov- 
ernment had executed a financial coup, 
and had "put one over" on the "Power" 
m the New York stock market by ob- 
taining in a perfectly legitimate manner, 
by purchase in open market, the controll- 
ing interest in the capital stock of the 
railways of Mexico, now known as the 
"National" system. This transaction was 
conducted so deftly that the agents of 
the New York financial interests did not 
realize what was doing until the feat 
was accomplished. It was such a pre- 
posterous thing that any government 
should presume to dispute the right of 
the "Power" to control in any large en- 
terprise that the blow could not be for- 
given, and President Diaz incurred the 
relentless enmity of the Powers That Be. 
Certainly a financial group that could 
control the Government of the United 
States of America should be able to dic- 
tate to the United States of Mexico. 

When Diaz refused the request for the 
pipe line concession and a complete mo- 
nopolistic control of the petroleum busi- 
ness in Mexico, his doom was sealed. 
The "Power" would "get" Diaz. This 
decision had a widespread influence. It 
may have been a coincidence that the big 
petroleum war which was world-wide, 
between the Standard Oil Company and 
its British and European competitors, 
and the big split between Henry Clay 
Pierce of the Waters-Pierce Oil Com- 
pany and the Rockefellers began about 
this time. 

It may seem strange that tlie petro- 
leum war was apparently ended about the 
time arrangements were made for the 
Big Interests to come to an understand- 
ing regarding the Pierson and Doheny 
oil fields in Mexico, and that so shortly 
afterwards and in the midst of a "revo- 
lution" the Mexican Government of Ma- 
dero should make official announcement 
of the concession contracts for the two 
pipe lines formerly refused by the de- 
posed Diaz. It is not my intention to 
muck-rake. I am trying to write a bit 
of history in a few words, so that those 
who read may know the reason of the 
"revolution" in Mexico. A volume might 
be written on the subject — an interesting 
volume. The details of only these two 
episodes which caused the downfall of 
the most benevolent despotism in his- 
tory would make a long story. Many of 
the results of thirty years of uplift have 
been nullified and a state of hatred and 



unrest have replaced in a large meas- 
ure the good feeling between the United 
States and Mexico, which was growing 
with the advance of civilization and pros- 
perity in Mexico, started by Porfirio 
Diaz. Diaz may be criticised for over- 
staying his time and for failure to choose 
wisely his official family, but Diaz was 
betrayed by his friends at home and by 
his supposed ally and friend abroad, his 
next-door-neighbor Nation, the United 
States of America. 

It may be that all this trouble and 
sorrow and treachery between individ- 
uals and between the Republics are a 
part of the evolution of civilization and 
that from the poverty and suffering of 
innocent people will come better con- 
ditions of life and enviroment. Perhaps 
the "Pirates of Privilege" are the chosen 
instruments of a Fate or Providence 
working out larger plans than we poor 
mortals can appreciate. But at present 
the thousands of Americans who are 
broke because of the despoliation of 
their property interests in Mexico can- 
not see the light. 

The stain which cannot be removed 
is that made by the part taken by our 
own Government of these United States 
of .'\merica, inciting bloodshed, upset- 
ting the progress of civilization, incur- 
ring the enmity and derision of friendly 
neighbors, allowing them to be plunged 
into debt that our capitalists might profit 
by their enforced poverty, and if the 
plans of the "Power" are carried to 
fruition, the loss to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment of the controlling ownership of 
the National Railways. Added to the 
shame and disgrace of conditions in 
Mexico is the contempt of Europe for 
our hypocrisy in trying to arrange an 
impossible National peace agreement, 
while we incite war to gain more sails 
for an already top-heavy pirate craft, 
now sailing under the black flag of "Big 
Business." 

There are a number of other reasons 
for the state of Mexican affairs, but they 
are all traceable to conditions made in 
Mexico by the "Power" that started a 
few years ago to take revenge on Diaz 
and incidentally to get those pipe line 
and other concessions, now recently ac- 
quired from Madero. Incidentally, also, 
as usual, the "Standard Oil Crowd" ar- 
ranged to pick up a few millions extra 
profit by the absorption of the oil fields 
which had been partly exploited by 
Pierson and Doheny. In all justice it 
must be said that a Standard Oil official 
has said that this whole story is without 
foundation. 

I will try to tell the story from the 
beginning, or from the first appearance 
of manifestations. Not in full detail; 
that would take too long. Not too ac- 
curately at present; that might make 
trouble for certain individuals who know 
more than they dare tell. 

Practically no .American property or 
citizen had been molested in Mexico be- 
fore the President of the United States 
issued his proclamation virtually an- 
nouncing that his Government was un- 
able to protect the lives and property of 
foreigners, .Americans or Europeans in 
Me.xico. Another chapter of a volume 
could be written on this phase of the 
subject and its effect on Americans and 
Mexicans. 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



THE FACTS ABOUT MEXICO— Continued 



This statement of the President at 
least had the effect of accentuating the 
antagonism between Mexicans and 
Americans. It was followed by the ex- 
odus of several thousand Americans who 
left all their possessions in Mexico, in 
many cases unprotected because the 
American papers had been made to say 
that this notice of the President for 
the Americans to withdraw was a dip- 
lomatic method of warning them of 
armed intervention. The newspapers 
were also made to say that the State 
Department had announced that those 
Americans who did not heed the Presi- 
dent's warning could expect no consid- 
eration from the Department. 

A repetition of this suggestion to 
Americans in Mexico couched in more 
commanding language has recently em- 
anated from the new Administration in 
Washington to add studied insult to 
the injury inflicted by the President of 
the United States upon the Mexican peo- 
ple when he virtuallj' convicted the 
Constitutional Provisional President of 
assassination. 

When it was decided that Diaz must 
go. it became necessary for the con- 
spirators to educate the public of the 
United States so that they might com- 
placently allow the outrage. The clev- 
erest men for financial gain in the world 
are the leaders of the Big Interests. 
The}- gather into their employ all the 
clever men who can be of service who 
are looking for big financial returns and 
credit must be given for this generosity, 
which is a part of the cleverness. The 
people of the United States admired 
Diaz. This admiration must be turned 
to distrust. The character and actions of 
Diaz were attacked as if he had been an 
opposition candidate for President of the 
United States. The most trivial happen- 
ings in our neighbor Republic were ex- 
aggerated and misstated. Efforts were 
also made to "get at" the supposed suc- 
cessor of Diaz. This man was no doubt 
susceptible to influence and always had 
his price displayed in large figures 
marked down to small sums for spot 
cash. But for some reasons that do not 
now appear, he was not fully depended 
upon to accomplish the desired results. 
There was no one apparently strong 
enough to beat Diaz in an election con- 
test, and a real revolution was decided 
as necessary. 

The attention of the writer was first 
drawn to the press agent work, which 
■preceded the revolution proper, when 
spending a few weeks at one of the prin- 
cipal towns on the border. The East- 
ern newspapers contained many dis- 
patches telling of the spirit of unrest 
among the Mexicans along the border. 
Thev were ready to take arms against 
the Mexican Government. Mexican Gov- 
ernmcni troops were assembling in great 
numbers. United States troops were be- 
ing moved secretly to the border to pro- 
tect United States citizens from the in- 
cendiaries and conditions were repre- 
sented as very critical. I was in the 
midst of these fake disorders for three 
weeks with nothing to do but wander 
about to look for troops or to sound the 
sentiments of the Mexicans. There were 
no United States troops there any near- 
er than their regular posts, distant more 
than one day's travel. There were no 
more Mexican soldiers than usual for po- 
lice and custom house guard duty. 

The harsh sentiments against Ameri- 
cans were not in evidence. According to 
the dispatches presumed to have been 
sent to these Eastern newspapers from 
this town, Americans were alarmed at the 
suggestive and threatening attitude of the 
Mexicans and an outbreak was expected 



at any moment. The grand demonstra- 
tion was to begin on the Mexican Inde- 
pendence Day, September 16th, which is 
usually celebrated as the greatest fiesta 
of the year. At this time the celebra- 
tion was to occupy eight days. I attend- 
ed the fiesta every day and evening. 
Americans, men and women, joined with 
the Mexicans for the big celebration. 
There was no sign of any thought of dis- 
turbance except in the grape-vine dis- 
patches of Eastern newspapers. This 
press program was continued at intervals 
for three years, always taking new life 
just before the outbreaks that were to 
begin all over Mexico on each Indepen- 
dence Day. 

In the meanwhile, the press agencies 
were at work in other directions, muck- 
raking Mexico and the Mexican Govern- 
ment until Diaz was looked upon by the 
reading public as a bloodthirsty tyrant. 
The magazine articles entitled "Barbar- 
ous Mexico" were the most influential in 
confirming in the minds of the American 
public the impression which had been 
nursed through the press for many 
months. These articles were for the 
most part founded on facts, but so dis- 
torted, so exaggerated, so unfairly pre- 
sented, that the impression created vvas 
incorrect and untruthful. Isolated in- 
stances of cruelty and oppression during 
a long period of years following the for- 
mer period of anarchy were made to ap- 
pear as usual and universal. The same 
sort of an account might be written re- 
garding similar conditions in the United 
States, which would present to readers in 
Europe, for instance, who were not other- 
wise informed, the same sort of impres- 
sion of the "Barbarous United States of 
America." *..*..* 

In the evolution of history Diaz's term 
of service had expired. He was old and 
too much beset with enemies in his own 
official family to understand fully the 
trend of events. Or, if he did see what 
was coming, he felt it inevitable. He ap- 
parently committed the grave error of al- 
lowing himself to be re-elected President. 
He was forced, however, at the last mo- 
ment to become a candidate in 1910 be- 
cause he had discovered too late that the 
man chosen to succeed him was un- 
worthy and for the moment he saw no 
other man qualified and available. Li- 
mantour, the most competent, positively 
declined. Madero, who had aspired to 
the office, was a dreamer who had been 
suspected of insanity. But Madero, with 
his aspirations, became the chosen tool 
of the Interests who were after Diaz's 
scalp. Whether Francisco Madero knew 
the role he was to play or not is uncer- 
tain. Some of his family knew it and 
when the time came the sale of the Ma- 
dero Guavule lands, as reported from 
Mexico City, brou.ght $in,noo,000 to 
finance the Madero revolution. Who 
bought the Guayule lands? 

It was just before this time that Diaz 
committed what appears to have been 
his greatest error. He caused the arrest 
of Madero, his rival for the Presidency. 
Make a martyr of a political aspirant and 
immediately the American pulilic flocks 
to his cause. To the public at large it 
appeared that Diaz had confirmed the 
stories of tyranny which had made him 
appear a fiend incarnate. Diaz foresaw, 
with the prescience of a great statesman, 
what the future of his country might be 
imder the Maderos, and he made a state- 
ment when leaving Havana which ex- 
plained the whole situation: "I leave my 
country, hoping thereby to avoid a dis- 
astrous warfare and the sacrifice of my 
fellow countrymen. Financial forces 
which desire my downfall are too strong 
for me." The second great error of Diaz 
was his dependence upon the loyalty of 



the United States Government, which 
for over twenty years had been acting as 
guardian of its neighbor, not yet of age 
to manage alone its internal and for- 
eign affairs. The records of our State 
Department could disclose the beginning 
of the guardianship under the policy of 
Secretary Blaine and his Pan-American 
plan, continued by John Hay. 

Diaz could not imagine that his friend 
and guardian could be hostile to him and 
to peace in the country of his people. 

But what really happened? With Ma- 
dero's early successes inflaming the peo- 
ple who had been carefully educated for 
three years to this point of inflammation, 
with the certainty that he had been be- 
trayed at home and abroad, with full 
knowledge that the Interests behind the 
"revolution" were implacable and om- 
nipotent, broken with age and sorrow, 
tortured finally by an ulcerated tooth, 
the grand old patriot gave way to inev- 
itable fate and departed from his be- 
loved country with the dignity which 
was one of his principal characteristics. 
Lesser incidents than a toothache have 
served the designs of Fate in making 
history. 

The sorrow of Diaz was for his people 
who were to be plunged into a state of 
anarchy such as had prevailed thirty 
years before when Diaz, with the al- 
most savage determination which was 
necessary for success imder the circum- 
stances, began his career as civilizer of 
a barbarous and divided nation. His dis- 
appointment was at the treachery of the 
men in his cabinet whom he had trusted, 
and the perfidy of his former friend and 
guardian, the great moral, liberty-lov- 
ing and giving United States of Arnerica. 
The passionate patriotism of this re- 
markable man, shown so many times 
during his early career when he again 
and again declined personal advance- 
ment at the expense of the country's pro- 
gress under a Constitution was simpljr 
and eloquently expressed in his letter of 
resignation of the Presidential office. 
Addressing the Congress he said: "Se- 
nores, the Mexican people, who have 
generously covered me with honors, who 
proclaimed me as their leader during 
the internationa.1 war, who patriotically 
assisted me in all works undertaken to 
develop industry and the commerce of 
the Republic, establish its credit, gain 
for it the respect of the world and ob- 
tain for it an honorable position in the 
concert of nations; that same people has 
revolted in armed military bands, stating 
that my presence in the exercise of the 
supreme executive power was the cause 
of this insurrection. Therefore, respect- 
ing, as I have always respected, the will 
of the people, and in accordance with 
Article S2 of the Federal Constitution, I 
come before the supreme representative 
of the nation in order to resign, unre- 
servedly, the oft'ice of Constitutional 
President of the Republic with which 
the national vote honored me, which I 
do with all the more reason since in 
order to continue in office it would be 
necessary to shed Mexican blood, en- 
dangering the credit of the country, dis- 
sipating its wealth, exhausting its re- 
sources and exposing its policy to in- 
ternational complications.' 

"I hope, gentlemen, that, when the 
passions which are inherent to all revo- 
lutions have been calmed, a more con- 
scientious and justified study will bring 
out in the national mind a correct ac- 
knowledgment which will allow me to 
die carrying engraved in my soul a just 
impression of the estimation of my life, 
which throughout I have devoted and 
will devote to my countrymen." 
(To be concluded.) 



Saturday, Januarx 17, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



DRIFTING TO WAR. 

Intervention in Mexico is the end to 
which President Wilson's policy must in- 
evitably lead us. To it we are rushing 
with ever-increasing- speed. Just the 
day or the hour when it will be reached 
cannot be foretold, but that it will come 
unless the situation is saved by a com- 
plete reversal of the policy of our Gov- 
ernment is as certain as sunrise. If the 
President will lay aside for the moment 
his preconceived idea of the Mexican 
situation, forget his characteristic stub- 
borness and persistency in following an 
adopted theory, and recognize Huerta, 
the danger of our having to invade Mex- 
ico will pass. It is yet not too late to 
take this course, which all the other 
nations have deemed wise. The talk of 
the Huerta government being founded 
in blood is, under the circumstances, pure 
rot. The government of Diaz — the best 
Mexico ever had, and, counting what it 
did for the nation, the best government 
that any people ever had— was erected 
and maintained through very much blood. 
The people of Mexico have neither the 
civilization nor education fitting them to 
be governed by any other than a strong 
centralized or individual power, and such 
power must needs be sustained by the 
sword. 

That Huerta was personally responsi- 
ble for, or party to, the death of Madero 
is unquestionably a fiction, though it 
seems to have impressed itself upon 
President Wilson and his advisers. Of 
the three men who are to the fore in 
Mexico today— Huerta, Carranza and 
Villa — Huerta is incomparably the best. 
Neither Carranza nor Villa could possi- 
bly erect a stable government that 
would be accepted by the intelligent 
property-owning classes of Mexico. 
Huerta has the confidence of that ele- 
ment of the Mexican population, and if 
his government be promptly recognized 
by the United States he will be able to 
secure all the funds needed — for Mexico 
is rich and the money-lending world will 
recognize the value of its securities when, 
as under Diaz, is has a stable government 
— and he will be able to put such troops 
in the field as will subdue and, if nec- 
essary, exterminate the bands of thieving 
insurrectos which for months have been 
allowed to lay waste a large part of 
Mexican territory. This— or armed in- 
tervention. 

Armed intervention in Mexico may 
sound well to that minority of our people 
who, whenever there is a war, flock to 
Washington and settle down upon the 
Government to suck its blood in rich 
contracts. It may sound well to youn.ger 
officers of the army, who, naturally am- 
bitious to rise in their profession, work 
for preferment and promotion and look 
to glory in actual war. But by honest. 



calm, sound-thinking, patriotic citizens 
war with Mexico is strongly deprecated. 
To older soldiers, to officers who have 
long made a study of war and its prob- 
lems, to those yet living who have mem- 
ories of our great Civil War, armed in- 
tervention in Mexico would have terrors 
scarcely expressed by Sherman's great 
epigram, "War is hell." 

The moment that there is armed inter- 
vention every Mexican, even though he be 
bandit and insurrecto now, will become 
a patriot, and his life will be given to 
his country in defense against invasion. 
A very large proportion of the male 
population of Mexico is composed of 
soldiers — soldiers in the sense that they 
are familiar with arms, inured to the 
hardship of marches and camp. In the 
country there is a store of arms and the 
munitions of war that would enable Mex- 
ico to put in the field in thirty days a 
far larger army than we could possibly 
organize, equip and put on the Mexican 
border in four months. But if we make 
a start of war we must carry it to the 
end. The final result, if we shall have 
only Mexico to deal with, cannot be 
doubtful, but before it is ended we shall 
have incurred a new debt of a billion of 
dollars and sacrificed hundreds of thou- 
sands of lives on the field or through the 
sickness incident to army movements. — 
"Town Topics." 



NO HOPE FOR MEXICO IN VILLA. 

The further Villa gets from the Rio 
Grande the less pronounced is anti-Fed- 
eral sentiment, and his advance on that 
account becomes progressively difficult. 
He leaves, too, in his track, thousands 
of men whose hearts are embittered by 
the cruelties practiced on their relatives 
or friends. They may be cowed into 
present submission, but they will not 
miss an opportunity to rise and secure 
vengeance. It is a factional warfare, 
not a conquest for principle, and not un- 
til the living victims of Villa are extir- 
pated will his supremacy remain unchal- 
lenged. 

The signal success of the ignorant 
Villa renders the position of Carranza 
even more equivocal than formerly. His 
lieutenant overshadows him. This is par- 
ticularly deplorable in that it precludes 
the possibilitj' of any recognition by this 
Government of the Constitutionalist 
cause, which is now identified as mere 
brigandage on a huge scale. Villa's tri- 
umphs complicate the situation; they do 
not simplify it. 

It may be that the Administration has 
erred in its assumption of the Mexican 
people's capacity for self-government. It 
may be, to go further, that Washington, 
in refusing to recognize Huerta's regime, 
is declining to recognize the only kind 



of government that can ever bring Mex- 
ico out of the chaos into which it has 
fallen. In our own Civil War an extra- 
ordinary assumption of powers by the 
Chief Executive was necessary to pro- 
mote peace. It is true that the manner 
of Huerta's elevation is the principal 
objection to him, but it would be a fright- 
ful blunder to judge him by the political 
code of this nation or to measure his 
shortcomings by the ethics this Republic 
espouses. If his and his opponents' rec- 
ords were set down in parallel columns, 
a better estimate of the situation could 
be had. 

Washington may possess more exact 
information than the rest of the nation 
has, but certainly as the history of the 
last few months shapes itself, the conclu- 
sion is irresistible that in no revolution- 
ary movement nor any amalgamation of 
them is there any probability of stable 
government in Mexico. If Huerta does 
not hold the key to the rehabilitation of 
the country, assuredly it is held by the 
men and classes who have rallied to his 
support. — Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



THE OGRE OF OJINAGA. 

The war is not over in Mexic'i. Very 
far from it. The eventual capture of 
the little town of Ojinaga was a foregone 
conclusion when the Federals under Mer- 
cado evacuated the city of Chihuahua. 
Isolated by hundreds of miles from the 
portion of Mexico which remain? loyal 
to Huerta, it could not possibly hold out 
long. 

The stubbornness shown by the garri- 
son was a proof that the soldiers under 
Mercado all believed that they were fight- 
ing for their country and for legitimate 
rule within its borders. Men do not will- 
ingly lay down their lives, as Major 
Mendoza and his men did in defending 
the Federal rear guard at the Rio Grande 
ford, for the sake of a mere faction. This 
exploit was as heroic as Horatio's defense 
of the bridge in the "brave days of old." 

Meantime Villa "executes" — that is, 
murders — his prisoners, and starts for the 
interior, where he will definitely displace 
Carranza as the real head of the rebel- 
lion, and put himself in line for the presi- 
dency in case the revolt wins. 

With Villa in, if he ever does get in, 
and Huerta out, the situation of President 
Wilson will resemble that of the man 
who invited the seven other spirits more 
evil than the first to come in and take 
the place of the unclean spirit that had 
been driven out of him. "Verily the last 
state of that man shall be worse than 
the first." — New York "Evening Mail." 



LOSING PRESTIGE IN SOUTH 
AMERICA. 

South America views Mexico through 
a mist. It is waiting for light from the 
United States to break through. 

Observations begun four months ago 
at Panama, continuing along the west 
coast, across to the east coast and up 
to Rio, have been taken with the pur- 
pose of crystalizing, so far as it is 
possible to crystalize, the general or 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



average sentiment. I am going to state 
the result in South American environ- 
ment, live thousand miles from Wash- 
ington. 

The marked feature of the situation 
is the diminishing prestige of the United 
States. Prestige is another name for 
confidence in us, and this confidence is 
the foundation of the moral influence 
which is supposed to be the aim of our 
national policy in regard to Soutli Amer- 
ica. The loss of prestige means the 
lessening of our moral influence and the 
growth of the anti-American sentiment 
which is becoming prevalent. 

It was at Panama that a Latin-Amer- 
ican diplomat, who has seen service in 
Washington and who understands collo- 
quial English, remarked: 

"Your President in this Mexican af- 
fair — at what port shall he disembark?" 

"You mean where does he get off?" 

"Yes. that is it. Where shall he get 
ofT?" 

This w-as early in September. The dip- 
lomat was precise in his use of the future 
tense. Since then I have heard the same 
question many times and in many forms, 
but alwa3's with the accent on the future, 
and during the last two months with a 
growing note of uncertainty and distrust. 
The drifting policy does not favorably 
impress the South American mind. — 
Charles M. Pepper, in New York "Trib- 
une," writing from Rio de Janeiro. 



IN SOUTH AMERICAN EYES. 

On another page of this issue, Mr. 
Charles M. Pepper analyzes the opinion 
which the South American republics have 
formed of President Wilson's Me.xican 
policy. Mr. Pepper is especially quali- 
fied for such a task, since both as a rep- 
resentative of the United States and as 
a private investigator he has given most 
of his time for the past twenty years to 
the study of Latin-American affairs. His 
conclusion is a simple and natural one. 
South America, with every predisposition 
to approve any programme which Wash- 
ington might adopt, finds in the Wilson 
programme these obvious defects which 
foreign opinion generally recognizes in 
it at a glance, and which would be much 
more freely recognized in the United 
States were it not for a patriotic desire 
to avoid weakening the Administration's 
prestige and moral influence. * * * 

The things which Latin-Americans 
criticize in President Wilson's policy are 
its looseness and indefiniteness. It may 
have been all right to start out drifting, 
but at what port can a drifting vessel 
hope to arrive? Having at the beginning 
no clear view of the end, the President 
could not chart his course. He clothed 
his purposes in generalities, and one of 
those generalities has hung ever since 
like a millstone about the neck of his 
programme. All the world would have 
understood him if he had said that he 
would recognize no government in Mex- 
ico which could not show that it was 
competent to restore order and protect 
life and property. But neither Latin- 
Americans nor Europeans understood 
him when he declared that he would rec- 
ognize no President unable or unwilling 
to restore "constitutional government." 

"Constitutional government" is an elas- 
tic ideal among the Latin-Americans. Its 
attainment is a thing to be hoped for. 
But most of these countries have got 
along with a very moderate measure of it 
from time to time, and they do not put 
it in the same category of political neces- 
sities as internal tPJinquility and order. 

The Wilson programme therefore 
seems in their eyes to have confused non- 
essentials with essentials and to have 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

prevented the Government at Washing- 
ton from doing urgent and necessary 
work in Mexico by having pledged it in 
advance to do at the same time a work 
which might better have been kept on 
the waiting list or treated as of second- 
ary importance. 

It is a help to common sense and mid- 
dle-of-the-road thinking to see ourselves 
occasionally as neighbors see us. — New 
York "Tribune." 



THE WAR IN MEXICO. 

According lo recent advices, both 
from Washington and Pass Christian, 
there is to be absolutely no change in 
our policy towards Mexico. The United 
States is, therefore, to continue to sit 
down patiently and wait until exhaustion 
of financial resources or the victories of 
the northern revolutionists, led by such 
men as Villa and Carranza, force Pro- 
visional President Huerta to retire. Un- 
fortunately for such a program. Huerta 
.seems to be able to obtain money from 
European sources somehow, and when 
he has exhausted that means of supply 
he will be able to raise money at home 
by forcing the big landholders and mag- 
nates to disgorge some of their hoards. 
The revolutionists, despite the heralded 
victories, are making but slow progress 
in the north, while the activity of the 
British Government along the southern 
border has made it impossible to import 
men and arms in that quarter. There 
is. therefon-, no immediate prospect that 
Huerta will either retire or be forced 
out. 

Supposing, however, that Huerta, who 
is by long odds the strongest man in 
Mexico at the present time, should re- 
tire or be forced to quit in the near fu- 
ture, what other man could the United 
States recognize and support as Presi- 
dent of the Mexican Republic? Surely 
such a man as Villa, with his record as a 
bandit and with the long list of cruelties 
attached to his career as a revolutionary 
leader, could not be accepted by the 
United States. Carranza has a less 
bloody reputation, but even Mexicans 
admit that he is scarcely presidential 
timber. Our administration would prob- 
ably find it a more difficult task to pick 
out an acceptable man to replace Huerta 
than its efforts to get rid of that gentle- 
man are proving. 

The refusal to recognize Huerta as 
provisional president or at least as 
the ruler de facto was a serious mis- 
take that has hampered every effort the 
Washington Government has made to 
bring about a peaceable solution of the 
Mexican situation. Despite our attitude 
of aloofness Huerta is the actual ruler 
of at least three-fourths of Mexico, 
and. whether we wish it or not, we are 
compelled to look to him for the pro- 
tection of our citizens and other for- 
iegners residing in Me.xican territory. 
We dare not recognize the belligerency 
of the insurgents, therefore we are in 
the lamentable position of being able 
to do practically nothing for the pro- 
tection of our people and their property 
that are exposed to danger from both 
warring factions. — New Orleans "Pica- 
yune." 



INEFFECTIVE INTERVENTION 

He (Huerta) was for the time exer- 
cising the powers of a de facto Presi- 
dct, and had the American Government 
followed the example of other foreign 
governments having Mexican interests 
and recognized him for what he un- 
doubtedly was. it would have enabled 



what was the only semblance of govern- 
ment which existed in Mexico to get the 
means of maintaining itself. 

The successes of the other faction are 
apparently due to the refusal of Presi- 
dent Wilson to recognize Huerta as Pro- 
visional President, and also insisting that 
none of his prominent supporters should 
be in any way connected with any new 
government. 

That was explicit "intervention," but 
utterly ineffective in any positive way 
because not backed up by force. It gave 
moral support to the Carranza faction — 
which is certainly no better than that of 
Huerta and with even less color of le- 
gitimacy — and weakened Huerta. 

In other words, the combined actioa 
and inaction of President Wilson have 
been directly promotive of anarchy. 

And for this other nations having 
Mexican interests are holding our Gov- 
ernment responsible in a spirit which in- 
dicates the possibility of very unpleasant 
entanglements and clashes. — San Fran- 
cisco "Chronicle." 



LITTLE HOPE IN A MEXICAN 
COUP D'ETAT. 

There can be little reason for elation 
if it is true that John Lind reported 
to President Wilson that plans are be- 
ing formed for a coup d'etat in Mexico 
City, and that in the event of its suc- 
cess Zapata and his oiulaws would pour 
into and take possession of the city. 
Huerta at least represents order wher- 
ever he is in control. The substitution 
of some bandit in his place will not solve 
the Mexican situation. It will merely in- 
tensify it. It is humiliating to think that 
this great nation should base its diplo- 
macy on the possibiUty of such an event 
or by implication favor it. .V murder- 
ous coup d'etat is the primary reason 
why Huerta is not recognized now. The 
only advantage another would give this 
nation would be in a possible opportun- 
ity to reverse our stand, and there is no 
reason to assume that the President pro- 
poses that. Intervention cannot be 
avoided by the further division of Mex- 
ico into factions and by more murders. 
— Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



MEXICO ANALYZED. 

John Hubert Cornyn, B.B.LL.,B., who dissected 
Mexico, its queer customs and its strifes at Louis- 
iana State Museum, Chartres and St. Ann, last 
night, said many misstatements had been made 
about the country by American newspaper cor- 
respondents. He said there were very few white 
men who could understand the race. 

"It is the easiest thing in the world to stir 
up a revolution. A person with two drinks of 
the native liquor in him can get half the popula- 
tion to follow him. Show Mexicans that you are 
a "good fellow," and there will be thousands to 
follow you. 

"Modern Mexico, with the advent of Poriirio 
Diaz, signalized a new regime. But with all his 
fine ideas about education, the President could 
not undertake to teach all the masses. At the 
present time it would take half the country's 
wealth to obtain education for everyone. 

"The nobles, the real aristocracy of Mexico, 
wouldn't touch politics with a ten-foot pole. There- 
fore, government is left to the 'new ones,' spring- 
ing up on all sides, nourished by a little learning. 

"Madero was doomed even before he started. 

"The inborn superstition of the Indian, 3tX) to 
500 years old, has not left him even now. Thus 
it is easy to prey on his ignorant mind, for he is 
told 'his hands are free,' which, interpreted, means 
he can steal what he lays his hands on ; that h« 
will get better wages if he follows that particular 
revolutionary leader." 

(Continued on next page) 



Saliirday, January 17, 1914 



MEXICO 



11 



Though he declared it would be some time 
fore present conditions became in any way 
-lied, Mr. Cornyn painted a bright future for 
che stricken country. He said three years ago, 
before ihe era of revolutions, Mexico was the best 
of Latin-American countries. It will regain its old 
title, he predicted. 

Mr. Cornyn spoke under the ausi>ices of the 
Louisiana Historical Society. He is the author 
of "The Life of Porfirio Diaz," a member of 
the Geographical Society of Mexico, the Indian- 
ista Society, and graduate of the university at 
Toronto. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



HIST! 

Hist! A cruiser stands off the coast. A 
revenue cutter hugs the shore. The President, 
deeply disguised in a Scotch cap and long cloak, 
tiptoes out of Pass Chris. ian, boards a motor- 
boat and climbs, at the peril of his life, to the 
deck of the cruiser, where his personal repre- 
sentative, John Lind, bows before him. Histl 
They withdraw to the captain's cabin, a sentinel 
is posted at the locked door and they confer in 
whispers and in the deaf and dumb language. 
Reporters, hovering near on a tug, can hear 
through the porthole a few pregnant words. 
Huerta is still doomed. American soldiers are 
disarming the Federal fugitives and driving them 
back into Mexico, helpless, to be murdered by 
Villa in the intervals between his outrages upon 
women. Aha ! 'Tis well ! The President re- 
sumes his disguise, climbs down from the Chester 
and steals into sleeping Pass Christian, where 
he tells the reporters, the next morning, "There 
is no change in My Policy!" Goodness, these 
are parlous times and we live a dime novel 
daily ! But will somebody kindly explain what 
is the necessity for this secrecy and who pays 
the expenses of the President's "personal repre- 
sentative" ? — "Town Topics." 



HOW LONG? 

Huerta's defiant assertion that he will not re- 
sign as long as life remains in his body is simply 
another evidence that he is nowhere near the 
end of his resources, financially or mentally. The 
financial blockade, apparently, is not having the 
result that was expected. While Huerta shrewdly 
pretends he is getting his money from the citi- 
zens of his own country, the known condition of 
Mexico argues that he must be covering up the 
real situation so that the Washington Administra- 
tion may be deceived. 

It has been charged, and not denied, that Huerta 
is being financed by British interests. The leak 
has no; been traced, but the fact that the federal 
troops are receiving their pay and are well fed 
and fighting with renewed vigor and determination 
is ample proof that the leak exists. 

Whatever proposals Huerta may have made re- 
cently, it is fairly certain that his own retirement 
was not part of his offer. He has not been shaken 
in his belief that he is the one man to save 
Mexico from itself, and his persistence in this 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

IQIC MUNSEY BUILDING iqi/; 
1310 WASHINGTON. D. C. '^'O 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



belief appears to be winning others in Mexico 
to the same opinion. 

How long, then, can the United States main- 
tain its i)rcsent anomalous position? — Washington 
"Post." 



FIRMER MEXICAN POLICY. 

It is significant that the wave of pro-interven- 
tion sentiment seems to have receded before the 
clear sense of the country that such action would 
be vastly aggravating to conditions without ef- 
fecting a cure other than such as long years of 
American domination of Ihe republic might effect. 

Huerta is still talking big and one cannot but 
admire the animal courage of the man and the 
ferocious determination that actuates him. If 
there is a firmer Mexican policy to be pursued 
the country would like to know what is its nature, 
as there appears to be none possible other than 
intervention, and this is unthinkable.— Baltimore 
"American." 



RECOGNITION OF HUERTA. 

Editor of Ihc Philadelphia "Public Ledger": 

Sir: In your "Public Ledger," dated December 
16, you have such a fine editorial on "A Definite 
Mexican Policy Imperative," I feel I must write 
to you and express the sentiments of the Ameri- 
can colony here. Your editorial voices exactly 
the feelings here. We all think Huerta should 
be recognized. He is doing all in his power to 
put down brigandage and the rebels, also protect- 
ing the foreigners, and if our own President Wil- 
son does not recognize Huerta he will cause the 
lives of many good Mexicans to be lost, and 
there are many fine, highly-educated Mexicans 
here. As for myself, I have always been treated 
courteously by Mexicans here. I take this liberty 
of writing, as I am an old subscriber of many 
years to your valuable paper, and I receive it 
regularly. S. F. McCLURE. 

Mixeoac, Mexico, D. F., Mexico, Dec. .Il, lOl."!. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: Among the bad breaks the Wilson 
Administration has made, two in particular are 
hopes that the course of the present Government 
hopes that the course of the present government 
would be marked by Ihe strictest "equal justice 
to all, special privilege to none." 

The first of tfiese bad breaks made by the 
present Administration, and one which is daily 
n'aking the situati.m more and more difficult for 
Ihe White House, was that the President, instead 
of recognizing the Government of General Huerta 
as the one force standing for law and order in 
Mexico, chose rather to give moral and material 
support to the marauding group composed of 
vilest dregs of humanity stirred up by the re- 
moval of authority and led by the most selfish 
of interests under the high-sounding title of 
"constitutionalists," so pleasing to the academic 
ear. 

By this first bad break the Government at 
Washington must answer before the tribunal of 
history the charge of fomenting the terrible crimes 
committed by the Carranza and Villa bandits. 



and not only of viewing these atrocities "with 
complacency," but of doing so under the hypo- 
critical guise of being the protector of justice 
and the friend of civilization. 

The second bad break of the Wilson Admin- 
istration was in further burdening the Monroe 
Doctrine with the protection of the lives and 
interests of foreigners, leaving citizens of the 
United States to shift for themselves, thus at- 
taining a height of absurdity never before reached 
in diplomatic history. It is particularly painful 
to have such an utterly silly and incongruous 
declaration from a scholar and thinker of Mr. 
Wilson's calibre. 

As a matter of fact, who is it that is threaten- 
ing the destruction of life and property in Mex- 
ico? Why, the revolutionists. And who gives 
moral support to the revolutionists, and who tries 
in every way to embarass and hinder the govern- 
ment which is the natural protector of the threat- 
ened lives and interests? Why, the Wilson Ad- 
ministration. 

M. C. C. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, January 17, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

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A SOLID FOUNDATION. 

For the last ten months General 
Huerta has been fighting against tre- 
mendous odds, for the opposition of the 
Washington Administration is far more 
formidable than that of the rebel bands 
that have had its moral support. Be- 
cause he has not overcome this com- 
bined opposition in a comparatively 
short time is not surprising, in view of 
the depleted treasury inherited from the 
Madero regime and the financial diflfi- 
culties the Washington Administration 
has cunningly raised in his path. But 
instead of "crumbling" to satisfy the 
personal opposition of the moralists who 
view with complacency the gross im- 
moralities of a Villa, he has maintained 
the integrity and the independence of 
Mexico as a nation, and has rallied to his 
support all the best elements of the Mex- 
ican people. 

With limited financial resources he has 
had lo organize, drill and equip an army 
and place it on a solid foundation of 
power. This work has been going on 
all along and the efficiency and magni- 
tude of the organization will shortly be 
revcalea. Surely ten months is a short 
time in which to organize and train an 
army ■->{ eighty thousand or more, with 
a nucleus of only twenty thousand, while 
at the same time holding in check the 
bandit hordes in a country of vast dis- 
tances. 

The Villas and Zapatas and Carranzas 
may boast and threaten, but their ma- 
rauding forces will eventually have to 
break and scatter before the solid mass 
and power of Huerta's military organiza- 
tion. 

The Mexican President is not building 
on such incidental successes as Ojinaga. 
They are only important to the writers 
of Mexican war fiction. 



A SQUARE DEAL. 

The El Paso "Times" is getting much 
wrought up over some of the lurid 
"stories" sent out from the border town 
by the small army of newspaper corre- 
spondents camped there. Some of these 
"stories," it seems, have tended to re- 
flect upon El Paso, by creating the im- 
pression that life and security were 
menaced by the proximity to Mexico's 
disorder. The "Times" says, editorially: 

The El Paso "Times" has heretofore referred 
to the character of alleged war news sent out 
of El Paso as hurtful to this city, and the cor- 
respondent here alluded to is not alone in offend- 
ing. Others have done and are doing the same 
thing. They are sending their papers the kind 
of dope they know will be printed and which 
will lengthen the monthly string, and they are 
giving El Paso a black eye from one end of the 
country to the other. 

Then comes this heart-rending appeal: 
Gentlemen of the press, give El Paso a square 
deal. The city has the right to demand such 
treatment at your hands, and that you summarily 
cut out those things in your service which are not 
only so grossly and palpably untrue, but which 
are doing this city an injury which it will re- 
quire a long time to repair. 

We do not blame the El Paso "Times" 
for its devotion to El Paso, but the in- 
jury done to that city by the fiction- 
writing correspondents is not a drop in 
the bucket compared to the manifest in- 
justice and damage to the good name 
and credit of Mexico and the Mexican 
people done by these same irresponsible 
border correspondents. Why does not 
the "Times" appeal at the same time for 
fair play for Mexico? 



One who didn't know, reading the 
newspaper accounts, would think that 
Ojinaga was a stone's throw from Mex- 
ico City. 

« * » 

It is about two hundred miles across 
the desert from Chihuahua, and Chihua- 
hua is a thousand miles from the capital. 

The last remnant of Huerta rule in the 
North destroyed, shrieked the scare- 
heads. 

* * * 

The border States of Coahuila and 
Nueva Leon, entirely in the hands of the 
Federals, evidently do not count. 

Which is the same as forgetting to in- 
clude New York and Pennsylvania 
among the Middle Atlantic States. 

Carranza and Villa are reported to be 
entirely in accord as far as overthrowing 
General Huerta is concerned. 

* * * 

Of course. In this so is the Washing- 
ton Administration in accord with the 
supine Carranza and the battling ban- 
dit. 

* * * 

But with Huerta overthrown, what 
then? A three-cornered fight among 
them — a battle royal with the odds fav- 
oring the battling bandit. 



PRACTICAL RESULTS OF ADMIN- 
ISTRATION'S MEXICAN POLICY. 
It has pleased: 

Its authors. 

The Madero family bent on revenge, 
and the Maderist group of office-hungry 
politicians. 

The American oil interests friendly to 
the Maderos. 

Those who want armed intervention. 

The lawless element of Mexico. 
It has aroused: 

The concern of the American people 
who do not want war. 

The disgust of those who believe it is 
immoral to be allied with barbarians like 
Villa. 

The distrust of Latin-American coun- 
tries. 

The suspicion of European nations. 

The resentment of Americans with 
legitimate interests in Mexico. 

The opposition of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. 

The enmity of the Mexican people. 

ABOUT ZAPATA. 

The remarkable interview of a New 
York "World" correspondent with Za- 
pata was a graphic revelation of the in- 
famous bandit's character — at least for 
those who have had little or no knowl- 
edge of this kind of Mexican. His words 
showed a low, animal order of intelli- 
gence and the vicious unreasonableness 
of the criminal. Of the same stripe are 
Villa and the majority of the bandit 
leaders whq are looting and raping in 
Mexico. It is the misfortune of Mex- 
ico, the tragedy of Mexico, that it pro- 
duces men of that stamp to be the tools 
of unscrupulous politicians and rapacious 
financial interests. It is doubly, trebly 
the tragedy of Mexico, and should be 
the shame of the United States, that the 
Wilson Administration, when the char- 
acter of the rebels has been truthfully 
revealed, should persist in an attitude 
toward the Mexican Government that 
abets the criminal activities of these 
barbarians, and hampers the forces of 
law and order. 



The Mexican Federals at Ojinaga 
could get no fresh supplies of ammuni- 
tion from across the border. 

* • • 

Villa's men could — without difficulty. 

• • • 

That's what some folks call neutrality. 

* * * 

That's why we are more than morally 
responsible for the state of lawlessness 
in Northern Mexico. 

* * * 

If Villa is to get a half interest in the 
moving pictures to be made of his bandit 
followers in action, the Washington Ad- 
ministration is entitled to a "rake-off," 
too. 

* * • 

For making Villa and his like possible. 



A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Run» Swiftly Dow n the Hil l While Truth Climbs Slowly.-Oriental Proverb 



VOL. 1— No. 23 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY JANUARY S4, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



A CONTRAST. 

The Maderos and Carranza belong to 
the so-called privileged class of large 
land-owners. They have no Indian 
blood. They have had their chance to 
bring about reforms for the great bulk 
of the population, who are Indians. They 
failed. While they preached division of 
land as a cure for Mexican ills they in- 
creased their holdings instead of taking 
measures to divide them or sell them in 
small parcels. 

Huerta is not a land-owner. He be- 
longs to the people. All his life has 
been lived among them. His Indian 
blood makes him responsive to their 
needs. He has always been compara- 
tively poor, while the Maderos and Car- 
ranza have been men of great wealth. 
Huerta has not had a chance to bring 
about any reforms, to do anything for 
the people, for peace is the crying need 
of Mexico just now. Every obstacle has 
been put in his path. 

Why not give him a chance? 



A LACKING QUALITY. 

Nothing quite so hypocritical has been 
revealed by those newspapers seeking to 
discredit the Mexican Government as 
the placid assertion that it has shown 
its inability to establish the peace it 
promised to Mexico. Those who make 
this statement seem to have not the 
slightest conception of fair play, and 
still claim to be .\mericans. Knowing in 
their hearts that this country has used 
its tremendous power to thwart and 
weaken every honest effort of the Mex- 
ican Government, by encouraging its 
enemies and blocking its would-be- 
friends, they have the brazen impudence 
to ascribe the prolonged disorder in 
Mexico to the incapacity of the Provis- 
ional Government. Surely the sense of 
justice in the people themselves remains 
as an American trait to be proud .-f, 
but certainly it is a quality entirely lack- 
ing in the make-up of those who have 
determined that "Huerta must go." 



THE DUEL 



It is a source of great regret to all 
[>crsoiis directly interested in the welfare 
of Mexico and in the establishment of 
solid friendly relations between the 
American and the Mexican people that 
the situation as it exists in Mexico to- 
day should be so little understood on 
this side of the border. 

This lack of understanding is not con- 
fined to the general public that depends 
for its information on the daily press, 
but it ex' ends most unfortunately to per- 
sons who have the power of directly in- 
fluencing public opinion and of guiding 
the policy of the Administration. 

A. belief generally accepted, for in- 
stance, is that the present struggle will 
soon end because the rebel forces under 
Villa have been successful in gaining 
control of the State of Chihuahua. Like- 
wise because the forces under Carranza 
control Sonora and part of Sinaloa. It 
is argued that as the capture of Ciudad 
Juarez by the Madero revolutionists 
marked the end of the Diaz regime, so 
the capture by Villa of the same city 
and Chihuahua marks the end of the 
Huerta regime. 

Nothing could be more erroneous than 
this belief. The Madero revolution was 
supported by a popular movement that 
swept the country. It was an almost 
bloodless revolution opposed onlv hv a 
decayed government, which did not even 
attempt to retain power by armed strug- 
gle, but renounced it in the hope that 
further bloodshed would be averted and 
the prosperity of the country saved. 

The present struggle is a duel to death. 
On one side stands a government which 
in the face of almost insurmountable 
difficulties has shown a virility and stay- 
ing qualities that are well worth study- 
ing. On the other are ranged multifari- 
ous and disconnected forces which have a 
common immediate aim, that of seizing 
power, but no ultimate harmonious pur- 
pose. 



The strength of the Government lies in 
the fact that it offers protection to life 
and property. The strength of the op- 
posing forces lies in the fact that they of- 
ler promises of power, immediate free- 
ilom from the restrictions of authority, 
an - pportunity to live wi.hout work. .A.lso 
in the fact that they have received and 
receive the moral support of the Wash- 
ington -Administration, with the conse- 
quent materia! support of arms and 
money from this side of the border. 

.-^mong the forces opposing the Gov- 
ernment all kinds of elements may be 
found, from the lowest brigand to the 
man of learning who seeks to satisfy his 
personal ambition even to the extent of 
imperilling the independence of his own 
country. 

There is no real difference in the pur- 
poses claimed by both sides, for It '^ 
generally adinitted in Mexico that certain 
social reforms are indispensable. But it 
is also generally admitted that such re- 
forms cannot be brought about unless 
peace is re-estalilislied. and to establish 
peace a strong temporary dictatorship is 
required. This fact is acknowledged by 
all rebel leaders, each one having de- 
clared that upon his ascending to power 
he would rule as provisional President 
vvitli dictatorial powers until such time 
as the country having been pacified 
(read: unil all other rivals having been 
eliminated), it will he possible to hold 
elections. 

This being the case, it is clear to all 
thinking men in Mexico that a change of 
government would not bring an imme- 
diate change in the conditions of the 
country and that it is more probable 
that these conditions will improve under 
the direction of a government at pres- 
ent supported by all elements of order 
tlian under a new one. 
For this reason the present Govern- 
fContinued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 191-1 



THE DUEL — Continued, 
ment is receiving the support of these 
elements even though they realize the 
disadvantages at which the Government 
fcas been placed by the hostility of the 
Government of the United States. 

The present struggle is a duel to the 
death, and a duel that may be said to 
Tiave just begun. If it were the struggle 
of a whole people against an oppressive 
ruler the downfall of this ruler would 
■be an accomplished fact by this time. But 
it is, instead, a mortal strife between or- 
der and disorder, between respect of 
property and human rights and lawless- 
ness — in short, betwen civilization and 
anarchy. 

The fact that among the rebels there 
may be men who harbor ideals of pol- 
itical freedom does not alter the situa- 
tion. The fact remains that Mexico is 
not shaken by a popular movement, but 
is torn by a faction that, having lost the 
power gained through a revolution, is 
striving to regain it at any cost. 

Fifteen million people are being made 
to suffer, as they stand by yearning for 
peace and the chance to work, by the 
struggle of a few thousand men. If it 
were not so, we repeat, the Government 
could not have endured as long as it has. 

A peculiar condition exists which may 
serve to explain why the revolution is 
not supported by the people in general. 
While the rebellion is said by its leaders 
to find its strength in the wish of the 
peons to acquire small tracts of land, and 
is said to be directed against the large 
land-holders of the country, these lead- 
ers are themselves among the largest 
land-owners of Mexico. The Maderos, 
who are backing and directing the revo- 
lution, Carranza, Pesquiera, and many 
others all l.elnnq to the land-holding 
class which in Mexico forms part of the 
so-called aristocracy. These leaders do 
not do the fighting. Even Carranza, who 
is in the field, has never been known to 
take the lead in a battle or even to take 
part in a skirmish. Most of the Ma- 
deros are in this country. Pesquiera is 
in this country, and so are many others. 
All these men live in luxury while the 
real fighting is done by men like Villa, 
Blanco, Aguilar, Zapata and other lead- 
ers who work more or less independently. 

Now, get this; Neither the Maderos 
nor Carranza when in power, although 
they gained it on the strength of prom- 
ises of division of land, did anything to 
bring about such a division of land. It 
may be adduced that Madero as head of 
the government did not have the time to 
enforce the land reforms he had advo- 
cated. But Madero. with the rest of his 
interminable family, had owned for years 
millions of acres, and so had Carranza. 
Nothing was ever done by these men to 
change in the slightest way the condi- 
tions of the peons on their estates, much 
less was any attempt made to divide 
their lands. Yet these large land-owners, 
these aristocrats, could have done so in 



a private capacity, without the help of 
the Government. 

.''ls we have said, it is a peculiar con- 
dition that the revolution should be led 
and financed by men whose position and 
actions are in absolute contrast with the 
principles they profess. That they have 
received the support — in great measure 
only apparent and temporary — of men 
who are waging war against property- 
holders, only goes to show first, that the 
Mexican peon is easily deceived and led 
into rebellion; second, that fighting lead- 
ers like Villa, Zapata, and Aguilar are 
fighting for personal gain, each one with 
the ultimate hope that by force of arms 
he will be able to become President of 
Mexico, for they all argue: "If Porfirio 
Diaz did it, why not I?" 

On the other hand, at the head of the 
Government is a man of the people, a 
man of mixed blood who was never a 
landowner, who does not belong to the 
aristocratic class, who understands the 
need of the Indian community to which 
he is proud to belong. General Huerta 
has often repeated that he makes no 
promises which he is not sure to be able 
to keep, that first peace must be en- 
forced. Meanwhile, although in a small 
measure owing to his difficult position, 
he is trying to bring about a solution of 
the agrarian problem, the vital import- 
ance of which he realizes. 

He, as well as those who really un- 
derstand Mexico, realizes also, however, 
that the solution of the agrarian problem 
is not the only factor for the mainten- 
ance of peace. It is one of the main 
factors and one which will require a 
long time to attain. 

It is because of these peculiar circum- 
stances surrounding the leaders of the 
revolution and the leaders of the Gov- 
ernment that the people of Mexico in 
general are willing to entrust the bring- 
ing about of their needed reforms to the 
existing Government rather than to a 
new one. Remember, that if the revo- 
lutionary forces should triumph the very 
men who were in power under Madero 
would he there again, .^nd these men 
have been tried and found wanting. 

Another reason why the present strug- 
gle may be considered as just beginning 
is the increasing hatred engendered on 
both sides by the continuance of the 
.stru.ggle itself. The supporters of the 
Government have had ample evidence of 
the real motives which actuate the finan- 
cial and moral support given by the Ma- 
deros. They know that revenge for the 
loss of power is impelling them. 

They know that the rebel leaders have 
decreed the wholesale killing of all army 
officers, that the rebels are pursuing a 
war of extermination. Every day that 
passes the hatred becomes more Jntense. 
That the attitude of this country toward 
Mexico has made possible the continu- 
ance of the struggle and has fanned the 
flames of hatred, must be regretted by 
all Americans who give serious thought 
and consideration to the situation. 



As to the assertion that the Huerta 
Government is at the end of its rope be- 
cause of the financial blockade institut- 
ed by the Washington Administration 
and the consequent inability to secure 
funds from abroad, this is absurd on its 
face. 

It is true that rebel leaders have the 
advantage in so far as they have no in- 
terest to pay on the national debt and 
are not compelled to pay their troops, 
which get their living and ample reward 
from sacking the cities and ranches they 
seize. It is true tliat . the rebels have 
no expensive government departments to 
run. But the Government has ample re- 
sources to draw from for a long time. 
Mexico as a whole will undoubtedly suf- 
fer as a consequence of the necessity in 
which the Government finds itself of 
drawing financial support from the coun~ 
try instead of obtaining it from abroad. 
But Mexico is rich and the end of the 
rope is very far indeed! 

We have considered here only a few 
of the phases presented by the struggle 
in Mexico, leaving aside the internation- 
al aspect of the question, which we have 
considered in other numbers and will re- 
fer to again, for it is perhaps the most 
important of all. 



Ojinaga is thirteen hundred miles from 
Mexico City. Villa has been marching 
south for two months but he is still near 
the border. 

President Gomez is still dictator of 
Venezuela; the elections that were to 
take place last September have not been 
held as yet; we are still Gomez* bosom 
friends, and our Minister to Venezuela 
enjoys the confidence of the dictator. 

The same in Guatemala. But "we love 
constitutional government in Latin- 
America," etc., etc. 

* * * 

Huerta takes a new totter every day, 
they say. 

• * * 

The fact that the Federals control 
absolutely the whole State of Coahuila 
and Nuevo Leon and part of Tamaulipas 
does not impede our historians from stat- 
ing that "the last vestige of Huerta's rule 
has gone from the north." 
* * * 

But perhaps Coahuila and Nuevo Leon 
and Tamaulipas are no longer Northern 
States. 



"There will be between 70,000 ,ind 80,000 men 
in the battle," said a members of General Villa's 
staff to-day. "On our side we will have at 
least 40,000 and perhaps 50,000 men all well armed 
and equipped, while Huerta will not be able to 
assemble more than 25.000 to 30,000 men."— New 
York "American." 

"A member of General Villa's staff" 
made this preposterous statement, and 
the Hearst papers displayed it with all 
the prominence due an established fact. 
What is a matter of forty or fifty thou-; 
sand men between bandits and press 
agents? 



Saturday, January 24, 1914 



MEXICO 



STOLEN GOODS. 

The El Paso "Times" boasts of the 
fact that a member of its staff caused 
the arrest of Salazar by denouncing the 
latter's presence on a train on this side 
of the border. 

Realizing, at the same time, the feel- 
ing of revulsion caused by such a pro- 
ceeding it makes a lame attempt to do- 
fend its action by saying that it stands 
for the enforcement of the law at all 
times regardless of whom it may effect. 

One of our El Paso readers writes: 

"If the "Times" is so anxious to have the 
jaw enforced, why does it not notify the authori- 
ties that every night General Benavides, com- 
mander of the Juarez rebel garrison; Jose Velarde, 
rebel mayor of that town, and other chiefs, come 
to El Paso and stay in the hotels and other places 
all night? These men get all the arms and 
munitions they want in El Paso, breaking the 
neutrality laws, but they come and go scot free, 
while every Federal officer or sympathizer is 
hounded to death. Why?" 

Our correspondent should not ask 
us the question. He ought to be able to 
answer it, himself, being on the spot. 
The Federalists have no stolen goods to 
sell, have no stolen money to spend. 
have no stolen cattle to smuggle across. 

The El Paso "Times," as well as any 
members of its staflf, are welcome — of 
course — to such roles if they choose td 
assume them. Likewise they are welcome 
to the friendship of the bandit Villa, 
whom they extol as a great patriot. 

The El Paso "Times" announces a spe- 
cial peace number to commemorate the 
occupation of Chihuahua by Villa's 
forces! 

It is only in a spirit of deep regret 
and shame as American newspaper men 
that we note the fact. To extol an out- 
law whose exploits have horrified the 
whole world — even though that outlaw, 
who has been cast to the surfac 
leader by the convulsions of an unhappy 
people, has bought fifty thousand dol- 
lars' worth of goods from El Paso mer- 
chants — is not worthy of an American 
newspaper. 

The first order that Villa gave upon 
reaching Chihuahua was that no woman 
over twelve years of age should be al- 
lowed to leave the city. For. he said, 
with his well known leer: "We need all 
the Rirls here." 

Following orders were to the effect 
that many peaceful citizens should be 
summarily executed. That Spaniards 
and o her foreigners should be banished 
and their property taken. This besides 
the killing of prisoners, really the small- 
est offense against civilization commit- 
ted by Villa. Villa is a good fighter and 
a lucky one, true, but so were Moseby 
and Jesse James. Yet these American 
outlaws were angels compared to the 
Mexican. 

It is to honor such a man and to shoi- 
the appreciation of the El Paso people 
for the money they have received — 
stolen money, by the way — that the EI 
Paso "Times" publishes a special "peace 
number"! 



MOTLEY 



.-V small army of derelicts has been 
cast upon our shores by the Mexican 
storm. We do not refer to the Ojinaga 
refugees, but to that motley array of 
would-be lecturers who are preying upon 
the credulity of the American public by 
posing either as Mexican patriots or ex- 
perts on Mexican affairs. 

Needless to say not all lecturers on 
Mexico are derelicts or scoundrels. Quite 
the contrary. But we refer to some of 
them who under their own or assumed 
names tread the platforms of clubs and 
halls, and others who eke out a rather 
precarious existence by accepting invita- 
tions to dinners and banquets and there 
discoursing on the ills that corrode Mex- 
ico and pointing out the infallible reme- 
dies for the cure of these ills. 

If the speaker of the type we have in 
mind is a Mexican, he never fails to con- 
vey a veiled suggestion that while Mex- 
ico abounds in patriots the only physi- 
cian who could apply the necessary rem- 
edies really effectively is the speaker 
himself. 

But leaving aside for the moment the 
more or less well-intentioned Mexican 
patriots, we have with us some interest- 
ing types of near-Mexicans worthy of 
our immediate consideration. 

First we must mention Lorenz Speyer 
— long since well known in Mexico — 
whose modesty, however, forbade him 
from using during the many years of 
happy residence in that country the title 
of Count de Besa, under which he has 
become familiar to some philanthropic 
society of Jewish women in New York. 

This Jewish gentleman first sauntered 
into the Mexican limelight when he or- 
ganized in Me.Ktco City the Catholic 
Bank, which subsequently was thrown 
into bankruptcy. Later he became a 
more familiar figure to newspaper men in 
the Mexican courts, where he was the ob- 
ject and the subject of many a suit, run- 
ning at the same time a private bank un- 
der the name of Speyer and Company. 
It was much to his regret that ignorant 
persons should at times believe that he 
was one of the New York Speyers and 
that this bank should occasionally be 
iliouffht a branch of the New York and 
London house. 

Being a staunch friend and admirer of 
the Diaz regime. Lorenz Speyer became 
interested in a concession for light and 
power in the State of Campeche, but af- 
ter Diaz fell and Madero arose Lorenz 
Speyer — and to think that no one knew 
then he was the Count of that well 
known Polish State called Besa! — was 
one of the first to render homage to the 
"Liberator." Since then — the New York 
newspapers say- — Speyer had been one of 
tlie most intimate friends and closest 
advisers of Madero. Then on account 
of his love for the Mexican Constitution 
the ex-Catholic banker was driven out of 
Mexico. But Mexico's loss has been 
New York's gain. Gott sei dank! New 
'S'ork can now admire the blond-bearded 
near-Mexican patriot on the lecture plat- 
form and learn all about it from the gen- 
tle-voiced, suave-mannered gentleman 
who has found refuge from the persecu- 
tions of his enemies under the wing of 
unsuspecting respectable co-religionists. 

Another interesting lecturer who is 
tellin? the New York public all about 
"Barbarous Mexico" under the name of 
Captain somebody or other is an ex- 
publisher who about five years ago vis- 
ited Mexico for about three weeks. 



lie also has been in the limelight, bat 
not in Mexico. The pitiless searchlight 
was turned on him by the New York 
"World" a1):nit two years ago when he 
was caught in the famous raid on the 
Jared Flagg concern. 

Strange to say, a sort of retrospective 
memory has suddenly seized Iiim. Sub- 
consciously during his three weeks' stay 
in Mexico five years ago he had ab- 
sorbed a complete knowledge of Mexi- 
can affairs and now — fearing perhaps that 
the New York "World" would again turn 
on that searchlight — disguised as Captain 
he is generously imparting that knowl- 
edge to a grateful public! 

C)h, New York is a great place! Ref- 
ugium Pecatorum! 



Mr. Ramon Prida was right when, in a 
letter to the New York "Times," he took 
issue with former .-Xmbassador Vv'ilson 
because the latter had stated that Mr. 
Prida was a com'paratively unknown 
Mexican. Mr. Prida is very well known, 
indeed, throughout Mexico and we are 
surprised at the .Embassador's ignorance. 

It is true that Mr. Prida was the edi- 
tor of "'LTniversal." It is true that the 
"Universal" of which Mr. Prida was the 
owner has been dead for more than fif- 
teen years, but all Mexicans still remem- 
l)er that paper. It is also true that the 
Mexican Chamber of Deputies changes 
its Speaker every month so that there is 
hardly a Congressman who has not been 
Speaker at some time or other. Certain- 
ly the American Embassy ought to keep 
a record of all the Speakers. And then 
Mr. Ramon Prida. lawyer and journalist, 
was one of the best known members of 
the Cientifico Party and one of the 
ablest instruments of that party. Why, 
Mr. Ramon Prida is very well known in- 
deed! 

The only obscure point about his pres- 
ent residence in New York is the motive 
which brought him here. If it is true 
that, as the Mexican patriots repeat con- 
stantly, the Huerta Government is 
supported by the Cientificos. how is it 
that one of the shining lights of that 
party is here as a refugee from the per- 
secutions of that Government? 

Either the Huerta Government is not 
supported by the Cientificos or the leop- 
ard has changed his spots. 



NOTHING TO IT. 

The State Department already is preparing to 
handle the claims -situation with the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. One billion dollars is the figure at which 
such claims are now placed. General Carranza 
some time ago issued a decree announcing his 
willingness to appoint a joint claims committee 
to promptly adjudicate all claims of foreign citi- 
zens if the constitutionalist gevemment was in- 
stalled with himself in power. The State Depart- 
ment considers that this course will be followed 
and expects the appointment of such a committee 
as one of the first acts of the new Mexican Got- 
ernment. — New York "Evening Post." 

How blithely the State Department, 
according to this report, takes it for 
granted that Carranza will be the "new 
Mexican Government!" It would seem 
that "free and fair elections" are now 
considered superfluous. It has already 
been decided who is to be elected. So 
simple, isn't it? And Constitutional! 
Villa, take notice. 



MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 1914 



LATENT WAR. 

There is nothing so disappointing and 
puzzling to those friends of international 
peace who have looked upon the present 
Administration as essentiallj' peace-lov- 
insj' as to find a truculence, a dictatorial 
spirit, an uncompromising insistence on 
one thing to the exclusion of all others, 
in the .-Kdministration's attitude toward 
the Mexican Government. It is this 
kind of thing, when it arouses the pas- 
sions of the people, that is one of the 
great causes of war where there should 
be no war, and the leaders of the Ad- 
ministration seem to have recognized 
that fact except in dealing with 
Me.xico. Whatever friendly purposes 
may be in the .Administration's mind it 
must be admitted that it has succeeded 
in befogging them in an atmosphere of 
war. Despite all appearances to the 
contrary and despite the labors of the 
jingoes, despite the obvious attempts of 
a section of the press to inflame public 
sentiment, there will be no war 

between the United States and Mexico, 
we trust and believe. 

But. to say the least, it is unfortunate 
for the cause of peace among men that 
the -Administration should have com- 
mitted itself and the people to a stand 
which has latent all the possibilities of 
war, and which supplies ammunition to 
the ever-ready promoters of war. Not 
to mention its moral support of the bar- 
barous warfare in the Njrth of Mexico 
that might have been ended long ago 
had the .Administration kept hands off. 



RELEASE REBELS' MONEY. 

Chicago, III., Sunday. — A shipment of 
10,000,000. pesos in Mexican revolutionary money 
seized here by government offiicals yesterday will 
be forwarded to Nogales to-morrow, according to 
Thomas I. Porter, in charge of the Secret Service 
here. Captain Porter said the representatives of 
the United States District Attorney's office took 
the ground that as the government at present 
does not recognize any government in Mexico the 
money cannot be considered counterfeit. 

".As the government at present does 
not recognize any government in Mexico, 
the money cannot be considered coun- 
terfeit." More of that Christian Science 
diplomacy: "There is no Mexico. There 
is no Mexican Government. There is 
no international law. There is no mat- 
ter. .All is I and grape juice." — M. A. M. 



WHAT'S WHAT ON THE BORDER 



By C. F. Z. Carracisti, Ph.D., C.E. 



Where is the difference in fact or 
morals between the revolution that over- 
threw Madero and the Washington-di 
rected revolution to overthrow Huerta? 

* * * 

No difference except that the latter is 
more bloody and destructive to Mexico, 
and the Mexican people. 

* • • 
Morality! 

It is a revoj^itionary movement and 
yet the Administration professes to dis- 
countenance revolutions. 



It is strange how far-reaching are 
the commercial influences of purely local 
interests in .America in dealing with sec- 
tional, national and international prob- 
lems of momentous importance. Stranger 
still, the high pitch of hysteria that these 
same interests, through the aid of a per- 
nicious and often subsidized press, may 
develop among our people. .And, yet, 
we claim and proclaim ourselves a just 
and deliberate people. Our war with 
Spain was developed by the loud cries 
of a yellow press, the distorting of fun- 
damental facts and the substitution of 
dogmas of a sham morality. For this ill- 
advised war we have paid dearly and 
posterity will continue to pay its quota 
in lives and dollars. 

Is our position to-day an}- clearer on 
tlie Mexican situation? 

I can only speak of Mexico from the 
viewpoint of a Virginian, who saw and 
felt the iniquities of an attempted period 
of reconstruction in the South. What is 
most deplorable of all is that the Demo- 
cratic party, which in the South fought 
social and political equality and pre- 
vented it at home, is now trying to force 
it on the better element of the Mexican 
people. In the South we have disfran- 
chised the negro by inserting educational 
and poll-tax and "grandfather" clauses in 
our election laws; and yet we are at- 
tempting to compel Mexico to grant a 
universal ballot to the "pelado" and 
"peon" element. Where is the consist- 
ency of the Southern senators and rep- 
resentatives and cabinet officers of our 
nation? If we tried this at home we 
would have another war. Why should 
we tell Mexico that what is a fallacy 
at home should be an axiom in that 
country? Why? 

The rebel army should first be taught 
the use of the fine-comb before the use 
of the rifle and a free ballot. What do 
these people represent out of a total na- 
tional wealth of $15,000,000,000? At the 
very outside 2 per cent, or $300,000,000. 
They represent just 8 per cent, less than 
the foreign investment in the country 
which, in round numbers, is 10 per cent, 
of the total wealth of the country, or 
$1,500,000,000. No logical statesman or 
statistician can possibly find excuse for 
supporting a movement that has for its 
object the turning over of 98 per cent, of 
the national wealth of any country to the 
control of a 2 per cent, interest. Such a 
pretension is too prosperous to conceive. 
In Mexico there are about 500,000 prop- 
erty owners and about 1,500,000' people 
who have sufficient education to under- 
stand the responsibility of government. 
These are the people who should, per- 
force, govern, not the unwashed and 
vicious. 



Incompetents, the same class of peo- 
ple whom we do not allow to vote in 
the Southern States, are attempting, by 
force of arms, to despoil the competents 
of their property and right to govern. 

They call themselves "constitutional- 
ists," but don't recognize Don Pedro Las- 
curain, who, if the present Government 
were not constitutional, would be the real 
Constitutional president. Xo. Lascuroin 
does not suit them because they say that 
he is a "gentleman." Nor would they ac- 
cept anyone else whose record does not 
show that he would permit loot, arson 
and rape. 

Constitutional pretensions are there- 
fore a fallacy — a mere excuse — a subter- 
fuge! Nothing more! 

They are playing "Hamlet" with Ham- 
let left out and substituting Don 
Qui.xote. 

How many men among the leaders and 
oflicers of the "constitutionalists" are 
free of criminal records? I certainly do 
not know, but out of such as I do know 
personally a very small percentage be- 
long to the class whom a gentleman 
would leave in his house with anything 
of a valuable movable character. .And 
such as I believe fairly honest are poets 
and dreamers who would never get any 
of the spoils in the extremely remote 
and wholly improbable eventuality that 
Carranza and his "General" Villa should 
ascend to power. 

But why are the border Democrats so 
anxious to keep up the war? Why do 
they aid in breaking the neutrality laws 
and subsidize at least a part of the press 
to publish infectious lies and excite the 
American Government and people 
against the existing Mexican regime? 

Since the Madero revolution began 
$65,000,000 worth of cattle have found 
their way through the ports and other- 
wise into the United States. Of this 
enormous sum not more than $15,000,000 
has reached the rightful owners; $25,- 
000,000 has gone to the Mexican cattle 
thieves and $25,000,000 to those who have 
co-operated with them on this side of 
the border. 

The longer the American sj'mpalhizers 
can keep up the war the more cattle 
they and their Mexican partners can 
ol)tain for practically nothing. When 
the cattle are all gone the very people 
who are now supporting Carranza, Villa 
and the rest of the saintly mob will 
clamour for intervention. But, outside of 
the rightful owners of these cattle, who 
are practically ruined, what will the 
poor peons of northern Mexico, who 
have always lived and worked on th« 
ranclies, do? They will find no work, no 



Saturday, January 24, 1914 



MEXICO 



WHAT'S WHAT ON THE BORDER 
— Continued. 

meat — nothing but chaos! Will the peo- 
ple who are leading these poor, deluded 
creatures of evil circumstances feed them 
and their families? Not so that any one 
will notice the charity. 

This is what President Wilson is sup- 
porting. Does he know these facts? I 
believe not, because he is a great and 
an honest man; and with a full knowl- 
edge of such conditions before him he 
could not support what, on the border 
at least, is a hypocritical neutrality, a 
sham and a shame to our pretensions of 
fair play. 

The American press, except in isolated 
cases, is willfully and criminally misrep- 
resenting the facts regarding Mexico. 
Who is paying the bills? That is the 
question! 

Senator Sheppard, of Texas, who 
some months ago spread on the Con- 
gressional Record information purport- 
ing to show the strength of Carranza 
and his movement, may be an honest 
man, and even if he were not the libel 
laws would prevent me from stating the 
fact. Yet, it would be interesting to 
hear him e.xplain where he got the in- 
formation, why he made it of public rec- 
ord in Congress, and, lastly, if he does 
not know now. if he did not know then, 
that the information was and is false and 
misleading. I have no doubt that the 
respectable and venerable Senator acted 
personally in good faith. Anyway, it is 
ethical to so state, but if he is really 
honest he will tell us where he obtained 
his data, because the reports of the 
.American Embassy and United States 
Consuls in Mexico to the Department of 
State certainly do not verify any of his 
statements — nor have subsequent events 
supported his logic and forecasts. 

It is probably true that the Senator 
accepted in good faith statements sup- 
plied by the junta of immaculate poli- 
tical conceptions that hangs around 
south of Pennsylvania avenue in Wash- 
mgton. This junta, which represents 
Carranza's Washington press agency, is 
composed of a few over-dressed Mexi- 
cans, a German gambler who travels 
under an alias and formerly lived in Chi- 
huahua, a Polack who is a self-styled 
doctor of unmentionable infirmities who 
used to litter the streets of Mexico City 
with handbills during the Madero opera- 
bouffe regime, and a few other non- 
descripts of various creeds, colors and 
nationalities, the most of whom cannot 
return to their native lands or their sea- 
cook fathers. I know the breed person- 
ally and cannot understand how gentle- 
men connected with our Government 
can possibly give them tolerance, cour- 
teous attention and credence. 

Along the border contraband of war 
passes the international line with the 
aid, connivance and open support and 
sympathy of certain Government offi- 
cials, always provided the law is broken 



LEST WE FORGET 



The Administration has not had and 
never will have the right to deinand that 
General Huerta should resign as Presi- 
dent or that he or any other Mexican 
should not be a candidate for President. 

* * * 

No more right than Japan would have 
to demand that President Wilson resign, 
or renounce a candidacy. 

* * * 

The sovereignty of nations is such 
that any such demands have no foim- 
dation in right and can never be tolerat- 
ed by an independent nation. 

* * • 

If President Huerta yielded to an/ 
such demands he would thereby surren- 
der the independence of his country. 

* • • 

Certainly no patriotic American can 
blame him for refusing to do that 

* • • 

His people and the civilized world 
might forgive every other fault in a ruler 
but not the crime of base submission to 
an overlordship unwelcome to his peo- 
ple. 

* * * 

It cannot be truthfully said that stable 
government carmot be established in 
Mexico. 

* • • 

Mexico under Porfirio Diaz was at 
peace and thriving for a generation of 
progress. 

» * • 

Until Porfirio Diaz refused to be th<' 
tool of American oil and railroad inter- 
ests. . 

in favor of Carranza's murdering hordes. 
When arrests have been forced on the 
agents of the Department of Justice 
through information derived from the 
Mexican Government representatives, the 
Federal grand juries, composed of the 
very people who handle Mexican cattle 
on the frontier, refuse to render indict- 
ments if those who break the laws are 
revolutionists. The officers and leaders 
of the Cafranza-Villa fraternity not only 
visit the United States with impunity 
and associate with our Federal, State and 
county officials, but all officials of the 
government de facto are hounded and 
imprisoned like criminals. Is this neu- 
trality? Let the .American Congress in- 
vestigate these facts before we boast of 
our justice and impartiality. 

Whatever happens in Mexico, Car- 
ranza will never be President, as the 
American interests hope. 

Senator Fall may not be a friend of 
the existing Mexican Government, but 
at least he is honest and fights it openly, 
while the Administration strikes foul 
and under the belt while singing psalms 
on neutrality. 



His doom was sealed. They set out 
to "get him." 

* • * 

And in doing it precipitated a Tciga 
of anarchy in Mexico. 

» » « 

Which they will foment and encourag* 
until they get the control they want. 

* * • 

By exhausting Mexico, destroying rf 
resources, damaging its credit. 

* » ♦ 

Into which diabolical plan of ruin'\- 
tion, so typical of our Trusts when they 
wage war, the attitude of Washington 
fits perfectly. 

* • * 

Mexico will not submit? Huerta will 
not submit to American financial dicta- 
tion? * » » 

Very well. Ruin Mexico! 

* * « 

While the vultures watch and wait. 

* • • 

The Administration cannot be hand in 
glove with the very interests whose ra- 
pacity we are seeking to check in this 
country, but why is it that the campaign 
against Mexico partakes so much of their 
methods? 



If the interests of a highly honorable 
moral code were shocked by the tragic- 
revolution of last February and could 
not approve of the personality of the 
Mexican Provisional President, why 
could not that pained moral sense have 
simply expressed itself by declining to 
recognize the Mexican Government? 

V/hy should that sensitive moral code 
noT have revolted against the national 
crime of ruining a friendly nation? 

* * * 

By demanding the surrender of iti 
sovereignty. 

By encouraging forces of rebellion 
that have shown themselves to be mere 
brigands, bandits, looters and ravishers. 
And at their best scheming politicians. 

By a "starving out" policy, a financial 
blockade, the familiar weapon of th« 
Trusts. 

* * * 

By the virtual threat of armed force 
with an army on Mexico's border and » 
fleet of dreadnaughts at its ports. 

A constant reminder to a friendly na- 
tion of the menace of might. 

And all this is a force more powerful 
and destructive of life and property than 
the revolution that overthrew the Ma- 
dero Government, and it is spilling blood 
in comparison with which the blood of 
Madero and Suarez was but a drop. 



MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 1914 



CONGRESSIONAL MUTTERINGS 



Among those who seem to believe that 
our mistaken Mexican policy is more of 
a Brj'an policy than a Wilson policy is 
Representative Frederick H. Gillette of 
Massachusetts, who spoke in the House 
last week on the Mexican situation and 
declared the Administration was "floun- 
dering" along in a policy the inevitable 
result of which was war. 

In the course of his remarks Mr. Gil- 
lette said: 

"Great restraint has certainly been 
exercised in allowing this Adrninistration 
unhampered scope in its foreign policy. 
Yet I think the policy or lack of policy 
of the State Department is one of the 
most censurable features of the Admin- 
istration. 

"I think the episode which best ex- 
emplifies the Secretary of State's 
Administration is where he arranged 
that the reluctant 'representatives of 
foreign powers should pass by and 
address him in formal procession 
while a cinematograph preserved the 
spectacle for the delectation of Amer- 
ican audiences and the glorification of 
Mr. Bryan. It is not pleasant to feel 
that the cultivated opinion of the world 
is laughing at us, that to their eyes 
these episodes, which now are subject- 
ing our irregular emissaries to constant 
and unresented affronts from both par- 
ties in Mexico, where they have been 
flouted and outmanouvered and niade 
ridiculous at every turn, present a piti- 
ful and humiliating spectacle, and that 
the dignity and prestige of the nation 
suffers by it as well as the individuals 
rdirectly responsible. 

"Serious questions of state are not 
settled by remunerative lectures or by 
moving pictures. The first important 
act of this Administration rejected and 
abandoned a settled policy in China, and 
if the act was wise I suspect it was by 
chance rather than as a result of the 
thorough study the subject demanded. 
It was a policy of practical idealism 
that would enhance our national 
prestige and increase our national com- 
merce. Our long studied programrne of 
participation in the benefits of Chinese 
trade and influence was suddenly dis- 
carded with an arovifcd philosophical 
purpose which seemed popular, and 
America's footing in China was aban- 
doned. While the other nations waited 
to see if any stable government would 
l)e established there, we rushed in and 
recognized the Chinese republic, which 
the people of China were quite unpre- 
pared and unqualified to uphold. 

"Recent events seem .to prove what 
■was charged at the time, that our re- 
versal of policy was not the result of a 
studious and comprehensive purpose, but 
was only the impulsive act of an oppor- 
tunist, and that, perhaps, the sigriif- 
icance and importance of the policy 
overthrown had not been adequately in- 
vestigated or understood." 

Mr. Gillette then cited the text of the 
Administration's note of rejection- of the 
Chinese loan on the ground that_ it in- 
volved this country in responsibility for 
the collection of the loan. He then con- 
tinued: 

"But if that l>€d resulted from con- 
victions founded on deep study, we 
should not have the personal representa- 
tive of the .Administration saying in his 
note to Mexico: 



"'The President of the United States 
of America authorizes me to say that if 
the de facto Government of Mexico at 
once acts favorably upon the foregoing 
suggestions, then in that event the Presi- 
dent will express to American bankers 
and their associates assurance that the 
Government of the United States of 
America will look with favor upon the 
e-xtension of an immediate loan suf- 
ficient in amount to meet the temporary 
requirements of the de facto Govern- 
ment of Mexico." 

"The two sentiments are quite incon- 
sistent. A politician may change his 
mind under emergency, but the foreign 
relations of a great Government should 
not be erratic; and we should not offer 
to one nation what we had just declared 
to another was forbidden by our prin- 
ciples. Such conduct excites disquie- 
tude, because it makes us fear that our 
foreign afi:airs are being conducted on 
impulse and not with the serious 
thoughtfulness and investigation which 
they deserve. 

Disquieted by Mexican Crisis. 

"For that reason I am disquieted by 
the Mexican situation. I fear that, too, 
was neglected until the crisis came 
when some action was imperative, and 
then the action had to be suited to the 
existing conditions instead of having the 
conditions influenced and arranged by 
previous careful preparation. I ap- 
prove entirely of the avowed purpose 
to have order and a settled govern- 
ment re-established in Mexico with our 
friendly and sympathetic advice, and I 
indorse the self-restraint which pre- 
vents the hotheads from rushing to in- 
stant war, but I greatly fear the State 
Department's long inaction allowed af- 
fairs to drift to that condition where 
ultimate intervention will be the only 
possible result of our attitude. I think 
myself that instead of waiting six 
months before outlining any policy we 
ought to have followed the advice of 
our representative on the spot and rec- 
ognized the Provisional Government of 
Huerta." 

Mr. Gillette then proceeded to give his 
reasons for believing that, in spite of 
his bloody record, it would have been 
higher statesmanship to recognize Hu- 
erta than to attempt to dictate the 
election of the ne.xt President of Mexico. 

"For," said Mr. Gillette, "if he 
(President Wilson) can dictate who shall 
not be President, he has equal right to 
dictate who shall be President. If he 
can eliminate one, he can eliminate all 
but one. Despite the noble^ words of 
peace, it seems to me that our policy 
and conduct froin the beginning have 
drifted steadily towards war. To recog- 
nize as ruler a man accused of crimes 
of treachery and bloodshed is disagree- 
able — a popularity-hunting leader would 
shrink from it. 

"When war comes it will be no 
excuse that the Secretary of State has 
delivered brilliant addresses in favor of 
peace. The question will not be. Has he 
desired war, but. Has he taken such 
measures as would naturally avert it? 
An emotional and oratorical glorification 
of peace is not sufficient atonement 
for a policy whose legitimate and log- 
ical result is war. 

"I regret to make these criticisms 
upon our Administration, toward which 
in all foreign affairs I feel the most in- 
tense loyalty, and I wish tlie very com- 
plctest success. But I am not willing 



to wait until the end and then say I 
thought so all the time. If I am wrong 
I shall be rejoiced. If the Administra- 
tion has a wise and fruitful policy, I 
will join in praising it. But I fear it 
has carelessly and optimistically floun- 
dered on, trusting to happy chance, and 
that the stern lessions which history 
gives us of the fate of such a policy 
will be here repeated." 



THE MAN OF STRAW. 

While Carranza is daily reported at 
various stopping places on a pilgrimage 
along the west coast, from Sonora 
south, the Nogales border headquarters 
of the Carranzistas are busy supplying 
romantic touches to the newspaper cor- 
respondents. Then the correspondents 
send the "stuff" out under the date line 
of the particular town where Carranza 
is supposed to be. The object of the 
Carranza crowd just now is to keep Car- 
ranza as much as possible in the public 
eye, while Villa is doing things. Also 
to claim perfect harmony between Car- 
ranza and Villa. You will notice, how- 
ever, that Carranza keeps the mountains 
and a few hundred miles between him 
and his dear bandit friend. Here is a 
sample of the "news." 

GENERAL VILLA PROVES HIS LOYALTY. 

(Special Dispatch to the New York "Herald.") 

San Bias, Mexico, Sunday. — General Car- 
ranza and his party arrived here late last night 
and were welcomed by several hundred Indians 
armed with bows and arrows. 

To-day he went to Polo Bampo, on the Gulf 
of California, halting at several Indian towns on 
the way, and to-night he returned here. 

A wire was run into the private room of Gen- 
eral Carranza at Navojoa Friday afternoon, and 
Saturday morning, before he left for this place, 
he had a long conference with General Villa, in 
Chihuahua. The latter made a complete detailed 
report of the capture of Ojinaga, recounting the 
munitions captured, which included more than 
2,000 rifles, and said that he had already used the 
weapons by arming volunteers, who were of- 
fering themselves in large numbers. He also re- 
ported that he had now in his possession thirty- 
eight cannon, all captured from the Federals, and 
that he had taken sufficient ammunition to serve 
them. The chief object of the conference was to 
ask General Carranza for orders, in connection 
with the campaign to the south, to be entered 
upon simultaneously by the constitutional forces 
on the east coast, in the center and on the west. 

These orders were issued, and General Villa will 
enter at once upon their fulfilment. Of course, 
the nature of the instructions is not known, but 
the fact that General Villa asked for them is 
evidence of his loyalty to General Carranza. 

There is absolutely no wire connec- 
tion between San Bias and Chihuahua, 
so of course that running of a wire into 
the private room of General Carranza at 
Navojoa is — -just as purely imaginative 
as the rest of the yarn. 



If Huerta's hand were removed the re- 
sulting anarchy would put upon the Unit- 
ed States the burden of doing exactly 
what he is trying to do — pacify Mexico. 

The United States would have to use 
his methods. 

It would have the Villas and Zapatas 
to fight as well as the decent people of 
Mexico who would rise to repel foreign 
invasion. 



Saturday, January 24, 1914 



MEXICO 



ELPASOGRAMS. 

Those who have lost all or part of 
their faith in the Mexican war news in 
the daily papers, especiallj' that which 
comes from border towns, will find some 
explanation of how the news is manu- 
factured from the following letter sent 
to tlie El Paso "Times" by a citizen 
of Marfa, Texas, and quoted in the EI 
Paso "Herald." 

Referring to a recent article by Archi- 
bold Hacquer, which was printed in the 
"Times" under the heading "Marfa. Or- 
dinary Western Village, Thrives While 
Refugees Come," and which charges that 
the citizens of Marfa are earnestly pray- 
ing for war to continue and that the 
business houses profit thereby, Mr. 
Payne. Secretary of the Marfa Chamber 
of Commerce, says: 

"This article is full of falsehoods and 
misrepresentations. Marfa is the best 
business town between El Paso and San 
Antonio, with possibly a single excep- 
tion. We have 45 business houses, with 
almost every line of business represent- 
ed. We have a wholesale grocery house, 
also a department store, each of which 
does an annual business that runs into 
the hundreds of thousands. We have 
two banks that have on deposit hundreds 
of thousands of dollars. 

"While Marfa business houses have 
sold a goodly amount of goods that they 
would not have sold but for the war, 
they have lost by far a greater amount 
of business from the mining, railroads 
and other industries that have been com- 
pelled to close down on account of the 
war. 

"Your inference that the citizens of 
Marfa arc ignorant and illiterate is un- 
true. I have never met with a more 
kind and hospitable people, above the 
average of intelligence, and who deplore 
war. strife and bloodshed more. 

"In an editorial in the same issue you 
hand yourself the whole bunch of car- 
nations for the 'accuracy' of your news, 
yet the article in question has as much 
semblance of truth in it as the average 
articles appearing in your paper for the 
past few weeks. One naturally expects 
at least a display of as much intelligence 
and judgment among newspaper report- 
ers and editors as that to be found 
among ordinary hack drivers, but in this 
case the Jehu seems to have the advan- 
tage. 

"We presume that reporters with 
dwarfed mentality have to send in copy 
to fill space. They report interviews with 
generals 90 miles away, while they spend 
their time in hotel lobbies. This is the 
class of misrepresentations you have 
been serving your readers, giving false- 
hoods and slander to the world, thereby 
causing a continuation of war, strife and 
slaughter. 

"The matter will be brought before the 
chamber of commerce at their next 
meeting to bar your paper from their 
files. 

"At a mass meeting of the citizens, 
this letter was authorized, and. now that 
your attention has been called to it, we 
sha!l expect a speedy retraction." 

W. H. PAYNE, 
Secretary Marfa Chamber of Commerce. 



The Facts About Mexico 



By John Rockwood Phillips. 
In "Pioneer Western Lumberman.' 



"By their fruits ye shall know them " 

The fruits of the Administration's 
Mexican "policy" are prolonged suffer- 
ing and disorder in Mexico. 

A policy of "rule or ruin." 

And still they call General Huerta a 
dictator. 



(Continued from our last issue.) 

During the progress of the Madero 
revolution every law of neutrality was 
allowed to be violated by the interests 
which favored Madero, and every vio- 
lation apparently was winked at by 
United States Government officials. Ap- 
parently no attention whatever was paid 
to neutrality laws until after the suc- 
cess of Madero was assured. 

The administration officers of the 
United States were directly responsible 
for the betrayal of their good friend 
Diaz. The only profit so far in the trans- 
action is with the present owners of the 
pipe-line privileges from the Tampico oil 
fields to tide water on the Gulf of Mex- 
ico. 

In the early stages of the Madero rev- 
olution and after his election the uncer- 
tainty about armed intervention was due 
to the difference of opinion of two 
financial groups. President Taft prom- 
ised intervention to one of them early 
in 1911. The other group was not ready 
for it until some time after Madero's 
accession. To the well informed student 
of affairs the large corporations with in- 
terests in Mexico apparently suffered no 
loss by reason of the revolution. The 
stock of the Mexican Petroleum Com- 
pany, with all its property in Mexico, in- 
creased in market quotations over 50 per 
cent, during a period less than a year. 
A part of the increase in value of the 
Standard Oil stocks was due to the sup- 
posed acquisition of control of this Mex- 
ican Petroleum Company and of the ex- 
pected possession of exclusive pipe-line 
franchises. 

The .American S. & R. Company stock 
showed no signs of losses in Mexico un- 
til the weakness and corruption of the 
Madero regime were divulged by the 
course of events, notwithstanding a large 
proportion of its income is derived from 
operations in Mexico. This concern 
closed down part of its plants for a brief 
period in 1911, when all of the managers 
of its various operations came to New 
York for a conference, which was one of 
the factors assuring the change of 
Tail's intervention plans. -Another 
group of interests which then desired 
intervention has said that President Taft 
lost his nerve. It seems to be well 
knr'wn in certain circles that he made 
promises to both sides. 

The American public will ask proof of 
the charges made in this article, and may 
have it from the records of our Govern- 
ment if the officials in charge can be 
persuaded to deliver them to the Sen- 
ate. The Senate Foreign Relations Com- 
mittee has part of the proof and has 
been offered enough more to convince 
the most skeptical. * * * 

* * * .And now, having helped to 
make this miserable mess what are we 
going to do about it? In a recent pri- 
vate and personal interview former 
President Diaz was asked: "How can 
the United States assist in settling the 
Mexican revolutionary troubles?" He 
said: "It is a delicate matter for one 
Nation to interfere in the internal af- 
fairs of another." When asked if he 
desired that the United States should 
recognize the Provisional Govei i.m.cnt. 
he replied: "Failure to recognize the 
established Government gives encour- 
agement to its enemies." 



Perhaps the first question for us to 
ask our executive is: Do you wish the 
disturbance in Mexico to be ended, or 
IS there some reason which you have 
not divulged for a delay on our part 
which will allow the present condition 
to continue?" European newspaper* 
have asserted that President Wilson har- 
bors a personal aversion to Huerta. 
In an interview with the Secretary of 
State the writer acquired the impression 
that Mr. Bryan's attitude is due to • 
personal opinion regarding the immoral- 
ity of the method by which, as he «•- 
sumes, the Provisional Government ob- 
tained control. 

The real question of the recognition 
of the Provisional Government is simple 
enough. Is it the business of the United 
States to interfere? If so has it a right 
to define the Mexican Constitution to 
suit the President and Secretary of State, 
who evidently committed themselves on 
the situation before they understood the 
provisions of the Mexican Constitution 
bearing upon the case. Having com- 
mitted one •error 'after another they 
sought some wa}' of escaping a con- 
fession of error, while also trying to 
learn the real situation from their pri- 
vate representatives sent to Mexico. 
They refused to consider the experience 
and views of our Ambassador to Mex- 
ico, who had been for years in personal 
contact with the situation and wha 
probably better than any other American 
knew the details of the death of Madero. 
They completely ignored the informa- 
tion and suggestions of hundreds ot 
.\merican business men with years of 
experience in Mexico, who personally 
and by mail and wire offered their ser- 
vices to the State Department. The 
recognition of the Huerta Provisional 
Government by Great Britian and the 
European powers was a master stroke 
of diplomacy at the expense of the 
United States, inasmuch as it placed our 
.Ambassador in Mexico at a decided dis- 
advantage, and this will have an im- 
mense bearing upon future business and 
political relations when the present Mex- 
ican Government shall have restored 
order. 

-An .American gentleman who traveled 
from California to Paris to interview 
Porfirio Diaz upon the subject and who 
returned to Washington with a personal 
unofficial message for President Wilson 
was denied an audience on the ground 
that the President's time was fully oc- 
cupied. Being referred to the State De- 
partment he presented his own views. 
which were politely received, and then 
he listened to a typical tirade against 
"you people who have property interests 
in Mexico. You would have the United 
States recognize a Government built 
upon perfidy and assassination; you put 
money above morals. This country will 
never disgrace itself by condoning such 
immorality." .And so on in a stream of 
words resembling the water flowing 
from the mouth of a bronze frog in a 
fountain. The visitor, realizing his in- 
ability to cope with the crack political 
orator of the continent, withdrew, but 
he could not avoid contrasting this in- 
terview with the calm, direct, simple el- 
oquence of the few appropriate state- 
ments made to him a few days before 

(Continued on Next Page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 1914 



THE FACTS ABOUT MEXICO-Continued 



in Paris by the Grand Old Man of Mex- 
ico, who was designated by a former 
Secretary of State as the "greatest living 
American." 

It is impossible to consider this Mex- 
ican question without referring to the 
career of Porfirio Diaz, who, more th^n 
any other living man, contributed to the 
advancement of Mexico from the chaotic 
condition into which the Nation was 
thrown by the invasion of Napoleon's 
army under Bazaine and Maximillian in 
1861. If the American public could re- 
vert to the good opinion of this patriot 
almost universally held before it was 
temporarily suspended by the false and 
malicious attacks of the financial cor- 
spirators, a long step would be taken 
towards the renewal of the friendly re- 
lations between the two countries, ter- 
minated by the misrepresentations and 
slanders of an inspired press agency. 
A careful study of the life and labors 
of this wonderful man will be good read- 
ing to all friends of government under a 
constitutional republic. But he was at- 
tacked, vilified and misrepresented in 
American newspapers, books, periodicals 
and pamphlets as if he had been an 
opposition candidate for President of the 
United States, and now the same sort of 
campaign is waged against Huerta. * * * 
It is almost certain that immediate 
recognition of the Mexican Government 
would put an end shortly to what is 
left of organized rebellion. In fact, 
there is not now in any of the Mexican 
States, except Sonora, any semblance of 
cohesive organization opposed to the 
Federal Government. 

Our American newspapers seem de- 
termined to publish nothing hopeful 
about Mexican affairs and consequently 
the public has a wrong conception of 
the substantial progress made by Huerta 
towards the establishment of order. If 
the Mexican Federal Government could 
have the needed money which was ap- 
propriated and wasted by the Maderos 
and which must be supplied by a loan, 
business thoughout the Republic could 
be resumed and then in due course the 
guerilla bands would be subdued and 
general peace restored. * * * 

We should remember that we stand 
today convicted before the world of 
helping to cause the present deplorable 
condition. Shall we for a personal 
prejudice or on a mere technicality 
refrain from removing the impression 
that our motives are still as unquestion- 
able as they were when we assisted the 
mercenary Madero to disrupt a Nation? 
We must remember that nearly all of the 
damage to Mexico and to our people 
there was done while Madero was in 
power. That the bandits gained their 
ascendency over the local officers of the 
law during the Madero regime. * * * 
In Mexico City, where a personal 
knowledge of Huerta's character and 
ability may be obtained, the general sen- 
timent of all foreigners is absolutely 
and positively with the Huerta Govern- 
ment: they feel that the Washington 
Government has contributed greatly to 
the revolutionary movement and delayed 
a definite settlement of the rebelliofs 
conditions. Americans. Europeans and 
patriotic natives are convinced that 
Huerta is the Man of the Hour, the only 
one with experience, determination, abil- 
ity and self-sacrificing patriotism suf- 
ficient to cope with the whole situation 
and restore order out of chaos. He has 
rnade remarkable progress in the shut 
time he has been in office, notwith- 
standing the lack of money and the lack 
of our moral support. Had the United 
States recognized his authority positively 
when the European powers did, rebellion 



would have been put down and business 
would have been re-established. When 
business is resumed the laboring people, 
wha are now obliged to resort to the 
various "armies" or to brigandage to 
keep from starvation, would be em- 
ployed and peace would be assured. 
There must be in some sections a slow 
reconstruction such as took place in oitr 
own South after the Civil War. We 
can NOW bring about this much-desired 
consummation and if the American pub- 
lic insir-t upon it the administration and 
Congress will be obliged to listen to 
our demands. 

And if we will forget past differences 
and mistakes on both sides; if we will 
treat Mexico as we would like to be 
treated; if we will give our moral sup- 
port as France gave us hers in out 
efforts to establish our own magnificent 
Republic, order will be restored and we 
will resume the friendly and profitable 
relations which should exist between 
neighbors. 1 

With a definite statement from the 
President and Senate of the United 
States that obligations assumed by us 
under the Monroe Doctrine confer obl'- 
gations in return on the part of Ameri- 
can Republics to preserve stable Gove'n- 
ment administrations and protect our 
citizens and other foreigners, peace in 
all Am.erica may be assured for a cen- 
tury. 

We now present the spectacle of re- 
fusing to consider on our own part the 
obligation which we have undertaken to 
impose upon Europe regarding Amer- 
ican Nations. We are making ourselves 
ridiculous in the eyes of Europe and 
appearing as hypocritical violators of 
our conceded obligations to our Mexican 
neighbor. 

Under our new tariff bill, now that it 
has become a law, Mexico and Cuba 
can furnish, with our financial help, all 
of the cattle, sheep and sugar necessary 
to be imported for many years to come. 
There are so many products of Mexico 
needed by us and so much of our manu- 
factures required by her citizens, that a 
real reciprocal business arrangement 
could be advantageously established be- 
tween us more practical than is possib'e 
between any other two Nations in the 
world. 

We can restore peace in Mexico witi) 
a word. We can resume friendly busi- 
ness relations quickly and profitably and 
contribute to the advancement of civili- 
zation and universal peace in a manner 
more effective than all the manifestos 
and peace conferences of all time. 
Our President can do this now. 



NOTES OF PROGRESS. 

Mining operations in the state of Oax- 
aca are being prosecuted with energy. 
In the Taviche region the Las A^antanas 
and La Escuardra mines are producing 
satisfactory returns of silver and gold: 
and at the Conejo Blanco a rich vein 
has been located, which assays remark- 
ably well. The Compania Minera Zh- 
potcca, in tlie Ejutla and Ocotlan dis- 



NOTES OF PROGRESS— Continued. 

trict, is working La Golondrina with 
good results. This mine was famed in 
the days of the Spanish occupation for 
its output of gold and silver. The Com- 
pania Minera de Natividad y Anexas, 
and others, are exporting ore to the 
United States and Hamburg, as well as 
to smelters in the interior of the re- 
public. 



The department of communications 
is calling for tenders for the establish- 
ment of a steamship service in the Gulf 
of California, between Guaymas and 
Perihuete. The tenders will be opened 
with legal formality on May 11, 1914, 
and the successful contractor will be 
informed within a period of eight days. 
The department reserves the right to 
reject any tender received, when the 
amount appears excessive. 



The San Luis Potosi branch of the 
National bank has reopened for busi- 
ness. 



The estimated value of the henequen 
exported from Yucatan during 1913 is 
placed at $36,000,000. 



Several wireless operators shortly will 
leave for the north under the orders of 
Juan Manuel Flores Trevino. They will 
erect stations in Monterey and San Luis 
Potosi. Torreon already is equipped 
with a wireless station, and one of the 
outfits recently arrived will be installed 
there. 



Business conditions in Guanajuato 
have improved lately, due to the circula- 
tion in considerable amount of one and 
two peso bills of the National bank. The 
Guanajuato State bank also had received 
$50,000 in fifty cent pieces. — Mexican 
"Herald." 



The increased area of land in Mexico 
devoted to the growing of cotton, and, 
parenthetically, the boom in that indus- 
try in lower California, is indicated in 
the December report of Collector of 
Customs Elliott, and shows the value 
of imports from Mexico for the month 
to be $160,797. 

. Of this amount half is from cotton 
that crosses the line at Calexico. Dur- 
ing X^ovember Mexican imports over- 
topped those of any other country 
whose products were landed at the 
port of Los Angeles, reaching the un- 
precendented figure of $268,704. 

Total collections for December are 
$90,595.69; imports, $518,530; exports, 
$83,983. With Mexico leading all otl.er 
countries in the matter of imports, the 
next highest is Japan, $72,861; Germany, 
$57,493; Brazil, $39,711; Chile, $36,675; 
and England, $26,299. Exports to Mex- 
ico lead the column with figures at $50,- 
06.5; England. $13,879: France, $9,180. — 
Los Angeles "Times." 



Saturday, January 24, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From Nortli, South, East, West and All Angles. 



THE MEANING OF "HUERTA 
BE DAMNED." 

Claims aggregating not less than $500,- 
000.000 gold will, sooner or later, be 
filed against Mexico by the United 
States and the nations of Europe and 
Asia, for indemnity on account of mur- 
ders and outrages against foreigners in 
Mexico, and destruction of property 
owned by foreigners. Of these claims, 
at least 10 per cent, or $50,000,000 gold, 
will be legitimate, and must be paid if 
Mexico is to retain her place among the 
nations. 

Mexico will be willing to acknowledge 
the justice of perhaps $2,500,000 of the 
claims, without further contest than may 
be involved in official investigation and 
report. 

The United States and other powers 
cannot afford to refrain from pressing 
their just claims to conclusion. There- 
fore, assuming that the claims that will 
be originally filed will be scaled down 
to 10 per cent, by foreign or internation- 
al tribunals, after thorough investigation, 
and that the great bulk of the actual 
losses will ultimatel)' be borne by the 
unfortunate individuals who have been 
caught and stripped in the revolutionary 
storms, the governments of Mexico and 
the other powers will still be nearly 
$50,000,000 apart upon their estimates of 
just claims due. 

Mexico is not bankrupt by a Ions' 
ways, but the present government of 
Mexico is bankrupt, and has been forced 
to default on interest on national bonds 

Mexico's income from external sources 
has been greatly reduced by reason of 
the stoppage of commerce and industry. 

Mexico's income from internal source.s 
is a forced income, tliat is ruining the 
country in the process of forced collec- 
tions, and that will cripple all commer- 
cial and industrial activities and financial 
institutions for a long term of years, 
extending long after Mexico recovers 
a degree of social and political stability. 

The day of accounting must come. 

Mexico is plunging downward into 
greater distress and greater disaster. 

What is the Government at Washing- 
ton doing to avert the grand crash, the 
return of unbridled chaos? 

ANY GOVERNMENT IN MEXICO 
IS BETTER THAN NO GOVERN- 
MENT. 

Has Washington fully comprehended 
the importance of this dictum of funda- 
mental justice and common sense? 

The real revolution in Mexico is yet 
to come — yet to be sprung. Mexico has 
seen no real revolution yet. These hav4 
all been mere curtain raisers. 

Time and mistaken diplomacy have 
been, and are, educating more and more 
people in Mexico all the time to habits 
of destruction. 

Disemployment breeds hunger, hunger 
breeds violence, violence breeds anarchy. 

MEXICO'S GREATEST TROUBLE 
TODAY IS ECONOMIC, NOT PO- 
LITICAL. 

Has Washington fully comprehended 
the real underlying basis of Mexico's 
sad plight today? 

Are we not, as a matter of fact, doing 
our best to accomplish Mexico's eco- 
nomic destruction, while ostensibly fur- 
thering her political emancipation? 

The hungry man, out of work, is 
not always a devoted student of Plato, 
or a stoic philosopher. 

The revolution in Mexico is just be- 
ginning. 



In expermicnting upon the patient 
with a new cure for chickenpox, we 
may kill the patient. 

A noble contribution, by llie patient, 
to science, but of doubtful credit to the 
physician. 

BUDDHA TEACHES THAT PER- 
FECTION COMES ONLY WITH 
TOTAL EXTINCTION. 

IS PRESIDENT WILSON, IN HIS 
ATTITUDE TOWARD MEXICO, 
SEEKING TO DEMONSTRATE THE 
WISDOM OF THE TEACHINGS OF 
BUDDHA? 

It used to be said that "there is joy 
among the angels over one sinner that 
repenteth." President Wilson and Sec- 
retary Brj'an have set up a revised 
version in the bible diplomacy as relating 
to Mexico: "There is joy among the 
angels over every slip of the sinner 
cowards the abyss of final ruin." — El Paso 
•Herald." ^ 

THE BUZZARD. 

Instead of welcoming our benevolent 
intentions, most of the Latin-American 
press are alarmed at our President's ex- 
tension of the Monroe Doctrine and 
tremble at the suspicion of North Amer- 
ican interference in their aflfairs. The 
whole press, from the great "Prensa" of 
Argentina to the smallest sheet in Mex- 
ico, raises its voice in indignant and 
passionate clamor, echoing the plea.) 
made by Prof. Hiram Bingham, of Yalr. 
and by Major Cassius E. Gillette, U. S. 
A. They approve the words of this re- 
tired soldier, that when Latin America 
realizes w-hat President Wilson has done 
to Mexico under his unwarranted exten 
sion of the Monroe Doctrine, some ot 
their artists will paint the Bird of Free- 
dom, not as an American eagle protect- 
ing a brood of young republics, but as 
a huge black buzzard, standing on Pan 
ama, with the tip of one wing over So- 
nora, and the other over Tierra del 
Fuego, with every feather dripping beau- 
tiful words and crude petroleum. Upon 
our examination of the South American 
papers we disco\'er that this has already 
become the conviction of Latin-Ameri- 
can publicists. — "Literary Digest." 



NO INTERVENTION— EDISON. 

Thomas A. Edison, who has always 
taken a keen interest in the aflfairs of 
Mexico, said the United States Govern- 
ment should not intervene. 

"Why should the ."American people," 
he said, "be compelled to pay for the 
maintenance of an army in Mexico to 
protect the properties of a few men who 
got concessions and went in there for 
their own profit? This dollar diplomacy 
will soon be a thing of the past. Gov- 
ernments are not supported by the many 
to protect a few, and the sooner some 
of the few realize it the better." — New 
York "Times." 



little jokes about Mr. Bryan's uncon- 
vential ways, and his unconscious im- 
portation of Nebraska methods into the 
State Department; but at bottom they 
have, in fact, a genuine liking for the 
man. He sincerely desires to be at peace 
with all the world, and that makes their 
tasks easier; while they have come to 
believe him absolutely candid in all that 
he says to them. This may be a nov- 
elty in diplomacy, but the foreign Am- 
bassadors and Ministers do not find it 
unpleasing. There is certainly no fric- 
tion in that quarter. And if there is 
any criticism, well or ill grounded, of 
Mr. Bryan's policy in Mexico or else- 
where, the sufficient answer — so far as 
relates to any supposed coolness be- 
tween the President and his Secretary 
of State — is that Mr. Wilson is ultimate- 
ly responsible for it all, and must shoul- 
der it all. — New York "Evening Post." 



MUST SHOULDER IT. 

It is said, we know, that the President 
is mortified at the ridicule which has 
been poured upon his Secretary of State. 
And -there have been many funny news- 
paper stories about the relations of Mr. 
Bryan to the foreign diplomats in Wash- 
ington. No doubt, the latter have their 



CONGRESSMAN GILLETTE'S 
HINDSIGHT. 

Congressman Gillette of Massachu- 
setts, in criticising the Mexican policy 
of the Government, attempts covering 
too much ground. Any question of 
whether Secretary Bryan has been de- 
voting his time to outside pursuits, either 
for profit, popularity or applause, is not 
closely connected with the one of our 
Mexican policy. That policy was deter- 
mined upon at the beginning of the ad- 
ministration, and was briefly but clearly 
announced in the declaration that "un- 
der no circumstances" would the con- 
stitutional provisional government of 
Huerta be recognized at Washington If 
the Secretary of State has been guilty of 
any neglect of ofificial duty while follow- 
ing the Chautauqua routes, it can not b-; 
fairly claimed that anything he might 
have done could have changed, or in any 
way modified, the Mexican policy, which 
was well settled as one of "watchful 
waiting" before the Chautauqua season 
began. Mr. Bryan could both watch and 
wait as well on the circuit as in Wash- 
ington. There has really been no prob 
lem in a policy which, emphasized in the 
call upon all Americans to get out of 
that country, has awaited the certain 
downfall of the Mexican Provisional 
Government through the withholding of 
United States recognition. If there is 
now an onerous responsibility attaching 
to anybody for the steadfast pursuance 
of such a policy, it is impossible to dir- 
criminate between the President and the 
Secretary of State in charging it. 

Nor is Mr. Gillette much more happy 
in his insinuation that the policy of this 
administration has been dictated by a 
desire to reverse the policy of Mr. Tafl. 
for partisan reasons. We do not be- 
lieve Mr. Wilson to have been actuated 
by such a motive. The policy he has 
chosen to follow is not more a reversal 
of the policy of Mr. Taft than it is a re- 
versal of the policy of all of our Presi- 
dents preceding Mr. Taft, after Mexico 
and the other Spanish-American republics 
became independent States. That policy 
was, unbrokenly, to recognize as the 
government of any one of those then 
turbulent countries the regime found to 
be in office under constitutional forms. 



MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 1914 



In pursuance of this policy we consis- 
tently recognized Juarez in Mexico 
while his authority was being defied by 
force of arms, and after him Lerdo, and 
after Lerdo Diaz. Withholding the rec- 
ognition of the United States from Diaz 
would have made impossible the quarter 
century of prosperous peace Diaz gave 
to Mexico. Diaz, no more than Huerta, 
could have maintained himself urider 
such a cloud. That question was raised 
at that time. Our recognition of Diaz 
minimized his difficulries and soon tran- 
quilized the coimtry. 

This late reversal of the historic 
American policy in Spanish .\merica has 
been as plain from the beginning as it is 
now. It lessens the strength of Mr. 
Gillette's position that he has waited u"- 
til the foreign holders of Mexican bonis 
are confronted w'ith a default of inter- 
est on such securities, through appropri- 
ation of customs receipts to military ex- 
penditures, before making protest. It 
leaves him open to the charge of n n\ 
making an attack calculated only to 
force the administration into aggressive 
military action in Mexico for a speedy 
restoration of national solvency. The 
same public opinion which justified the 
official call on Americans in Mexico to 
run for their lives should now, logically, 
justify advice to foreign holders of Mex- 
ican bonds to whistle for their money, 
or to call upon their own governments 
to enforce its collection through the 
seizure of Mexican custom houses and 
their receipts. — St. Louis "Globe-Dem- 
ocrat." 



AN AMERICAN PICTURE OF 
HUERTA. 

The American friends who met me at 
the station in Mexico City drove me up 
Calle del Puente de Alvarado (the scene 
of the fabulous pole vault made by Al- 
varado in 1521) to the aristocratic Bach's 
restaurant. Imagine my satisfaction and 
amazement at finding the notorious (I 
am convinced now that he is that) 
Huerta sitting at the next table to ours. 
He was surrounded by six of his friends 
and "private guards." I had a full face 
view of him and examined him carefully. 
He is much handsomer than any pictures 
I had seen of him. He strikes one as 
being more a figure of the "tented field," 
one used to "roughing it." than a man 
used to a refined and ennobling environ- 
ment. Yet by his quiet and deliberate 
manner he displayed a personality far 
greater than any of the forces that had 
produced it. He looks the leader, the 
possessor of "kingly thoughts." the ge- 
nius who knows neither hatred, fear nor 
vacillation. .\s he left' he passed close 
to me and looked me square in the eyes. 
From his expression I judged he was 
thinking to himself. "Another of those 
meddling Yankees!" — J. N. Darrow in 
New York "Sun." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

the Senator had amplified his remarks. 
He had simply declared: "How do you 
expect peace when a nation is deliberate- 
ly inciting our neighbors to war with 
us?" He added that the policy of Pres- 
ident Wilson is a sincere one; that he 
is anxious for peace, but that it must be 
peace with honor. If the dread alterna- 
tive presents itself of losing peace or 
honor, honor must be retained at any 
cost. 

These remarks might have been re- 
garded as academic by some. Others 
might have picked out some particular 
nation that "is deliberately inciting our 
neighbors to war with us." Hobson 
would have at once concluded that the 
Senator had Japan in mind. Pindell of 
Peoria might have feared that Russia 
would misinterpret his sponsor's re- 
marks. So in order to make everything 
clear, the Senator, after acknowledging 
the congratulations with that grace that 
has made him famous from sea to sea, 
stated unequivocally that his reference 
distinctly applied to Great Britain, and 
he used the conduct of Sir Lionel Car- 
den as proof of the deliberate intentions 
of that country. He accused the British 
Foreign Office of a false explanation of 
Sir Lionel's attitude. 

.\ bad half hour must have followed 
tor .\mbassador Page, while he was ex- 
plaining to the British Foreign Office 
just who Senator J. Ham Lewis really is 
and the discount that his utterances are 
subject to in his own country. His mis- 
sion there, as a delegate to the Seamen's 
Conference, was also explained and the 
suspicion that he might be another per- 
sonal, confidential agent of the president 
was removed. This proof was easy, for 
the personal and confidential agents of 
the President do not attend luncheons, 
and they are noted for their taciturnity. 
They do not even trust the immediate 
members of the President's own house- 
hold, but insist on talking to the Presi- 
dent in a sound-proof cabin of a Gov- 
ernment cruiser. Mr. Page might have 
intimated that somebody had spiked Sen- 
ator Lewis's grape juice. Whatever 
means he employed. .Ambassador Page 
somehow relieved British anxiety and 
the plans for the celebration of the cen- 
tenary of English-American peace will 
proceed the same as if Senator Lewis 
had not spoken. We trust the incident 
may be valuable in convincing Repre- 
sentative Moon of Tennessee that there 
is still need for our maintaining diplo- 
matic representatives abroad. Otherwise 
Senator Lewis might go to England and 
start a war at any time. But if any na- 
tion has been inciting our neighbors to 
make war on us. it has signally failed. — 
St. Louis "Globe-Democrat." 



BRITISH WAR AVERTED. 

Although the peace-loving make-up 
man placed in an obscure corner of the 
paper the cablegram describing the 
"peace with honor" speech made by Sen- 
ator James Hamilton Lewis at an .Amer- 
ican Club luncheon in London, readers 
felt keen anxiety until it was learned 
that the incendiary utterances kindled no 
international conflagration. While the 
speech is said to have created a furor 
among the speaker's compatriots and 
fellow-diners it apparently caused no rip- 
ple in the life of Great Britain. The 
diners "grasped the Senator's hands and 
congratulated hTm." Not being Latin- 
.'\mericans, none of them embraced 
him. This demonstration came before 



AN AMERICAN IN MEXICO. 

To the Editor of the New York "Sun" 
— Sir: I have lived in peace and amity 
in the Zacualpan section of Mexico for 
six years. When the "Sun" published a 
sketch map showing Iguala in the posi- 
tion of Teloloapan, away off from the 
railroad, which it has extended from Bal- 
sas through Chilpancingo to Acapulco, 
I feel obliged to say that while a trav- 
eler could get to Iguala on a railroad 
car, he could not pass Balsas in that con- 
veyance, even though he were a special 
emissary. 

Your "field of Zapata's activity" on the 
map printed shows possibly the field that 
he wishes he could cover. He is pretty 
closely confined to the State of Morelos. 
with occasional incursions, seldom over 
thirty miles, into Puebla and Guerrero. 
In Morelos he sticks to the mountains, 
raiding haciendas when he can gather 



men and feels quite certain that there 
will be little resistance. Military trains 
pass over the main railroad line every 
few days, and passenger trains from time 
to time. Zapata does not dominate even 
the State of Morelos, as we who live on 
the border of the State know. 

In Guerrero bands of free lances have 
been operating with profit, except when 
the Federals caught up with them. These 
patriots have dominated possibly one- 
third of the State. They are not in 
league with Zapata and are reported to 
have fought him. This is quite credible, 
for one of the leaders. Romulo Figueroa, 
seems to try to act as a civilized person 
and to endeavor to restrain his follow- 
ers from the barbarous cruelties prac- 
tised by the Zapatistas. 

In the State of Mexico the only trouble 
has been caused by raids from Morelos 
and Guerrero. The people of this section 
are in favor of peace, and do not care 
especially what the name of the Chief 
Magistrate may be; they do not fight on 
either side, except to defend their homes 
from looting. 

If the Zapatistas are in league with 
Carranza the rank and file do not know 
it. I was their prisoner for some hours 
and I talked with as may as I could to 
find our what their ideals were. I imag- 
ine that Zapata gets all that he can from 
Carranza, and that Carranza makes all 
that he can out of Zapata's rebellion. 
Zapata is the only really consistent rebel 
in the field, as he has fought every gov- 
ernment from that of Diaz to the present 
day, and got arms and money through 
one side or the other when he needed 
them. 

It may be that Mexico has no govern- 
ment, as Mr. Wilson seems to believe, 
but the impression here is much to the 
contrary. Since General Huerta has had 
a free hand we have been returning to 
days of peace, and we much doubt 
whether any other Mexican, even if elect- 
ed President by President Wilson him- 
self, could govern as well as General 
Huerta has done under extremely diffi- 
cult circumstances. Do the people here, 
upper, lower or middle class, want dem- 
ocratic government? Live here some 
years, learn the language, talk with men 
of each class in widely separated places, 
and you will find that no one wants or 
dreams of having a trulj' democratic 
government, not even a government as 
democratic as that of the L^nited States. 
Is it the divine duty of the United 
States to force constitutional govern- 
ment on these people; to spend Ameri- 
can money and lives in the task? No 
one who lives in central or southern 
Mexico will be very enthusiastic about 
it, I fear, and perhaps those who live in 
the northern part of the country would 
prefer that the Mexicans arrange their 
government to suit themselves, without 
interference, divine or otherwise, direct- 
ed from the United States. 

AMERICAN. 
Zacualpan. Mexico, January .■?. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I am very familiar with conditions a 
factions, not only in the southwestern part of : 
United States, but in Mexico as well. To st 
with, as a matter of fact the peopl 
extreme northeastern part of the country know 
little as to Mexican affairs and conditions ani 
as the old saying is, "One needs to travel u: 
live and learn." 

(Continued on next page.) 



rhe 



Saturday, January 24, 1914 



MEXICO 



11 



There was a time, before I became thoroughly 
acquainted with facts and conditions, that 1 was 
aggressively opposed to the recognition of the 
Huerta Government, and no doubt there arc 
thousands of people in this country to-day who 
are opposed to its recognition, purely because they 
do not know the truth. 

The old saying is : "A fool never changes his 
mind." 1 do not credit myself with being the 
wisest individual in existence, but I do take 
upon myself to say that the only course left for 
this country, if we desire peace and to avert 
further great expense, is to recognize the Huerta 
Administration. 

Henry Lane Wilson certainly understood Mex- 
ican affairs and his recommendations to the Presi- 
dent should have been taken. 

From direct information these men. Villa ftnd 
Zapata, are nothing more than an extremely lUit- 
•erate bunch of bandits, but cunning enough to 
play on the uneducated peon, constantly keeping 
him misinformed. Due to the actions of the 
wretches there is untold suffering among all classes 
of society, and the outcome is that Mexicans not 
desiring- war or trouble have been driven to des- 
peration through hunger and deprivation. 

A sentimentalist cannot control Mexico. It 
takes a fearless man with a backbone of steel, 
like Huerta. The Mexicans are a different race of 
people than we of the north, and the only way 
that peace will ever be restored is to have this 
kind of a man at the helm of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. It appears to me that President Wilson 
has got his foot deep into it and does not know 
whether he is going or coming, or what to do 
in order to bring about peace in Mexico, and at 
the same time land the credit of same to the Dem- 
ocratic party. 

Kansas City. J. E. D. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir : If this country is ruined and for- 
eigners suffer with their property and lives — the 
"policy" of President Wilson will be responsible 
for it. The only "policy" apparent to us who live 
here is a personal and blind antipathy to Presi- 
dent Huerta and a desire to see him "down and 
out" at any cost rather than show any evidence of 
friendliness or practical help to a distracted coun- 
try, torn by internal dissensions. The President 
of the United States has apparently been the un- 
conscious catspaw of the grafting Madero regime 
in their lust for revenge and would-be reassump- 
tion of power ; and they in turn are backed by 
financial interests in the United States who have 
been the mainstay of the so-called "constitution- 
alists" in their work of ruin and blood-thirsty de- 
struction in the northern part of this Republic. 
Why is it that no great newspaper in the United 
States is decent and broad enough to give the Gov- 
ernment of this country a chance? Why do they 
always favor the plunderers, the looters, the de- 
spoilers of women? 

You remember how the papers willfully distorted 
the fact of President and Mrs. Huerta opening 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

iQie MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
I^IO WASHINGTON, D. C. *^^^ 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sujar legisla- 
tion. 



Chapultepec Castle for diplomatic receptions, etc., 
this winter into the "hiding" story. They don't 
even take advantage of their right to live there — 
but reside in an unassuming house in the suburb 
of Popotla. President Huerta is too democratic, 
and has been too busy to have time for many 
society stunts; but when occasionally he does at- 
tend some function or other he is always exceed- 
ingly genial, and his dry wit and keen sense of 
humor keep things humming. Of one thing you 
may be sure — no matter what comes — there will 
be no "hiding" about Huerta. He's as brave ai 
a lion and serene in the knowledge of the right of 
his position as legal president of this Republic 
in accordance with Mexican law and order. He 
will ignore, and rightly so, the amazing demands, 
which only ignorance and prejudice could formu- 
late, of President Wilson and continue endeavoring 
to save his country in his own way and by his 
own methods. 

So long as General Huerta dominates the situa- 
tion every foreigner living in this city feels safe; 
but if through the moral and materal aid which 
the United States is constantly giving the enemies 
of this Government they should eventually tri- 
umph and bring with them to the capital and into 
the Administration their grafting, bloodthirsty, 
lawless proclvities, adios to individual safety, to 
general prosperity and peace for many a sad 
and bitter year to come I Yours truly, 

A TEN-YEAR RESIDENT OF MEXICO. 
Mexico City. 



Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: In all that I read about the Mexican 
situation I fear there is much of rancor and parti- 
sanship. On the one hand, there seems to be a 
concerted effort to discredit the Mexican Gov- 
ernment. On the other, the attacks on our Gov- 
ernment show a blinding bitterness. It seems to 
me about time that the attitude of the average 
intelligent citizen, unbiased and with no axe to 
grind, should find expression. 

I get around a great deal and I like to think 
about and talk about the big topics of the day 
with folks I meet. Now, here's the result of my 
careful observation of what the man in the street, 
the man in the office and the man in the shop 
think about the Mexican situation. 

The younger men are inclined to talk big as 
lo what we would do in case of war with Mex- 
ico, but nine out of every ten men are against 
war. They can't see any reason why there should 
be war, and they really don't expect it. There 
is no feeling at all against Mexico or the Mexican 
people. There is just a little bit of concern 
about the sharpness and irreconcilability of the 
Administraton's attitude toward the Mexican Gov- 
ernment — concern that it may force issues that 
might lead to something that could be avoided. 

As to President Wilson's general policy, there is 
a willingness to depend on his good motives and 
judgment. Also the average man, who knows 
nothing of Mexico at first hand, feels that Presi- 
dent Wilson is in a position to know the facts, 
and therefore they are inclined to believe he 
knows what he is doing better than they could. 

I find that the average man discounts a lot of 
the Mexican news in the papers. In fact, many 
say that they are sick and tired of the Mexican 
rumors from day to day, and some simply don't 
read anything but the headlines. 



I find some condemnation of General Huerta on 
the grounds that — well, just on the general im- 
pression of him the papers have given. But there 
is at the same time a sort of admiration for htt 
sticking to his guns. 

In the mind and imagination of the average 
man Villa counts for more than Carranza. Many 
are puzzled as to why encouragement of a bandit 
who loots a town and kills the defenseless should 
seem to be the alternative to the acceptance of 
President Huerta. 

Summing it up, the average man seems to fed 
like this : War must be avoided at all costs. Mex- 
icans should be let manage their own affairs. Aj 
between the Mexican Government and those fight- 
ing it, the Government seems to be the more re- 
spectable and civilized and should not at leftat 
be antagonized by us. 

I think if this attitude of the average man vere 
reflected in the public press it would make for a 
better understanding generally. 

Yours very tnily. 

New York City. C. H. S. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday January 24, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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PUBLIC OPINION. 

Since the Mexican situation developed 
as a United States problem to be solved 
by the present Administration we have 
seen the pubHc opinion of the American 
people as regards Mexico and our rela- 
tions with Vtexico pass through ma-v 
.-^nd various stages. We have carei'i.Uy 
cbserved ev':y outward manifestatio-i of 
it, that which has been spontaneous and 
that which has been disingenuous, in 
the press, the magazines, interviews, in 
the halls of Congress, and in the state- 
ments of publicists and men of affairs. 
Furthermore we have sought through all 
available channels of information the 
general opinion of the average man, 
which in the ultimate shapes or opposes 
the policies of the Government. 

Mexico's Tragic Ten Days and the 
subsequent killing of Madero and Suarez 
were appalling to American public opin- 
ion, which could not imagine such con- 
dition? in our own country and shud- 
dered to think them possible in our sister 
republic. The intolerable situation in 
Mexico that made such things possible 
was not as vivid in the minds of our 
people as the awfulness of the events 
themselves. This state of the public 
niind was immediately seized upon by 
the very persons connected with the Ma- 
d'^ro regime who had actually been re- 
sponsible for the tragedy as an opportu- 
nity for a campaign of lies and revenge 
to poison the mind of the public and 
the Administration against the present 
Mexican Government. How well they 
succeeded in prejudicing the Administra- 
tion is a matter of history. 

Public opinion remained receptive to 
the inspired press campaign engineered 
by the Maderos and their American allies 
until the general discussion of Mexican 
affairs, the increased demand for accur- 
ate information, "the protests of Ameri- 
cans in Mexico, the facts as laid before 
Congress by Ambassador Wilson, and 



the more or less direct intimations from 
European representatives in Mexico, 
amazed that American public opinion 
had been so shamelessly misled, brought 
out gradually the truth that the prob- 
lems of Mexico were terribly complex 
and were being made hopelessly more so 
by the failure of the United States to 
sauge them correctly. 

The Administration had already tied 
its hands by intimating that under no 
circumstances would it recognize the 
Government which stood between Mex- 
ico and anarchy. In the light of all that 
was being disclosed that made so obsti- 
nately negative an attitude untenable, the 
.Administration sent John Lind to Mex- 
ico with proposals which, however they 
may have been viewed by public opinion 
then, can hardly be mentioned now in 
any public gathering without raising a 
laugh. The mission of John Lind was 
foredoomed to failure, but American 
public opinion, however doubtfully, left 
the whole matter to President Wilson 
and John Lind and hoped for the best. 
Since then .'Vmerican public opinion 
has been at times impatient, at times 
suspicious as to the connection of Big 
Business with our attitude toward the 
Mexican Government, at all tim.es ready 
TQ agree enthusiastically with anything 
that the .Administration might do that 
would settle matters, at times skillfully 
led to think that .American intervention 
was inevitable, almost instantly to reject 
any such suggestion, at times amazed by 
the optimism of Washington, and at all 
times busily comparing in its own mind 
the actual observable murders and vil- 
lainies of the Villas and Zapatas with the 
unproven charges against the Provisional 
President. 

At the present time American public 
opinion as regards Mexico is infinitely 
better informed than it was last spring, 
and all our feeling of the pulse of the 
people convinces us that it is generally 
felt that in some way, either through a 
mistaken idealism or a blundering in- 
eptitude, the Administration has not only 
added to the troubles of Mexico, but has 
tied itself in a knot; that it has com- 
mitted itself to a course the end of 
which is not in sight and which may lead 
to consequences that should be avoided 
at all costs; that it is everybody's duty 
to support the Administration if the 
worst comes to the worst, but that the 
Administration owes it to the country 
to find some way out. even at the expense 
of idealistic theories and personal pre- 
judices. 



SELF-HYPNOTISM. 

There is no Mexican Government! 
Whenever the inevitable logic of 
events tosses the "high officials" of the 
Administration on the two horns of a 
dilemma — whenever in the eyes of the 
wjid it is incumbent upon them to ad- 
mit that if such and such is not then such 
and such must be, that if it isn't 
This it must be That — these puzzled 
officials squirm out of the situation by 
saying there is no issue of facts, there 
is no necessity of solution because there 
is no Mexican Government, and that be- 
cause there is no Mexican Government 
nothing that presupposes its existence is 
true. 

If their attention is called to the fact 
that they are not justified in international 
law in violating Mexican law by keeping 
American warships in Mexican waters 
except under certain conditions, the 
State Department blandly insists that 
neither international nor J.Iexican law ap- 
plies, because there is no Mexican Gov- 
ernment. 

V hen bondholders inquire as to the 
attitude of the State Department toward 
the Mexican Government's application of 
the customs duties to the internal ne- 
cessities of government in preference to 
the payment of interest on the national 
debt, the "high officials" say they can- 
not take cognizance of the situation be- 
cause there is no Mexican Government. 
There is no Mexican Government! Ye 
gods, it sometimes looks as if there were 
no United States Government — at least 
one capable of understanding anything 
about Mexico. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



GUERILLA METHODS. 

Nothing would please the Government 
of Mexico better than a concentration 
of all the rebels under Pancho Villa for 
an organized advance on the capital. 
Whatever success the rebels and bandits 
have is in guerilla warfare, swift attacks 
in strong numbers on small or weakened 
garrisons (the Ojinaga garrison had run 
out of ammunition) and as swift retreat 
when the Government troops attack in 
force. They never battle in the open, ac- 
cording to the rules of civilized warfare. 
If a band of rebels is cornered and it 
seems inevitable that it mUst give battle 
the band scatters among the hills and 
mountains that are everywhere in Mex- 
ico. The topography of the country 
presents the greatest difficulty to the 
operations of any but guerilla forces. 
The States of the North are sparsely set- 
tled and easily destroyed railroads run 
for hundreds of miles through deserts 
and wilderness. .Ml these conditions of 
brigandage and rebellion in the North 
are a tremendously difficult military 
problem, which would be doubly difficult 
for the United States troops if they 
should take over Huerta's job of pacify- 
ing the country. Doubly difficult be- 
cause they would be confronted by a 
united Mexico. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Ran* Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth CUmbt Slowly.—OriMitkl ProTwb 



VOL I— No. 24 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



"INTERESTING FICTION" 

Of the many different 'fiction stories" 
dealing with Mexican affairs that saw the 
light during the past week, perhaps the 
most interesting was that purporting to 
reveal a sinister collusion between the 
governments of Mexico and Japan. 

The sale of arins by a Japanese firm 
to the Mexican Government and the re- 
ception given the Japanese naval offi- 
cers in Mexico City were taken as evi- 
dence of the existence of a secret plot 
against the United States. 

Thereupon vivid, prominent first-page 
scare-headed stories were displayed by 
most American newspapers. A Mexico- 
Japanese alliance directed against the 
United Stales was seen to loom black and 
menacing on the horizon, and it was in- 
timated that Uncle Sam was girding his 
loins preparing for the mortal fray. 

After three days President Wilson 
deemed it necessary to deprecate the 
publication of such stories. 

Now, as to facts: Arms made in Ja- 
pan were ordered as early as April, 1913. 
by General Mondragon, then Mexican 
Minister of War. They were ordered 
from the Mitsui Company, because of 
their low cost. .\t the same time and 
thereafter arms were bought by the 
Government in other — European and 
American — -countries. The courtesy ex- 
tended the Japanese officers in Mexico 
is no more nor less than that extended 
to other naval officers who have visited 
the capital in the last few months. 

There does exist a natural sympathy 
between the Mexican and the Japanese 
people, owing perhaps to what is believed 
to be a common origin of the two races. 
Despite the asinine assertion to the con- 
trary by an editorialist of the New York 
"World," there is little doubt left in the 
minds of students that the Indian races 
which have peopled Mexico were of 
Mongolian stock. Many words in some 
dialects spoken in the south of Mexico 
are easily understood by Chinese immi- 
grants. A secretarj^ of the Japanese Le- 
gation in Mexico was able some time 
ago to decipher old Mixtec inscriptions 
founj in the ruins of Mitla. 

As recently as November, 1912, Sir 
Martin Conway, Prof. William Niven 
and Senor Ramon Mena, scientists, dis- 
covered only a couple of hours' walk 
from the City of Mexico, under a six- 
foot layer of dirt, the remains of a city 
of undoubted Mongolian construction. 

It is quite natural that the Mexican 
Government should accept the friend- 
ship spontaneously tendered by another 
nation. It is not the fault of the Mexi- 
can Government that it cannot express 
the same friendship for the Washington 
(Continued on next page.) 




No decent, responsible American citi- 
zen will believe for a moment that the 
President contemplates raising the em- 
bargo on arms for the benefit of the 
barbarians who are murdering, pillaging, 
and violating women and girls in North- 
ern Mexico. Not that such executive 
action would make any material differ- 
ence in the fortunes of these bandits and 
outlaws. It is perfectly well known in 
Washington that the embargo has not 
prevented Villa and Carranza and Blanco 
and the rest from getting across the 
border all the arms and munitions of 
war they have wanted. 

The shame of it all would be that, 
whereas for United States assistance to 
the very worst element of Mexicans some 
excuse in history might be found in 
the difficulty of preventing it or in the 
-Administration's ignorance of what these 
Mexicans really are and represent, the 
formal raising of the embargo would 
for all time stand as an official, delib- 
erate, disgraceful alliance between the 
Administration and bandit leaders who 
are a blot on civilization. It is 
incomprehensible. The people of this 
country would never tolerate such a 
thing. But supposing such a fatal mis- 
take should be mde. What would be 
the consequences? 

Let the President lift the embargo on 
arms to Mexico, and good-by, for an- 
other generation at least, to Latin-Amer- 
ican friendship. Haven't we told all the 
nations to the south of us that all we 
wanted in Mexico was peace? That we 
had no ulterior interests or motives to 
be served? That our attitude was one 
of strict neutrality, combined with a 
natural duty as a close neighbor of 



Mexico to lend our good offices in the 
promotion of constitutional government 
and order? 

The countries of Latin-America, with 
which we have every reason, moral and 
material, to be frank friends, have tried 
to take us at our word, although our 
subsequent actions did not bear out our 
protestations. They have tried to be- 
lieve that our intentions were of the 
noblest, in keeping with the "Character 
of our President. When finally our bal- 
loon of disinterestedness was punctured, 
when the cloak of honeyed phrases was 
thrown aside and we stood revealed as 
the would-be dictators to Mexico as to 
what kind of government and what par- 
ticular group of governors it should 
have, Latin-America generally nodded 
its head sadly and said: "More Yankee 
hypocrisy." 

Every country in the world has lis- 
tened respectfully to the words that have 
come out of Washington, expressing this 
or that intention, this or that ideal. Lis- 
tened and remained open to conviction. 
But the world is not so easily fooled by 
words. The world has believed all 
along that the Washington Administra- 
tion has set out to get control of Mex- 
ico. The world has known that the 
Washington Administration does not 
want to fight with arms for that control. 
The world has known that the Admin- 
istration has given its moral support to 
the rebels and bandits who are destroy- 
ing Mexico as a surreptitious means of 
getting that control, either through the 
utter exhaustion and bankruptcy of Mex- 
ico or the placing in power of tools of 
Washington. 

(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Sattirday. January 31, 1914 



AN IMPOSSIBLE ALLIANCE— 
Continued. 

Tlio world has known tliat arms and 
ammunition for Villa and his like liave 
gone from the United States into Mex- 
ico without any great difficulty. The 
world has known that American gun- 
ners have manned rebel guns. The 
world has not been blind to our actual 
encouragement of the rebels and ban- 
dits, against our protestations of neu- 
trality and friendship for all Mexicans. 

The lifting of the embargo on arms 
would mean nothing but the putting of 
an official seal of approval by the Presi- 
dent on the inhuman arming of assassins 
and outlaws in our underhand meth- 
od of fighting Mexico. It would be sim- 
ply a certification of our shame and 
shamelessness that would be put on rec- 
ord for all time, to our eternal discredit. 



AS MEXICO SEES IT. 

(Special Cable to the New York "Times.") 

Mexico City, Jan. 27. — Prominent Mexicans 
and Americans profess to be astounded at the 
report that President Wilson intends to lift the 
embargo on arms for the rebels. They say they 
consider this the inevitable precursor of an- 
archy throughout the country. One well-known 
politician said that if President Wilson carried 
out his purpose innumerable small bands of ban- 
dits and highwaymen would spring up through- 
out the country and that the United States would 
be forced to intervene and put them down. He 
also expressed the opinion that the rebels from 
the north would be unable to reach the south 
in lime to prevent conditions there from get- 
ting altogether out of hand after the inevitable 
(all of Huerta. ■ 

A prominent Mexican, not connected with 
any political faction, said : 

"It is not Huerta's power that .is decaying 
and crumbling, but Mexican autonomy. To put 
arms in the hands of rebels means wholesale 
murder. It seems that Mexico is doomed to 
disappearance as a nation, and it matters little 
whether the American rifles and bullets destroy- 
ing her are in the hands of Americans or Mexi- 
cans. The fact remains before all the world 
that these bullets are American." 



Mexico City, Jan. 20.— Paradox though it may 
seem. Gen. Huerta would like to see the United 
States lift its embargo on the sale of arms to 
Mexican rebels. The dictator realizes that such 
a change of policy at Washington would ma- 
terially strengthen his hold upon certain fac- 
tions which at times show signs of wavering. 
Indeed, with the United States openly on the 
side of the rebellion, many factions now estranged 
from the usurper could be counted on to come 
out in his support as a matter of patriotic duty. 

So it is announced from authoritative sources 
to-day that Huerta will have no protest what- 
ever to make to the prospective proclamation of 
President Wilson. The sooner such an ulti- 
matum is issued the better will the dictator be 
pleased. 

In view of this phase of the situation, many 
prominent Mexicans are inclined to believe that 
the intimation of the State Department's inten- 
tions in this respect is merely another "Wash- 
ington bluff." They do not think that President 
Wilson will ever persuade himself to take such 
an advanced stand. 

It is the opinion here that the rebels have 
been getting all the arms they were able to 
pay for from America all the time. For this 
reason, the lifting 'bf the embargo, it is said, 
would not materially aid them, and at the same 
time it would prove extremely likely to cause 
a reversion of sentiment in Huerta's favor. 

— Nev/ York "Sun." 



WHEN IS A BANDIT? 



By James Hazen Hazard. 



For some months past Maximo Cas- 
tillo, a bandit leader, has been operating 
in northwestern Chihuahua, his "opera- 
tions" being raids on ranches and mines, 
liold-ups, blackmail under" threats of 
death, dynamiting of railroads; in other 
words, he has been doing in miniature 
what his fellow bandit Pancho Villa has 
done on a larger scale. 

Maximo Castillo and Pancho Villa 
have been enemies, rivals in the occupa- 
tion of bandit, for a good many years. 
They have been rivals in the same sense 
as New York City gang-leaders are ri- 
vals in criniinality, each jealous of the 
other's proficiency and prestige as a bad 
man. 

As recently as six or seven months ago 
they were about on a par, hiding in the 
hills with their bands, occasionally strik- 
. ing like a snake wherever they saw a 
chance for loot, hurling defis at each 
other and each hoping that something 
big in the way of a revolution might 
break loose, a revolution meaning to 
them that some little group of swarthy 
men, well supplied with funds, would 
come to El Paso and hire him to go on 
the warpath in the name of the Consti- 
tution. It's always the Constitution. 
The swarthy men came to the border — 
well supplied as aforesaid. Fortune 
smiled on Pancho Villa. He was the 
lucky dog, whose vicious qualities made 
a greater impression than Castillo's. 

The pact was made and Pancho 
Villa, bandit, became "General" Villa. 



rebel. Poor Maximo Castillo went back 
to his hills and thought it over. 

With the gracious assistance of his 
"constitutionalist" employers, the finan- 
cial backing of his American "friends," . 
and the kindly support and encourage- 
nient of the Washington Administration, 
Pancho Villa, rebel, gathered about him 
every able-bodied person who would 
rather loot and rape than work for a liv- 
ing — and it happens that there are many 
of that stamp in his bailiwick. 

Fortune continued to smile upon 
Pancho Villa, • while the darkness of 
crime and anarchy frowned upon Chi- 
huahua and Durango, in the wake of his 
marauding outlaws and cutthroats. He 
entered upon a career of destruction and 
infamy that was breath to his nostrils. 
The records of his villainies has not been 
even partially set down, but enough of 
his murders and worse became known 
on this side of the border to cause a 
shiver of horror in our pe^ople. Then the 
swarthy men who do not fight, but who 
plot along the border and in Wash- 
ington, got busy. 

Somehow, some way, by hook or by 
crook, they must whitewash this Fran- 
kenstein. Their efforts were pitifully fu- 
tile. Finally some one got the inspira- 
tion that much would be forgiven the 
impossible Villa if it were made to ap- 
pear that he was a bad man against his 
will. So they concocted the j'arn that 
when he was a young man he shot and 
killed a Federal officer to preserve the 



INTERESTING FICTION"-Continued 



Government. You cannot compel an en- 
emy to be your friend. It must be said, 
however, that the Mexican Government 
has taken pains to show its good will 
toward all Americans, and this in spite 
of the bitter hostility evinced by the 
Washington officials. Which is much 
to the credit of the Huerta Government. 

That the Japanese themselves are no 
more friendly to the supporters of the 
Government than to the rebels is dem- 
onstrated by the fact that Japanese — as 
well as Americans — are manning rebel 
guns. 

It may be that the Japanese Govern- 
ment at the present juncture has deemed 
it useful to display a marked enthusiasm 
in its relations with the Mexican Gov- 
ernment in order to force the Washing- 
ton Administration's hand in the Cali- 
fornia land question. 

It may also be that the Japanese scare 
story was inspired by some official in 
Washington in order to create a senti- 
ment of hostility in the people of the 
United States against the Huerta Gov- 
ernment and justify in a measure the 
proposed raising of the embargo against 
the exportation of arms. 

All this and more may be — but the 
fact remains that the Mexican Govern- 



ment as well as the Mexican people are 
friendly to the people of the United 
States. All they w-ant is a square deal 
from the Washington Government. 

MEXICAN EMBASSY PROTESTS. 

Washington, Jan. 29. — The following 
statement was issued last night by the 
Mexican Embassy: 

"An effort is at present being made by 
an important portion of the press of the 
country to create the impression that 
the Japanese Government has been af- 
fording not only inoral but material aid 
as well to the Mexican Government by 
supplying it with munitions of war. 

"While Mexico has long cultivated the 
friendliest relations with Japan and her 
people, whom it holds in the very high- 
est admiration, the embassy is authorized 
to state that the version is without a 
vestige of truth. The Mexican Govern- 
mcnl, in spite of the almost overwhelm- 
ing odds against which it has been con- 
tending, would not stoop to accept the 
aid of a foreign nation, however friendly, 
in crushing the revolt waged in the name 
of 'constitutionalism' against law and or- 
der, much less would there be any barter 
of concessions derogatory to the na- 
tional honor." 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



MEXICO 



WHEN IS A BANDIT?— Continued. 

honor of his favorite sister! He had to 
flee for his life and live in the moun- 
tains as a bandit, not because he wanted 
to but because the "system" had forced 
him into this life. This piece of "inter- 
esting fiction" was flashed all over the 
United States and the Constitution was 
saved I 

.As a willing tool of the Washington 
"moralisls" he has been very success- 
ful in helping them justify their "watch- 
ful waiting," while hundreds of human 
lives have lieen sacrificed and millions in 
property destroyed or "confiscated." 
Meanwhile he has become rich, very rich, 
by the simple process of issuing fiat 
money and forcing it on the people of 
Chihuahua in exchange for Government 
currency and bullion. The deposits in 
El Paso and New York banks have been 
materially increased by his success. 
Pancho Villa believes in looking out for 
the rainy day. 

We had almost forgotten Maximo Cas- 
tillo. When he heard of his rival ban- 
dit's success he turned green with envy 
and was very wroth indeed. "If that 
miserable Pancho Villa can get away 
with it as easy as all that (or Spanish 
words to that effect) why should not I, 
to w-hom he is but as a rat to a rattler, 
not do the same, nay, ten times as well? 
Whether or not Maximo discussed his 
ambitions with any-shifty-eyed, swarthy 
men across the border, before his late'st 
activities on a large scale I do not 
know at the present writing. But now 
we read: 

C.W.ALRY IN DASH TO S.A.VE 

AMERICANS 

400 Mexican Troopers Ride to Rescue of 

25 Men Taken from Train. 
Fear Outlaws' Chief Has Killed Cap- 
tives. 

Juarez, Mexico, Jan. 28. — To save the 
lives of twenty-five Americans and Eng- 
lishmefi who are prisoners of Maximo 
Castillo, a bandit leader, four hundred 
rebel cavalrymen from Juarez to-night 
are pursuing the several hundred bandits 
in the hills of Western Chihuahua. The 
cavalrymen have orders to execute Cas- 
tillo. 

Castillo, with his band, invaded rebel 
territory a short distance south of Juar- 
ez on Tuesday and seized a passenger 
train enroute from Juarez to Madera. 
The majority of the passengers on the 
train were .American ranch owners in 
Western Chihuahua, who were on the 
way to protect their property from raids 
by Castillo. 

Warning had been given by Castillo 
several days ago that all Americans 
found by him in Mexico would be killed, 
and the train seizure, following the 
threat, leads Americans on the border 
and rebel officials here to fear that the 
lives of the .Americans on the captured 
train are in grave danger, if not already 
forfeited. 

Following the capture of the train the 
bandits burned bridges on both sides of 
it, and are reported to have burned the 
train. The rebel cavalry sent to-day has 
not been able to send a report of its pro- 
gress, and the four hundred men sent 



NAILING THEM 



A short, stout man, swarthy of face, with a 
stubby gray mustache, wandered into a news- 
stand near the Willard and began browsing over 
the evening papers. Suddenly he gave a start. 
My God! I am shot!" he cried. Then he 
gripped the newspapers nervously and began to 
read excitedly an account of the shooting in the 
City of Mexico of Gen. Fernando Gonzales and 
others implicated in a plot against President 
Hucrta. 

The excited man «;as Gen. Fernando Gonzales 
himself. — Washington special despatch to New 
York "Times" of January 28. 

On the 27th, the "Times" as well as 
all the other papers of the country had 
a detailed account of a colossal con- 
spiracy in Mexico City against Presi- 
dent Huerta, which had been "throt- 
tled" by wholesale arrests and execu- 
tions. The names of dozens of oromi- 
nent M-exicans were mentioned as in- 
volved. The 4,000 police of Mexico City 
were in the plot, according to the vora- 
cious — not veracious — chroniclers. 

There was just about as much truth 
in this conspiracy story as in the shoot- 
ing in Mexico City of the man who read 
about it in Washington. Since its pub- 
lication it has all dribbled down to the 
fact that two more or less prominent 
Mexicans have been arrested for some- 
thing or other. 

President Wilson is quoted as telling 
the Washington correspondents the 
other day that the rumor of a proposed 
landing of American marines for an ad- 
vance on Mexico City was "interesting" 
fiction. We have referred to all the lies, 
misrepresentations, distortions of truth 
about Mexico in our newspapers as fic- 
tion, but "pernicious" rather than "in- 
teresting," for this fiction is helping in- 
tentionally or unintentionally, to de- 
stroy the life of Mexico as a nation, to 
alienate all the countries of Latin-Amer- 
ica who see themselves as unjustly treat- 
ed by just such fiction, and to arouse 



last night are supposed to have gone 
into the hills after the bandits. 

So Maximo Castillo is still only a ban- 
dit and his dear enemy, Villa, has be- 
come a dignified "rebel," protecting 
.American lives and enforcing law ' and 
order! I ask, "When is a bandit not a 
bandit?" The only answer I can think 
of is: "When he is in a position to buy 
goods and provisions in fifty-thousand 
dollar lots from the merchants of El 
Paso and other border towns. When he 
is. in partnership with Americans on the 
border in the sale of thousands of heads 
of stolen cattle. When he has friends of 
the Mexican Constitution in Washing- 
ton.-' 

Never mind, Castillo. You may get in 
on that Constitutional open sesame some 
day. Who can tell? 



the distrust of European powers who 
see in it ulterior motives. No wonder 
our foreign relations are in a muddle. 

It is time for the Administration to 
call a halt on this "pernicious fiction" 
habit, which is becoming chronic. 



OF COURSE HE'D LEAVE. 

".Should General Carranza become President 
he would receive my support and I would obey 
his commands," said General Villa. "As proof 
of my loyalty and as evidence that I have no 
ambition to become President, I would leave 
the country if he ordered me to do so." 

It would not surprise many who know 
Villa's character if he left the country 
without orders. 

On the floor in the front room where he stood 
were sixteen bags, each containing ten thousand 
Mexican dollars, and on the window sill were 
half a dozen newly purchased diamond rings glit- 
tering in their plush boxes. The coin was pur- 
chased from the banks in El Paso for use in 
Chihuahua, where silver has been scarce, anc. 
the rings were gifts from various rebel command 



Villa, who a few months ago did not 
have a sou, has by cattle thieving, hold- 
ing for ransom, looting and blackmail 
made close on to a million dollars, muc't: 
of which is "salted away" in New Yor> 
banks. This is more money than VilU 
ever dreamed of possessing. It is no' 
very likely that he will risk it in th< 
cause of "constitutionalism." "You cat 
have the glory," he says to Carranza 
"I've got the swag." 



NO WIRE TOLLS ON THESE. 
In the New York "Times" of Januarv 
30th appeared the following: 

Juarez, Mexico, Jan. 29.— The war chest o! 
the rebels under Gen. Francisco Vlila is said tc 
contain $.0,000,000 Mexican money. In addition 
to this cash for carrying on the revolution, they 
say they have a vast amount of personal prop- 
erty, stores, cattle, and land which belonged to 
wealthy families and was confiscated. 

The cash represents part of the wealth ob- 
tained within six months under the direction of 
Villa. ll was accumulated from forced loans 
on banks, merchants, mines, on the Terrazas 
and Creel families, and import duties. Rebel 
leaders said it would be impossible to estimate 
the actual wealth of the revolution, but that if 
they could get cash for the properly now in 
their possession the proceeds would be sufficient 
to run a government in the rebel territory for 
several years. 

The mines and smelters are reopening on terms 
by which the rebels obtain 10 per cent, of the 
profits. The money now in the rebel treasury 
is to be converted into a new issue of currency 
to replace various kinds of paper money now 
in circulation. 

In the New York "Herald" of the 
same day we read the following: 
(Special despatch to the "Herald.") 

Culliacan, Mexico, Thursday. — Five million 
Mexican dollars received up to to-day is the 
amount of cash which the rebels under General 
Villa possess to conduct their revolution. The 
cash represents part of the wealth obtained 
within six months under the direction of General 
Villa It was accumulated from forced loans 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



ten per 
is to be 



NAILING THEM— Continued, 
on banks, merchants, mines, on the Terrazas 
and Creel families, and from taxation and im- 
port duties. 

Rebel leaders said it would be impossible to 
estimate the actual wealth of the revolution, but 
if money was realized on all the property now 
in their possession the proceeds would be suffi- 
cient to rini a governemnt in the rebel territory 
for several years, and the sources of revenue are 
increasing. The mines and smelters are ropening 
on terms by which the rebels procur 
cent, of the profits. 

The money now in the rebel treasur 
converted into a new issue of currency to re- 
place various kinds of paper money now in cir- 
culation. 

Juarez, in Chihuahua, and Culiacan, in 
Sonora, where Carranza is supposed to 
be, are distant eight or nine hundred 
miles, with no direct rail or wire com- 
munication. The "Times" receives the 
very same dispatch from Culiacan the 
precise moment the "Herald" gets it 
from Juarez. We more than suspect 
that neither paper paid wire tolls for 
the despatch from either place, or from 
any other place. 

It is much more likely that the "de- 
spatch" was born right in New York. 

That's how much of the Mexican 
"news" is manufactured. 




THE CAKE OF AMBITION. 

Pancho Villa declares that he does 
not want to be President of Mexico and 
is in perfect accord with Carranza. 

There is no reason to doubt Villa's 
words just at present. At least, we can 
readily believe that the aim of both 
leaders is a common one. But we wish 
to recall to our readers the little story 
about the Association of the Cake pub- 
lished in one of our previous numbers. 

The boys forming the Association of 
the Cake were always in perfect accord 
while engaged in plotting to get the 
cake. The disaccord and the fighting 
among themselves took place invariably 
after the cake was in their possession 
and it had to be divided. 

For the present Carranza is in posses- 
sion of Sonora and Villa controls Chi- 
huahua, each undisputed in his posses- 
sion. But if they should capture the 
cake — the central power at Mexico City 
— what then — 

GRAFT. 

(By Telegraph to the N. Y. "Tribune.") 
El Paso. Tex., Jan. 29. — Bernardo Ca- 
lero, brother of Manuel Calcro, ex- 
Mexican Ambassador to the United 
States, has been tried by court martial 
by rebels at Matamoras and sentenced 
to be shot. Calero was accused of being 
a Huertista spy. He had been ordered 
from Sonora by Carranza. When he 
crossed to Matamoras he was arrested 
and his trial and sentence followed. 

Federals here say that appeals will be 
made to the United States to save Ca- 
lero's life, but rebel officials say the 
matter is not one for outside interfer- 
ence. 

Sonora Constitutionalist officials have 
started a financial panic in the large 
American mining camps in that state by 
repudiating unsigned rebel money, which 



Monday evening last, when the Presi- 
dent consulted with the Senate Commit- 
tee on Foreign Relations, the Secretary 
of State being conspicuously absent, 
may go down in history as a momentous 
moment for the nation. It is not denied 
even in official circles that the discussion 
of our tangled foreign relations which 
took place in the White House devel- 
oped an alarming sense of an extremely 
grave outlook. Out of all the gloomy 
reports and forebodings that have since 
come out of Washington these general 
facts stand out: 

That the United States is singularly 
isolated among the civilized nations of 
the world. 

That efiforts must be made to placate 
them by surrenders and concessions 
on certain matters in dispute. 

That the Administration's attitude to- 
ward Mexico is destructive and not con- 
structive. 

That this attitude has seriously com- 
plicated our relations with other na- 
tions. 

That there is no assurance that armed 
intervention in Mexico, which means 
war, can be avoided if the present Mex- 
ican Government be destroyed. 

Truly a ghastly situation into which 
a peace-professing Administration has 
blundered. 

Early last summer a letter on the edi- 
torial page of the New York "Tribune" 
prophesied the present humiliating state 
of affairs as follows: 

Diplomacy, 'dollar or otherwise," is simply 
the adaptation of the means to an end. Any 
different conception of it is not — diplomacy. If 
President Wilson and his State Department have 
any other idea of the function of diplomacy, 
they might as well eliminate it as an arm of 
the government and establish a Bureau of Blun- 
ders. 

It is obvious to the world that whatever its 
strength and sincerity in other directions, the 
Wilson Administration is weak and wobbly as 
far as the effective meeting and solution of in- 
ternational problems is concerned. Not through 
bad intentions, it is true, but through good in- 
tentions that do not fit the conditions that arise. 
This has been amply demonstrated in the futility 
of the executive action in respect to California's 
Japanese legislation, which as far as I can see 
has accomplished nothing save an advertisement 
to the nations of the world that rather than 
fight we would be religiously reasonable even 



has been passing as currency. In Can- 
anca, the largest American mining town 
in Mexico, financial chaos has resulted 
and business is demoralized. Heads of 
the larger stores have been arreste'd and 
their release secured by the ."American 
consular agent only after great difficulty. 
The financial crisis is threatening the 
disruption of the rebel government. 
Charges of graft in connection with the 
unsigned money are being freely made 
and wholesale arrests at Hermosillo are 
expected. 



to the extent of yielding to unreasonable for- 
eign pressure. The President will not see it 
that way, but foreign nations will, and they will 
guide their future actions toward us accordingly. 
Show even a little bit of weakness in the diplo- 
matic game and the strong of the earth will 
direct their shafts to that chink in your armor. 
That's the elemental rule of the game. Whether 
or not it is moral according to President Wil- 
son's and Mr. Bryan's lights, is apart from the- 
question. A government has to deal with con- 
ditions as it finds them, with all due respect 
to ethical theories. 

Wilson's course in refusing to recognize the- 
provisional government in Mexico is another 
example of the brilliant work of the new diplo- 
macy that was to rout the dollar diplomacy of 
Roosevelt and Taft. 

Meanwliile Great Britain has shown its diplo- 
matic alertness by stepping in and recognizing 
Huerta, thereby putting itself in a better posi- 
tion with our Latin-American neighbors and 
putting us in a diplomatic hole. The interna- 
tional policies of the Administration are as 
shrewd and clever as an open-faced watch, as 
subtle as a sub-flower. President Wilson should 
realize that there is a world of difference be- 
tween addressing a Jersey audience on jury re- 
form and handling international affairs. Foreign 
nations do not see with Jersey eyes. 

For the last six months this publica- 
tion has week after week pointed out the 
inevitable consequences of the Admin- 
istration's arbitrary attitude toward' 
Mexico and the complications bound to- 
result in our relations witli Latin-Amer- 
ican countries and other foreign powers. 
We have reviewed and quoted enlight- 
ened opinion to sustain our contention. 
It is unfortunate that the press of the 
country, with some exceptions, has ob- 
stinately closed its eyes to facts that 
were obvious to all v;ell-informed ob- 
servers, and to which it is at this late 
day awakening. It is assuredly in no- 
spirit of boastfuln'ess but one of sorrow 
that we repeat here some of the things 
we have said in the course of the Isfst six 
months that the logic of events has 
sliown and will show to be truisms. 
Issue of August 23, 1913. 
There is a grave situation. The Pres- 
ident is reported determined that inter- 
vention shall be only a last resort. We 
trust he is sincere in this announcement, 
but when he refuses to take advantage of 
the first and most obvious resort to bring 
about peace, what are we to think? If it 
were not for his determined refusal to- 
grant recognition to the Provisional 
Government there would probably be no 
grave situation, no chance for the jin- 
goes to project their inflammatory utter- 
ances, no danger to be apprehended 
from the sensitiveness, the suspicion and 
the aroused feeling of nationality in the 
Mexicans themselves. 

August 30, 1913 

What are we to get out of this whole 
Mexican muddle? Nothing, save uiinec- 
sary trouble and tension, intei;national 
luisunderstandings. a reputation for 
meddling and Inill-dozing in Latin- 
American countries and the ever-present 
possibility of being forced by our own 
actions into a war we do not want. 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



MEXICO 



REAPING THE WHIRLWIND-Continued 



We contend that the attitude of 
the President toward Mexico is 
frauglit with grave possibilities for 
the people, the future and the 
destiny of the United States and should 
not be assumed or undertaken without 
an open, unbiased, unprejudiced mind. 

September .13, 1913. 

We all know the power of money, but 
it has remained for a Democratic Pres- 
ident, absolutely uncontrolled by financial 
interests, an enemy of special privilege, 
to call upon the Money Power to help 
him carry out a meddling and muddling 
interference in Mexico. 

Isn't there somebody close to Presi- 
dent Wilson who cares enough for him 
as a man, and supports him as President, 
who can and will point out to him the 
dangerous situation in which he has 
been placed by his Mexican policy? Evi- 
dently he has received "advice" here- 
tofore, but who will say that it was from 
any real friend? Europe is laughing at 
our President; Japan is smiling politely 
but none the less gleefully; the powerful 
countries of South America, Argentine 
and Brazil, whose ambition is to become 
even greater than the United States, are 
making capital out of our predicament; 
England is playing a shrewd game with 
the Panama Canal tolls question in 
mind, and the powers that be in Mexico 
have been so flagrantly antagonized and 
insulted that we can hardly blame them 
for resentment. This seems to be a 
gloomy picture of our international re- 
lations, but isn't it literally true? 

It is a strange anomaly that our Pres- 
ident, a thorough gentleman at heart, a 
model of polite cordiality in his relations 
with his fellow man, has seemingly 
given to the world an entirely different 
impression. 

What is back of all this? Is our Pres- 
ident being "used"? .A.re those interests 
who saw in him an honest enemy tying 
his hands by pushing him into foreign 
troubles he is not capable of handling? 
Let somebody please suggest to him the 
advisability, the necessity, of appointing 
as Secretary of State a man of experi- 
ence who knows and can handle foreign 
affairs, even though to do so it becomes 
necessary to create a new cabinet office 
lor Bryan, for instance, Secretary of 
Ideals and Lectures. 

And first of all let President Wilson 
come straight out in this Mexican mat- 
ter, admit he has made a mistake, recog- 
nize the present capable Mexican Gov- 
ernment, retire from Mexican politics 
and again take up his work of tariff and 
currency reform for which he was elect- 
ed. 

September 20, 1913 

Matters have so shaped themselves 
that if he persists in his present course 
the President of the United States will 
be put in the unpleasant and ridiculous 
position before the world of refusing to 
recognize the Government of our clos- 
est national neighbor for no other rea- 
son save an unreasoning and purely per- 
sonal dislike for a man. 

There is too much at stake for the 
sixteen million people of Mexico, for the 
whole American people, North, Central 
and South, and for the nations of Europe 
in friendly relations with Mexico, to 
make any such position tenable. And 
that is the position to which he is logi- 
cally, inevitably being narrowed by the 
force of events. 

It is because these Americans who are 
familiar with Mexican affairs believe that 
the policy adopted by the Washington 
Administration is fraught with the most 



serious consequences for the two coun- 
tries that they are trying to bring about 
a change in the altitude of the United 
States Government toward Mexico. 

The Administration is reported to be 
fully convinced by this time that the 
Mexican situation is in the nature of a 
quicksand. It is a quicksand — but of 
Washington's making. The Administra- 
tion has all along been barely pulling 
itself out by its own bootstraps from 
hungry, yawning quicksands, and forth- 
with proceeding to make another and 
put its foot in it. Tliis can't be kept up 
indefinitely. Quicksands are rather dan- 
gerous things to play with. They are 
inherently deceptive. 

October 18, 1913. 

Secretary Bryan has gone to the ex- 
tent of saying at the banquet of the Pan- 
American Society a few months ago that 
there will not be war during the Wilson 
Administration. However, we repeat, he 
lias been courting war. 

November 8, 1913 

Is it any wonder foreign governments 
with national and huge interests in Mex- 
ico should be appalled by the truculent 
dog-in-the-manger policy of President 
Wilson and feel called upon to give their 
moral support to the only government 
in Mexico as a buffer against anarchy? 

November 15, 1913 

If the spirit of might above right shall 
prevail in our nation, if we determine to 
impose by force our arbitrary demands 
on weaker nations, is it not possible that 
the other strong nations of the world, 
shoved about and jostled in our bull-like 
charge, might retaliate in kind? If we 
should, for instance, because we have 
the power, destroy or attempt to destroy 
the nationality of Mexico, could we in 
reason expect any different treatment in 
the future from any stronger nation or 
coalition of nations? Force breeds 
force. Fire must be fought with fire. 

It is war. You can't get away from it. 
It is not conceivable that any nation 
would dare intervene in the affairs of an- 
other sovereign nation, as we have done 
in Mexico, unless with the intention to 
back the interference with arms. An 
Eastern tenderfoot who would go into 
a Western mining camp, walk up to a 
two-gun man and tell him the cut of his 
face was not a la Eastern mode, is chock- 
full of wisdom in comparison with the 
Iiead of a nation who takes the same at- 
titude toward the head of another na- 
tion — unless he's read}' with the quick 
drop and the hair-trigger. 

November 22, 1913 

The interests, jealousy and opposition 
of foreign nations we may profess not to 
fear. But that is the spirit of braggart 
youth, not of wise statesmanship. The 
opening of the Panama Canal and its 
relation to the trade of the world puts 
upon the United States Government the 
tremendous responsibility of shaping its 
course in reference to the wonderful 
new commercial developments that are 
sure to follow, on a line of honorable 
competition with foreign nations, rather 
than on a greedy purpose to grab every- 
thing. It stands to reason that foreign 
nations will welcome competition 
but will not submit to American mo- 
nopoly. And if we seek to establish 
American monopoly by stealing the in- 
dependence of Central American nations 
we shall have to fight for it. And that 
means resort to arms and it may not 
mean conquest. The interrelations of 
nations and trade among nations are so 
complex to-day that while it is permis- 



sible for any nation to seek advantages 
over others in a competitive spirit, the 
attempt of any one to take an unfair 
advantage of the others is met and must 
be met with reprisals that may mean 
war. 

December 6, 1913 

President Wilson may think, may sin- 
cerely believe, that if he accomplishes, 
through the bloody assistance of the 
bandit hordes of Villa and his kind the 
overtlirow of Huerta that somehow in 
his persuasive way he may change the 
nature of the beast that he has brought 
into life and power. But that is folly, 
folly that is inexpressibly dynamic in its 
power for mischief. There is no chang- 
ing the nature of that beast. A beast 
it is and as a beast it must be dealt 
with. 

Those many patriotic and public-spir- 
ited men who have worked for years to 
promo'e an honorable, sympathetic and 
mutually helpful understanding between 
the United States and Latin-American 
countries are depressed because they see 
their labor of years overturned in a day. 

The people of the United States are 
uncomfortably depressed, because al- 
though they wish to follow loyally and 
enthusiastically the lead and inspiration 
of the President they find nothing in- 
forming or inspiring in what he says. 

Foreign nations share the depression 
liecause they know through their diplo- 
matic representatives in Mexico that the 
Administration's policy is both an ob- 
struction to peace and an encourage- 
ment of appalling conditions in Mexico. 
They cannot take steps to protect their 
interests without antagonizing the Unit- 
ed States, which, of course, they do not 
wish to do. So they must stand by an 
impotent depression. 

The decent people of Mexico are woe- 
fully depressed because they realize that 
the Washington Administration is either 
Idind to the true condition of their coun- 
try or through some vague destiny is 
determined that it must be destroyed. 
December 13, 1913 

It isn't a matter of Huerta with those 
who condemn the .Administration. 
Huerta or no Huerta, there are Mexico, 
the Mexican people, the interests and 
welfare of thousands of Americans in 
Mexico, the friendship of Latin-America, 
our relations with European nations. 
Certainly all these things are worthy of 
more consideration than whether or not 
Huerta is President. 

December 20, 1913 

In order to save its face before the 
voters of the country the Administra- 
tion has been forced to take an optimis- 
tic view of the outcome of its unprece- 
dented and ineffectual methods of inter- 
ference in Mexican internal affairs. If 
this view has not actually been taken 
in private it has always been expressed 
for public consumption. The White 
House and State Department have 
dished out optimism in huge platters to 
the newspaper correspondents, whose 
duty it has lieen to pass it along to the 
people of the country. 

But the truth will out. 

December 27, 1913 

They are still watchfully waiting. For 
what? "To get Huerta." That's all. 
Mexico can go to the dogs. Europe can 
fret and fume. Latin-America can cry 
out in protest against the Colossus of 
the North, the people of the United 
States grow sick and tired of the whole 
shabby business, but the Administration 
must "get Huerta." 

(Continued on next page) 



a 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



■fifty in Mexico. The United States, by 
iStaying the hand of Huerta and intrigu- 
ing with Carranza, is making itself re- 
sponsible for the continued chaos in 
Mexico. It is to be noted that the Brit- 
ish government has on several occasions 
taken note of tins fact. Ultimately there 
will arise a multiude of claimants — Eng- 
lish, French, German, Dutch and what 
not — for property destroyed. Their de- 
mands will be made, npt without reason, 
upon the United States for restoration 
.or recompense. 

January 3, 1914 

Our dog-in-the-manger insistence on 
■.having our own unreasonable way in 
dictating to Mexico has naturally 
.aroused a more or less repressed irrita- 
tion among the European nations who 
Jiave nationals and interests suffering by 
±he prolongation of internal disorder. 
"This irritation has worked to our advan- 
tage in such reprisals as the refusal of 
England and Germany to exhibit at the 
San Francisco Fair, and the popular 
demonstration of hostility in Japan. 

Is it worth while to suffer all these 
material losses that the theoretical whim 
and the personal dislikes of the Wash- 
ington Administration may have their 
fling? 

We think not, and we are sure that the 
-sober common sense of the people, 
aroused to the huge blunder we have 
. made, in the name of a morality which 
-works immorality, will repudiate it. 



WHAT DID HE SAY? 



EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE SAID. 

Washington, Jan. 26. — The President 
.-discussed the foreign affairs of this coun- 
try for three hours this evening with 
the members of the Senate Committee 
,on Foreign Relations. 

Apparently the President's chief pur- 
pose in calling the conference was to 
impress on the Senators what he de- 
scribed as "the necessity" of ratifying 
the several arbitration treaties now 
pending, but when the conference got 
together the Mexican situation imme- 
diately became the chief topic under dis- 
x;ussion and most of the evening was de- 
voted to it. 

The Senators were, in the main, much 
■.depressed by the information which the 
President had to impart to them, so 
much so and so obviously that before 
they left the President put them on their 
honor not to disclose the purport of the 
information tliey had gained, promising 
himself to see the newspaper men and 
to satisfy their requests for information 
60 far as he deemed wise. 

The President gave the impression 
that it was his purpose to lift the em- 
bargo on arms for the Constitutionalist 
forces in Mexico. The Federals, he said, 
had been able to secure arms and mu- 
nitions of war from the outside, and the 
Constitutionalists should be allowed the 
same opportunity. 

Members of the Foreign Relations 
Committee expressed strong disapproval 
of this policy, but the decision, which is 
regarded as momentous, rests with the 
President. It is probable that a definite 
.announcement of this policy will be 
.forthcoming within a few days. 



FIRST TENOR. 

There has been a change in the atti- 
tude of most Americans in Mexico 
toward the "wait and watch" policy of 
the Wilson Administration in dealing 
with the Southern republic, according to 
Robert S. Hill, confidential agent of the 
Waters-Pierce Oil Company at Tam- 
pico, who arrived on the Ward liner 
Camaguey from Mexico to-day. 

"For a long time Americans were 
strongly in favor of the recognition of 
Gen. Huerta as President of Mexico, 
and were correspondingly harsh in their 
censure of President Wilson. But with 
the passing of time and the gaining of 
acquaintance with the character and 
habits of Huerta, it has dawned on Pres- 
ident Wilson's critics that recognition 
of Huerta would never have saved Mex- 
ico," said Mr. Hill. "Mexico is a sick 
country, desperately ill, and the disease 
of revolution will have to run its course. 

"We now see that President Wilson 
was right and we were wrong. The pol- 
icy of waiting and watching will result 
in a much quicker settlement of the 
Mexican trouble than any attempt to 
bolster up any of the present contending 
factions. I speak for the Americans in 
the Tampico region, and from what I 
have been told by refugees from other 
parts of the republic our countrymen in 
all parts of Mexico are coming around 
to the President's point of view. 

"In the end the Mexicans will exhaust 
themselves and then they will be glad 
to quit. If the United States is required 
to take any action it will be done with 
but little opposition. Perhaps there will 
be no sacrifice of American life and the 
chances are that Mexicans will be found 
co-operating with this country in restor- 
ing constitutional government. 

"Terrible things are yet to come in 
Mexico, for the country is surely 
doomed. The best we can do is to up- 
hold our wise President's hand and be 
patient. — New York Evening "Sun," Jan- 
uary 21. 



After careful and somewhat persistent 
questioning, the impression made on the 
more experienced members of the For- 
eign Relations Committee was that the 
Mexican situation had been sadly, and 
they fear irretrievably, bungled until it 
is so unfortunate that no one is willing 
to take the responsibility of making it 
known to the American people. 

They feel that, after all, it is an exec- 
utive matter, that the Chief Executive 
and his Secretary of State have carried 
on their own policy, so far as it may be 
called a policy, without conferring with 
or asking the advice of Senators and 
others experienced in the conduct of the 
foreign affairs of the nation, and that on 
the Chief Executive and his Secretary of 
State rests the responsibility of finding 
a way out, if possible — and, if not, of 
confessing failure to the people. 

Many Senators went to the White 
House hoping to Icarn something en- 
couraging about Mexico. Almost with- 
out exception, they canic away much de- 



SECOND TENOR. 

Robert G. Hill, a representative of the 
Waters-Pierce . Oil Company, who ar- 
rived from Tampico yesterday on the 
Ward Line steamer Camaguey, said that 
he had been in Mexico for many years, 
had known Diaz and Madero well and 
was conversant with conditions in the 
republic. He said that the Tampico bat- 
tles had been fought in certain New 
York newspapers rather than in Mexico, 
and that the state of affairs had been 
very much exaggerated. 

"1 was present all through the siege 
of Tampico," Mr. Hill went on to say, 
"and only sixty-four men were killed, 
while it was reported that many hun- 
dreds were slain. There is no truth in 
the report that the large oil tanks were 
in danger of being destroyed by fire. 
Americans who have interests in Mex- 
ico are of the opinion that it would have 
been much better if President Wilson 
had recognized Huerta in the beginning. 
Huerta has his faults and his weak- 
nesses, but he also has the qualifications 
of a ruler of Mexico. 

"There is only one way to rule that 
country," said Mr. Hill, "and that is 
with the iron hand of a Diaz. As a lead- 
er Huerta knows his countrymen. The 
majority of the rebel leaders are look- 
ing only for loot and are not fighting 
against Huerta on the ground of patriot- 
ism. At the present time Huerta is 
afraid that his men may desert because 
he has not money to pay them. Most of 
them are convicts and they are fighting 
for their wages and nothing else." 

Mr. Hill says that the impression 
among Americans in Mexico now is that 
President Wilson is waiting for the bel- 
ligerents to kill one another off, when 
he will name for President the strongest 
man left and back him up. Intervention 
would be a very serious affair, he said, 
because all the leaders would combine 
and fight the United States as their com- 
mon enemy. — New York "Times," Janu- 
ary 22. 



pressed and impressed with the entire 
absence of policy on the part of the 
Administration and the constantly in- 
creasing difficulties which are growing 
out of its drifting course. — New York 
"Tribune." 



MORE MUTTERINGS. 

Tliere are mutterings in Washington that the 
Micawber policy of waitin'g and watching for 
something to turn up to eliminate Huerta is to 
be followed soon by raising the embargo against 
supplying the Villa bandits with arms and am- 
munition. This would proclaim the United 
States as the open ally — it is now the secret ally 
— of an unspeakable miscreant. Such an alli- 
ance would be repudiated by the American poeple 
and by all the people of Europe. Mr. Wilson 
has found that public opinion is a power in 
regard to business affairs, he will find it a hun- 
dred times more hostile if he orders .American 
troops :o serve as comrades of the Villa gang 
of robbers and murderers. All that he thinks 
or says about Huerta may or may not be true, but 
he must consider that diplomacy acknowledges ac- 
complished facts, that Me-xican laws and cus- 
toms arc different from our own; that Huerta 
has established himself as the representative of 
all the best people of Mexico , 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



MEXICO 



THE COLD SHOULDER 



(By Telegraph to The "Evening Mail.") 

Washington, Jan. 29. — Not one impor- 
tant power on either continent approves 
of President Wilson's statesmanship. 
Not a single European povi^er concurs in 
the policy the President has adopted to- 
ward Mexico, and Japan, the only Asi- 
atic power we have to fear, is making a 
show of friendliness toward our neigh- 
bor on the south that is almost an open 
insult to the United States. 

These facts are now definitely known 
and the burden has become so heavy 
upon the President that he has sought 
the aid of the Senate to straighten out 
the tangle. He has communicated to 
them the fact that the great powers of 
Europe are opposed to his Mexican pol- 
icy. The only reason that England, 
France and Germany have been patient 
so long is because of the Balkan situa- 
tion, which is a closer menace and which 
is still on their hands. 

It is definitely known, and the Admin- 
istration has been so advised, that Eng- 
land, France or Germany, either acting 
in unison or one of them acting on be- 
half of the other two, would have taken 
a hand in the Mexican imbroglio long 
ago if the Balkan situation had been such 
as to permit them to enter upon an out- 
side campaign. 

Will Act Soon. 

Moreover, it is certain that as soon 
as the European situation gets into bet- 
ter shape — and that is expected to hap- 
pen soon — those countries will turn 
their attention toward Mexico, unless the 
United States shall have succeeded with 
its policy and peace and a stable gov- 
ernment are restored in the Mexican re- 
public in the meantime. 

The fact that peace societies of Europe 
have recently been flooding the Depart- 
ment of State with messages, which have 
also been sent to the constitutionalists 
in Mexico, demanding peace in Mexico, 
is another element that is disturbing 
President Wilson and points to the di- 
rection the winds of Europe are blow- 
ing. All of these messages ask for gen- 
eral peace in Mexico, and each contains 
the Spanish word for peace. They are 
sent by societies in England, Russia, 
Belgium. Portugal, Switzerland, Hol- 
land and Spain. 

But while European nations are re- 
straining their impatience over the fail- 
ure of the American policy toward Mex- 
ico to work out according to promises, 
on account of their own war specter, Ja- 
pan is not held in leash by any such curb, 
and her extreme show of friendliness to- 
ward the Huerta government, and her 
recent activity in assisting him to arm his 
troops, in the face of the American em- 
bargo against arms and ammunition, is 
a very disturbing element, which must 
be reckoned with. 

In spite of protestations to the con- 
trary, it is well known that a controversy 
has existed between the island kingdom 
and the United States with undiminished 
feeling through three administrations. 
Demonstrations against Americans have 
broken out in Japan with alarming fre- 
quency during the last year, and the 
estrangement has not been diminished 
because of the manner in which the pres- 
ent Administration has treated the pro- 
tests of the Japanese government over 
the California alien land laws. 



The failure of the Wilson policy to- 
ward Mexico may rest with Japan. If 
that nation should openly support the 
Huerta government, or should continue 
to do so surreptitiously, that will coun- 
terbalance the sympathy and secret aid 
of the United States to the constitution- 
alists, and Huerta will not fall. With 
Japanese arms and ammunition, obtained 
at low prices and on long credit, the 
govjrnment forces in Mexico could hold 
out against the Carranza-Villa forces for 
mai. ' months. 

While nearly every one in Washiiig- 
ton scouts the idea of a final break with 
Japan, the present state of affairs be- 
tween the two countries is sufficiently 
grave to cause apprehension that unless 
something is done to placate her our 
prestige on the Pacific Ocean will be 
much weakened, and our plans for the 
future of Mexico may be entirely 
thwarted, which would aflfect our stand- 
ing as one of the leading powers of the 
world. It must be remembered that 
America has ranked as a power in the 
eyes of Europe only since the Spanish 
war, and that before that the great pow- 
ers of Europe did not consider us worthy 
of being taken into their counsels. 

Asks Help of Senate. 

The question of how to placate Japan 
is one that the President has asked the 
Senators to help him solve, irrespective 
of party. It is a question which he be- 
lieves should be handled in a non-par- 
tisan manner. To the Senators the 
President has frankly told his hopes. He 
still believes that the Mexican problem 
will solve itself by the success of the 
insurrectionists and the overthrow of the 
Huerta government, but he does not at- 
tempt to conceal that it is taking longer 
to produce results than he had antici- 
pated. 

He has revealed the fact that the for- 
eign nations are making urgent repre- 
sentations of necessity for action by this 
government to terminate the warfare, 
and that they have lost faith in the 
"watching and waiting policy." 

It was suggested that the President 
might lift the embargo on the shipment 
of arms to the constitutionalists, but ob- 
jection was raised at once that while that 
would offset the steady shipment of mij- 
nitions from Japan to Gen. Huerta, it 
would undoubtedly serve to intensify the 
feeling of distrust that now exists among 
the Mikado's subjects. 

Opinion is divided on the subject. Al- 
though the President is empowered to 
lift the embargo on arms, just as he is 
empowered to declare one, it is thought 
that he hesitates to take the step on his 
own initiative lest it be looked upon as 
encouragement to the shedding of blood. 

One serious feature of the situation is 
the general belief that the Mexican mat- 
ter has been so handled that eventually 
there must be intervention by the United 
States, which will inevitably result in 
heavy expenditures of money, to which 
only mild protest will be made, and to 
the loss of many American lives. 

Slow Process. 

Another unfortunate circumstance re- 
garding the Mexican situation is that it 
is involved in the tangled skein of our 
general foreign relations, and that to 



solve the Mexican trouble it will be nec- 
essary to settle practically every foreign 
controversy which we now have on our 
hands. Diplomatic procedure is slow, 
and it may take years to do this. 

The Senate committee has tackled the 
arbitration treaty with Great Britain, 
and the President is bending every ef- 
fort to get the repeal of the clause of the 
Panama canal act exempting American 
vessels from the payment of tolls, to 
which England has objected. If Eng- 
land can be calmed down it is hoped that 
she will have some influence with Japan. 

The veil of secrecy is slowly being 
drawn aside with respect to our foreign 
relations, because the President has been 
obliged to seek the help of the Senate, 
and the country is gradually finding out 
what a mess we are in. Part of the 
mess is inherited by the Wilson Admin- 
istration and part of it has been accu- 
mulated during the last eleven months. 
The effort to work out the troubles will 
occupy the attention ot the President for 
some weeks, to the exclusion of almost 
all other business, it is believed. 



A LAST RESOURCE. 

Once again rumor has taken up the 
subject of intervention in Mexico and 
credits to some unnamed diplomat the 
power to enter the President's mind and 
ascertain by subtle scrutiny that Mr. 
Wilson has veered over to intervention, 
and that this policy will be followed 
soon. No one can say there will not be 
intervention, but certainly the policy of 
the United States thus far maintained 
will not be altered until there comes 
about some radical alteration in the con- 
ditions themselves. So long as Huerta 
remains dictator, and so long as the con- 
stitutionalists have their job cut out for 
them, there is no reason for talk of in- 
tervention to become active. The only 
conceivable occasion for this course 
would be a change of conditions below 
the border such as would be brought 
about by the success of the constitution- 
alists and their failure to restore peace. 

The work of purging the country of 
the anarchy that there exists must be 
done. This is admitted. Perhaps the 
Mexicans are chronically unable to do it 
themselves. But there is no occasion for 
the United States to enter upon this 
work at the present juncture. The time 
is not yet ripe, if it shall ever, unhappily, 
come, for the United States to send 
armed forces into the southern republic. 
.\s for entering upon a blockade of the 
ports and administering the customs 
without the consent of the Mexicans, it 
requires no acute discernment to see that 
this would be the most violent of provo- 
cations and an incentive to inveterate 
hostility by the Mexicans. It may be 
admitted that the task of the subjuga- 
tion of Mexico would not be the enor- 
mous one that has been commonly sup- 
posed. But it would be one the com- 
pletion of which would run through 
many months, and. perhaps, years. The 
outlaw bands that infest mountain fast- 
nesses and that have entire towns and 
villages in lea.gue with them — as was 
long the case with the banditti of Sicily 
— could carry on predatory operations 
almost with impunity. 

The pacification of Mexico would 
not be the immediate work of overcom- 
ing the federal forces — whether those 
now so named or their successors 
through a chan,ge of government — but 
the work of subjugation of an entire 
countrv in hostility to the invaders. — 
Editorial. Baltimore "American," Jan. 20, 
1914. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



FREE ADVERTISING 



PERSONAL PUFFS— NO CHARGE 
MADE. 

The picturesque career of one Lorenz 
Spier, friend and adviser of the late Fran- 
cisco Madero, will culminate Monday 
night, February the first, when Spier, 
now Count de Besa (Mexican papers 
please copy) will blossom out as a lec- 
turer at Carnegie Hall. The Count be- 
gan his Mexican life as a purveyor of 
patent medicines to the oppressed In- 
dians, evolutionizing into a painless den- 
tist, advancing further to the organizer 
and manager of the now defunct Catholic 
Bank, subsequently changing into a pri- 
vate banker, a concessionary of light and 
power, a partner of one of Madero's 
generals in a mining venture. Shares in 
this mine were offered for sale to the 
Italians of New York at one dollar per 
through advertisements in the local Ital- 
ian newspapers. 

From a miner the Count changed 
again — according to his own statement 
to the newspapers — into the closest po- 
litical rdviser of Francisco Madero. 

A member of the New York junta, he 
Is now availing himself of the oratorical 
ability acquired while selling patent med- 
icines trom the top of a high wagon, to 
deliver lectures under the auspices of a 
Jewish Women's Association. 



ONE MORE FOR SHERBY. 

Whatever may be said of the Mexi- 
■can rebels' medieval methods of warfare, 
■it must be admitted that they are quite 
up to date in their methods of press- 
agenting. Due credit for this, however, 
must be given their legal adviser in 
Washington, the only Sherby Hopkins. 

In order to make the American public 
believe that they are fighting for a 
"cause," the rebels sent broadcast a great 
number of photographs showing women 
-and children of all ages armed to the 
teeth and literally swathed in cartridge 
belts. The usual inscription is "Mexican 
women fighting for the cause of liberty." 

What stronger argument could be 
found to appeal to the American spirit? 

Oh, Sherby Hopkins knows the psy- 
chology of the great public so well quali- 
fied by Barnum! 

It is true most of the women thus pic- 
tured look usually either scared or ex- 
tremely uncomfortable, but that does 
not matter. The picture of an armed 
woman is dear to the heart of the Amer- 
ican editor and is always sure to find its 
place in the columns of our publications. 

P. S. — Shcrb\' Hopkins does not pay 
for the advertising this publication gives 
him from time to time as one of the 
cleverest press agents Latin-American 
revolutionists have ever had. The adver- 
tising is absolutely free of cost. 



A MEETING. 
A meeting of the Robert Collyer 
Men's Club was held on January 27 at 
the Church House, Park Avenue, New 
York City, to discuss "Our Duty to Mex- 
ico — to Other Nations — to Ourselves." 



A paper was read by Mr. W. E. Car- 
son, author of "Mexico, the Wonderland 
of the South," and Mr. John McGregor 
delivered an address. 

Mr. Carson's paper revealed knowledge 
acquired upon investigation. Mr. Car- 
son made an appeal for fair play and 
declared that the Huerta side of the 
case had never been given publicity in 
the American press. 

Accurately citing facts and instances, 
Mr. Carson gave a vivid picture of con- 
ditions in Mexico, impartially "giving the 
devil his dues." He concluded that in 
spite of its defects the Huerta Govern- 
ment should have been recognized by the 
United States and supported his conten- 
tion with well-founded deductions. 

Mr. McGregor was announced by the 
chairman of the meeting as a man deeply 
interested in civic welfare, of high 
ideals, etc., etc. 

Mr. McGregor began by stating that 
he knew little about Mexico and many 
in the audience were soon convinced that 
he had spoken the truth but mildly. 

Mr. McGregor agreed with other 
speakers that intervention should be 
avoided at any cost. So far so good. 
But the gist of the remarks of this Chris- 
tian gentleman were in substance as fol- 
lows: "This is the greatest country in 
the whole wide world. We are the great- 
est people in the world. We have done 
more for humanity than any other na- 
tion in the world. The Mexicans are a 
terrible people. They had occupied 
Mexico about three hundred years (sic). 
That is the same length of time that we 
have occupied this country and the dif- 
ference between the achievements of the 
two people was so appalling that our 
duty toward Mexico is to let them alone, 
free to kill each other as much as they 
want. Our duty to ourselves is to find 
employment for the unemployed. Let 
Mexico stew in its own broth. And so 
on. 

Now while these sentiments impressed 
some of the listeners as rather remark- 
able, coming from a man identified with 
church work, for they revealed a com- 
plete forgetfulness of the commandment 
"Love thy neighbor as thyself," they un- 
fortunately reflected sentiments enter- 
tained by many other persons in this 
country. 

We say unfortunately because we do 
not see how we can pretend to be a 
Christian, civilized people if instead of 
helping our neighbor we are either in- 
different to its troubles or actually make 
these troubles greater, as we arc doing 
at present with reference to Mexico. 

Mr. McGregor evinced a deplorable ig- 
norance of Mexico and Mexican condi- 
tions, but only a trifle greater than that 



of the average American. He might, of 
course, have declined to discourse on 
such a subject, but that might have been 
too much to expect from such a civic 
worker. 

From his words any one as unin- 
formed as he might have thought that 
Mexico, like the United States, had been 
settled by a European immigration, that 
for three hundred j'ears had been 
streaming to its shores, of people seek- 
ing either religious and political liberty 
or supplying a great demand for un- 
skilled labor. 

Also that nearly all the Indians in 
Mexico had been wantonly killed — as 
really has been the case in the United 
States instead of Mexico. The speaker 
simply did not know that Mexico has a 
population almost entirely of Indians or 
mixed stock, descendants of races that 
have populated it, not for three hundred 
years, but thousands of years. 

It would be worth while making men- 
tion of this meeting, if it were not typi- 
cal of many others taking place fre- 
quently in this city. 



To the Editor of MEXICO: 

Dear Sir: Once more "Gen- 
eral" Pancho Villa has succeeded in tak- 
ing and sacking a small town, and as 
his previous exploits were viewed "with 
complacency" by the Washington Ad- 
ministration, this pure-minded "constitu- 
tionalist" has as usual shot his prison- 
ers and permitted his followers to com- 
mit unmentionable crimes on the unfor- 
tunate inhabitants who fell into their 
clutches. 

It should also cause satisfaction to 
those who, with President Wilson, pro- 
fess admiration for the cause of the ban- 
dits under Villa, to note that the neu- 
trality laws are being administered with 
great deference to expressed wishes of 
those in the highest authority, for while 
the fall of Ojinaga was caused by lack 
of ammunition on the part of the Federal 
troops (due to the neutrality laws) yet 
the beloved "constitutionalists" were able 
to get all they wanted from across the 
frontier. 

It is satisfactory, too, to note the fine 
discernment shown in connection with 
the treatment of the Mexicans who at 
one time or another have been compelled 
to cross the Rio Grande; for example 
when "constitutionalists" have been driv- 
en into the hands of the border patrol 
they are allowed to "filter back" into 
Mexico after a short time, so that they 
may continue their glorious work of loot, 
rape and murder, but when the case is 
reversed and Federal troops are taken 
on this side they are at once disarmed 
and placed under the strictest guard. 

All of this may be very satisfactory to 
"Watchful Waiting," but does it square 
with the conscience and sense of justice 
of the American people? 

C. U. MESTA. 

Baltimore, Md., January 17, 1914, 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



ARMS FOR BANDITS. 

The outcome • of President Wilson's 
long evening conference with the elder 
statesmen of the foreign relations com- 
mittee is to be, apparently, a removal of 
the embargo on arms and munitions for 
the Mexican rebels. 

In other words, the Administration is 
going to put itself back of the revolu- 
tionary movement of Carranza, Villa, 
Zapata and company; and also back of 
the bandit band of Maximo Castillo, the 
Vasquista leader, who is now engaged in 
the forcible expulsion of Americans 
from Chihuahua. 

In that part of Mexico two large ban- 
dit bands are operating — that of Pancho 
Villa and that of Maximo Castillo; and 
American residents in that region are 
required to pay money for "protection" 
to both of these gangs. The Americans' 
mild attempt to get along with one se- 
ries of contributions to the "constitu- 
tionalist" cause has resulted in an order 
to throw them out of the country, neck 
and crop. 

The suspension of the embargo on 
arms is likely to result in the use of 
American rifles and American bullets to 
drive Americans away from their homes. 
— New York "Evening Mail." 



.\ "muddle" the President calls the 
Mexican situation, and it is a muddle 
which he is unable to clear up. We must 
assume that his suggestion that the em- 
bargo on the shipment of arms to the 
rebels shall be raised is no more than 
a suggestion, on which he will not take 
action without further notice. It would 
be impolite to call such a suggestion a 
"bluff," but surely our Government does 
not intend to lend even the form of sup- 
port to the murderous Villa or to the 
Vasquistas of Chihuahua who have 
sworn to drive all American citizens out 
of Mexico. He would not go so far as 
to have arms delivered to certain favored 
Mexican rebels by agents of our Govern- 
ment, and to lift the embargo altogether 
would be to place .A.merican arms and 
ammunition in the hands of Zapata as 
well as Villa, and to arm the Puebla In- 
dians as well. The need of arms by any 
of these malcontents is not apparent. 
They seem to be able to kill ofif their 
enemies in their accustomed way. — New 
York "Times." 



There is no occasion for alarm. But 
there is need of a clear-cut, positive, ac- 
tive policy which will inspire the nation 
vvilli informed confidence and will en- 
able the United States to stand before 
the world without embarrassment. — New 
York "Tribune." 



It is not pleasant to rebuke our own 
government's conduct of its foreign re- 
lations, but it would be worse to try to 
mask the fact that that conduct has not 
for some time commanded the entire 
confidence of the country, and, indeed, 
has not led to results which the govern- 
ment itself regards with satisfaction. 



If it were not for these world-wide 
commotions, all of our own creation and 
all unnecessary, the problem which we 
have to solve in Mexico would be much 
less formidable. That is purely an Amer- 
ican question with which no other coun- 
try would wish to interfere if our poli- 
cies generally were just and reasonable 
and in harmony with our high profes- 
sions. As it is, there can be no doubt 
that the perils of that situation reflect 
more than the hostility of a local despot. 

We have too many quarrels on our 
hands. We are too indifTerent to the 
good opinion of our neighbors. We are 
not scrupulously faithful to our treaty 
obligations. We are boastful and at 
times menacing. Is it surprising that 
the President, carrying the burden of 
these broils, should plead for adjust- 
ments in keeping with the honor of the 
Republic?— New York "World." 



BLEEDING MEXICO. 

In Mexico, in other days, fair maidens 
from their windows smiled, while lovers 
sang their buoyant lays, describing pas- 
sions deep and wild. But that was in the 
dear old times before reformers took the 
helm, and filled with sorrows, tears and 
crimes that once serene and happy 
realm. In Mexico, some years ago, the 
mother rocked her child to sleep, and 
prayed, in accents sweet and low, that 
holy saints the child might keep. But 
that was when the Tyrant held his coun- 
try free from strife and storm, before the 
Patriots rebelled, and waved the banner 
of reform. But now the land is stark 
and red where once the peasant turned 
the sods; the mother weeps above her 
dead, and shakes her fist at saints and 
gods. In Mexico the children played, 
through balmy evenings, on the green; 
and little lad and little maid no ghost of 
trouble e'er had seen. But now their 
hearts are chilled with fear, their souls 
are shrunken with their pain; for death is 
ever stalking near and dead men lie in 
every lane. And Mexico, where grief 
had birth when once old things were 
overthrown, should teach the nations of 
the earth to let the "Well Enough" alone. 
— Walt Mason in New York "Globe." 



DENOUNCES WILSON POLICY. 

Mondell Arraigns Bryan, Too, for 

Mexican Attitude. 

Pittsburgh, Jan. 29. — Describing the 
Mexican policy of the Wilson Adinin- 
istration as the work of "amateurs, the- 
orists, dreamers, acting on impulse when 
not on prejudice," Representative 
Frank W. Mondell, of Wyoming, ar- 
raigned Secretary of State Wiliam J. 
Bryan in an address at the McKinley 



day dinner of the Young Men's Repub- 
lican Tariff Clut) here to-night. 

"The policy toward the government 
of Huerta in Mexico, temporarily pur- 
sued by the Taft .Administration to 
emphasize our abhorrence and disap- 
proval of the methods by which that 
government was established." said Mr. 
Mondell, "was allowed to drift into a 
state of aimless vacillation while the 
present Secretary of State traveled on 
lucrative lecture tours. 

"The only feature of our present atti- 
tude toward Mexico that appears to have 
any element of fi.xity is the fatuous and 
fantastic theory that we shall decline to 
hold official relations with any .govern- 
ment people on this hemisphere may 
establish unless composed of persons 
and inaugurated under conditions entire- 
ly compatible with our ideas of what 
ideal government shoidd be. 

".And so we have drifted — making our- 
selves ridiculous in the eyes of the 
world and isolating ourselves from the 
opportunities of protecting .Americans 
and other foreigners in Me.xico and 
their property. We are holding as pris- 
oners of war hundreds of women and 
children and constituting ourselves the 
aiders and abettors of. and to a certain 
extent the apologists for, outlaws, ban- 
dits and murderers of the stripe of Villa 
and Zapata. While all this is going on, 
and in spite of the admitted good inten- 
tions of the President, our attitude is re- 
tarding rather than aiding in the estab- 
lishment of peaceful conditions in Mex- 
ico." 



THE WIDOW ON THE MEXICAN 
SITUATION. 

Washington, D. C, 
With Ojinaga taken by the border 
bandit. Villa, who made himself a gen- 
eral, and 4,000 refugees from Mexico at 
Fort Bliss who are costing the 
United States Government at the rate of 
$45,000 a month, the only thing to do- 
now, I suppose, is to sit back and wait 
for the next move in Villa's and Presi- 
dent Wilson's handling of the Mexican 
situation. This Villa is said to be "some 
fighter" and, naturally, being successful 
is idolized by the rifl-raflf who consti- 
tute his army and are doing the fighting. 
They are a filthy, ragged lot and have 
no rules of warfare — simply merciless 
and murderous. * * * 

With the gathering of the half-breeds, 
the lawless, the marauders, who have al- 
ways lived by plunder, into the "consti- 
tutionalists" — the rebels who would 
throw down any government — under 
Villa as leader — it is said — it would take 
only about three days, after he and Gen- 
eral Carranza had deposed Huerta, for 
Villa to shoot Carranza and declare 
himself the great and only controller of 
the Mexican government. Then what? 
Would President Wilson be ready to 
recognize the Villa — or even the Car- 
ranza — power as it stands to-day as less 



MEXICO 



Saturday, January 31, 1914- 



bloodstained than it was in the begin- 
ning of his non-recognition of the 
Huerta reign? It seems to me we poor 
benighted people must learn our high 
moral and humane lessons all over 
again. It seems to me, too, that our 
own Wilson reign be not bloodstained 
and our own country be not thrown into 
a ten years' war that it would be most 
becoming and most noble in our schol- 
astic executive if he would even now at 
this late day apologize to Huerta and 
give both Mexico and the United States 
a chance for clear skies. Sherman's 
"Hell" would not at all express war 
with Mexico. 

The farce of the border patrol is as 
ridiculous as asinine. The illustration 
of the asininity is clear cut in the fact 
of the few hundred cavalrymen taking 
care of the 4,000 refugees. Five hun- 
dred of our soldiers, for instance, are 
scattered along the Rio Grande from 
Fort Bliss in a stretch of about a hun- 
dred miles. To scatter five hundred men 
along a hundred miles means only a 
handful at given points. Any efficient 
handling of preventing men — Mexicans 
— from coming to this side or from sup- 
plies going into Mexico would appear 
to be an impossibility. The Rio Grande 
can be crossed almost anywhere, and 
the Mexicans, or the ambitious provid- 
ers of supplies for Mexicans, are not 
going to cross in sight of armed men 
who can be seen for miles. They ford 
the river in places out of reach of patrol 
or arrest. Once in a while results come, 
and one man was arrested on the lower 
river with several thousand rounds of 
ammunition as he was trying to get into 
Mexico. He tried an international 
bridge and was nabbed by the customs 
officers. * * * 

In this Mexican situation, in the con- 
demnation of Huerta's government not 
having been recognized by President 
Wilson, there seems to be no division of 
sentiment, whether the comment is by 
Republican or Democrat. Everybody 
speaks most openly, and always the 
question is asked, "Why should we wave 
the flag of such high morality," Why 
do we object to Huerta when Europe ac- 
cepted him; why should Huerta be sin- 
gled out when countries whose kings 
and emperors and sultans have been as- 
sassinated are courteously recognized? 
But here we are with something star- 
ing us in the face that certainly looks 
like chaos — a cruel war that must make 
guerrillas of our own soldiers to equalize 
conditions. — The Widow, in "Town 
Topics," January 22. 

Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 
AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



PUBLIC OPINION—Continued 

ZAPATA. 

Like some huge crawling, stinging thing 

He sallies from his lair, 
And piteous cries and dying sighs 

Disturb the desert air. 
With this brute chief the shrift is brief, 

.•\nd blood is everywhere. 

He does not fight as patriots fight 
Or dream as patriots dream; 

His powerful band could aid his land. 
But that is not his scheme. 

His eyes grow bright, his heart grows 
light 
Wlien he hears the tortured scream. 

His soldiers tremble and salute 

To do his last decree, 
For these wild brutes have met no brute 

More merciless than he, 
Pitting his might 'gainst law and right. 

Laughing at every plea. 

Zapata! All his hellish plans 

No mind but his may know; 
If his brute strength shall serve at 
length 
To vanquish every foe, 
Pity the weak that liis lust will seek — 
And God lielp Mexico! 
— William F. Kirk in New York 
"American." 



THE LATIN-AMERICAN NATIONS. 

The original Monroe doctrine was sim- 
ply that we should consider attempts to 
impose monarchical governments upon 
the Latin-American nations as unfriend- 
ly acts and that the time had passed 
when any part of the American conti- 
nent was open to acquisition and coloni- 
zation by European powers. Beyond 
that there is absolutely nothing that can 
be called the Monroe doctrine without 
injustice to the memory of President 
Monroe and the American statesmen of 
his day. 

In that form and at that time there 
was nothing in that doctrine which re- 
quired the assent of the Latin-American 
people, which, however, would have 
been, and perhaps was, enthusiastically 
given. Continental Europe considered 
the doctrine as a reason for enmity, 
while England privately approved our 
assistance in pulling her chestnuts out 
of the fire. Neither the Monroe doctrine 
nor any of the new doctrines which we 
call Monroe doctrines are any part of 
international law or have any sanction 
whatever except by the military and na- 
val force of the United States. 

But conditions now are vastly differ- 
ent from those which existed in Mon- 
roe's day. The larger Latin-American 
nations have now outgrown or are rap- 
idly outgrowing their revolutionary pe- 
riods, and even the recrudescence of an- 
archy in Mexico is almost certain to re- 
sult in renewed and greater stability of 
institutions. 

The continued assertion of what Lat- 
in-American nations consider as an 
American hegemony, with probabilities 
of more or less absorption of the weak- 
er, has resulted in general fear and ha- 
tred of this country by Latin-Americans 
— all the more serious because it has be- 
come part of the very life of peoples 
largely illiterate and excitable and more 
or less affecting the feeling of those of 
pure Latin extraction, than whom there 
are no more lovable and competent peo- 
ple on earth. 

Our position is regarded with uncon- 
cealed dislike and disgust by Continental 
Europe and is no longer particularly fa- 
vored by Great Britain, which is likely 



to regard it less and less favorably as it 
derives less and less profit and more hin- 
drance from it. 

The time has come for the assertion, 
not of a Monroe doctrine, and not of a 
United States doctrine, but of a Pan- 
American doctrine, which, whatever in 
the end it may prove to be, should be 
the outcome of a Pan-American confer- 
ence and should have behind it the sanc- 
tion of Pan-American authority and' 
force. 

That is no new proposition. It was 
the dream of James G. Blaine when he 
was Secretary of State and before that 
when he was in Congress. It is coming 
to be the thought of many thoughtful 
Americans. It would be enthusiastic- 
ally received in Latin .America. It would 
compel the respect and recognition of 
Europe and Asia. It would be distasteful 
only to American jingoes. 

Incidentally, it would pay. — San Fran- 
cisco "Chronicle." 



WAR ON MEXICO. 

For the murders, outrages and r .li- 
beries in Mexico since the inaugur;'' I'.n 
of President Wilson the .\dministraM(/n 
is dire'ctly responsible to God, hum.i'nty 
and the na'.ion. This is not a party inci- 
ter, for President Taft began the trouble 
by e-xpelling from Mexico its legal ruler 
and the one man proved capable of keep- 
ing that tropical country in order. But 
the frightful ravages, rapes and worse 
than hellish warfare since Taft's time 
are due entirely to the personal and un- 
founded prejudice of Mr. Wilson against 
Huerta. Formally recognizing the de 
facto government of Provisional Presi- 
dent Huerta, as all other Powers have 
done, would have purified Mexico long" 
ago. Instead of this conventional diplo- 
matic recognition, Mr. Wilson has pre- 
ferred to carry on a stealthy war against 
our sister republic, blockading its ports, 
destroying its credit, forcing it into 
bankruptcy and giving aid and comfort 
to the brutal bandits who are marching 
to loot its capital. This secret, one-sided 
war is disguised under the pretentions 
phrase, "My policy of watching and wait- 
ing." One result is that Mexico has 
been compelled to default in the pay- 
ment of the interest upon its bonds, and 
claims amounting to millions of dollars 
have been filed already in our State De- 
partment. The L'nited States is respon- 
sible for every cent of this money and 
for the claims for other millions that will 
follow the destruction of .American and 
foreign business investments in Mexico, 
and our people will have to pay the im- 
men=;e debt incurred through pigheaded 
obstinacy. The talk about a war of 
intervention would be amusing if the jest 
were not so expensive. Mr. Wilson is 
making war upon Mexico now. and his 
freak is costinir the country as much as 
if we had declared war honorably, ex- 
cept that fewer American lives are sacri- 
ficed. Congress is the only authority 
that can declare war legally — but have we 
a Congress? Is the assembly of cowed 
and tongue-tied misrepresentatives. who 
cringe before Mr. Wilson and pass any 
measure he chooses to dictate, worthy 
to be called a Congress? The people 
condemned the imperialism of the Bull 
Moose, but the Wilson regime is worse, 
because it is more livpocritical. Now 
that the pockets of the world are 
touched by Mr. Wilson's forced default 
— J. P. Morgan & Co. alone held $60,000,- 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, January 31. 1914 



MEXICO 



11 



000 of Mexican bonds owned by for- 
eigners — Congress may be roused to as- 
sert its prerogative and rebuke and con- 
trol Mr. Wilson by a joint resolution of 
censure. If to the millions of claims' 
for which he has made us liable he add- 
ed the losses through the obstruction of 
the prosperity that is waiting to enrich 
the country, Mr. Wilson has cost us 
more than the whole national debt dur- 
ing the eleven montlis of his administra- 
tion. — "Town Topics." 

CALLS OUR POLICY "SCANDAL." 

Paris, Jan. 24. — Severe criticism of the 
policy of the United States toward Mex- 
ico was voiced to-day by Paul Raynaud, 
a leading lawyer, and by Andre Lebon, 
former Minister for the Colonies, at the 
monthly luncheon of the Association of 
French Manufacturers and Merchants. 

M. Reynaud asserted that the Ameri- 
can policy concealed under a puritanic 
exterior a financial scandal. He said 
the public opinion of the world must 
compel the United States to establish 
peace in Mexico by supporting Huerta 
or his successor and not allowing the 
revolution in Mexico to be financed by 
interests in the United States to the 
ruin of Mexico and the foreign interests 
there. 



AN ENGLISH VIEW. 

London. — Major .^rchershee, who has 
just returned from Mexico, has changed 
his mind regarding the problem facing 
the United States. He says that having 
studied the situation on the spot he fears 
the present chaos is likely to continue 
for months, if not for years, unless the 
United States either reverses its policy 
of non-recognition of a de facto govern- 
ment or intervenes by force. 

Asked what he thought the end of the 
problem would be, he replied that if no 
government stained with blood can en- 
dure a government established by the 
aid of a cruel, bloodthirsty scoundrel 
like Villa cannot endure, and it would 
appear that the only alternative left the 
United States is intervention. — New 
York "Herald," January 23. 



A GALVESTON MAN. 

Harry C. Archer, traffic representative of the 
Santa Fe lines in Mexico, arrived in Galveston 
yesterday on the City c( Mexico from Vera 
Cruz. Mr. Archer has been in Mexico City for 
about three weeks. He brought with him on 
his return Mrs. Archer and his niece. Miss Grace 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

IQIC MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
laiO WASHINGTON. D. C. ' =" O 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the su9;ar legisla- 
tion. 



Cornell, who will remain in the States for a 
couple of months before going back to their 
home in Mexico City. 

"Everything is quiet in Mexico City," said 
Mr. Archer. "Huerta is still the strongest man 
in the republic, and, if he can secure money, will 
be able to control the situation. He is far prefer- 
able as a ruler to such men as Villa or Carranza. 

"The rebels have gained no substantial advan- 
tage in Mexico. They have won no real vic- 
tories, all of their successes being due to cow- 
ardice or lack of generalism on the part of the 
federal leaders. The only disturbance of any 
moment is along the Rio Grande; as for the 
rest of the country, there are only a few strag- 
gling bands of bandits here and there who do 
not amount to anything. I do not believe the 
rebels will ever get within striking distance of 
Mexico City, and they will accomplish nothing 
if they do, for Huerta has about him 10,000 well- 
equipped soldiers, most of them rurales, the 
very best in the country. Lack of money is the 
only thing that can destroy the Huerta regime." 
— Galveston "Tribune." 



President Wilson has shown in his Address 
to Business Men, delivered in the form of a 
lecture to Congress, that he can 'bout face 
when he finds that he is marching in the wrong 
direction. There is no more talk about hanging 
anybody as high as Haman ; all is good fellow- 
ship and mutual concessions, business and the 
Administration shoulder to shoulder in the pro- 
cession toward prosperity. The cordiality of the 
approval with which the new, reversed program 
has been received in all parts of this country, 
and in other countries, by the press, the stock 
exchanges, merchants and investors is remark- 
able, and seems to inaugurate an era of har- 
monious progress. The President himself must 
have been astonished by this prompt and unani- 
mous response to his declaration that the policy 
of the Administration is to help business, not 
to tear it up by the roots. I ask, therefore, a 
similar change of sentiment and policy concern- 
ing the Mexican question. In all the civilized 
world there is not a single person — except Chau- 
tauqua Bryan, who does not count — that is in 
favor of Mr. Wilson's scheme to assist the Mex- 
ican insurrectos, because of his personal preju- 
dice against Huerta. There is not a single na- 
tion, except the United States, that has refused 
to recognize diplomatically the Provisional Presi- 
dency of Huerta. There is not a single visitor 
to Mexico — American, English, French or Ger- 
man — who does not testify that the recognition of 
Huerta is the only way to rescue Mexico from 
chaos. It is Mr. Wilson against all the rest 
of the world.— "Town Topics." 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir ; — Puzzle over it as I do, I cannot 
make out why it is that newspaper editors and 
individuals who have professed horrified dis- 
approval of General Huerta should accept as a 
matter of fact the villianies of Villa and root for 
his success. It's beyond my comprehension en- 
tirely. I have received a letter from a friend 
of mine who lives in El Paso. In Juarez he has 
seen Villa, and this is how he described him: 

"Imagine a cross between a half-breed bad 



man and a rattler and you've got this fellow, 
Villa. The snake in him has given him a 
diabolical cunning. He's out for loot and noth- 
ing else. He has made a lot of money by sell- 
ing thousands of head of cattle which he has 
stolen from the big ranches of Chihuahua and 
shipped across the border. He gets his follow- 
ers by closing down the mines and forcing men 
out of work. Then there is nothing left for them 
to do but join him for all there is in it. He's 
killed and ordered killed hundreds of men, 
robbed and destroyed everything he can lay 
his hands on. There isn't a woman safe wher- 
ever he goes. He's a deified devil and don't 
let anybody tell you anything else." 

This is a pretty harsh picture of any man, but 
I have great faitli in my fj-iend's judgment, and 
Villa's record of crime is common knowledge, 
anyhow. 

Will you please tell me why Huerta is con- 
demned so unmercifully and this bandit is get- 
ting so much "moral" support from this side of 
the border? 

Yours very truly, 

F. G. 

New York, January 2."!. 101-J. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, January 31, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

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We respectfully suggest to the officials 
of the Administration who are embar- 
rassed in their good intentions by the 
newspaper publication of "interesting fic- 
tion" on the Mexican situation, that they 
themselves have created the atmosphere 
of suspense that has made such fiction 
possible. 

"Watchful waiting" is fictional suspense 
imder another name. 

It encourages speculation, excitation, 
fabrication. 

It suggests that almost anything may 
happen at any moment and creates an 
appetite for new surprises and complica- 
tions, which if they are not inherent in 
the situation must be concocted to sup- 
ply the demand for action until the sus- 
pense is ended. 

These are axioms to anybody who 
knows how to write fiction. 

Mexico is dynamite. 

Touch it, prick it, pound it — and the 
consequences are not hard to imagine. 

The Administration has been doing 
that and the suspense has been of its 
making. 

The atmosphere of suspense has given 
the opportunity to every force of destruc- 
tion that is rending Mexico, internal and 
external, anarchical and financial. 

It has forced all minds to look for the 
climax — an explosion of the dynamite. 

The explosion of Mexico. 

If that is not what the "embarrassed" 
Administration, deprecating the "interest- 
ing fiction" wants, then it is simply a 
child playing with dynamite. 

Which, under the circumstances, is ap- 
palling. 

The Adminialration has let it be knovsm 
that it considers irresponsible specula- 
tion on our foreign relations in the col- 



umns of the press as misrepresentative 
of the Administration's purposes and ac- 
tions and consequently dangerous. 

But all our misunderstandings and the 
speculation thereon to which the Admin- 
istration objects have been "muddled" 
by the merciless campaign of falsehood 
carried on by the press of this country 
against the government of Mexico, a 
campaign which the Administration has 
not only failed to discourage, but with 
which it has at times seemed to be 
mighty well pleased. 

It is but natural that nations other 
than Mexico, observing the Administra- 
tion's tacit approval of the press cam- 
paign of misrepresentation, distortion 
and biased speculation against Mexico, 
should attach Administration influence 
to press comments on ALL our foreign 
relations and see in them the same ul- 
terior purpose they see in the hostility 
toward Mexico. 

This, of course, has not been conducive 
to a growth of any particular friendliness 
on their part toward the United States. 

In seeking to placate them and assure 
them of our good intentions, might it 
not be an earnest of our sincerity if the 
Administration would now emphatically 
indicate to the press of the country its 
disapproval of the "fiction" published 
about Mexico? 

Call off the vultures. 

And nut an end to the suspense. 

It's the only way to clear the whole 
atmosphere of doubts and innuendos. 



If the Administration is so certain of 
the quick downfall of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, why is it said to be considering 
giving arms to the rebels? 

* * • 

What a surprising solicitude the Ad- 
ministration shows for the murdering 
and ravishing Villa! 

* • • 

And how painfully shocked it is at 
everything Huerta does! 

* * « 

No wonder the members of the Sen- 
ate Foreign Relations Committee are 
amazed. 

* * « 

No wonder the people of the country 
are scratching their heads in puzzle- 
ment as to what it all means. 

* * * 

Everybody feels that a big game is 
being played behind the scenes. 

But it was not expected that the lead- 
ers of the Administration were the kind 
of men to take part in any such game. 

* * * 

Surely they would not have gone into 
it with their eyes open. 



They will be very lucky indeed to get 
out of it with clean hands. 



Not smelling of oil. 



LEST WE FORGET. 

Never before has the great United 
States warred upon another country in 
a sneaky, underhanded manner. That is 
not the American way. 



But none who is not blind can faU to 
see that it is the way of our moralists. 

* * * 

The Administration is carrying on an 
oblique war against Mexico and calls it 
"watchful waiting." 

* * * 

Every report that Mexico is gradually 
being ruined is received with great sat- 
isfaction by the peace-apostolic fighters 
in Washington. 

* * * 

Whose alUes are Big Business and 
Bandits — cutthroats. 

* * * 

Who talk peace and plot destruction. 

* * * 

The people have no quarrel with Mex- 
ico — but the Administration has. 

« * » 

The Mexican Executive wUl not yield 
to the Administration's prejudices and 
theories. 

* * * 

We do not know one real, red-blooded 
American who, if in President Huerta's 
position, would yield. 

* * * 

Would you? 

* * * 

No, no, no, we won't have any war in 
this Administration, but we will arm the 
thugs and riff-raff of Mexico to do our 
fighting. 

* m * 

The vicious and the ignorant of Mex- 
ico are the tools of our "moral" Admin- 
istration. 

* * * 

The Administration started by insist- 
ing that General Huerta is a naughty, 
naughty man. 

* « * 

It's policy since has been to goad Gen- 
eral Huerta into doing naughty things. 

* * ♦ 

So that it can say: "I told you so!" 

* « S 

Mental suggestion is a very powerful 
force, as the Administration knows full 
well. 

* * ♦ 

But, like hypnotic influence, it is an 
evil thing when used for certain pur- 
poses. 

* * * 

It would seem to any reasonable mind 
an evil thing to assist in destroying a 
country and its people for the satisfac- 
tion of saying "I told you so." 

* ♦ ♦ 

Not many folks would like to have 
that on their conscience. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion ol Mexican Alt airs 



VOL. 1— No. 25 



Error Run* Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1914 



FIVE CENTS 



IN THE OPEN 

No longer can it be said in justice that 
the Administration is conducting a 
sneaky, underhanded, un-American war 
against the Government of Mexico. It 
has been painful at times to be under 
the necessity of pointing out from week 
to week that while the Administration 
was professing the most distinterested 
motives, the most profound friendship 
for the Mexican people, the purest sen- 
timents in favor of constitutional gov- 
ernment (in Mexico, but not Guatemala 
or Venezuela) it was in fact a partisan 
of a particular group of Mexicans and 
aiding and abetting the continuance of 
conditions which it now seeks to end by 
letting those who have made these con- 
ditions have more arms! 

No longer will it be necessary to 
point out that the Administration was 
either ignorant of the most obvious facts 
or hypocritical. 

No longer need it be explained that 
undoubtedly the Administration started 
with a wrong conception of the motives 
of the rebels and bandits but would nat- 
urally in the course of time repudiate 
any sympathy for or encouragement o 
murdering and ravishing monsters 
whose deeds of lawlessness, barbarity 
and rapine have shocked the civilized 
world. 

No longer need we point out in this 
publication that the leaders of the Ad- 
ministration were not the kind of men 
who would enter into an alliance with 
the unspeakable Villa. 

No, the day of beautiful words an 
destructive acts is over. 

Behold the dawn of downright shame- 
lessness. 



WHY? 

Why did three thousand of the best 
people of Chihuahua City go on a per- 
ilous journey of hundreds of miles across 
the desert, deserting their homes but 
saving their women and children, in or- 
der not to be in the city when Villa's 
hordes entered? 



Were they afraid of "constitutional 
government"? 



THE COST 



Either the Administration has an un- 
derstanding with the Mexican rebels or 
it hasn't. 

If it has, then its professions of neu- 
trality and moral motives are simply 
pure hypocrisy. Then it is the ally of 
forces of destruction, not the friend of 
constitutional government. Then it is 
warring against Mexico, while profess- 
ing peaceable purposes. 

It is hasn't, then it is simply the tool 
of a Mexican faction. Then the United 
States is being used to play the game of 
political and financial interests. 

In either case, it is no honorable role 
for the Government of the United 
States, and therefore not representative 
of the American people. 

In order to have a free hand in oust- 
ing President Huerta the Administra- 
tion surrenders to England the benefit 
of the doubt on the Panama tolls ques- 
tion, a matter involving the future of 
an American merchant marine. 

Nonchalantly tosses $25,000,000 into 
the lap of Colombia, as an amend for 
the taking of Panama. It might justly 
have been millions less, but what of the 
millions of the American people when 
the Administration must, to save its 
face, "get Huerta"? 

Advertises to the world that it shows 
a disposition to yield hurriedly to for- 
eign nations on matters under discus- 
sion — and naturally those nations will 
press just a little bit harder on every 
point at issue. 

All so that the Administration may 
"Get Huerta." 

Is this economy? 

Is this statesmanship? 

Is this even good common sense? 

And what are the people of the Unit- 
ed States to get out of it? 

Nothing, absolutely nothing, except 
the ever-present possibility of war and 
daily dangerous complications. 



Everybody understands by this time 
that the Administration wants Carranza 
to be President of Mexico. 

It has absolutely not an iota of a 
right to say who should be or who 
should not be President of Mexico. 

But apart from that — 

If with the assistance of the Admin- 
■ftration, Carranza should become Pres- 
ident of Mexico, what then? 

In the first place, would Villa, Zapata, 
Blanco, Aguilar, Urbina, Castillo, Con- 
treras, Genevievo de la C, or any of a 
score of rebel and bandit leaders, give 
up a profitable occupation, turn from 
Jeopards into lambs? 

The type has never acted that way 
before and the chances are one thou- 
sand to one that it never will. 

They would hire themselves out to the 
first trouble-maker with the price. 

In the second place, would the people 
of Mexico as a whole submit to a 
"Yankee-made President"? 

Not if he were a canonized saint. 

So with Carranza in power or any 
other Carranza, there would come an- 
other revolution, and the state of Mex- 
ico would be worse by far than now. 
There would be anarchy run mad. 

Then if the United States sought to 
sustain the "Yankee-made" government 
against the people of Mexico, that would 
mean war. 

So always it comes back to this: 
Either the United States should recog- 
nize the present Government of Mexico 
until such time as peace can be restored 
and an expression of the people's will, 
as far as that is ascertainable in Mexico, 
can be procured, or the United States 
will have to intervene by force of arms 
in Mexico. 

Which terrific job European nati^ 
would unselfishly, of course, like to see 
us undertake. 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 7, 1014 



THE COST— Continued. 

And which would be most pleasing to 
Japan. 

Which would involve the entire fu- 
ture and destiny of the United States 
in a way that well might unlock a world 
of woe. 

If such a future, such a destiny were 
inevitable, then there might be no rea- 
son to cry out against it. 

But it is not inevitable. It can be 
avoided. 

And the people of the United States 
want it avoided. 

If the Administration does not avoid it 
then it is false to the standards of pure 
patriotisni. 

And it is crucifying the people of the 
United States on a cross of cant. 




Villa is spending a few hundred thou- 
sand dollars more for supplies and arms 
from El Paso dealers. It is about time 
for the El Paso "Times" to publish an- 
other editorial extolling the virtues of 
the High Executioner of Ciiihuahua, or 
another "Peace edition"! Perhaps the 
grateful El Paso merchants will have a 
medal struck in honor of Villa. 

Oh, our delightful, civilized, principled, 
high-minded, unmercenary brethren of 
the border town, how they honor the 
American Commonwealth! 



The El Pasogramists have invented a 
new Villa. 

One who really wears an olive-col- 
ored uniform and reads a "little book" 
on "The Ethics of International War- 
fare." 

And gives forth fine-sounding phrases 
on liberty, loyalty and patriotism. 

The Madero family and connections 
succeeded in overthrowing Porfirio Diaz 
by clever press-agent work in the United 
States. 

* * * 

They are using the same methods now 
against Huerta and cannot understand 
why they are not "putting it over" as be- 
fore. 

* * * 

There's a reason. 

The people can be fooled once, but 
never again I 

* » • 

The game is made entirely too ob- 
vious when such labored efforts are made 
to whitewash the murdering Villa. 

* * * 

Remember how Villa was to eat his 
Christmas dinner m Mexico City? No- 
tice he is still at Juarez, thirteen hundred 
miles away. 



The lifting of the embargo on arms 
to Mexico will go down in history as 
the second fatal step in the Mexican 
policy of the Administration. The first 
was the refusal under any circumstances 
to recognize the Provisional Govern- 
ment of Mexico. We have already at 
length expressed our opinion of the sig- 
nificance and consequences of what the 
world will regard as a disgraceful alli- 
ance. Probably the less said about it 
now the better. The fact that it pleases 
Villa so hugely ought to stamp it in- 
delibly for what it really is. It will 
be remembered that the fact that the 
embargo was to be raised was permitted 
to "leak out" some days in advance, and 
that it was cleverly associated with a 
Japanese scare. Whether the false 
story that the Japanese Government 
was secretly aiding Huerta served its 
purpose, or whether the newspapers and 
public thought that the Administration 
was merely bluffing, we do not know, 
but there was a general disposition on 
the part of public opinion to listen to 
the suggestion, although visibly dis- 
turbed. But since the official lifting of 
the embargo the voice of public opinion 
has been increasingly strong in its pro- 
tests and its concern for the future. We 
shall quote what some of the newspapers 
Irsve to say about it. 

SANCTIONING SLAUGHTER. 

Possibly the exigencies of the situa- 
tion warrant such a step, and it may be 
that the usage of nations justifies it, but 
to the layman Washington advices that 
President Wilson has decided to lift the 
embargo on exportation of fire arms to 
Mexico looks much as if he were sanc- 
tioning slaughter. For clearly that is 
the expectation as the immediate devel- 
;ipment precedent to the overthrow of 
tliierta. 

This appears to be tantamount to a 
confession that President Wilson's pol- 
icy of pacification and patience has been 
a failure, if indeed it is not an admis- 
sion that refusal to recognize Huerta. 
and let Mexico be responsible for her 
own sins, was a mistake. In the asser- 
tion of a principle, that the United 
States would not be a party to installa- 
tion of government by assassination, the 
President undoubtedly took ground as 
admirable as it was lofty, but it has not 
been effective in hastening the day of 
peace. Evidently the time is at Jiand 
when peace must be had at any price 
short of a diplomatic triumph for 
Huerta. So arms are to go in, and 
fighting is to proceed, and it is to be 
dog cat dog, until Federalist or Consti- 
tutionalist is entrenched and stabilized. 



This information comes on the heels 
of a series of shockingly brutal "execu- 
tions" by the Constitutionalists and on 
the day after a cold-blooded murder 
committed by the amiable Villa. 
* * * There is concededly not 
even tacit recognition of Carranza and 
his followers, but if arms are to be 
passed over the border the impressio;'. 
is that the Constitutionalists and not 
Huerta will profit most greatly. The 
prospect, therefore, is for a new welter 
of horrors beside which all that has 
gone before will pale. What Mexico 
needs more than anything else is a man 
of dictator's stature and force, and even- 
tually, with the title of president and 
ostensibly that and nothing else, sucl 
one will appear if ever there is to be 
sustained peace. Meantimie the quality 
of statesmanship which has been oper- 
ating from the Washington end of the 
difficulty will be the subject of keenly 
critical review, and if Mr. Bryan does 
not find it necessary to establish a bu- 
reau of apology and explanation there 
will be surprise. — Pittsburgh "Gazette- 
Tirnes." 

BARBAROUS AND SUICIDAL. 

The almost incredible announcement 
comes from Washington that the Presi- 
dent has decided to raise the embargo 
on the shipment of arms and ammuni- 
tion into Mexico. There should be no 
misunderstanding about what this ac- 
tion will mean. If the embargo is lift- 
ed the American government will stand 
before the world as an active ally of the 
rebels under Villa, Carranza and Zapata. 
It becomes morally responsible for 
their actions. If they commit outrages 
it must bear the guilt that falls upon 
an accessory before the fact. 

President Wilson will believe he is 
doing the proper thing in favoring the 
rebels — we would not for a moment im"- 
pugn his motives — but if he finally takes 
action it will be because he has lost 
his perspective in this matter. His ex- 
cuse for raising the embargo as far as 
he has made it known is the plea of a 
casuist, not of a sober logician, and 
against it stands out the hard, cold fact 
that the raising of the embargo will 
foster barbarism and will place a pre- 
mium on outrage and assassination. It 
will place arms in the hands of men 
who in the past have shown themselves 
bandits, murderers and common thieves, 
and who have sworn to show no mercy 

to such perosns as may be opposed to 
them. These outlaws must henceforth 
be accounted friends and proteges of the 
United States. 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



THE SECOND STEP -ARMS FOR BANDITS 



Another point — Villa, Carranza, Agui- 
lar, Zapata, et al., do not love America 
or American citizens. If they over- 
throw Huerta they will not submit to 
dictation by this country any more 
gracefully than has Huerta, and the dan- 
ger will always exist that the arms we 
have put into their hands will be ii 
later to shoot holes in the bodies 
American soldiers and marines. — De- 
troit "Free Press." 



It has taken President Wilson a long 
time to make up his mind to raise the 
embargo against the transportation of 
arms across the border into Mexico. 
Hereafter the so-called Constitutional- 
ists can obtain all the supplies that they 
can find the money to pay for. Carran- 
za and the professional bandit Villa are 
unquestionably aided by this new policy 
upon the part of the President. 

When the President decreed that Huer- 
ta must go he had no plan for en- 
forcing his order. That was the time 
to supply the revolutionists with arms, 
for Carranza was apparently taking as 
nearly a patriotic view of the situation 
as was possible for any Mexican revo- 
lutionist to take. But since then 
whole revolutionary movement has bo 
turned into one of plunder, murder and 
assassination. Carranza has proved 
be a disappointment, while his arm 
under "General" Villa has been fed on 
blood and has adopted the most bar- 
barous methods. 

When Huerta is assassinated or de- 
posed there will be no one in sight to 
control the destinies of Mexico except 
Villa himself, or Carranza, should Villa 
remain faithful to his chief. No more 
of a constitutional government will hv 
in authority then than there is now. 

It is a little late in the day for the 
President to come to the aid of the 
Villa forces. He refused them aid 
a time when they were weak. Now that 
they have developed into fiends und : 
the atrocious murderer Villa he changes 
his attitude. Surely the administration 
has made a mess of its whole Mexican 
policy. — Philadelphia "Inquirer." 



After montlis of a waiting aiid do- 
nothing policy President Wilson has 
decided to lift the embargo on exporta- 
tion of arms from the United States to 
Me.xico. Of course, he hopes by this to 
strengthen the constitutionalists and en 
able them to carry on a more successful 
campaign against the forces of Huerta. 
This rather startling action of President 
Wilson is a specific revocation of the 
proclamation issued by President Taft in 
March, two years ago, in the hope that 
such an embargo would better the con- 
ditions then existing in that troubled 
and troublesome republic. President 
Taft's action was cordially indorsed by 
the American people. Now President 
Wilson claims that since the Taft er; 



bargo circumstances have undergone a 
radical change. He declares that there 
is now no constitutional government i 
Mexico, and that the existence of this 
embargo hinders the very thing that 
the government of the United States 
is insisting upon — that Mexico shall be 
left free to settle her own affairs and 
as soon as possible put them upon a con- 
stitutional footing by her own force and 
counsel. 

This sounds well, but what does it 
all mean? Only that this administra- 
tion means to let the Mexican interne- 
cine scrap go on for an indefinite period, 
probably with more battles and heavier 
loss of life than ever. It cannot be 
regarded as an effort to bring about 
peace or to satisfy the nations inter 
ested that the United States is seeking 
to do its full duty in the matter. More 
arms and cheaper arms for the consti- 
tutionalists will also mean more arms 
and cheaper arms for the federalists. 
It will, in all probability, mean an in- 
definite extension of the fighting, with 
no end in sight. Having signally failed 
in its eflforts to cut off all credit from 
Huerta, it is far from likely that this 
new move on the part of President Wil- 
son will meet with any better success. 

No doubt the Mexican problem was 
a knotty one from the start, but after 
nearly a year of work upon it President 
Wilson is no nearer a solution of it than 
when he started. Lifting the arms em- 
bargo can only make matters worse. — 
Baltimore "American." 



INVIGORATING VILLA TO DE- 
STROY HUERTA. 

The -Administration, it seems, after 
sufficient hesitation, has decided to lift 
the embargo on exportation of arms and 
munitions of war from this country to 
Mexico. Technically this is not a rec- 
ognition of the belligerency of the Con- 
stitutionalists, but practically it is 
equivalent to such a declaration, inas- 
much as Huerta, being practically block- 
aded, cannot benefit from the open 
market, while Villa will be limited in 
purchases only to the extent of his 
exchequer or the willingness of mer- 
chants to accept his promise to pay. 

This action means that the .^dininis- 
tration lias despaired of substituting for 
Huerta some other responsible Mexican 
in the provisional presidency. It is a 
confession of the failure of the finan- 
cial blockade and of moral suasion. 
There is nothing left except open inter- 
vention or the semi-equivalent of inter- 
vention involved in the mental strength- 
ening of the rebel cause. The latter 
course is better than the former. 

The .'Administration's plan is, however, 
a palliative rather than a cure. Our 
munition factories will open for them 
the road to the capital, but there is no 
assurance that when they reach there 
their government will not be more in- 
tole-rahle than the one it displaces. 
Judging from Villa's barbarous warfare, 
murdering captives, killing hostages, 
looting, theft, brigandage, there seems 
small chance of improvement. — Phila- 
delphia "Public Ledger." 



* * * It is not so much the mere 
lifting of the embargo as the change 
that this may imply in the attitude of 
our Government, and the weighty con- 
sequences that we may soon have to 
confront, which must give us all pause. 
Americans cannot help, for example, re- 
gretting that any act of theirs should 
even seem to be provocative of more 
bloodshed and ferocity in Mexico. There 
is also the well-grounded fear lest, if 
armed intervention is at last forced upon 
us, the very weapons we are furnishing 
to the Mexicans may be turned against 
our own troops. But the most marked 
disquiet will be caused by the uncer- 
tainty which the Administration still 
displays in its dealings with the Mexi- 
can problem. The question will be 
asked wliether the ending of the em- 
bargo on the export of arms is anything 
more than one sign more of a mere wait- 
ing policy — one might almost call it a 
groping policy. Is the President acting 
under pressure of European Govern- 
ments? Has he the next step clearly 
in his mind? .After the rebels are sup- 
plied with arms, does he expect to rec- 
ognize their belligerency? 

These are the questions which are 
troubling many minds, and which ought 
to trouble them. The Mexican difficulty 
is not only ve.xing but threatening. An 
unlooked for collapse at Mexico City 
might afford temporary relief, but short 
of some such break in the situation, the 
prospect seems to be only of prolonged 
hostilities in Me.xico, attended by every 
kind of outrage and misery, with the 
country slowly bleeding to death. It is 
this view of the future of their country 
which, we know, fills intelligent Mexi- 
cans with despair. * * ♦ Should 
Villa fulfill his boast that he will end 
the war in three months, that might 
mean only the beginning of fresh 
troubles. President Wilson's action can 
be interpreted only as favorable to Car- 
ranza, but does he mean to back this up 
bj' open recognition of the revolution- 
ary chief? Or has he some plan of in- 
tervention going beyond the tacit in- 
tervention to which we are already com- 
mitted? * * * — New York "Evening 
Post." 



When towns like Juarez and Ojinagac 
were in the hands of Huerta's troops, 
Washington with fine impartiality de- 
manded that no arms be sent over our 
southern border. 

Presently Juarez fell by surprise to 
the Villa band, which had without diffi- 
culty succeeded in "smuggling" ammuni- 
tion, small arms, field pieces and such 
trifles in abundance over that very bor- 
der. Next Ojina.ga fell because its 
Huertist garrison, their ammunition ex- 
hausted, could obtain no more from our 
side of the line. Hundreds of defence- 
less soldiers of the established govern- 
ment were shot down after surrender 
by the very same American bullets that 
we had denied' them for their defence. 

.And now that no more Huertists re- 
main to benefit by a withdrawal of the 
embargo now that the Villists control 
the Mexican States on our border, free 
importation of arms is immediately ta 
be allowed, so that Mexico "shall be 
allowed to settle her own affairs and 
as soon as possible put them on a con- 
stitutional footing." The words are 
President Wilson's. 

Considering the ease with which the 
rebels obtained arms before, the removal 
of the embargo may not make any greaf 
material change in the militarv situa- 
tion : but what will President Wilson's 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Satitrdav, February 



ARMS FOR BANDITS— Continued. 

attitude be toward any future wholesale 
barbarisms committed by that unlettered 
and merciless bandit who tossed his 
sombrero in the air at news of the pres- 
ent decision? 

May we not be placed in a false posi- 
tion in relation to other nations with 
Mexican interests? There are to be fur- 
ther and more extensive or^es of blood- 
shed to the south, if that is possible. 
Shall we not be suspected throughout 
Latin America as deliberately engineer- 
ing the disintegration of Mexico in our 
own interests? At least the danger is 
plain. — N. Y. "Evening Sun." 



ARMS TO VILLA— FOR WHAT? 

The President's proclamation remov- 
intr the enilbargo on the shipment of 
arms to the Mexican Constitutionalists 
is, in effect, an admission of the failure 
of his Mexican policy thus far. * * * 

The President turns for aid to Car- 
ranza and Villa. Just what sort of a 
government he expects them to erect on 
the chaos which Huerta piled on top of 
the ruins of the Madero administration 
it is hard to foresee. — New York 
".American." 



THE BASIC MISTAKE. 

To the Editor of the New York "Her- 
ald"— 

You say in 3'our editorial columns to- 
day that the .American people will in- 
dorse President Wilson's action in aid- 
ing- the Mexican rebels in their desire 
to obtain arms. Perhaps 3'ou are right. 
But to one who has always been a sin- 
cere admirer of the President I must 
confess my disappointment. 

In lifting the embargo President Wil- 
son admits that his policy of "watchful 
waiting" has been a failure. That ebing 
the case, why is not the President big 
enough and broad enough to admit that 
he has been wrong from the start and 
that his basic mistake was in not recog- 
nizing the only government there was, 
and is, in Me.xico — that of Huerta? 

P. J. K. 

New York City, Feb. 4, 1914. 



PLAYING TAG. 



It looks like playing tag the way the 
Government of the United States is 
holding no official intercourse with 
Huerta. 



It is remarkable that though we read 
every day of the inability of the Fed- 
erals in Mexico to pay their soldiers, we 
never read that Villa is unable to pay 
his rebel army. 

Who supplies Villa with the money? 
Is it the .American Oil interests who are 
subsidizing Villa against the Cowdray 
Company? 



Charges have been made again and 
again in the open by responsible persons 
that the revolutions in Mexico are the 
result of business ambitions and that a 
great American corporation is primarily 
involved; and yet there is no suggestion 
of an investigation by a Congress that 
hankers to investigate everything. — 
"Catholic Monitor." 



FAKE LOYALTY 



It has been iterated and reiterated in 
the press for many months past that 
there are not a few of the people's repre- 
sentatives in Washington who believe that 
the .Administration has made a monumental 
l)lunder in handling the Mexican situa- 
tion, ))ut that it is the part of loyalty and 
patriotism to acquiesce in this blunder be- 
cause it is a matter of foreign relations. 
"My country — right or wrong" is an ad- 
mirable sentiment in the presence of a na- 
tional catastrophe like war. It is a per- 
nicious sentiment when it helps to plunge 
the country into such a catastrophe, when, 
by pointing out the wrong such catastro- 
phe could be avoided. 

We venture to say that nine-tenths of the 
so-called loyal acquiescence of Congress, 
press and pul)lic in the Mexican policy of 
the Administration is based on a general 
lack of intimate acquaintance with Mexi- 
co, the Mexican people and Mexican af- 
fairs, which it is conceded the President 
and the State Department are in a posi- 
tion to have. 

We say "are in a position to have," but 
we insist that from the beginning of the 
.Administration, before it was possible to 
have that intimate acquaintance with the 
complex problems of Mexico, the Admin- 
istration had already made up its mind, 
was closed to all sources of information 
that might have given it pause to think, 
and has consistently and persistently con- 
tinued to handle the Mexican situation ac- 
cording to that first uninformed, precon- 
ceived idea. 

In these days of commission government, 
it seems about time for the suggestion 
that the foreign relations of the country, 
which are pregnant with weal or woe for 
the people, should not be guided by the 
dictatorial say-so of any one or two men, 
or any group of politicians, but should be 
in the hands of a non-political commis- 
sion of experienced diplomats, whose per- 
sonal feelings would not enter into their 
consideration of affairs of state. 

.As to loyalty and patriotism, we repeat 
that it is in our opinion more loyal and 
patriotic to place considerations of coun- 
try above the mere prestige of any Ad- 
ministration. 

Last September Secretary Daniels, 
speaking before the Indiana members of 
the .Associated Press, deplored the fact that 
many American newspapers have seen fit 
to criticize, even frankly and honestly, the 
stand taken by President Wilson toward 
Mexico. Such criticism of Administration 
policies should, he thought, be restricted 
to internal matters and should stop "at 
the water's edge." The world should know, 
he contended, that any stand taken by 



' Read" M EX ICO " ONCE A WEEK 

LEARN WHAT'S WHAT BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



ll.e President in a matter of foreign re- 
lations is supported unquestioningly by an 
undivided people, who, if necessary, would 
execute it by force of arms. He intimated 
that the press or individuals giving any 
rlifferent impression to the world were dis- 
loyal and unpatriotic. 

In answer to Secretary Daniels we made 
a statement in the following words, which 
are just as true today as they were months 
ago and as they always will be : 

That frank and honest criticism of any 
stand taken by the President of the United 
States which involves the destiny of one 
hundred million people is necessary for the 
safe conduct of popular government and 
should be welcomed by a broad-gauged and 
well-intentioned Administration. 

That a national sense of justice demands 
free and frank discussion of our relations 
with other countries, and that this sense of 
justice is not incompatible vvdth the purest 
patriotism, the most intelligent loyalty. 

That any United States policy toward 
Me.xico affects directly the welfare and 
property of thousands of Americans in 
Mexico and other thousands who have 
commercial or social connections there. 
Therefore it cannot be altogether a for- 
eign policy and is in a large degree an in- 
ternal one. 

That although Secretary Daniels' point 
of view is that press criticisms iji interna- 
tional crises might on occasion make the 
avoidance of war _ most difficult for a 
peace-loving Administration, the fact is 
that much of the criticism directed against 
President Wilson's Mexican policy has 
come from those who, knowing Mexican 
conditions and the Mexican people, have 
firmly believed that his method of hand- 
ling the Mexican situation was most likely 
to result in an unnecessary, unjust and 
burdensome war. Also that many of those 
who have most enthusiastically supported 
the attitude of President Wilson have done 
so in the belief that it was impractical 
and the hope that it would finally bring 
about armed intervention. 

That Mexicans as a rule interpreted 
President Wilson's attitude toward the 
Mexican Government as unfriendly and as 
foreshadowing intervention. Under these 
circumstances it is perhaps well for the 
.Administration and for the country that 
.American papers and individuals have by 
their criticisms convinced the Mexicans 
that we as a people have no quarrel with 
them, that we are not their enemies. 

That in view of our increasingly rl.-.s> 
relations with the Latin-American 'mv.t 
tries it will help rather than hurt the 'n 
terests of the United States if at '■■■■'-■' ■■ 
portion of our press shows a disposuioi. 1 
demand justice and reasonableness in .-.iiy 
stand that the Administration may deter- 
mine to take toward them or any one of 
them. 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



INSULTING JAPAN. 

We urge those naive souls who not 
infrequently express wonder at our 
growing unpopularity in Japan to read 
and ponder the urbane remarks of Rep- 
resentative Curry of California, deliv- 
ered in a speech in the Congress of the 
United States: 

"Loose morals are universal among 
Japanese men and uncondemned among 
Japanese women; their daughters are 
sold without shame into immorality, and 
there are 3,000.000 professional immoral 
women in Japan. 

Strange to say, sensitiveness is not 
the e.xclusive attribute of the Caucasian 
race but exists even among Mongol- 
ians. Charges against the morals of 
their wives, daughters and sisters are 
no more relished by the men of Japan 
than they would be by our own hus- 
bands, fathers and brothers. 

Suppose that a German orator in the 
Reichstag made the sweeping accusation 
that the .-\merican nation was thor- 
oughly immoral: that immorality was 
universal among .-Vmerican men and was 
winked at in .American women; that 
common-law marriages were an estab- 
lished institution among us. and divorces 
on the most trivial pretexts a flimsy 
cloak for more hypocritical laxity; that 
systematized race suicide was a symp- 
tom of our degenerate morals, and that 
white slavery was a characteristic na- 
tional enterprise. Would we regard 
this malicious perverter of facts as the 
spokesman of a friendly nation? 

The sanctimonious patter. of one little 
priggish jingo like Curry can do more 
to inflame a nation toward war than can 
be undone by the labors of a hundred 
statesmen. It would 'be well if this 
could be brought to Mr. Curry's own 
immaculate realization and that of his 
vicious kin. — New York "World." 

The sanctimonious patter about Mex- 
ico by one little servile upholder of the 
Administration at all costs like the 
"World" can do more to bring about 
war with Mexico than can be undone by 
the labors of a hundred statesmen. It 
would be well if this could be brought 
to the "World's"' own immaculate reali- 
zation and that of its hypocritical kin. 



RIDICULES OUR POLICY. 

Henry Lane W ilson. e.\-.\nibassador 
to Mexico, said in an address before the 
Baptist Social Union of New York, that, 
in his opinion, a settled Government at 
the present time would be in charge of 
afTairs in Mexico and thousands of lives 
and millions of dollars' worth of prop- 
erty would have been saved if Huerta 
had been recognized by the United 
States even as late as .\ugust or Sep- 
tember of last year. 

"If the .\dministration does have its 
way and if a candidate, approved by it 
finally is elected as President of Mex- 
ico," said Mr. Wilson, "he will remain 
in power only so long as the army and 
navy of this country protect him. Prac- 
tically every man in Mexico will have a 
dagger out for the .\nglo-Saxon-select- 
ed President, and the minute that the 
American .^rmy and Navy cease to de- 
fend him will be his last. 

Mr. Wilson said that Mexican history 
could not produce a ruler who would 
mieasure up to the specifications of the 
present .\dministration. Before the rule 
of Diaz, he said, the hands ot practically 
every ruler had been dipped in blood. 



LEST WE FORGET 



Huerta stands for Mexican national- 
ity and all indications are that he real- 
izes his position patriotically. 



The Administration still insists that 
there is no "constitutional government" 
in Mexico. 

And makes that shibboleth cover a 
multitude of sins. 

There is no matter. There is no mat- 
ter. There is no matter. Repeat it of- 
ten enough and you may hypnotize 
yourself into believing it. 

* * » 

That's Christian Science statesnum- 
ship. 

But would the Administration attempt 
to bully an unconstitutional nation like, 
say, Russia on any such grounds? No? 

* * • 

Then might makes right, doesn't it? 

* * * 

Since when has the President of the 
United States been the sole interpreter 
of the Mexican Constitution? 

There is a Supreme Court in Mexico 
which has declared the Provisional Gov- 
ernment constitutional. 

But the Administration says it isn't. 

* * * 

Can you, can you beat it for per- 
verse egotism? 

* * * 

It's simply a shibboleth in the mouth 
of the Administration, an excuse for ev- 
ery high-handed interference in Mex- 
ico's affairs. 

* * * 

If "constitutional government" in Lat- 
in America is so dear to the heart of 
the Administration why does it not try 
to force out the Dictator of Guatemala 
and the Dictator of Venezuela? 

The Administration professes to dis- 
courage revolutions in Latin-American 
countries. 

But it encourages one in Mexico be- 
cause, forsooth, the Mexican Govern- 
ment is not constitutional. 

If that is not a standing invitation to 
any revolutionary group in any Latin- 
American country to overthrow any gov 
ernment with the approval of the Unit- 
ed States, what is it? 

All they have to do to have Washing- 
ton on their side is to use the shibbo- 
leth, "We are for constitutional govern- 
ment" and use the name "constitutional- 
ists." 

* * ♦ 

You will notice that Latin-American 
revolutions have been discoiu-aged re- 
cently. 



Yes, in Santo Domingo, Hayti, Peru, 
Brazil and a few others yet unheard 

from. 

» * * 

The Administration is in favor of 
revolution. It is arming one. 

* * * 

And now they say that Bryan is going 
to Chautauqua in Europe in the cause of 

universal peace. 

* * » 

That isn't nerve. That is simply bra- 
zen effrontery. 

* » * 

And hypocrisy that hasn't even the 
virtue of being intelligent 

* » * 

It is reported that Villa threw his 
sombrero in the air when he heard that 
the Administration was going to help 
him, and despatched a message of thanks 
to President Wilson. 

* * * 

Ask any Mexican in the north of 
Mexico whose wife or daughter or 
mother has been outraged by Villa or 
Villa's men — and there are thousands of 
them — what he thinks President Wilson 
should have felt when he received that 
message. 

* » * 

The Administration felt that the em- 
bargo ^n arms might work some injus- 
tice lo the rebels. 

* * * 

Ye gods! How solicitous, how scrup- 
ulously fair, how tenderly consideratel 

The New York "Evening Post" points 
out that the President has assumed full 
personal responsibility for the Adminis- 
tration's Mexican policy. 

But who will pay the price of war? 

* * * 

It might be a good idea to let the 
people know exactly what the policy 
is and let them share the responsibility. 

It cannot be that one or two men's pre- 
conceived ideas can have so much power 
for evil. 



More trouble! The Committee of 
Public Safety at Port au Prince has de- 
manded the withdrawal from the sacred 
soil of Hayti of our marines and blue- 
jackc'S. landed "to restore order," 
though the normal tranquility of the 
capital has not been disturbed. I am 
not yet informed who of the candidates 
in Hayti is personally disliked by Pres- 
ident Wilson, and therefore I am _ not 
able to take my customary patriotic 
stand for the President right or wrong 
— especially when he is wrong. But, as 
we have no business to interfere with 
the domestic affairs of the people of 
Hayti. it might be well to recall our 
brave boys before somebody gets hurt. 
— "Town Topics." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 




President Wilson's so-called Mexican 
policy may eliminate Huerta, but it 
cannot be justified by the rules of in- 
ternational law and is an abrupt de- 
parture from the traditional foreign pol- 
icy of the United States. 

Huerta's right to recognition does not 
depend on his character or the charac- 
ter of his government. Whether it is a 
constitutional government or not is be- 
side the question. If it is the de facto 
government of Mexico, it is entitled to 
be recognized. In 1870 Secretary Fish 
wrote General Sickles, then Minister to 
Spain: 

"We have always accepted the gen- 
eral acquiescence of the people in a po- 
litical change of government as conclu- 
sive evidence of the will of the nation. 
When, however, there has not been such 
acquiescence and armed resistance has 
been shown to changes made or attempt- 
ed to be made under the form of law, 
the United States has applied to other 
nations the rule that the organization 
which has possession of the national 
archives and of the traditions of govern- 
ment, and which has been inducted to 
power under the forms of law, must be 
presumed to be the exponent of the de- 
sires of the people until a rival political 
organization shall have established the 
contrary." 

To refuse recognition to Huerta mere- 
ly because of the horror felt by the 
American people at the murder of Ma- 
dero, or because our government be- 
lieves that Huerta's government is not 
cons'.itutional, is to invent a novel for- 
eign policy which may return to plague 
the inventor. 

It is interference in the domestic con- 
cerns of a foreign nation, which is an 
offense against international law. For 
this offense Washington sent the French 
Minister home, Jackson recalled one 
Minister to Mexico and Cleveland sent 
the British Minister his passport. 

A private citizen may freely criticize 
foreign governments. .An officer of the 
government cannot do so witliout of- 
fense. 

The offense is the same, whe'.her com- 
Tnitted by an Ambassador, a Secretary 
of State or a President. .'Americans gen- 
erally think that the Czar ought to gov- 
ern Russia with the aid of legislative 
•douma and that Great Britain ought to 
grant home rule to Ireland, but if an 
American Secretary of State were to 
iirge these reforms upon Russia and 
Great Britain the act would be resented 
and would be derided as a specimen of 
raw American diplomacy. A rule which 
applies to these great European powers 
ought to apply to our nearest Southern 
neighbor, if we wish to win the confi- 
dence of Latin America. 

No one in the United States or in 
Europe can doul)l tlie generous motive 
of President Wilson. His aim is not to 
promote .American interests in Mexico 
but to help the Mexican people to a bet- 
ter government. If they appreciate his 
motive, his policy would not help them. 
As they do not appreciate it, his policy 
does them positive harm. 

What the Mexican people need today 
is a strong government, such as Diaz 
gave 'hem. What they will need here- 
after, and sooner or later will get, is a 



government such as Madero vainly 
hoped to give them. Under Diaz pub- 
lic order was maintained, brigandage put 
down, foreign capital attracted and labor 
and capital made as secure as govern- 
ment could make them. 

But Mexico under Diaz was not a real 
republic, because the people did not gen- 
erally vote. They were prevented not so 
much b}' force as by ignorance and in- 
difference. To advance from such a 
nominal republic to a real republic, as 
we understand the word, they need a 
political education. Their political edu- 
cation cannot precede but must follow 
their industrial development. Their in- 
dustrial development will be quickened 
by contact with American labor and 
capital. It will be retarded by the anti- 
American feeling, due to the position of 
our government, as it is misunderstood 
by the Mexican people. The recogni- 
tion of Huerta as the actual head of the 
Me.xican government does not imply ap- 
proval of his administration any more 
than the recognition of the Czar as the 
sovereign of Russia implies approval of 
the Russification of Finland. 

It is not to be expected that Presi- 
dent Wilson will now reverse the atti- 
tude which he has held for nearly a year 
and send an ambassador to the Huerta 
government. It is much to be desired 
that his refusal to do so shall be placed 
on safe and tenable grovmds. 

It is safer to say that without admit- 
ting or denying, or even discussing the 
title of Huerta to the Presidency, our 
government chooses not to send an am- 
bassador to Mexico, but prefers to leave 
the legation in charge of the secretary, 
in order to emphasize our condemnation 
of the palace revolution of last Feb- 
ruary, and the murder of Madero which 
followed. 

To put our refusal to recognize Huer- 
ta on another ground, as some able and 
powerful journals have done, by saying 
th?t Huerta is not President by force of 
Me.xican law, will be harmful to us in 
two ways: 

In the first place, the assumption by 
the Uniied States of the right to con- 
;;true the constitution of a Latin-Amer- 
ican republic and decide against the title 
of a government which all other Latin- 
.American republics have recognized, will 
cause irritation and perhaps apprehen- 
sions in Argentina, Brazil and Chili, 
whose friendship we ought to cultivate. 

In the second place, it will make it 
harder, with any show of consistency, to 
recognize Huerta's successor after Huer- 
ta is eliminated. If Huerta is President 
and dies, resigns or quits the country, 
then, by force of Mexican law, some 
member of his Cabinet succeeds him. 
But if Huerta is not President he can 
have no Cabinet, and there will be no 
one who has the right to act as Pro- 
visional President and call an election 
of President and Congress. The result 
will be chaos, and a ferocious struggle 
of partisans for loot and power. We 
ought to be in a position where \\'<t can 
prrimptly recognize Huerta's successor, 
and help him to borrow money and buy 
munitions of war. Our offer of support 
may make munitions of war unnecessary. 

This is the short road to peace in 
Mexico. There is only one other road. 
It is intervention, and intervention is 
war, and war is still what General Sher- 
man called it fifty years ago. — George 
E. .'\dams in Chicago "Inter-Ocean." 



NAILING THEM. 

The New York "World" last Sunday 
unearthed a Diaz plot against President 
Huerta. What untruth there was in the 
story may be gathered from the follow- 
ing jumble: 

This plot accounts for the recent activity of 
the secret police in trying to implicate various 
persons prominent in Mexican politics, including 
Gen. Rascon Gamboa, late Minister of Foreign 
Relations; Gen. Gonzales and Jose Requena, can- 
didate for Vice-President last fall on the ticket 
with Diaz. 

Requena was arrested to-day and put under 
the "third degree" by Francisco Chavez, head of 
the secret police, in an effort to elicit from him 
damaging admissions. 

Although Huerta's inquisitors were unable to 
fi.\ the responsibility on him, Gamboa was taken 
to Police Headquarters, and, to demonstrate his 
loyalty to the Government, he was asked to take 
the field. He is on the army retired list, but to 
save himself from a more unpleasant fate Gamboa 
acceded and was given command of one of the 
army divisions. Thus far the Government has 
been unable to get hold of any positive evidence 
against any of the alleged conspirators. 

The Gamboa referred to is not Rascon 
Gamboa, but Federico Gamboa. There 
is a General Rascon. Gamboa is an au- 
thor and diplomat. He is not connected 
with the Mexican Army any more than, 
say, Dr. Lyman Abbott with the U. S. A. 

It is almost a hopeless and endless task 
to "nail" all the lies and misstatements 
in the press. But the above from the 
"Wnrld" is a sample of how history is 
written in our newspapers. Anything 
discrediting, disparaging or belittling 
Mexico and the Mexican Government is 
welcome in the columns of papers like 
the ''World" with or without basis of 
fact. This sort of thing will go on just 
as Ir ng as tlose papers feel that it is 
pleasing to the Administration. Which 
i? a sad commentary on the American 
spirit of fair play. 



Tlie President and the Cabinet may 
not feel the least concern about the dan- 
gerous situation, but the people are very 
deeply concerned. "Why," they ask, 
"are we taking the risk of a war with 
Mexico and with Japan as the ally of 
Mexico?" Solely because of a personal 
prejudice of Mr. Wilson against Huerta, 
a prejtidice that is unfounded, unjust, 
unpolitic and indefensible. The contsi- 
tu:ional function of Congress as the 
only war-m,aking power is usurped. We 
are at war with Mexico now, crippling 
its provisional government in every way 
possible, cutting off its supplies, block- 
ading its ports, camping our army on 
its frontier, and aiding and abetting the 
rapes and rapine of the atrocious ban- 
dits who are eager to loot its capital. 
Congress must speak out, either by a 
vote of censure or by withholding the 
appropriations. This is not an affair of 
diplomacy, to be left to the State De- 
partment — if we had a State Depart- 
ment — but a personal grudge of Mr. Wil- 
son, which he seeks to gratify in de- 
fiance of all the rest of the world. — 
"Town Topics." 



What a farce it is for the Adminis- 
tration to attempt to regulate aft'airs in 
foreign countries when it cannot con- 
trol even Governor Blease of South Car- 
olina, who spouts rebellion continuous- 
ly! 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



A RIFT IN THE LUTE. 

(By Telegraph to "The Tribune.") 

El Paso, Tex., Feb. i.^For political 
purposes only General Pancho Villa is 
claiming allegiance to the cause of Ven- 
ustiano Carranza. In reality, the vic- 
torious rebel leader of Chihuahua is on 
the point of breaking with the Sonora 
leader, according to men who are close 
to Villa. 

Americans who are interested in the 
rebel movement also say that the rebels 
of the North are about to split, and that 
Villa, the only really strong leader 
among them, will carry on his campaign 
independently. The split, however, may 
not come until after the United States 
has lifted the embargo on arms and am- 
munition or has announced definitely that 
it will not be lifted. This is said to have 
been learned by American Secret Ser- 
vice men, who have communicated their 
discovery to the State Department at 
Washington. 

It is said that Villa considers Car- 
ranza a failure as a leader. In none of 
the fighting at Chihuahua has Carranza 
given aid to Villa. Troops which he 
once sent to Chihuahua returned to So- 
nora before they had joined Villa's army, 
and twice the Sonora chief has started 
for Chihuahua to meet Villa and has 
turned back before reaching the state 
border. — New York "Tribune." 



A LETTER TO LIND 

Sent by a Mexico City Resident. 



"I should like to believe that a govern- 
ment stained with blood cannot endure." 

* * * 

Therefore we shall give the rebels and 
bandits more arms and bullets. 

* * * 
That is Presidential logic. 

* * * 

Mistake Number One: The refusal to 
recognize the provisional government of 
Mexico. 

* * * 

Mistake Number Two: An open alli- 
ance with murderers and ravishers like 
Villa. 

All other mistakes spring from these 
two fountain-heads of blunders. 

The terrible consequences of these two 
monumental mistakes will be understood 
with the passing of time. 

United States intervention in Mexico 
is as much an accomplished fact as if 
United States troops had crossed the 
border on their way to Mexico City. 

That will be the inevitable develop- 
ment. Mistake Number Three. 

* * * 

Then War. 

What malefic destiny is guiding the 
Administration into a war with interna- 
tional complications that make almost 
any dire future possible? 



Mexico City, Jan. 14, 1914. 

The politics followed by your Presi- 
dent has done a great deal of harm to 
the American nation in our country. I 
have not found a business man in this 
city who has not told me that the blame 
for everything that is happening to us 
is to be placed on Americans (govern- 
ment and corporations) and that Mexico 
is made the victim of your ambitions. 
This idea is very strongly on the minds 
of all Mexicans, and right or wrong, is 
doing a great deal of harm to you.' 

What the United States government 
is doing is cruel, immoral and of disas- 
trous consequences to us; to do every- 
thing to prevent the government from 
obtaining money with which to pacify 
the country is to leave it in the hands 
of the bandits and the so-called Consti- 
tutionalists who are just as bad. 

I could understand Mr. Wilson's atti- 
tude at the beginning, because I thouglit 
he was not well informed, but to-day 
there is no excuse. I have not the slight- 
est doubt (and nobody here has) that 
the present revolution is being financed 
by American corporations that have 
bought the principal sources of informa- 
tion, and so have created a very strong 
feeling against General Huerta and in 
favor of the "constitutionalists." They 
have intelligently used the ignorance of 
your country about ours, making people 
believe that General Huerta is the most 
hated man in Mexico; that he is forti- 
fied in Chapultepec, and that the rebels 
are people of principles. Here we all 
know that with a population of 80 per 
cent, who can neither read nor write, it 
is the most foolisii idea to speak of eK-c- 
tions and political freedom, and our ex- 
perience shows us that we can have only 
a government that gives protection tn 
all citizens, but that must be harsh 
against all agitators and rebels. So we 
have been shaken by revolutions, but we 
have grasped a dictatorial government 
and have given it our full support, be- 
cause we all know that it is the only 
government best for us. 

I remember having read some time 
ago that Mr. Wilson said that he would 
never deal with a government emanat- 
ing from a revolution, and that that was 
intended to stop the revolutions in Lat- 
in-.\merican countries. Innocent Mr. 
Wilson! Who thinks he can stop the 
evolution of another country. Each 
country has its own way of evolution 
according to its people. Latin America, 
which is made up of young countries, 
has got its changes by revolutions, and 
they will last until its people are ready 
for a better government as Chile and 
tlie Argentine. 



To the careful observer, and those 
who have lived in Mexico for the past 
three years, it is very apparent that the 
revolutions do not triumph in Latin- 
American countries unless they have 
public opinion behind them. 

President Diaz was overthrown by 
public opinion, and when Madero be- 
came President everybody asked each 
other: "How long do you allow him to 
be President?" Some said four mi. 
and a few allowed him as much as a 
year. When I came to Mexico at the 
end of January of last year, some busi- 
ness men refused to make transactions, 
because "they were waiting for the 
downfall of Madero," saying, "They 
would then be able to see more clearly 
how to act." In fact, everybody was 
waiting for the same thing. Then I 
knew that the new government that 
would come would be very strong be- 
cause it would have the strong founda- 
tion, public opinion, and the whole na- 
tion that then hated Madero would turn 
over and support the new government. 
I did not know what government was 
to have that chance, if it would be Fe- 
lix Diaz' or Huerta's — afterward we 
learned that it was Huerta's. So his 
government was powerful even bcfor 
it existed; but with a great surprise for 
all of us, a revolution began in the north 
and that revolution grew more and 
more, much to our sorrow on account 
of the brutalities done by the rebels. 

Every day we, in Monterey, heard of 
persons who had been stolen by the reb- 
els in the name of freedom, and the 
honest merchants in the small towns of 
the Northern States were ruined entir 
ly by groups of a few hundred enter- 
ing the towns, looting them and burning 
the stores afterward. The farmers v;< 
also robbed and the farms burned, and 
the "Adniinistradores" sometimes sub- 
ject people to tortures. .'Ml Mexico was 
shocked with terror, when details of the 
infamies, that in the name of the revo- 
lution were committed ,came to light so 
our surprise had no limit when we 
found that the .\mericans were favoring 
the "Carranzistas." 

How can it be that the people of a 
country so respectful of others' rights, 
who claim to be the most just people in 
the world, approve of this anarchy? My 
surprise grew more when one day I read 
that Mr. Wilson was "watching with at- 
tention the progress made in the last 
weeks by the Carranzistas," and when 1 
read letters exchanged between an 
.American governor and Don Venus- 
tiano Carranza, I asked myself if the 
.American people, with their President, 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



A LETTER TO LIND-Continued 



had lost their heads, and that same ques- 
tion was asked by every one. The ad- 
jectives applied to Mr. Wilson, some- 
times by men of high culture, are not to 
be written here. What was the matter 
on the other side of the Rio Bravo? 

At the beginning of December, I went 
to the United States and I read care- 
fully the American press, and the men 
whom we had always heard called Pan- 
cho Villa and Lucio Blanco, and wlu 
we knew well were nothing but bandits, 
were called General Francisco Villa, etc. 
The Federal forces, who were our pro- 
tection, and who more than once had 
been received in the poor, suffering cit- 
ies of the North with flowers and mu- 
sic, were called "Huerta's men." The 
biggest surprise was felt by Americans 
when I said that public opinion was in 
favor of the government, or General 
Huerta, and when they found I was a 
strong defender of the government, they 
with certain timidity asked me if I was 
one of Huerta's employees. They could 
not understand it otherwise. 

At first I thought this was due to the 
lack of knowledge of our countrj', but 
afterward when I had carefully thought 
this over, I came to the conclusion that 
the same people who have financed Car- 
ranza have bought the information 
sources, giving only news not favorable 
to the government, and that has creat- 
ed an atmosphere entirely hostile to 
General Huerta. Why, the American pa- 
pers are always ready to print the diffi- 
culties of our banks, the stoppage of in- 
terest paj'ments, etc., but do not say 
that everybody condemns the strange 
policy followed by your President, and 
that wherever General Huerta goes he 
is received with cheers by the crowds. 
Mr. Wilson's policy is absurd, cruel 
and strange for Mexico. The reason 
that General Huerta has not fallen long 
ago is that everybody looks on him as 
the only hope for pacifying the coun- 
try, and he has done more than could 
be expected for a man that is so terri- 
bly fought on all sides by your country; 
and I am sure he will not give up until 
there is no more hope. If Carranza 
wins he will not last any longer than 
a new revolution will take to overthrow 
him. Why? Because he has not got 
public opinion and his position would 
be entirely forced. 

To pronounce Carranza's name in 
Mexico City always brings a smile o> 
deprecation from the hearers. Having 
such public opinion, how is Carranza .go- 
ing to do? Unfortunately for Mexico, 
the .American firms who are financing the 
revolution took sides with the wrong 
party; the one universally hated in Mex- 
ico; and the poor of Mexico, the 14,- 
800,000 out of the 15,000,000 that Mexi- 
co has and who care only for peace, arc 
the worst suflfercrs. 

This is the plain truth, such as it is; 
and I believe I am not taking sides in 
saying what I say, that I believe Ameri- 



cans are helping the revolution, because 
it cannot be understood in any other 
way. Where do they get the hundreds 
of thousands of pesos a week, undoubt- 
edly needed for keeping their forces? 
No doubt they help themselves by con- 
fiscating property of some, because they 
are "Huerta's supporters," and of others 
because they are not. But that is not 
enough to keep the revolution going. 
I know well that you are a man, not 
only intelligent, but honest, and I hope 
that now you will explain to the Pre; 
dent the true situation of the country. I 
firmly believe that Mr. Wilson has been 
a victim, as well as the rest of the Amer- 
ican people, of the dirty conduct of 
some interests, and I earnestly hope that 
his eyes will be unblinded and that a 
big and wide satisfaction will be given 
to the Mexican nation which has lie 
the victim of American speculators. If 
this happens so, we who love the United 
States with its- great virtues will feel 
happy, and our people who do not know 
your country so well will get the id 
of blaming the Americans in general 
out of their heads, for we know t' : 
onlv a few are to be blamed. 



THE LOOTING OF DURANGO BY 

BRYAN'S FRIENDS OF THE 

CONSTITUTION. 

At 10 o'clock one beautiful morning 
Durango, a city of 50,000 population, sit- 
uated in a valley at the foot of Iron 
Mountain, in the heart of Mexico, pre- 
sented a fairly prosperous appearance. 
At 11 o'clock that summer night the busi- 
ness section of the city had been laid 
waste with fire and dynamite, houses and 
stores had been looted and the property 
loss amounted to 14,000,000 pesos, or $7,- 
000,000 in American mone}'. In addition 
to this .$1,500,000 in cash and forced 
loans had been taken and the streets 
were full of refugees. 

The Mexican rebels or Constitutional- 
ists, did all this with 6,000 men in less 
tlian twelve hours. Not satisfied with 
simply looting, they destroyed nearly all 
of the better business blocks in the com- 
mercial district by means of dynamite. 

The rebels had begun to enter Du- 
rango just before midnight. Detachment 
after detachment had marched to the 
city by several routes and gathered at 
railroad stations. About 10.30 a. m. they 
began action. There was some armed re- 
sistance and during the day there were 
brief periods of sharp fighting and a rap- 
id exchange of shots. After it was all 
over some 150 men had Ijeen killed and 
as many more wounded. For the most 
part the citizens beat a hasty retreat to 
the outskirts of the city. Storekeepers 
who attempted to stand guard over their 
property were forced to leave the prem- 
ises and it was not long before the rebels 
were in sole possession of most of the 
city. 

Various detachments were ordered into 
the stores under able leaders in order to 
loot them. There were no expert safe 
crackers among these men, but whenever 
they found a safe they put enough dyna- 
mite under it to shatter it and, inci- 
dentally, a good share of the building. 
Further than this they destroyed many 
costly 1)uildin.gs apparently solely 
through revenge because they had met 
with armed resistance, even though it 
was slight. 



Many of the Alexican business blocks, 
especially in the older part of Durango, 
are noted for their portales, which con- 
sist of extensions of the second story 
over the sidewalk, and arcades of fine 
masonry. Wherever these were found 
the rebels seemed to. take delight in ex- 
ploding a few sticks of dynamite at in- 
tervals along the supporting columns of 
the arcade and watching the overhead 
structure fall into the street, much as a 
boy would knock the underpinning from 
his castle of blocks and laugh in glee to 
see it topple over. It was not necessary 
to destroy these beautiful portales, as 
the overhead stories were first looted 
and any property left in them would 
have been pretty much destroyed in the 
crash. 

While the rebels looted Durango be- 
cause they needed funds, provisions and 
other necessaries to carry on their cam- 
paign, there seemed to be no necessity 
for doing as much damage as they did. 
For example, in the case of Durango's 
most famous cafe — whatever good silver 
was in it was taken away, together with 
table linen for bandages, stores of canned 
food and other property, and then the 
rebels deliberately dynamited the place 
until only the outer shell remained. This 
was the celebrated "Cafe la Union." The 
rebels did exactly the same with other 
buildings. 

One clothing house, the "La Francia 
Maritima," over which the French flag 
was flying, was looted of its entire stock 
and everything else of value. The 
clothes were given out to the most rag- 
ged of the rebels, and then the building 
itself was dynamited until only the four 
outer walls remained. 

Iron Mountain, in the outskirts of Du- 
rango, is just what its name indicates, 
a great mountain of iron ore. More than 
three thousand men were employed 
there, but when the rebels got through 
with their visit in Durango all opera- 
tions were tied up because they had put 
the railroads out of commission. Several 
squads of rebels marched to the station 
and the freight yards, where they pro- 
ceeded to burn all the cars in sight; hun- 
dreds of them, mostly freight cars. The 
steel cars were taken by the rebels to 
use as traveling forts, but the wooden 
cars were burned on the tracks. Alto- 
gether in Durango and its vicinitj' $500,- 
000 worth of rollirig stock was destroyed. 

The rebels got manj^ recruits, for since 
they had destroyed the railroad and put 
a stop to mining operations many of the 
miners had to join the army or starve. 

Durango's fate was the fate of many 
other ci.ies and towns throughout that 
portion of Mexico over which the rebels 
advanced. 

"On many occasions." declared a New 
York man, who has owned and operated 
a silver mine not far from Durango for 
ten years, "rebel leaders have come to 
me and to other .Americans either in 
mining or other business in that vicinity 
and demanded loans. There was nothing 
else to do except fork over. While re- 
fusal might not have meant death on the 
spot, any one stubborn enough to dis- 
regard this command was pretty certain 
to meet with serious so-called accidents 
a little later that might even result fatal- 
ly. Of course these levies are always de- 
clared to be loans and we were given re- 
ceipts or so-called notes for same, which 
were never worth the price of the ink 
used in the signature." 

Even if peace were declared in Mex- 
ico to-day, it would take several years 
and probably longer for Durango to re- 
gain her former prosperitj-. They do not 
rebuild in Mexico with the energy and 
rapidity of the United States. The same 
thing is true of the other cities laid 
waste bv the rebels. — New York "Sun." 



Saturday Fcbruarx 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles 



COLONEL HARVEY HAS HIS 
DOUBTS. 

We said the I'residciU's policy had 
failed. What was that policy? It was 
set forth clearly in the conditions pre- 
scribed by Mr. Wilson and made known 
to Huerta by Mr. John Lind. to wit: (a) 
to cease fighting; (b) to give security 
for an early and free election; (c) Huerta 
to bind himself not to be a candidate; 
and (d) all parties to agree to abide by 
the result. This virtual ultimatum was 
delivered in August. * * * 

No doubt the President gave the sub- 
ject his best thought and study, as he 
>hould have done, but the outcome re- 
lains the same. The fact is, as we point- 
e< out and as Dr. Theodore S. Woolsey, 
P»>fessor EmeHtus of International Law 
in Yale University, states more bluntly, 
tlie Administration "started wrong" and 
has elt obliged to persist in the course. 
"So Ir as the American public has been 
inforned," Dr. Woolsey continues, "this 
is the sum and substance of Wilson's 
policy— lever to recognize Huerta nor 
his Confess— and for the reason that 
Huerta i so bad a man. Meanwhile, 
the Admiistration, upheld by its good 
intentions.optimistic that Huerta. under 
the weigh\ of disapproval, will climb 
down fromhis high horse, is exposing 
itseit to the^erision of an uncharitable 
world * * *. Our policy should be to 
strengthen so,ebody in Mexico, not to 
weaken every>,dy; to build up, not to 
pull down. Ir.refusing ever to recog- 
nize Huerta, th>Administration has vio- 
lated our usage ^d the dictates of com- 
mon sense. Is t honest enough and 
strong enough t correct its blunder? 
There is an obstir^y ^f strength; there 
IS also an obstinac „{ weakness." 

These are the vig^ous words from our 
highest authoritj'. * * 

This fetches us to ^^ question now on 
everi'bodys lips! A„, Huerta. whrt? 
Or should we say, w.. Because such 
a thing as free goverij^nt ^y the ex- 
pressed will and consen.f jhe people of 
Mexico to-day is simpi inconceivable. 
Nobody understands this„„^,r than Mr. 
Wilson himself. Nobody,^^ expressed 
the fact more truly or mo.^.^^^j, ^,,^^ 
he did when he wrote son y^g^s ago- 

"Self-government is not ^j^j^ ^^j 
can be 'given' to any peopUbgcause it 
IS a form of character and iiOj form of 
constitution. No people can ^ viven' 
the self-control of maturity. Onlv 
long apprenticeship of obedienc- 
cure them the precious possessio. 

This is what the Mexican peoi_ ,„„,j 
have — "a long apprenticeship o'Kpdi- 
ence" to law and order. .\nd son. 
backed up by the United States, ' 
enforce that obedience for a peric r 
years. The President thinks that Uij 
fish leaders may spring up out of „ 
ground — men who "prefer the liberty'- 
their people to their own ambitions 
Maybe so, but we doubt it. * * * — Co 
George Harvey, in "North .'\merican Re 
view." 



THE MEXICAN PROGRESSIVE. 

.-Vccording to recent news ittms, Fran- 
cisco Villa, born criminal and one-time 
highway robber of the Mexican State of 
Zacatecas, is now preparing to "estab- 
lish a bank" in some place in the United 
States. 

This professional bandit has pros- 
pered considerably since he has lent 
his valuable services to Mr. Bryan's 
State Department in the capacity of 
defender of the Mexican Constitution 
in Chihuahua. His recent feats of arms 
and his efficacious disposal of prisoners 
have brought him political and social 
recognition on this side of the border, 
and he was even banqueted by .•\meri- 
can admirers in El Paso, Texas, and 
as a consequence his ideals have been 
extended. In former times he was quite 
satisfied with simple brigandage; now 
he aspires to be a bandit in the coun- 
try and be acclaimed as a "liberator" in 
the towns and to enjoy the opportunity 
to choose his personal victims from a 
higher society. 

In the files of the highest court of 
the State of Zacatecas it is recorded 
that on one occasion Pancho Villa dis- 
guised himself with a bridal veil in or- 
der to rob and murder a rich Spanish 
merchant, and as this trick succeeded so 
well he repeated it quite often. Even 
today we find him hiding under the 
bridal veil of "constitutionalists" and 
eagerly sought by the ardent suitors of 
the Democratic Administration in Wash- 
ington. To their eyes he is no longer 
the_ savage bandit, but a firm friend of 
a "constitution:" in fact, one of those 
grand leaders "who put the liberty of 
their fellow-citizens above their personal 
ambitions." described in a recent Presi- 
dential utterance. 

Pancho Villa, imbued with the preva- 
lent spirit of idealism now so general, 
has become a "forward-looking" bandit 
who wants to make his chosen profes- 
sion efficient, so he decides to enlarge 
his field and become a banker. Soon we 
may see installed in some .American city 
— say New Orleans or San Antonio, 
Texas— -new. spacious and well-appoint- 
ed offices bearing the simple legend 
"Frank Villa, banker." where this most 
estimable gentleman will lend his plun- 
dered hoard to a moral public. .\nd per- 
haps when he can spare the time he may 
make a little trip to Washington in or- 
der to shake hands with the uplifters 
there, who. like himself, have discovered 
the financial possibilities of democracy 
and the Constitution. 

Perhaps later on in recognition of 
his valuable services he might secure 
a booking on the premier Chautauqua 
circuit. Democracy is a great thing, 
Mr. Villa.— C. U. Mesta in the Baltimore 
"Evening Sun." 



ANOTHER SCHOLAR. 



Gen. Francisco Villa has seen a new 
light. For the first time in his career 
he has put his faith in a book. Hitherto 
he has despised persons who have played 
the war game according to book rules, 
^-.ike.many golfers and billiard players, 
,,^^^^^^^^^^^,^^^_^^^^^^_ e has insisted that his game can be 

irned only in actual practice; a book 
SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO l"*" ^^^ seemed as contemptible to 

as a correspondence school warrior. 



But Fate, witli ilic assistance of some 
of the United States soldiers at Presidio, 
has placed in his hands a copy of "The 
Ethics of International Warfare," and 
it has aroused civilized sentiments in his 
hitherto savage breast. Hereafter, Gen. 
Villa promises, he will not have captured 
officers shot down unless some excuse 
can be found for the shooting. In his 
new mood Villa bursts into poetry of the 
Walt Whitman brand: 

"My alphabet has been the sight and 
trigger of my rifle, 
My books have been the movements 
of the enemy." 
He declares, moreover, that he will never 
be President of Mexico, thus indicating 
that his ambition is less aspiring than 
that of his friend and fellow-revolution- 
ist, Emiliano Zapata, who proposes to 
make himself President and drive all the 
foreigners out of Mexico, tear up the 
railroad tracks, and turn back the hands 
of the clock to the era of bridle paths 
and pack mules. 

Villa, however, is rather more in the 
public eye than Zapata, who seems to have 
no sort of constructive ability. Villa's ad- 
vance guard is now as far south as Esca- 
lon, which is very near the southern 
boundary of Chihuahua and too near 
Torreon for the comfort of the much- 
afflicted inhabitants of that once thriv- 
ing manufacturing center. But another 
battle is not imminent, and Villa's unex- 
pected confidences touching his change 
of heart indicate a desire to correct the 
evil impression of his character which 
has gone abroad rather than an intention 
to reopen hostilities at an early date. — 
Kew York "Times." 



THE VILLA AND ZAPATA PUBLIC- 
ITY BUREAUS. 

(jeneral Francisco ("Pancho") Villa, 
the victor of Juarez and Chihuahua, is 
surprising his critics by wearing a new 
oH.e green suit and giving out inter- 
views in good English and sonorous 
Spanish. He has acquired a tailor and a 
pres: agent, as befits his fame and dig- 
nity. There is nothing astonishing in 
the transloi mation. Even Emiliano Za- 
pata, who had a worse reputation than 
the outlawed Villa and looks it, employs 
a literary bureau, and one is conducted 
in his interests. 

\t Dai'as, Tex., any one may buy 
(price five cents) the "Emiliano Zapata," 
described as "the Paladin de la Revolu- 
cion Agraria Mexicana," and published 
in Spanish and English three times a 
week, Jesus Mora Aguirre "responsible 
editor." Five thousand copies are print- 
ed for distribution "all over America and 
Europe." The object of this personal 
organ is to sound the death knell of feu- 
dalism in Mexico and restore the great 
estates to the people. It is aggressively, 
incoherently radical, but contains no 
signed articles by the chief of the agra- 
rian revolution. If he is responsible for 
its fulminations General Carranza may 
aI)andon hope of ever placating him, for 
the "Emiliano Zapata," which has no 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



kind words for the ill starred Madero, 
associating him with Huerta as a tool of 
the rich, declares that they "support and 
personally aid Carranza, of whom they 
expect another iro;n hand which will per- 
mit them to continue exploiting the 
poor." 

General Villa's loyalty to the leader of 
the revolution in the north has been un- 
der suspicion since the occupation of 
Chihuahua by the insurgents. Villa as- 
sumed so many purely civilian functions 
and Carranza has been so mute and in- 
conspicuous that want of harmony be- 
tween them seemed to be a warrantable 
conclusion. But at last General Villa 
has spoken. He says that he knows his 
limitations, and as a fighting man, not 
a diplomatist, he has "no aims or am- 
bitions to become the ruler of Mexico"; 
accordingly he swears allegiance to the 
constitutional cause "and to General Car- 
ranza as its recognized head." 

This is reassuring in that it sounds 
well, and it is to be said in the ex-out- 
law's favor that he was faithful to Ma- 
dero in days when obscurity and pov- 
erty were Villa's portion. He is now 
hailed as the strategist of the revolution 
and has displayed unsuspected executive 
talents. Whatever may be said of his 
past, Francisco Villa is something more 
than the brute force his enemies would 
have the world believe he is. Crude, un- 
couth and illiterate, he has won the op- 
portunity to set up for himself as a lead- 
er brooking no rival. If he resists the 
temptation he will be a remarkable Mex- 
ican; in fact, quite a historic character, 
assuming the success of the Constitu- 
tional cause. — New York "Sun." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

What is the use of shutting your eyes to 
such official facts? I know, of course, 
that one unarmed American soldier can 
whip a thousand Mexicans armed to the 
teeth, but this is in dime novels and 
moving pictures. Perhaps all the Mexi- 
can people would rally to Huerta's 
standard if he oflfered to lead them to 
Washington; perhaps, and probably, the 
Villas would prefer rapine and rape at 
home. But such an uprising would not 
be necessary, and neither would a seri- 
ous attempt to capture Washington. The 
mere declaration of war would suffice to 
bring all Europe, South America and 
Japan into the quarrel. Thanks to the 
Bryan diplomacy, we have not a single 
friend, except Russia. At first there 
would be a pretense of neutrality, but 
when the commercial and industrial in- 
terests of Europe were disturbed and 
the temptation to cripple this arrogant 
Republic was presented, could we face 
the whole world with "neither guns nor 
ammunition"? Let Congressmen con- 
sider the situation and act promptly. 
This — or intervention! — "Town Topics." 



MICAWBER. 



The Wilson-Micawber policy of watch- 
ing and waiting * * * has been endured 
long enough. Congress should end it by 
substituting a man's policy, an American 
policy, that will give Mexico a chance to 
restore peace and order. This may be 
done by a joint resolution recognizing 
the Provisional Presidency of Huerta 
and calling for all the papers relating to 
the arbitrary attempt to force the Mex- 
ican people to submit to the bandits. 

President Huerta has up his sleeve a 
card that will trump the Wilson waiting 
and watching trick. Last week I fore- 
shadowed the dangers that would arise 
from our armed intervention. But sup- 
pose that Huerta, tired of being grossly 
insulted and of the aid and encourage- 
ment openly given to the insurrectos, 
should refuse to await our intervention 
and boldly declare war against the 
United States, with the slogan, "On to 
Washington"? Absurd, you say? The 
Secretary of War and the Chief of Staff, 
whose duty is to keep fully informed 
upon military matters, do not agree with 
you. They tell you frankly, as they have 
told the House Military Committee, that 
"If you sent our troops into war as they 
are now, without guns or ammunition, it 
would be absolute slaughter. If called 
to fight suddenly we should have a very 
small allowance of ammunition, even for 
the guns in the hands of the troops, and 
we should have neither guns nor am- 
munition enough for our field artillery." 



of these companies put together. If it 
didn't own one side or the other, th» 
Standard would surely be in that fight. 

Naturally, Standard Oil covers it* 
tracks, but I venture to suggest that 
when American oil interests get what 
they want in Mexico the supply of am- 
munition to the Constitutionalist bandits- 
will be cut off and the so-called revolu- 
tion will die out. 

The United States can stop the fur- 
nishing of ammunition to the bandits any 
day the administration wants to. — Major 
Cassius E. Gillette, U. S.A., in the Phil- 
adelphia "Evening Bulletin." 



UNDER OATH. 

Testifying under oath on September 9, 
1912, Lawrence F. Converse, an officer 
in Madero's party, and one of his clos- 
est friends, said: 

"Mr. Madero stated to me several 
times, as also did his other trusted offi- 
cers, that Standard Oil Company was 
back of them. He told me that several 
times for a positive fact. 

"Mr. Madero told me. as did his pro- 
visional Secretary of State, Braulio Her- 
nandez, that the Standard Oil Company 
interests had bought bonds of the pro- 
visional Government of Mexico (Made- 
ro's bonds to finance the revolution). 

"They (the Standard Oil people) were 
to have a high rate of interest, and there 
was a tentative agreement as to an oil 
concession in the Southern States of 
Mexico. 

"The three men, Abraham Gonzales 
(Madero's Governor of Chihuahua), Her- 
nandez and Madero himself said that 
Standard Oil would back them to the last 
ditch. I remember that expression for 
the reason that these gentlemen spoke 
broken English and they delighted in us- 
ing such foreign expressions as tha.t." 

The above evidence is available in the 
State Department, and I believe is on file 
there, so I am unable to understand why 
they give out that they have no such 
evidence. 

It was taken before the Senate Com- 
mittee on Foreign Relations. There is 
much other corroborative evidence to the 
same effect. S. G. Hopkins, as Washing- 
ton attorney, who from October, 1910, 
down to date has been legal adviser to 
the Maderos and their successors, the 
present so-called constitutional leaders, 
and who during at least a part of that 
time was counsel to H. Clay Pierce, pres- 
ident of the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, 
testified before the same committee that 
the Standard Oil Company owned a con- 
trolling interest in tlie Waters-Pierce 
Company when the Madero revolution 
broke out and that Pierce was fighting 
Lord Cowdray, who had oil concessions 
unfavorable to the Standard Oil. 

There is an empire of oil in Mexico. 
For several years I have seen a very bit- 
ter fight over the sale of kerosene i" 
Mexico between the Pierce Company ar 
the English company of Lord Cowdr 
They alone are doing the fighting, 
the Standard Oil, through the DoJ'-i 
Company, owns more oil land '^nd^.. 
larger investment in Mexico thar' 



SAYS U. S. FOMENTS REVOLT. 

(Special Cable Despatch to the New 
York "Sun.") 

Paris, Feb. 1. — The writer of the week- 
ly financial article in "Le Temps" is very 
much irritated against the United State- 
this week. He says only one definie 
thing stands out from the Mexican im- 
broglio, and that is the equivocal rolfof 
[he United States, or rather of Presi-ent 
Wilson. Europe, the writer says, ifsur- 
prised thrit this high, upright magii^rate, 
who is so severe on the great truts, al- 
lows himself to be dominated >y the 
Standard Oil Company. 

The article continues: "Graced that 
the Monroe Doctrine prevents -uropean 
intervention, where does it au-iorize the 
United States to foment reolution in 
South and Central Americr which the 
United States pretends toprotect, and 
that, too, for individual -aterial inter- 
eits?" 



THE MEXICAN -'RAGEDY. 

For the last three -ars I have been 
an observer at first and of that inost 
appalling of modern agedies— the Mex- 
ican situation. DurS these years it has 
been my lot to se and hear thmgs so 
horrible in charact that as I thmk back 
upon them it does'Ot seem possible that 
they could have IPPened in this enlight- 
ened age and so 'ose to our very doors 
without arousin a protest nalion-wide in 
scope and of "=" fo""" .'"at it would 
have demande^°™e definite action upon 
the part of oi government. 

It has be' repeatedly said that the 
averao-e Me-''" ^^^ "o appreciation nor 
qualifi°catio, foi" *« right of suffrage. 
Elections '" ^^ ^e have in this coun- 
j.j.y j^Q^. .tt our elections are conduct- 
ed on an*'^''y ''''?''' P'ane — are unknown 
inMexi'- Anything approaching a pop- 
ular ex~.^^'°" °^ ''''^ people at the polls 
is imr^''^'^' "^''^ election of Madero 
was pST'^^t ^ fiasco as that of Huerta. 
-p].jg exican does not vote; he is voted, 
-ppij.pathy toward politics is largely due 
^^ teracy; only about 10 per cent, of 
j].|,.Iexicans can read and write. 

great many people in the United 
ctes have conceived the idea that there 
'a great issue of principle existing be- 
vfeen the Carranzistas (Constitutional- 
its) and the Federalists, An analogy 
nas been drawn between Mexico and our 
own country. No one appreciates the 
value of this misconception better than 
the few shrewd individuals who are 
financing the Carranzista cause and the 
Carranzista representatives in Washing- 
ton. Nor am I prepared to say that all 

(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



•of the followers of Carranza are hypo- 
crites. It does seem that I have met 
some who were genuinely sincere in their 
ambition to better the conditions in Mex- 
ico. They were high class, cultured men 
■who were staking their all in this strug- 
gle. On the other hand, the best men 
tkH I know in Mexico are all Federal- 
ists. Men upon whom Mexico depends 
for its prosperity and existence as a 
sorereign state are Federalists. And I 
«•( sure that no one appreciates this more 
iJian Mr. John Lind. At least 90 per 
cent, of the educated and intelligent Mex- 
icans, and more than that percentage of 
tie better foreign population, if not fully 
ia «ccord and sympathy with the manner 
in which Huerta came into power, at 
le«st recognized him as the man of the 
hour and the one most capable of bring- 
ias order out of the chaos which exist- 
ed. And all are strong in the belief that 
had he been recognized conditions would 
he normal and prosperous in Mexico to- 
J.y. 

I want to explain why Carranza has a 
following. Any man with the necessary 
■teans can start a revolution in Mexico. 
Tliat Carranza is being financed from 
the outside is beyond a question of a 
doubt. In Mexico they say that the 
Standard Oil supplies him with the mon- 
ey. But as the Standard Oil is accused 
of everything this indictment stands for 
little. The fact remains that Carranza 
is getting all the money he needs, and 
from the United States. Carranza is a 
patriot to the extent that he wants to be 
President of Mexico. If Huerta is not 
accep'.able to Mr. Bryan and Mr. Wilson, 
surely Carranza and Villa should be less 
so. One is just as good and no better 
than the other. If Carranza should suc- 
ceed it will mean another revolution at 
once. If Carranza succeeds thousands of 
the best and most cultured Mexicans will 
become exiles. 

Where will it all end? Even now Car- 
ranza is losing prestige among the rene- 
gade Mexicans which composed his fol- 
lowing, and Villa, the outlaw, the bandit, 
is gaining the ascendancy. 

Surely the United States will not rec- 
ognize Villa in preference to Huerta. 
After committing itself to the colossal 
error of non-recognition of Huerta, of 
doing everything in its power to weaken 
and handicap him to the extent of jug- 
gling and interpreting international law 
as best suited its purpose, the adminis- 
tration now finds itself confronted with 
greater difficulties than ever before. It 
has made of Mexico a permanent and bit- 
ter enemy. Intervention in one form or 
another is nearer to-day than ever be- 
fore. .\nd let no man make the mistake 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

IQir MUNSEY BUILDING iqio 
1310 WASHINGTON, D. C. ' ^ '" 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



in thinking when intervention comes, as 
it must come, that the Mexicans will not 
fight. As to their fighting qualities, be 
not deceived, either, in the thought that 
one American can whip ten Mexicans. 
They are the most indifferent people to 
death and danger on this continent. 

After having said all of this, have I a 
remedy to offer? Yes; here it is. While 
it is late, it is not too late to remedy the 
error. Acknowledge the mistake. Even 
Mr. Bryan and Mr. Wilson should not 
profess to be infallible. Recognize 
Huerta! Then what? Just this: Declare 
martial law in a zone ten miles wide 
along the Mexican boundary and tell our 
soldiers to stop the smuggling, and it 
will stop. This done, the Carranzista 
cause or any revolution will not endure 
a week, Peace will come to Mexico and 
conditions will become normal. 

J. D. B. 

Laredo, Tex., Jan. 14, 1914. 



Instead of deploring the pertinacity of the prei*, 
the President should applaud the papers for try- 
ing to get the Secretary of State to attend t» 
business. — New York "American." 



VILLA, MEXICO'S CAESAR. 

Villa, in the latest interview had with him, 
makes humble confession that he is without ambi- 
tion to rule the destinies of Mexico. He prefers to 
spotlight as the unaffected patriot, fighting for 
his country and with a single-eyed devotion to 
Carranza. With the dictatorship linked with his 
name as possible successor to the federal Huerta, 
he renounces any such prospects in advance and 
prefers to be the unambitious Caesar of his land, 
with the difference that what Villa renounces is 
not a crown and is something he probably never 
would have a chance actually to discard. 

Habilitated in his first custom-made uniform and 
seeking habilitation in the good esteem of this 
country, he wonders why he should have the repu- 
tation that has been given him in the United 
States. He states that in case of taking Torreon 
and Mexico City there would only be a court- 
martialing of the heads of the government and of 
the army. How many heads this would make in 
the total is another question. — Baltimore "Ameri- 



THE PRESS AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS. 

If we understand President Wilson's latest ob- 
jection to criticism, it is that newspaper com- 
ments rn our foreign policy often gfive foreign na- 
tions incorrect and hurtful impressions, which it 
is difficult for our diplomats to explain away. 

It m;i;' be noted that the Wilson selection of 
diplomats also often gives foreign nations incor- 
rect and hurtful impressions which it is most diffi- 
cult for our patriotic press to explain away. But 
perhaps this is one of those comments which the 
President so deprecates. 

Of course, the President is fundamentally wrong 
in this matter. Public interest in his foreign 
policy is the more keen because of the general 
public conviction that the State Department port- 
folio is the weakest point in his Cabinet. If any 
one thing had been settled by the State Depart- 
ment since the incoming of this Administration 
there would be less newspaper scrutiny of its pres- 
ent work. But the gradual accumulation there of 
unfinished business has given it an unusual news 
importance. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: This is too much. It is preM- 
agenting run wild. They have trotted out that 
unspeakable Villa in an olive-tinted khaki uni- 
form and pictured him reading a little book, pro- 
cured from United States Army officers, called 
"The Ethics of International Warfare I" Where- 
upon Villa is made to announce that hereafter 
civilized warfare would be "adopted by the 
rebels!" Of course the book idea was intended 
to impress our scholarly President, although we 
are not told who the author of the quaint volume 
is, or that Villa cannot read a word in Spanish* 
let alone English. In publishing such truck do 
the newspapers really do it for the fun of the 
thing or do they believe the people are consum- 
mate fools? 

Yours very truly, 
New York, N. Y., Jan. 31, 1914. F. G. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, February 7, 1914 



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THE REAL SUFFERERS. 

Dr. Frank Crane writes in the New 
York "Globe": 

It would help a great deal toward clear think- 
ing if we would remember that there is a differ- 
ence between a nation and the people who com- 
pose a nation. 

A nation is an artificial affair. It is a device. 
It corresponds to a business company or a social 
club. It has no rights other than those drawn 
from its population. 

In Mexico one captain or another does not 
interest us. But we cannot stand and ought not 
to endure that outrage, barbarous cruelty, rapine, 
murder, and pillage take place in a country at 
our doorstep. It is the people who are getting the 
worst of it. 

Whili; we should not rush into war at the first 
call of indignation, while it is right to give a 
neighbor nation full time and opportunity to at- 
tend to its own troubles, the sentiment is rapidly 
crystallizing in the United States that by and by, 
if the chaos of inhumanity continues, we will 
owe it to the people of Me.xico to interfere suffi- 
ciently to insure to them some government that 
will mean law and order, justice, and the condi- 
tions of civilization. , 

It is the people of Me.xico who are 
getting the worst of it, and that is the 
tragedy which is constantly lost sight of 
in the Mexican situation. 

There is a government in Mexico, 
which whatever else may be said about 
it, really stands for law and order and 
the protection of life and property. 

Instead of giving that government tht 
moral support of the United States, the 
Washington Administration has done all 
in its power outside of actual warfare 
to overthrow that government. 

Because of a theoretical conception of 
what government in Mexico should be. 

Which hostile attitude has given pow- 
er to the forces of "outrage, barbarous 
cruelty, rapine, murder and pillage," to 
down which Dr. Crane naively suggests 
more strenuous United States inter- 
ence. 

He says further: "It is sometimes nec- 
essary to wrong a nation technically in 
order to help a people actually." 



But we are wronging a people actucd- 
ly in order to help a nation technically. 

Surely Dr. Crane can see this. Surely 
any fair-minded observer cannot help 
seeing that this is the actual situation as 
regards Me.xico, however it may be 
clouded with technical issues. 

It is the PEOPLE of Mexico who are 
getting the worst of it. 



SECRECY AND INTRIGUE. 

The New York "World" is an abject 
supporter of anything and everything 
Wilsonian. But even the "World" re- 
sented editorially the Administration's 
suggestion that the press should not dis- 
cuss speculatively the foreign policies of 
the Government. This is what the 
"World" had to say on the matter of 
press-muzzling: 

When the President expresses the hope that 
American newspapers will not speculate about for- 
eign relations, does he mean that they are to ex- 
press no opinions about foreign policies of the 
Government, or that they are to suppress all news 
that has- a bearing upon such policies? 

Musi Ihey refrain from publishing the fact that 
California Congressmen are demanding the exclu- 
sion of Japanese labor? Or that Hobson on the 
floor of the House of Representatives predicts a 
war with Japan within a year? Or that naval 
officers are clamoring for four new battleships? 
Or that Congress has violated the Hay-Pauncefote 
treaty *o subsidize the coastwise shipping mon- 
opoly? Or that Colombia's claims against the 
United States for the forcible seizure of the Canal 
Zone are still unsatisfied? Or that there is no 
longer a commercial treaty with Russia? Or that 
the United States Senate long refused to ratify 
the arbitration treaties? 

Foreign policies are no more sacred than do- 
mestic policies. In the long run tliey are much 
less important, and we do not quite see how 
discussion is to be prevented. Indeed, such dis- 
cussion is highly necessary, except in Russia, 
where the people are supposed to have no concern 
whatever with the doings of their Government. 

It is undoubtedly true that newspaper discussion 
of foreign policies is sometimes embarrassing, par- 
ticularly when it is based on false information: 
yet the injury done to international relations by 
such discussion is small in comparison with the 
injury done by vain, meddlesome and ambitious 
diplomacy. Most international misunderstandings 
arc brojght about by blundering diplomatists. 
Most wars are brought about by diplomatic and 
political intrigue. As a historian the President is 
doubtless well aware of this fact. 

If the President is well aware of the 
fact, then the "vain, meddlesome and 
ambitious diplomacy" which has mud- 
dled our relations with Mexico and en- 
couraged conditions that may lead to 
war, is inexplicable. 

Continuing, the "World" has the au- 
dacity to make the following statement: 

The President in his Mexican policy has had an 
illuminating example of the value of openness and 
frankness in dealing with foreign relations. He 
took the country into his confidence, and as a re- 
sult practically every newspaper of importance in 
the United States is holding up his hands. If he 
will take the country into his confidence in respect 
to his other foreign policies, he can reasonably 
expect a.i equal measure of support. 

Openness and frankness in the Mexi- 
can policy! Great Scott! The President 
himself would not claim that he has 
been open and frank about anything save 
his opposition to President Huerta, 
which personal opposition has accom- 



plished nothing of good for either Mex- 
ico or the United States and much of 
harm for both countries. The "World" 
concludes: 

Of all the myths of government the most ridicu- 
lous mvlh is that of diplomacy — the notion that 
international relations must be conducted in hide- 
and-seek behind closed doors test each side might 
miss an opportunity to cheat the other. There is 
nothing in it. The more nations know about the 
purposes of one another — provided their purposes 
are honest — the less room there is for suspicion 
and misunderstanding, which are ever twin causes 
of strife Let the President remember that pub- 
licity, not secrecy, is the great friend of peace, and 
that in a free country the people have always a 
right to know about the international agreements 
to whica their Government seeks to commit them. 

Very, very true. Let us have more 
publicity as to the Administration's pur- 
poses as regards Mexico. Let us brush 
away the atmosphere of secrecy and in- 
trigue. 



THE NEW FREEDOM. 
Why the Bandit Villa is Elated. 
As long as your shibboleth is "consti- 
tutional liberty" you may murder, loot 
and rape to your heart's content. 
But don't forget the shibboleth. 

No longer is it hands across the sea. 
It's arms across the border. 

* * * .V -^ 
The mask has been taken oflf, anyhow, 

and the moralists are shown in their 
true colors. 

Allies of Villa or Zapata or anybody 
who will help them to "get Huerta. " 

"Get Huerta" — that's all it means in 
the final analysis. 

* « * 

Isn't that a beautiful, ennobling spirit 
in which to handle a most delicate in- 
ternational problem? 

* * * 

They talk of the Constitution, but their 
acts are Prostitution. 

The best proof of the Administration's 
awful Mexican blunder would come if 
Carranza and Villa should ever reach 
Mexico City. 

The present state of Mexico would be 
heaven in comparison with what it would 
be then. 

And another revolution would be only 
a matter of months. 

All thinking Mexicans know this. 

* * * 

Which is why they see in the policy 
of the United States a deliberate attempt 
to destroy their country. 

* * * 

And why they will support Huerta 
against anarchy on the one hand and 
United States spoliation on the other. 



■1^^ 



y 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. I— No. 26 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Chmbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 

NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



The Destroyers 



The civilized world is still watchfully 
waiting for the slightest indication that 
the Administration has any constructive 
Mexican policy. So far the Washington 
policy as disclosed has been one of ne- 
gation and destruction. It has sought to 
tear down rather than to build up. Per- 
haps the policy has been based on a sin- 
cere belief that the destruction of Mexi- 
can nationality by United States inter- 
ference from without and fostered rebel- 
lion from within will in the end some- 
how be a good thing for Mexico. There 
really are nunds that can view human 
woe and national suffering in so cold and 
impersonal a manner. 

But Mexico and the rest of the world 
vitally concerned in Mexican conditions 
cannot be expected to acquiesce supine- 
ly in the personal belief or theory of any 
one man, no matter how powerful. And 
the people of the United States, as they 
realize the situation, cannot be expected 
to follow blindly a course of action that 
gets them nothing and gets them no- 
where, at the expense of their friendly 
relations with the rest of the world. 

Naturally, then, there is a universal 
impatience in the watchful waiting for an 
announcement of the Administration's 
constructive plans. 

There is a grave doubt whether the 
Administration has any such plans. 
Apart from a purely destructive cam- 
paign leveled at President Huerta, 
there has been no evidence of any plans 
for the future whatever. 

It has been suggested, however, by 
the Administration's apologists - that its 
attitude toward President Huerta was 
justified as a constructive measure to dis- 
courage revolutions not only in Mexico 
biit in all Latin America. But the Ad- 
ministration is morally supporting the 
present revolution in Mexico and there 
has been a recent outbreak of revolutions 
in five other Latin- American countries! 
So much for that apology. 



Other apologists have suggested that 
the constructive feature of the Adminis- 
tration's Mexican policy is the gradual 
extension of the sphere of American in- 
fluence over the countries from the Rio 
Grande to the Panama Canal, without 
resort to arms. If such is the Adminis- 
tration's purpose, its course toward Mex- 
ico has done more to alienate those 
countries and make them resent and re- 
pel American influence than would their 
conquest by American arms. There is 
no building up in that direction. On the 
contrary, we are destroying the work of 
a generation of earnest, far-seeing men 
who have promoted Pan-American 
friendship. 

It has also been said for the Adminis- 
tration that it is seeking to construct 
"constitutional government'' in Mexico 
and that this justifies its effort to de- 
stroy the present Government. Apart 
from any discussion as to the constitu- 
tionality of the present Mexican Govern- 
ment, apart from the truism that Mex- 
ico as well as every other country in the 
world, including the United States, must 
have and will have that form of govern- 
ment that is most workable and adapted 
to its needs — does the Administration see 
no other way of promoting the cause of 
constitutional government except 

through the encouragement of armed re- 
bellion? If those who are opposing the 
Mexican Government are actuated only 
by motives of political freedom, is there 
no other way to get it than by burning 
railroads, robbing, murdering, looting 
and raping? If the Administration dis- 
interestedly wants to see a certain kind 
of government in Mexico, is it necessary 
to work through such forces? Has it ex- 
hausted the possibilities of counsel, ad- 
vice, reason, study and conciliation? Has 
it made the slightest effort to use these 
methods of civilization? No, it has sim- 
ply truculently sat on its hind legs and 
bawled out that "Huerta must go," and 
gone to unbelievable extremities of un- 
compromising antagonism. 

The remaining alleged constructive 
feature of the Administration's Mexican 
policy is the exertion of pressure 
against the granting of concessions to 
foreign interests by the Mexican and 
other Latin-American governments. The 



only excuse for caUing this constructive 
is that to carry it to its logical conclu- 
sion we should have to administer Mex- 
ico and those other countries according 
to our own sweet will, that we should 
take over their economic and financial 
problems, that we should maintain this 
grand and noble attitude against not only 
the people of those countries hut against 
the combined armies and n; '-s of all 
the powers of Europe and . la! Yes, 
that is constructive. So is ^ iing a 
tower to reach the moon. 

It IS possible that all of these alleged 
constructive features are vaguely and 
nebulously at the back of the minds of 
those who are shaping our Mexican pol- 
icy. But their very vagueness and nebu- 
losity, their impractical, dream-like hazi- 
ness preclude their discussion in any sen- 
sible interchange of ideas as to the fu- 
ture of Mexico. The European diplo- 
matic representatives have been fed on 
this kind of pap for months past. The 
people of this country have to a great 
extent allowed themselves to be lulled to 
sleep under the spell of beautiful but 
meaningless phrases. 

But the question is daily becoming 
more insistent; "If you do not want 
Huerta as President of Mexico, what 
in the name of common sense do you 
want? 

"Do you want Carranza? They'd say 
in Mexico that he was a Yankee-made 
President and he would be lucky to last 
a m.onth. 

"Do you want Villa? Well, God help 
Mexico. 

"Do you want Zapata? He says he'U 
tear up all the railroads and send every 
foreigner out of Mexico. 

"Do you want any of a score or more 
of other rebel and bandit leaders, eve.'y 
one of whom is no better nor worse than 
Villa and Zapata? 

"Or do you just want to save your 
face somehow, and you don't care how, 
no matter what the results are for Mex- 
ico, the Mexican people or the destiny of 
the United States?" 

In the absence of any indication to the 
contrary in word or action the world, 
with every desire to credit the Adminis- 
tration vnth the highest motives, will be 
forced to conclude that the answer is 
"Yes" to the last question. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



AFTER ONE YEAR 



If Provisional President Huerta, when 
he accepted the job of pacifying Mexico, 
planned to entrench himself in power for 
an indefinite time he could have contem- 
plated no better assistance to that end 
than that which has been given him by 
the Washington Administration. If he 
-was ambitious to prove to Mexico and to 
the world that he and he alone could 
and s'.iould hold the reins of authority, 
Jhe must daily give thanks to President 
Wilson and Secretary Bryan for his op- 
portui>y. 

As one looks back over the eventful 
year since the fall of the Madero regime, 
no fact stands out more strikingly and 
ironically than this: Every attitude, ev- 
ery move, every action of the Washing- 
ton Administration directed to the end 
that President Huerta "must go" has 
•made it inevitable that Huerta must stay, 
"whether he wanted to or not. 

Perhaps in some subtle, subterranean 
■waj- the Administration really wants to 
see General Huerta remain President of 
Mexico and has intended all along to 
strengthen his hands. How else can one 
explain the anomalous situation? Surely 
it cannot be said that the Administration 
was ignorant of the effect its policy 
would have. 

We do not profess to know whether 
President Huerta likes his job or not. It 
is not impossible that he may be tired of 
it. But if he really wants to remain 
President of Mexico, enjoying the con- 
sen; and support of tlie vast majority of 
the Mexican people, lif can — with the 
able assistance of the Washington .Ad- 
ministration. 



HUERTA'S YEAR. 

For a whole year and in the face of 
violent opposition Gen. Victoriano 
Huerta has held the Dictatorship of Mex- 
ico, and nothing beyond the low state of 
the governmental finances justifies the 
present belief that his power is waning. 
That a majority of the intelligent people 
of Mexico desire a constitutional govern- 
ment is not to be doubted, but that there 
is any man in sight to whom they can 
confidently look as the leader of such a 
Government is very doubtful. Felix Diaz 
has turned out to be a nonentity, a mere 
pawn in the Huerta game; they have 
been disappointed in de la Barra and 
Lascurain, and they distrust the remnant 
of the Cientificos. .\bout Villa they can 
have no illusions. 

As a military commander Huerta 
served Porfirio Diaz loyally in the later 
years of his rule, and he transferred his 
service to Madero when that unhappy 
leader became President. When Orozco 
rebelled. Huerta pursued him as far as 
Bachimba in Chihuahua, and seemingly 
crushed his rebellion, which, according 
to popularly accepted reports, had been 
financed by the bank of Terrazas, an 
adherent of Diaz. Anyhow, Orozco re- 
tired from the field. \t the very xnoment 
of his victory, however. Huerta was re- 
called to the capital by Madero, and was 
thereafter kept inactive. When the up- 
rising in tlic capital under Felix Diaz 
was checked a viiar ago. and Huerta as- 
sumed power, OTnzco emerged from re- 
tircnifiit and entered the service of the 
Provisional President. 



.\. review of the incidents of the last 
two years in the disturbed republic indi- 
cates that a strong and shrewd mind was 
in action long before the overthrow and 
the establishment of the Dictatorship. 
By attributing forethought and steadfast- 
ness of purpose to Huerta we are cer- 
tainly not belittling his character. The 
country was in a state of turmoil long 
before he asserted himself. Every step 
he has taken has tended to increase the 
measure of his personal authority. He 
has lacked the men and the money to 
suppress rebellion remote from the capi- 
tal, but in spite of armed resistance north 
and south, he has held the Federal Dis- 
trict and the seeming allegiance of the 
people in all the important cities. For a 
whole year he has maintained a rule 
which was not expected to last more 
than a few months, and has met all op- 
position with audacity, tact and remark- 
able self-control. 

That he is an extraordinary man, who 
has had few equals in ability in the whole 
history of Mexican leadership, the world 
must recognize. His bed is not made of 
roses, the outlook for him is not bright, 
and that he possesses qualities which 
would be useful in a period of peace and 
commercial and industrial prosperity 
may fairly be doubted, but it is certain 
that the whole character of Don Vic- 
toriano will not be comprehended until 
the last chapter of his history is com- 
pleted. — Xew York "Times." 



THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY. 

(By cable to the New York "Tribune.") 
Mexico . City, Feb. 8. — To-morrow is 
the first anniversary of the beginning of 
the military uprising headed by Felix 
Diaz, Bernardo Reyes and Manuel Mon- 
dragon, which ended ten days later in the 
overthrow of the Madero Government. 
The experience of the last year ought, 
it is thought by many, to be a lesson to 
Mexicans for the future, teaching them 
that the overthrow of constituted gov- 
ernment by violence is no joking matter 
and is likely to bring all sorts of evil in 
its train. 

It is generally agreed that now it is 
necessary to make the best of things as 
they are and to turn all efforts toward 
the restoration of peace and the coun- 
try's rehabilitation. A majority of the 
people of this section fail to see how 
the attainment of that object would be 
aided by the retirement of General 
Huerta. Lifting the arms embargo by 
the United States has increased Huerta's 
popularity in this part of Mexico and 
generally throughout the country, except 
in the states wholly or partly controlled 
by the rebels. 

Conversely, the disfavor with which 
General Carranza is regarded has been 
intensified. Impartial observers, here 
declare that Carranza would be an im- 
possibility were he to triumph as the 
result of Washington's recent decision 
enabling the rebels to procure muni- 
tions of war unrestricledl}' in the 
United States. He would, they say. be 



regarded as the protege of Americans 
and as a sort of Gringo President. It 
is thought doubtful that he could gov- 
ern in peace for a single week. 

Peace reigns in this city, despite the 
recurrent rumors of plots and con- 
spiracies. The people go about their 
business and pleasures unmolested, and 
the city continues to present all the 
manifestations of metropolitan life of 
the Latin type. 



INDEED! 
Catholics Take Notice. 

There is a deal of quiet talk among 
informed persons that the real task in 
Mexico rests with the American church 
rather than with the War or State de- 
partments. There will never be stable 
conditions below the Rio Grande until 
the people have become enlightened and 
educated and infused with the ideal of 
a free and intelligent nation. 

This is slow work. It will take at 
least a generation. The only agency 
now in sight for imparting the neces- 
sary training is the missionary and edu- 
cational propaganda of the American 
Protestant churches. All of the de- 
nominations that work in Mexico at the 
present time maintain schools for train- 
ing in secular education as well as for 
religious instruction. That this is no 
longer to be carried on in hit or miss 
style, but according to one coordinated 
plan, with a central cooperative direction, 
means more for Mexico than many of 
the battles fought. 

Missionary leaders declare that only 
the concerted action of all of them can 
arouse the American churches to the 
needs of Mexico. And only combined 
effort could economically administer the 
work that must quickly be done. — Re- 
ligious news of the New York "Even- 
ing Sun." 



EITHER WAY. 

Hei-ald Bureau, No. 1.502 H Street, N. W., 
Washington, D. C, Monday. 

The question of recognizing two revolution-made 
governments in Latin America, came before Mr. 
Bryan, Secretary of State, to-day. Cable de- 
spatches from the American Ministers at Lima and 
Port au Prince informed the State Department of 
the establishment of governments in Peru and 
Hayti. 

Both appear to be prototypes of the Huerta 
government in Mexico, except that the Presidents 
who were driven from office have not been 
harmed. But both are the direct results of "the 
appeal to arms," which President Wilson has de- 
clared must cease in Latin America. 

The indications are, however, that the United 
States will recognize both governments if it pos- 
sibly can do so without leaving President Wilson 
open to too severe arraignment in Latin America 
for -abandoning the positive stand he has taken 
against revolution-made governments. The Ad- 
ministration appears to be desirous of avoiding 
another Mexican situation, and that probably 
would be the result of non-recognition. 

If the Administration recognizes the 
new revolutionary governments of Peru 
and Hayti, it will be a confession that 
the theorj' on which it refused to recog- 
nize the government of Mexico is im- 
practicable, and if thereafter it still con- 
tinues not to recognize the Mexican 
Government it will lay itself open to a 
charge of maintaining a deliberately de- 
structive Mexican policy against the dic- 
tates of experience and humanity. 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



If the Administration, to be consis- 
tent, takes the same attitude toward the 
new governments of Hayti and Peru (and 
possibly Venezuela) as that it holds to- 
ward Mexico, our Government will sim- 
ply find itself more and more estranged 
from all Latin America at a time when 
we are seeking closer relations. 

And this is the kind of foreign policy 
it is intimated that none should criticize! 



The FLUSTERED "WORLD" 



HOW HISTORY IS WRITTEN. 

The author of an article in "World's 
Work" states erroneously that "Carranza 
went to Mexico City as Senator from 
Coahuila and remained there ten or fif- 
teen years, despite his independence of 
the Diaz political machine. 

"Instead of becoming subservient Sen- 
ator Carranza undertook to smash the 
Diaz ring. Carranza ran for the gover- 
norship himself against the Diaz-Reyes 
candidate." 

While this statement neither adds nor 
detracts from Carranza's character, 
viewed in the light of recent events, yet 
it is important to point out its falseness 
because this shows how history is re- 
corded even in a magazine like "World's 
Work." 

Any one that knows anything about 
the Diaz regime knows that no senator 
could endure ten or fifteen years in of- 
fice unless he was subservient to the 
Diaz political machinery. 

When Carranza first accepted a can- 
didacy as Governor of Coahuila, a place 
which he had coveted for many years, 
he did so at the instance of General 
Diaz, who feared the influence of Gen- 
eral Reyes in the Coahuila elections. 

Shortly before these took place, how- 
ever. General Diaz requested Carranza 
to give up the race and Carranza who, 
whatever his faults may be, is a man of 
character, refused to be an easy tool in 
Diaz's hands. 

He ran for governor and ran with the 
support of General Reyes, not against 
the Diaz-Reyes candidate as affirms the 
writer, evidently profoundly ignorant of 
Mexican politics. 

Carranza was a Reyista and became a 
Maderista only after General Reyes had 
lost his prestige and the success of the 
Madero revolution became assured. 

Thus to say that Carranza was the 
father of the Madero revolution is con- 
trary to the truth. 

Carranza is represented in this sketch 
as a total abstainer from liquor and to- 
bacco. Whether this is true or not the 
statement is evidently made to appeal 
to a portion of the American people. 
Some of the greatest scoundrels on earth 
have been abstainers from liquor and to- 
bacco, while some of the greatest men 
that this country has produced were men 
— like General Grant — who were not fa- 
mous for being abstainers. 



The New York "World," with char- 
acteristic maliciousness, takes occasion 
to criticize those newspapers which 
have accepted President Huerta's invita- 
tion to their correspondents to come to 
Mexico and report truthfully the condi- 
tions they see. The "World," which, 
since the death of Joseph Pultizer, has 
shown in its editorial policy the petti- 
ness and pettifogging manners of a shys- 
ter lawyer, has this to say: 

Will Hurt U. S. Policy. 

It is unfortunate that the American papers 
that have swallowed Huerta's bait seemingly do 
not understand to what extent they are aiding 
in making President Wilson's solution of the 
Mexican problem more difficult, Huerta has 
maintained, and still believes, that the press and 
a majority of the American public are with him 
against Mr. Wilson. This notion is carefully kept 
alive by his parasites among certain injudicious 
Americans, both in and out of Mexico, who are 
desirous of obtaining his favor for private gain. 
Evcrv news article and editorial which favors 
Huerta and criticizes Mr. Wilson in the slightest 
degree is reproduced on the front page of the 
official Government organ. 

So far as the correspondents who are coming 
here at Huerta's expense are concerned, it is 
unlikely that they will be successful in gaining 
any further insight behind the scenes of Gov- 
ernment, either in its administrative or military 
functions, than the correspondents who have 
been on the ground for months. 

Even Capt. William A. Burnside, United States 
Military Attache here, who has been trying for 
nearly two years to follow the Federal military 
operations, has not succeeded. His search for 
a battle worthy of being classed as more than a 
skirmish also has been vain. 

If what Huerta believes aljout the 
American press and public is untrue, 
why should either the Administration 
or the "World" worry about it? It isn't 
Huerta's notion in this respect that the 
"World" is so concerned about, but the 
obvious fact that the number of those 
who believe that the Administration's 
policy toward the Mexican Government 
is wrong is growing daily. 

.^s to the slur cast on "parasites 
among certain injudicious Americans, 
both in and out of Mexico, who are de- 
sirous of obtaining favor for private 
gain," it seems to be absolutely incon- 
ceivable to that small shyster mind that 
anybody would have the courage and 
hardihood to tell the truth except for a 
price. The "World" is entirely too self- 
conscious. As to parasitism, it has been 
remarked that there is no counterpart 
in modern journalism for the "World's" 
slavish, blind and slobbering support 
of anything, and everything Wilsonian, 
or its picayune, petulant peckings at 
every tendency that threatens to knock 
down the Wilson-"World" house of 
cards. 

"Every news article and editorial 
which favors Huerta and criticizes Mr. 



Wilson in the slightest degree is repro- 
duced on the front page of the official 
Government organ." In the first place, 
there is no official Government organ ex- 
cept "Diario Official," a small daily bul- 
letin of government orders and decrees 
and nothing else. The "World" prob- 
ably refers to the Mexico City news- 
papers, which in this country are in- 
variably referred to as Government or- 
gans when it is necessary to quote any- 
thing from them favorable to the Gov- 
ernment and as "the only independent 
newspaper in Mexico City" whenever 
they contain anything that might be con- 
strued here as against the Government. 
If all these papers devoted their first 
pages daily to editorials and news items 
frotn American papers favorable to 
Huerta and criticizing President Wil- 
son, they wouldn't have room for any- 
thing else. Why, MEXICO publishes 
weekly many pages of editorial criticism 
of the Administration's Mexican policy 
and it doesn't pretend to reproduce one- 
tenth of it. We haven't got enough 
space. 

Captain Burnside's searcli for a battle 
worthy of being classed as more than a 
skirmish is pathetic, but true. But how 
is it, then, that the "World" and other 
yellow journals have for the last year 
been regaling the American public from 
day to day with battle news that would 
lead anybody to think that Mexico was 
a shambles and the country in the throes 
of an organized and formidable civil 
war? 

Carefully, carefully, "World." In your 
petulance you may some day let the cat 
init of the bag. 



A WORRIED AND CARELESS 
NEIGHBOR. 

These are evidently flustered days in' 
tlie office of our neighbor the "World," 
and we have no desire to be captious in 
criticism. 

But in printing a column of "dope" un- 
der a Mexico City date line, for the ap- 
parent purpose of implying what it must 
know to be untrue, it seems to us to 
have merited a kindly word of advice. 
This piece of "news" carries throughout 
the suggestion that the "Tribune's" spe- 
cial representative in Mexico is traveling 
at General Huerta's expense. The direct 
contrary is the truth, as the "World" 
must know. If there could be any doubt 
of the "World's" knowledge it would be 
removed by the careful fashion in which 
the "World" avoids a direct charge 
against this paper while making the im- 
plication to the reader unmistakable. 

"."Accuracy, terseness, accuracy" used 
some time ago to be a five-foot sign in 
the "World" office. When our neighbor 
recovers its equilibrium we suggest that 
the sign have some fresh paint and be re- 
stored to a place of honor. — New York 
"Tribune." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 14, 1S14 



Plain Words from the Border 

By C. F. Z. Caracristi, Ph.D., C.E. 



The lifting of the embargo on arms 
and munitions of war into bandit-strick- 
en Me.xico at least asserts our position 
squarely and openly. No longer are we 
operating through channels of hypocrit- 
ical subterfuge. Now we are open allies 
of Villa, Zapata and other noted high- 
waymen. 

It was indeed time that we should 
throw ofif the transparent mask that has 
been disgracing our political body cor- 
porate since tlie days when Madero, the 
Mad Mullah of Mexico, began a war of 
egotistic fanaticism against a friendly 
power from American soil. 

What surprises me most is that we 
have not folded these leaders of brigan- 
dage to our manly breasts and suckled 
them with material assistance from the 
golden nipples of the United States 
Treasury Department. It seems that we 
are developing a marked preference for 
the polecat element of the human race — 
that is, if men like Villa and Zapata can 
be classed as actually- human without 
insulting everything else that belongs to 
the biped type. 

I presume that it makes no difference 
to our national pride and self-esteem 
that the rest of the civilized world is 
looking upon us with horror mingled 
with contempt. The old saying that if 
you will let the Democratic Party alone 
it can be depended on to do the wrong 
this has again proved true in our Mex- 
ican imbroglio. 

Suspending the neutrality laws cer- 
tainly aids the Mexican Government side 
of the proposition, because, as the Presi- 
dent admits himself, the rebels were get- 
ting their only supply of arms and ammu- 
nition by smuggling it over the border, 
while the Government could not pur- 
chase in this country. He frankly admits 
that through subterfuge the rebels could 
not get quite enough war material; now 
he says, take all you can pay for and 
God help you in your crimes. It is 
probable that the Administration dis- 
covered what I have known since the 
embargo has been on, that certain so- 
called "constitutionalists" — mostly Amer- 
ican renegades and border greasers — 
were smuggling arms and war equip- 
ments for both the rebels and the Gov- 
ernment. But they could only pass it 
if they posed as Carrancistas, other- 
wise our noble officials would confis- 
cate the goods. It was a lucrative busi- 
ness. Thirty thousand cartridges, worth 
from $18 to $20, told to either Federals 
or rebels and by the same people at $50 
per thousand. The rebels actually sold 
and delivered to the Federals 41,000 spe- 
cial cartridges for machine guns just a 
few days before a certain battle on the 



border in wliich the rebels were defeat- 
ed. 

I am just pointing to these facts to 
show the state of governmental preju- 
dice and partiality. Had the people who 
smuggled this ammunition been Federals 
ihey would have landed in an American 
jail. 

But the advantage that the lifting of 
the embargo on war materials will give 
the government of Mexico is the same 
that the United States gained over Eng- 
land in the noted Alabama claims case. 
I wonder how many of my good coun- 
trymen, who, like myself, have interests 
in Mexico, know that from the day that 
we openly allowed the craven hordes of 
Carranza to outfit with munitions of war 
from the United States we lost all rights 
to receive indemnity for loss of life or 
property in Mexico. England discovered 
this to the tune of $100,000,000 in prop- 
erty losses during the Civil War, and af- 
terward an international tribunal made 
that country pay us $30,000,000 in addi- 
tion. 

This bandit copartnership may be all 
right for those who feed on United States 
Government pap, but it's darned hard 
on us innocent Americans who have 
their little all staked down in dear old 
Mexico. No, we have not yet lost 
enough in Mexico, but that Mr. Wilson, 
a wise and great President no doubt, has 
to take it into that magnificent head of 
his to so arrange the matter that we 
can never be paid for our losses and 
invites more. "Run like hell," he says 
metaphorically, "and if you happen to 
get killed, why, old chappy, you really 
had no business in Mexico, don't you 
know! Also if you happen to be robbed 
of everything you have, dear me, or 
drop your valuables while you are run- 
ning, my friends Zapata and Villa will 
see that the money is well spent." 

Now what in the merry devil are you 
going to do with an insane proposition 
like this? Do? Why not a blessedless 
thing, except to grin and bear your bur- 
den; and be so glad, and then some, that 
you have a great and glorious Fourth 
of July, a Government that floats bat- 
tleships in grape juice while not occupy- 
ing the side-show stage with the lady 
snake charmer who, at least, "eats them 
alive," Big Willie "the ladies' man," and 
the mermaid chiropodist. Just think of 
the great blessing of being a free-born 
American citizen — to be robbed and 
murdered by bandits abroad, and these 
bandits tacit partners of our paternal 
and benevolent home government, be- 
sides being bulldozed and bullyragged 
by politicians at home — that is, if you 
amount to a "son of beans" and have 
opinions to boot. 



And President Wilson goes a little 
farther than other Presidents. He ad- 
vises the American press not to discuss 
our foreign policies, as if our thinking 
masses were wholly incapable of solv- 
ing those problems that confront our 
nation even as they attempt to solve 
them at the polls when they send gen- 
tlemen like President Wilson to the 
White House. Unfortunately for our 
country American intellectuality does 
not control politics — but the politicians 
do; and yet, we would not personally 
trust but a very few of these very men 
to attend to our individual business. 

President Wilson, when he attempt- 
ed to stop the discussion of the Mexican 
situation except as viewed by his gross- 
ly biased and wholly misinformed view- 
point, certainly paid no compliment to 
the learning of the American people. I 
fear that the President misunderstands 
our people if he believes that they will 
tacitly accept from any ruler a self-im- 
posed paternal attitude on any question 
that applies to our national welfare. 
There is quite a marked distinction be- 
tween the possibility of gag rule over 
college boys and the muzzling of the 
press and the thinking public. 

After having visited, in a profession- 
al capacity, nearly every country in the 
world, having learned to speak and write 
various languages and studied human- 
ity at close ranges, I have about con- 
cluded that we dearly beloved citizens of 
"God's country," of which we boast so 
much, are the most gullible set of hero- 
worshippers and servile followers of of- 
ficial mandates, right or wrong, of any 
civilized people. If you do not believe it 
just read the daily papers and magazines 
on the Mexican situation. If you do, 
you will be buried under an avalanche 
of palpable lies. But what is more is 
that our Government knows them to be 
libelous and baseless untruths, yet it 
promulgates these inventions by sup- 
pressing the truth that it daily receives 
from its diplomatic and consular agents 
in all parts of Mexico. 

Children can hardly have very great 
affection for parents who are known to 
habitually lie, and the subjects of a 
government that wilfully misleads its 
people on any vital public matter can 
hardly render that respect and support 
that honesty always commands. 

I want to predict that within sixty- 
days the American press will begin to 
expose true conditions in Mexico to the 
shame of the Democratic Party, and 
who knows what may happen at the next 
elections? 

It is time that the truly American 
spirit and the public conscience should 
awaken to the demands of its political 
duties, for we "hall reap through future 
generations ihe harvest of the wrongs 
inspired by malice or ignorance, in 
which we are allowing ourselves to 
drift. 

(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



A pistol-carrying frontier bully, whom 
Bryan's influence has placed in high 
Federal office, told me some weeks ago 
that Bryan had stated to him (he is 
openly helping Carranza) that if Car- 
ranza, Villa and Zapata could not win 
alone the United States would help 
them win to the extent of ititervention 
in their favor. 

The man may have been lying, but I 
am inclined to believe him. 



LEST WE FORGET 



When you see particularly virulent at- 
tacks in the newspapers directed against 
Sir Lionel Cardan you know that the 
American oil interests are showing their 

claws. 

* * ♦ 

It is reported that the British Ambas- 
sador is coming to Washington to talk 
with President Wilson. 

* * * 

We hope that he will tell him the 
source of the lies and calumnies con- 
cerning him and the Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

« * • 

It may surprise the Administration to 
find what company it is keeping in op- 
position to President Huerta. 

* * * 

The story of revolution in Mexico that 
Sir Lionel Garden might tell goes back 
to the time when Porfirio Diaz refused to 
do the bidding of Standard Oil. 

* « * 

That sealed his doom. 

* * * 

The Administration knows so well the 
ruthless methods of the American Trusts 
and has fought so valiantly against them, 
isn't it strange that it has not seen that 
same ruthless hand in Mexico? 

A newspaper cartoon pictured the 
President as ripping out the canal tolls 
plank of the Baltimore platform. 

What is a party platform when you 
must "get Huerta"? 

Surrender to England's contention 
may be a point of national honor and 
good faith, but would the surrender have 
been made so willingly if it weren't for 
the Mexican situation? 
» » » 

In other words, we are paying a price 
so that we may continue a policy that is 
tying our hands right and left. 

* * • 

And nobody must talk about this? 
What is this, a democracy or an autoc- 
racy? 

* * • 

Gomez is still dictating in Venezuela 
and Cabrera in Guatemala. No objec- 
tion from Washington. 

Why? Ask the Asphalt Trust — and 

some others. 

* * * 

It makes a whole lot of difference ac- 
cording to whose Constitution is being 
gored. 



Villa is going to prove to Bryan that 
he is not a bandit by hanging his broth- 
er bandit Castillo to "the nearest tree." 

* * • 

Oh, Castillo, you made a fatal mis- 
take. Before embarking on your recent 
career of crime you should have had a 
press agent in El Paso to announce to 
the world that you were fighting for the 
Constitution. 

* * * 

A terrible blunder. 

Notice that the Peruvian Minister in 
Washington, in his explanation of the 
overthrow of the Peruvian government, 
stated over and over again that the new 
government was constitutional, constitu- 
tional this, constitutional that. He's a 
wise Minister. He's learned the shibbo- 
leth all right. 

» * * 

Everybody with an axe to grind now 
in a Latin-American country will start 
something for the Constitution. 

* * * 

They have seen how easy it was for 
the Mexican malcontents to take in the 
Administration. 

» * • 

Gullibility in the State Department. 
Who was it said you can hand him any 
old kind of gold brick? 

This is a great week for the Mexico 
City correspondents of the papers — the 
anniversary of the Tragic Ten Days. 

* * ♦ 

They can manufacture rumors and 
plots and counterplots to their heart's 
content and everything will go. The read- 
ing public will gobble it up. 

* * * 

One day last week the papers scare- 
headed the fall of Mazatlan, a Pacific 
seaport. A downright lie. They gave 
the denial three or four inconspicuous 

lines. 

* * * 

And they continue to speak of Huer- 
ta's loss of the whole North of Mexico. 
The rich border States of Coahuila and 
Nuevo Leon are entirely under Federal 
control and the railroad is operating 
from Monterrey to the border of Nuevo 

Laredo. 

* * * 

And Villa still at Juarez, thirteen hun- 
dred miles away. 



Dollar diplomacy was, at least, open- 
faced. 



The present brand is star-chambered. 

* * ♦ 
Pitiful publicity! 

* * » 

Thousands and thousands of heads of 
cattle are sold across the border by Villa. 

* * * 

But he's fighting for a principle, he 
says, or his press agent has him say. 

* « * 
The principle of loot. 

* * * 

Whereas Castillo is just a plain bandit. 

* * * 
See the difference? 

* * * 

Carranza is still busy putting miles be- 
tween him and Villa. How that pre- 
cious pair love each other. And Villa 
invited him so cordially to come to Chi- 
huahua. 

* * * 

Anyhow, Carranza has the fun of 
forming paper cabinets and giving his 
hangers-on highfalutin titles, like Sec- 
retary of Fine Arts and Belles LettresI 

* * ♦ 

"Well," thinks Villa, "if the old gen- 
tleman likes to amuse himself that way, 
let him do it. He gets the glory but I 
get the swag." 

* ♦ * 

Meanwhile Villa says he is most 
happy to do anything that Bryan will 
teli him. 

* • * 

Nice little bandit! 'Oo are not a 
naughty, disobedient child like Huerta, 
are you? No, indeed, 'oo are a sweet 
little fellow. 

But, Pancho, my boy, whisper, don't 
forget the shibboleth. 

* * * 

The Constitution! 

* * ♦ 

The Protestant missionary organiza- 
tions are making great plans to "save 
Mexico." 

* ♦ » 

Some months ago Mrs. John Lind said 
the trouble with Mexico was the Catholic 
priests, who kept the poor people down. 

* • • 

She had been in the country only a 
short time, did not know the language 
of the people, had seen only Vera Cruz 
and Mexico City. 

* * * 

And yet she had the whole situation at 
her finger tips. 

« * * 

So like the Administration when it sets 
out to harry Huerta. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



LEST WE FORGET— Continued. 

Speaking of dictatorships and uncon- 
stitutionality, we are not aware of any 
provision in the Mexican Constitution 
which contemplates the dictation of 
Washington as to how Mexico shall gov- 
ern itself. 

On close reading of that formidable 
document we are convinced that the in- 
terpretation of the constitutionality of 
any Mexican Government is a preroga- 
tive of the Mexican Supreme Court. 
« * • 

The framers of the Constitution were 
very able men but somehow or other 
they did not designate the President of 
the United States as supreme arbiter of 
Mexico's internal affairs. 

Consequently the Administration's in- 
terference is unconstitutional. 

* * * 

And the Administration is a dictator of 
greater presumption than President 
Huerta would dream of being. 

» * * 

The word constitutional in the mouth 
of the Administration is simply a verbal 
excuse for a most flagrant violation of 
another nation's sovereignty. 

At latest reports Bryan's conscience is 
still undisturbed. 

Not the slightest perturbation as the 
result of Castillo's kilHng of fifteen 
Mexicans. 

His heart goes out to those noble Mex- 
icans who are heroically fighting to over- 
throw "the usurper." 

Villa? Oh, well. Villa's a pretty rough 
fellow but he's fighting in a good cause, 
bless his little heart. 

Castillo? Oh, yes, he's a bad one, but 
my friend Villa will see to him. 'You 
know you can't expect them all to be 
good friends of the Constitution. 

Zapata? Oh, we'll think about him af- 
terward. 

And so on. His mind can clear away 
all obstacles and his conscience is serene. 



STACKED CARDS 

BY ALFONSO L. JIMINEZ, 
Vice Consul of Mexico in New York, in New York "Press." 



At any rate the public has learned 
that the President formed his opinion 
months ago and that he positively will 
not listen to any suggestion opposed to 
his preconceived ideas as to what the 
situation ought to be. The first indi- 
cation of this was seen last summer 
■when .'\mbassador Henry Lane Wilson 
was summoned to Washington and sum- 
marily dismissed as soon as it was seen 
that his opinion, formed by accurate in- 
side knowledge, did not coincide with 
that new diplomacy which is based on 
the ruin of a nation by bandits armed by 
selfish interests on this side of the bor- 
der, lauded by the-press and encouraged 
and recognized by the .Administration in 
Washington. 



Me.xico, a rich and beautiful country 
just south of this Republic, is hardly 
known by even a third of the citizens of 
this United States of North America. 

This assertion may seem absurd, and 
yet it is absolutely the truth, and no hon- 
est man who may have any knowledge, 
however small, of things beyond the 
borders of this country could deny this 
fact. This accounts for the ready accep- 
tance of the absurdities with which the 
press is filled daily, sometimes malic- 
iously, sometimes by incredible ignor- 
ance of the facts. 

The present state of revolution and 
strife is so little understood and so much 
magnified and maligned that the average 
.American has come to the conclusion 
that Mexicans are all a lot of cutthroats 
without a vestige of civilization. 

Of course everyone knows the truth — 
they are all well informed. I have known 
many an American who has gone down 
on a round trip of the Ward liners and 
stayed in Mexico between ship sailings, 
which means that he only remained in 
Mexi-co City two or three days; yet 
when he came back, only 15 days after 
having left New York, he knew all about 
Mexico and the present situation. In 
two days he had learned Mexican his- 
tory; he had investigated all the facts; 
he had talked with every man of note; 
he knew our religions, our traditions; 
he knew all. Isn't that simply wonder- 
ful? 

But let us return to Mexico. It has 
been said time and again that the pres- 
ent revolution is fostered and encouraged 
by American capital; and that is the 
absolute truth, but the press, that part of 
the press which thrives under the pres- 
ent trouble, discredits and ridicules this. 

What can be the object of the press 
in making the trouble worse, in malign- 
ing and distorting everything connected 
with the Federal Government, while all 
that relates to the rebels is painted in 
the most beautiful colors? I had always 
thought that one of the most beautiful 
purposes of the press was to enlighten 
the people, to promote the welfare, or, 
at least, the betterment of the already 
sad conditions of this hard struggle for 
life. .And is the American press doing 
this? No. This press is making every 
possible effort to foster the revolution, 
to magnify the trouble, to malign and 
vilify the Federal Government and glor- 
ify the rebels. 

Have you ever slopped to think how 
much more good could be accomplished 
by trying to instill in the minds of Mex- 
icans of either side that our only hope 
is in uniting? Has any one paper ever 
printed any story that may tend to 
show any sense of humanity and nobility 



of purpose? Has there been an instance 
in which our trouble has been discussed 
impartially or even lamenting our trou- 
ble? Has any one ever spoken words 
of peace and charity toward our mis- 
fortunes? No. It seems that they glory 
in our misery and our tragedies seem 
funny to them. 

The motives of the press are as dark 
as the purposes of President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan. Mr. Wilson may have 
excellent reasons (perfect in his own 
mind) in pursuing his present policy, 
but how much more good he would 
have accomplished by openly trying to 
get at the bottom of the trouble, since 
he deemed it necessary to interfere 
against. all right and reason. But since 
he did interfere, why not have made 
an effort, openly and before the world, 
to impartially and, above all, humanely 
strive to bring the two factions together? 
If his purposes have been altruistic, why 
not prove this to the world by actions 
which would show that he was trying to 
better conditions instead of fostering 
trouble and desolation? 

Can there be any doubt yet that Presi- 
dent Wilson rejoices with Bryan in 
every rebel 'victory? When has the 
world witnessed the spectacle of the 
president of a civilized nation rejoicing 
in the misfortune of a weaker country? 
And supposing he was justified in his 
attitude toward President Huerta, what 
in the name of sense can justify the 
killing of thousands to avenge the 
death of two people? And has this been 
proven? 

One of the daily papers in New York 
said the other day that Henry Lane 
Wilson's lectures are becoming monoto- 
nous because he says the same thing 
over and over again. But the truth 
shall remain, and, sure as fate, history 
will record in its indelible pages that 
President Wilson's and Mr. Bryan's pol- 
icies have wrecked a country which has 
done nothing to the United States but 
give a royal welcome to thousands of 
her sons who have enriched themselves 
in Mexico, finding always the preference, 
and now, in return, receives the best 
wishes of this Administration for its de- 
struction and ruin. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



Mexico and the United States 

By Major Cassius E. GUlette, Formerly of the United States Engineering Corps 
In "The Trend" for February. 



Mexico City is to-day tlie greatest 
"rumor-factory" in existence. All sorts 
of fantastic yarns are put afloat and the 
newspaper men, hunting for "news" send 
them merrily on. For example, our 
papers have printed reams of telegrams 
from Carranza when he was 500 miles 
from the date line of the message and 
sometimes 200 miles from a telegraph 
office. There are not less than six "eye 
witness" tales of just how Madero died, 
all totally different. If there was ever a 
steadfast man it is General Huerta, yet 
our papers alternate daily with his defis, 
submissions, disappearances, and mind- 
changing fickleness generally. Barrels of 
rot have been printed on this subject. 

A wave of destructive savagery is 
gathering in all northern Mexico, and, 
unless checked, it will soon blot out 
civilization completely. It is appalling 
to contemplate the way in which the 
United States is helping this wave along. 

I believe we are the only civilized 
country that permits foreigners to plot 
insurrections against neighboring friend- 
ly nations. There is little doubt that the 
Madero revolution was planned in San 
Antonio, with the assistance and conniv- 
ance of American oil interests. Prac- 
tically all the arms used by the bandits, 
except a few that they captured from 
the federals, have come in from the 
United States and are mostly old style 
army guns, and Senator Bacon has for 
many months been sitting on a bill to 
prevent tliis kind of wrong-doing under 
the auspices of our country. 

There might be some justification of 
this if the struggling masses of Mexi- 
cans had any political capacity whatever, 
and could really make a free, self-gov- 
erning people, but this can never be ac- 
complished with the present population: 
such a thing is utterly preposterous. 
Only in Sonora and along the border 
where the natives are sufficiently mixed 
with intelligent Americans, and where 
tliey have learned the advantage of mak- 
ing a good showing is there any pretense 
made that the outbreak is anything but 
plain banditism, or the inevitable trend 
to chaos and savagery, rather than de- 
mocracy. The peon wants chaos and 
savagery. He knows nothing of democ- 
racy. 

Madero made no effective effort to 
control the savages he had armed and 
put on the warpath. He had promised 
them free land, as I have said, and when 
a very few of them came in to get it, he 
told them they would of course have to 
earn it, but that he would arrange for 
very favorable terms. Without excep- 
tion they scorned this proposition and 
returned to the vocation for which he 
had equipped them. It would be a per- 



fectly fair comparison, had some rich 
renegade in the south after the war 
started in arming the negroes, promising 
them forty acres of land and a mule each, 
if they would elect him governor — say, 
of Alabama, supposing that in that state 
the negroes outnumbered the whites four 
to one. How long do you imagine the 
Southern people would have been in 
lynching that ambitious individual, and 
what would they have done to him if he 
succeeded, and, if, after several months 
in office, with no attempt to curb his 
black cohorts, who were outraging and 
destroying everything, when they asked 
him to do soinething to stop the destruc- 
tion and halt the savages, establish peace 
and let business go on in the country, he 
blithely chattered in reply, "Well, if you 
haven't got peace, you've got liberty, 
haven't you?" 

Can you imagine him not being 
promptly strung up? Well, this is ex- 
actly what Madero did and the civilized 
people of Mexico patiently stood for it 
until conditions became entirely unendur- 
able. 

The question may be asked here, why 
all this hub bub to "oust Huerta," that 
seems to be much like the frenzied shriek 
of "mad dog" which has caused the death 
of so many innocent canines. 

Now let us review for a moment the 
action of the United States in connection 
with the outrageous conditions in Me.xico. 
Americans helped, and our government 
did not prevent them from helping, the 
initial outbreak. 

Under the Monroe doctrine we have 
arrogated to ourselves, and have suc- 
ceeded in "putting it over," that no Lat- 
in-American government shall be able to 
borrow inoney unless we recognize that 
government, the recognition of foreign 
governinents cutting no figure whatever. 
This is a situation different from any- 
thing else on earth and is fraught with 
pregnant possibilities for good or evil. 

Victoriano Huerta personally can bor- 
row little or no money; neither can 
Woodrow Wilson, as such, but when 
duly recognized by the United States as 
representing Mexico, President Huerta 
could borrow large sums. On March 7 
last, President Wilson refused to give 
this recognition, and from that moment 
the feet of civilized Mexico were tied. 
Even patriotic Mexican citizens, if they 
lend money to their government, do so 
at their own risk, because President Wil- 
son has it in his power to recognize Villa 
or Carranza, and the papers are now seri- 
ously proposing the latter. What Villa 
or Carranza would do to bonds issued by 
General Huerta can be readily imagined. 

Our government has therefore not only 
permitted the arming of the savages, but 



has hobbled Mexico with the deliber- 
ate plan of making her helpless against 
the savage inroads. Carranza and Vill* 
do not have to borrow money; they loot 
banks, stores and individuals, and get 
their food supplies as bandits, whereas, 
General Huerta has to conduct a civilized 
warfare, which does not permit such out- 
rages. 

The Apaches of our Southwest, who 
are the same kind of people as the north- 
ern Mexico bandits, used to have a play- 
ful fashion of "staking out" on the plain 
a captured prisoner. They would tie the 
victim's hands and feet each to a stout 
stake, stretching him flat on his back so 
that he could not move, then cut off his 
eye-lids to give the sun and flics a good 
chance, and occasionally they varied the 
proceedings by building a small fire on 
the pit of his stomach. What the United 
States is doing to civilized Mexico is 
strikingly analogous. We have "staked 
her out" while the .A.pache-like "consti- 
tutionalists" are building the fire of de- 
struction and outrage upon the pit of the 
unfortunate national stomach, and unless 
checked, they will soon leave nothing but 
the blackened corpse. 

Everyone, perhaps, considers the ad- 
ministration's motive to be honest, but it 
has many things to explain. With calm 
complacency it continues to view the 
horrible things going on in Mexico. 
This complacency is hard to realize as 
being due to mere ignorance of the situa- 
tion, and yet it is difficult to conceive of 
a human being capable of planning any 
more diabolical scheme, and it is utterly 
impossible to conceive of such person 
having the nerve to call it "moral sua- 
sion." 

On August 27 last, the following 
statement was included in the President's 
message to the Congress: 

"The actual situation of the author- 
ities at Mexico City w'iU presently be 
revealed." 

Could anything be more callous than 
such remark from the principal author 
of that unfortunate situation? .A.fter six 
months of preventing those authorities 
from borrowing money, he then said: 

"We have waited many months, months 
full of peril and anxiety, for the con- 
ditions there to improve, and they have 
not improved. They have grown worse, 
rather." 

Surely, the American people at this 
late day are entitled to be enlightened 
if there is anything in secret diplomacy 
now possibly going on that will tend to 
justify those astounding conditions. On 
.August 27, the President gave what he 
called "very fully and without reserva- 
tion the facts concerning our present re- 
lations with Mexico." and the only fur- 
ther explanation of the reasons for the 
present awful mess vouchsafed in his 
message, Dec. 2, was a vague allusion to 
Huerta's "usurped" authority. Hereto- 
fore he has apparently assumed that 
Huerta is a traitor and an assassin as 

(■Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



■Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES-Continued 



well as a usurper. Now he merely as- 
sumes the last of these, but he has never 
given out anything whatever definite on 
the subject. 

The further bald statement that "Mex- 
ico has no government" is simply not a 
true statement of fact. The principal 
functions of government are to preserve 
order and have the executive, judicial 
and legislative departments in proper ac- 
tion. 

In the City of Mexico to-day, and in 
Guadalajara, Guanajuato, San Luis Po- 
tosi, Vera Cruz, Oaxaca, Pueblo, as well 
as in practically the whole of the large 
states in which these towns are located, 
there is absolute order. The courts are 
in session, the congress is in session, the 
streets are safer at night than are the 
streets of Philadelphia; bands, children 
and fountains play every Sunday in 
every large park, and there is as little 
sign of disturbance as there is in Wash- 
ington. Does this not constitute a gov- 
ernment? Then, is there "no govern- 
ment in Mexico?" There is disorder in 
Mexico, principally in the north. — awful 
disorder, sickening crimes are committed 
and horrible deeds far beyond what is 
known or ever will be known, are 
being perpetrated, and the two principal 
causes for that horrible condition are 
apparently the oil interests of the United 
States and the present administration, 
consciously or unconsciously working 
hand in hand. 

To what will this disorder lead? What 
will be the result of this "waiting 
policy?" After Huerta, what? The 
President gives only a "hope." He says, 
"and then when the end comes we shall 
hope to see constitutional order restored 
in distressed Mexico by the concert and 
energy of such of her leaders as prefer 
the liberty of her people to their own 
ambitions." Only a "hope," — a tin cup to 
put out a forest fire! 

Constitutional order is to be "re- 
stored." When did it exist? Not before 
Diaz. Not under Diaz, and not under 
Madero. The latter's "election" was 
exactly like those of Diaz. There was 
never any pretense that it was otherwise. 
Voting was always "free" tinder Diaz, 
but neither he nor Madero permitted 
more than one real candidate. Censor- 
ship and arbitrary actions were more 
rigorous under Madero than under Diaz. 
To what ideal previous "constitutional 
order" is the country to be restored?" 

By what "leaders' concert and energy" 
will the work of restoration be accom- 
plished? 

How are they going to be constitu- 
tionally elected? Are they to select 
themselves and then go though the same 
empty farce of an "election" that Huerta 
tried? As shown above, no real election 
is now possible. Who is going to con- 
trol the bandits while this self-consti- 
tuted committee of "concert and energy" 
are displacing and breaking up Huerta's 



well-organized military and civil forces? 
I have asked every American and every 
Mexican of prominence that I knew in 
Mexico, who could handle the situation 
except Huerta. Not a man has ever 
been suggested except Blanquet, Huer- 
ta's right hand man, and he would not 
take it. He says Huerta is the only man. 

How long would it take the "Com- 
mittee" to prove satisfactory to the 
United States? Gamboa was 3,000 miles 
away from Madero's demise for two 
years before and two years after, yet 
Mr. Bryan doubted if he were "sufficient- 
ly disassociated." 

If Huerta should resign to-day, after 
selecting his successor, this administra- 
tion would not recognize his selection. 
If he resigned without such selection, he 
would be a traitor to his country — be- 
cause he would leave his country de- 
moralized and at the mercy of the sav- 
ages, while various ambitious leaders 
struggled for the mastery — and even if 
Mexico gave up all her national dignity 
and let President Wilson select a suc- 
cessor — the savages might destroy her 
before the new man could get "orga- 
nized." While at such a crisis the rights 
of one man are small, yet what right 
have we to make General Huerta resign 
in disgrace, just because he is maligned 
by poisoned news? He's an honest old 
soldier who did nothing worse than to 
answer the call of his distracted country 
— a call perhaps technically imperfect be- 
cause we did not prevent Madero and 
American oil interests from fomenting 
revolts against a friendly nation. 

When the "waiting policy" has been 
carried out — when the savages have de- 
stroyed Mexico to help the administra- 
tion "get Huerta." what are we to do 
with Zapata, O, Villa and the other 
wolves? Recognize Villa? Think you 
that would establish "constitutional 
order" in Mexico? It is preposterous. 
And even then he would have exactly 
the same problem Huerta has now. Not 
one of the bandits started by Madero has 
come in or will come in until forced to 
or killed. 

When Villa "crumbles" Huerta, which 
of course may not be as soon as our 
yellow news dispatches and our Presi- 
dent's expressed hope may indicate, — 
and Mexico is a ruin, our Government 
will have just two horns of the dilemma 
to choose. Abandon the Monroe Doc- 
trine and let Europe pacify Mexico, and 
own it, — or intervene. The President 
has said we will "never" acquire land by 
conquest. He has not said we will not 
intervene. Bryan has abjectedly declared 
for "peace at any price." But McKinley 
opposed the war with Spain — could he 
stop it? Hearst, with his powerful bat- 
tery of newspapers is for intervention. 
Other big oil, mining, cattle and timber 
interests want intervention. Some of 
them are represented by President Wil- 
son's closest advisers and heaviest con- 



. ibutors to his campaign fund. Could 
he stop intervention if somebody sinks 
another Maine? The people have been 
systematically fed on wrong information 
through the press for many months. All 
atrocities are credited to Mexico and not 
to the savages we have started to de- 
stroying Mexico. A match may fire the 
magazine, but we must "get Huerta." 
We who may have to do the "interven- 
ing" in the deserts and jungles or sacri- 
fice our sons and brothers in that behalf, 
would like to know more of the situation 
than has been vouchsafed in any of the 
glittering generalities of the various 
presidential messages. Previous presi- 
dents have used more words, but they 
could be understood. We think we are 
in an awful mess and would like to see 
our way out. Our business men are los- 
ing all ot:r Latin-American trade, for all 
those people are turning against us. 



MEXICO WILL CARE FOR 

THE PRISONERS. 

From El Paso "Times," February 9. 

"Mexico will bear the expense of 
feeding and clothing the federal pris- 
oners and refugees now detained at 
Fort Bliss," said Miguel E. Diebold, in- 
spector of consulates, to a "Morning 
Times" reporter yesterday at his ofifices 
in the Caples building. Continuing, he 
said: "There will tfe no suffering, neither 
will it become necessary for the United 
States government to reach into its 
treasury or the good people of El Paso 
go into their pockets for funds with 
which to provide food and clothing for 
these people. General Huerta has pro- 
vided funds with which to bear this 
expense. 

Mr. Diebold stated that he had re- 
ceived orders from President Huerta to 
secure the release, if possible, of all wom- 
en and children and other refugees now 
detained with the prisoners at Fort Bliss 
and to return them to Mexico at the 
government's expense. He will take up 
with General Hugh I. Scott this matter 
of releasing the non-combatants at once. 

The Mexican inspector of consulates 
has received an estimate of the cost it 
would require to transport the refugees 
from the camp to points along the bor- 
der, where they could be safely trans- 
ferred to Mexico. The figures were fur- 
nished by the Southern Pacific Railroad 
and if he is allowed to transport them 
to Mexico the trains will be backed to 
the siding at Fort Bliss and the refugees 
loaded there to prevent any of them es- 
caping in EI Paso. The caring for the 
prisoners and refugees by the Mexican 
Government relieves the situation some- 
what and the expense of holding the 
federals by the United States will be 
materially lessened and it will not be 
necessary for the charitably inclined peo- 
ple of El Paso to come to the assistance 
of the men, women and children that are 
detained, as all their needs will be met 
by their own government. 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West smd All Angles. 



SOME WISDOM IN MEXICO. 

* * * The Mexicans probably com- 
prehend their own needs better than we 
do. All reports agree that the people 
quite generally would resent intervention 
by the United States, and in this ihey 
would probably be right. 

Self-government by consent of the 
governed, as that is understood in this 
country, is out of the question there. 
The people are incapable of working a 
constitution like ours. They hardly even 
know what it means. If we intervened 
it would be to set up a foreign military 
dictatorship — a government that is sup- 
ported by arms and deriving none of its 
powers from the active consent of the 
governed. Our intentions would be 
purely benevolent; but it by no means 
necessarily follows that our dictatorship 
would be superior to some native one. 

A benevolent Diaz could do much bet- 
ter by the country than we could, be- 
cause he could comprehend it much bet- 
ter and he could much better make him- 
self understood. Out of the chaotic 
welter down there a strong and wise 
man may emerge who will rule as firmly 
as Diaz did, but with a wider view to the 
ultimate good of the people. The ruin of 
the landholding caste may open the 
way to a tolerable economic constitution, 
with ownership of the soil allotted to 
its cultivators. 

That Mexico may work out her own 
salvation, in short, is entirely possible. 
That we or any other nation, however 
well disposed, can work out her salva- 
tion for her is very doub' ''uL It is 
entirely probable that our intervention 
in the long run would hinder rather than 
help. In preferring to be let alone the 
Mexicans are wise. — "Saturday Evening 
Post." 



A REAL DEMOCRAT. 

A few days ago the writer talked with 
a man recently from Mexico. He was 
sitting one evening in a cafe in Mexico 
City when a quietly dressed elderly citi- 
zen came in and sat by him, and, learn- 
ing that he had just made a journey 
across country, questioned him about his 
experiences. When he ha ' left, a waiter 
informed my acquaintance that this was 
President Huerta, who walks about the 
city like any other citizen. The general 
opinion of all foreigners in Me.xico, said 
the traveler (and I give his statement 
without prejudice), was that Huerta 
should be recognized by the United 
States, and that, whatever criticism could 
be leveled at his methods of accession to 
power, the section of the country under 
his control is the only center of anything 
like order and security. The excesses 
and brutalities of the followers of Car- 
ranza have alienated any symapthy that 
any person on the spot, or unblinded by 
interest, could have for this band of 
rebels. — "Pan-American Magazine." 



Though the removal of the embargo 
is not to be regarded as any special 
favor to Villa, nevertheless coming just 
as this time, with Villa in command of 
the whole international border, the ef- 
fect of the removal is greatly to 
strengthen Villas hand. The removal 
would not have been decided upon if 
President Wilson had not had so strong 
a hatred of the Huerta regime as to lead 
him to look with satisfaction upon any- 
thing Ukely to bring the Huerta govern- 
ment more quickly to ruin. It is a case 
where really being neutral satisfies his 
dearest desire as well as his Scotch 
Presbyterian conscience. — El Paso "Her- 
ald." 



A RESULT OF ENCOURAGING 
REVOLUTION. 

Maximo Castillo, a Mexican bandit 
who is practically on the same footing 
as Pancho Villa, except that Villa has 
a larger force under his orders, has 
committed one of the most horrible out- 
rages known to the history of outlawry. 
In fact, there is nothing on record quite 
so dastardly as this. Deliberately wreck- 
ing and setting fire to a freight train in 
the midst of the darkness of a long 
tunnel, so that the smoke obscures sig- 
nals and serves as a trap for any ap- 
proaching train, Castillo lies low with 
his gang and permits a passenger train 
to plunge into the wreck, and into what 
was worse, the suffocating fumes of the 
smoke. .'\11 the trainmen and passengers, 
including fifteen .Americans, perish in 
this direful trap. 

The bandit's motive for this abomina- 
ble crime is the fact that Pancho Villa, 
himself a bandit, has shot some of Cas- 
tilbi's men in trying to repress his rival 
banditry. 

Villa is profuse with his assurances 
that this horrible crime will be punished. 
How can he punish it? The mountains 
of Chihuahua are open to Castillo and 
his gang; and Villa's activities are cen- 
tered in the revolution against the Mex- 
ican federal government. 

So far as the United States is con- 
cerned, one of these bandits is as good 
as the other. Castillo sheds blood by 
the same right of the trigger and the 
dirk as that by which Villa sheds it. 
Revolutionism and anarchy in Mexico 
are responsible for the outrage, and rev- 
olutionism and anarchy in Mexico have 
been encouraged or kept alive by the 
temporizing policy of the United States 
Government. — New York "Evenmg 
Mail." 



THAT WASHINGTON LAWYER. 

Provisional President Huerta lets no 
day pass without producing evidence that 
nothing could be more "constitutional" 
than his government, but for him it is 
too late. That Washington lawyer who 
instructed his Mexican revolutionary 
clients to call themselves "constitution- 
alists" gave them too long a start. He 
knew what was to be might be expected 
under a democratic administration, and 
for the knowing deserves high place 
among the "profits." — New York 
"Herald." 



AN OMINOUS COMPARISON. 

Murry Nelson, doorkeeper of the con- 
vention that named Abraham Lincoln, 
in his eighty-fourth year chats delight- 
fully about the days since the birth of 
the Republican Party and compares pol- 
itics then and now, in a New York 
"Times" interview. Among the passing 
remarks of this old warhorse, his mind 
cleared of partisanship by his ripe old- 
age wisdom, the following is deeply sig- 
nificant: 

As for President Wilson, time alone 
will tell whether he is to be a success. 
Certainlj' his foreign policy is not what 
one would call either brilliant or suc- 
cessful. Curiously enough, one of the 
elements which contributed very largely 
to the discredit of the Democratic Party 
before 1S60 was its attitude towards a 
Latin-American country, Cuba, as ex- 
emplified in that amazing document, the 
Ostend Manifesto. The country has 
waited sixty years to see anything in the 
way of foreign policy which approaches 
that preposterous Democratic pronuncia- 
mento. But Mr. Wilson, in his commu- 
nication to President Huerta, has rivaled 
Gen. Pierce and raised himself a Frank- 
enstein's monster that may yet destroy 
him. 



WHITHER? 



But where is this idea of democratic 
government, as opposed to benevolent 
despotism for Mexico of the Diaz and 
Huerta type, taking President Wilson 
and his country? First of all it brings 
the United States into conflict, diplo- 
matically at least, with countries that 
have large interests in Mexico. Accord- 
ing to the "Saturday Review," English 
and French bondholders are the chief 
creditors of Mexico, and middle class 
folks have taken its bonds, Government 
and industrial, of enormous value. It 
would be impossible for "the British 
Government to remain inactive while 
Washington waits for chaos," we are 
told, and Huerta's financial policy leads 
to "eventual chaos." And again the 
progressive idea (the new democracy for 
the American continent south of the Can- 
adian line) must contend with the alter- 
native to the overthrow of Huerta, that 
is to say, with the capacity of Carranza, 
or possibly Villa, or some other Huerta, 
to rule, with the consent of the governed, 
a people who do not understand the first 
principles of democracy. 

That Mr. Wilson "cannot wait indefi- 
nitel}'" is the obvious conclusion of the 
"Saturday Review." If the right man 
who might solve all difficulties in Mexico 
does not come to the front within a 
reasonable time it sees intervention 
forced upon the President. There can 
be no disputing this view. The truth is 
that Carranza is Mr. Wilson's hope, and 
it is disquieting to know that the Con- 
stitutional chieftain has doomed Huerta 
to death, and with him his active sup- 
porters and fellow conspirators against 
porters. * * * 

Carranza must fight or make his way 
to the city of Mexico and set up a gov- 
ernment before Mr. Wilson can draw a 
free breath. And then there would have 
to be an interval of probation before the 
recognition of Carranza's provisional 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 14, 1914- 



government, unless all Mexico supported 
him, and that would be highly improb- 
able. But suppose Carranza were to fail? 
Into such a maze of perplexities has def- 
erence to the new tradition driven Mr. 
Wilson. — New York "Sun." 



DEPLORABLE LOCALISM. 

So far there is not the slightest evi- 
dence of any intelligent effort on the 
part of this Administration to promote 
opportunity for American commerce 
abroad. Instead of a sane and intelli- 
gent handling of foreign relations we 
see the Secretary of State absorbed in 
"piffle" treaties whose only result is to 
tie the hands of the United States in its 
dealings with those Latin American 
governments which the United States 
must "police." Of course, we have the 
gratification of knowing that Denmark 
and Switzerland have agreed to a 
breathing time before attacking the 
United States. Then there is "watchful 
waiting" whose only effect has been to 
encourage revolution on the part of a 
band of bandits in Mexico. What can 
any sane man say in defence of that 
policy? On top of this, a slap in the 
face of Russia in the Pindell incident 
and an almost as pointed slap at France 
in the juggling of the .Ambassadorship 
to that country. In diplomatic appoint- 
ments to South America, where we 
should have our best men, there has 
been disgraceful resort to the old spoils 
policy resulting in the inconsiderate 
throwing out of men trained to the dip- 
lomatic service — just the sort of men 
needed there. Not one of the appoint- 
ments made by this Administration to 
those important countries is defensible. 
For the outrage upon American com- 
mercial interests perpetrated in these ap- 
pointments, President Wilson must be 
held responsible, either directly or be- 
cause of his responsibility for Mr. 
Bryan. 

Japan has been inconsiderately treat- 
ed. No efTort has been made to pro- 
mote friendship with Russia. From ev- 
ery standpoint our foreign relations are 
in a truly chaotic state. 

What I am getting at is this. The 
condition that exists is due to the de- 
plorable localism, the almost criminal 
ignorance, of the present Democratic 
.Administration. Do you think the peo- 
ple are not beginning to understand this? 
You are sadly mistaken. From one end 
of the country to the other intelligent 
business men and intelligent working- 
men — for the American working man 
thinks — are coming to the conclusion 
that what this country most needs is a 
man in the White House who has world 
knowledge. — Harvester Champion in 
New York "Herald." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

able to obtain aid in the pursuance of its 
well-known desire for monopoly. 

Oil exists in many a new country of 
Latin America. Sooner or later that oil 
will be in such acute demand that no 
source can be neglected, and in the case 
where such a country cannot find the 
money for development for herself, a 
problem which Costa Rica has gallantly 
solved, outside help and outside manage- 
ment of the fields is sure to come. For 
Standard Oil, or any of its ramifications 
to gain possession of such fields would 
be disastrous for the consumer as well 
as for rivals in the oil market. — "Pan- 
American Ma.gazine." 



CRUDE PETROLEUM. 

It is absurd to suppose that capital will 
not continue to come from Europe as it 
has in the past to finance the New 
World, or that the owners of such capital 
will not direct its employment them- 
selves; the wishes of both Europe and 
Latin America will be placed before any 
academic utterance from politicians, 
whatever its interest as an "extension of 
the Monroe Doctrine." 

The second point is that any discour- 
agement of a rival of Standard Oil is en- 
couragement of Standard Oil, and when 
wc think upon the story of that com- 
pany in its birthplace, of its tyrannies, 
its dominance, it3 triumphs over the law 
in defiance of denouncements and com- 
mands and penalties, it is unfortunate 
that any action should lend color to the 
suggestion that its powerful influence is 



THE MEXICAN MUDDLE. 

Since the removal of the embargo on 
the shipment of arms into Mexico the 
situation in that unhappy country has 
taken on a new and more serious aspect. 
Both the rebels and the Federal Govern- 
ment have arranged for the shipment of 
arms and ammunition from this country, 
but as the insurrectionists control the 
whole of the northern border of the 
neighboring republic they are able to 
secure munitions of war with greater 
ease. 

In order to prevent the Huerta govern- 
ment from continuing the importation of 
arms through the Mexican seaports, the 
rebels are endeavoring to purchase and 
fit out suitable vessels for operations 
a,gainst the gunboats controlled by 
Huerta. Under the customs of interna- 
tional law there is no bar to the purchase 
even of war vessels, but when it comes 
to fitting such ships out for war pur- 
poses in the United States and provid- 
ing them with fighting crews, interna- 
tional law interposes a serious objection. 

It is to be assumed that in removing 
the embargo on the shipment of arms 
President Wilson had no intention of 
suspending all neutrality laws and cus- 
toms. There should never have been an 
embargo on the shipment of arms to any 
purchaser, but no country can permit the 
fitting out of armed expeditions within 
its borders or the commissioning of ships 
of war in its ports for hostile operations 
against a foreign power with which it is 
not at war. 

There are not lacking indications that 
the Huerta government is entering a pe- 
riod of severe stress. Mexican finances 
are at a very low ebb, and the refusal of 
the United States to recognize the pro- 
visional government, coupled with the 
recent successes of the revolutionists, 
render it difficult for Provisional Presi- 
dent Huerta to borrow money. There 
are also fears of a coup d'etat in the Mex- 
ican capital. Such an event might put a 
sudden end to Huerta, and as there is no 
other man of sufficient personal strength 
to dominate the situation, there is grave 
danger of a very serious condition of af- 
fairs developing at any moment. 

The sudden overthrow of Huerta 
would probably bring the revolutionary 
elements into immediate control, but as 
there is no bond of unity between the 
various factions at present in arms 
against the Federal authority, it is not 
unlikely that the collapse of the provi- 
sional government would render the sit- 
uation more complicated and delicate 
than ever. Such an outcome would cer- 
tainly make the position of foreigners re- 
siding in Mexico, and their interests, 
more precarious than ever. This is a 
danger that may well give our adminis- 
tration at Washington serious cause for 
reflection. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



THE LIFTING OF THE EMBARGO. 

The lifting of the embargo on arms to MexicO' 
is the most incomprehensible move so far in tht 
President's incomprehensible Mexican policy. It 
will not have any appreciable material result 
against Huerta, for the rebels have been able tO' 
get all the arms and munitions of war they 
wanted, while the Federals have not, as at Oji- 
■naga. But morally it is putting the stamp of 
approval by President Wilson on the actions of 
the rebels and destroying Northern Mexico. 

That a man like President Wilson should offi- 
cially countenance such things is a disgrace to 
civilization, a blot on our national honor, and 
should make us hang our heads in shame. What 
does it mean? Has our President two standards 
of morals, one for home consumption and another 
in dealing with Mexico?— C. H. STAGUE, in 
New York "Tribune." 



A LETTER FROOM AN EYE-WIT- 
NESS OF REBEL ATROCITIES. 

On October 22nd the City of Mon- 
terrey was attacked by the rebels. Ow- 
ing to various circumstances the city hadl 
on the day of the attack only 500 sol- 
diers and with irregular forces, police- 
men and volunteers, did not have over 
1,100. The rebels, amounting: to about 
4,000 or 5,000, attacked the city all the 
23rd and 24th. A heroic defense was 
made in spite of there being not enough 
troops to defend the whole city. The 
soldiers only defended about 20 blocks 
which make the down-town district. 
The 24th, at midday, and when we had 
lost all hopes of not falling into the 
hands of the Carranza people, a big 
garrison commanded by Generals Anaya 
Ocaranza and Pena, entered Monterrey 
scattering in about three hours of fight- 
ing all the rebels outside of the city. 

The joy of all the inhabitants when 
we knew that we were completely saved 
by the arrival of the Federal troops is 
not easy to describe. The ladies threw 
flowers on the Federal soldiers, the 
churches rung all the bells and every- 
body shouted. "Viva El Gobierno." 

The troops arrived in Monterrey about 
i o'clock in the evening and immedi- 
ately started fighting. Ne.xt day it was 
absolutely safe, to go in any part of the 
city. I went to the places that had 
been occupied by the rebels; the factory 
district where all the warehouses are 
located, depots and railroads. It was not 
until then that I full}' realized the big 
danger in which we had been in those 
two days. Many warehouses, lumber 
yards, stores and residences were all 
burnt out after they had been entirely 
looted. In the private residences lo- 
cated in that part of the city the rebels 
had opened doors with a.xes and abso- 
lutely cleaned out everything, leaving 
the houses absolutely empty. 

I had heard that the rebels used to 
do that, but I always thought it was 
exaggerated. Nevertheless. I am now 
absolutely convinced that everything I 
had heard and read was true, there being 
no exaggeration. 

The rebels after leaving Monterrey, 
went to several other towns in this 
State, such as Montemorelos and Linares, 
and also looted all the leading stores and 
burned them afterward. I have talked 
with some merchants from those places 
and they told me that the rebels had 
left them with only the clothes they had 
on and without any other thing in the 
world. 

Within the last few days I have had 
the opportunity of reading some Amer- 
ican papers and I have been greatly 
surprised how mistaken American opin- 
ion is regarding our country. It seems 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



to me from the papers I read that Amer- 
ican opinion is much in favor of the 
rebels, who are nothing but bandits 
(and to-day I am not afraid to say it 
anywhere, after seeing what they have 
done in Monterrey). Indeed Mr. Wood- 
row Wilson does not realize the enor- 
mously big mistake he is making in not 
recognizing the actual Government. 
Public opinion in Mexico is with the 
Government and the attitude taken by 
Mr. Wilson is criticised by all Mexicans, 
.Americans and foreigners residing here. 
Mexico is very far from being a country 
with a democratic government, and the 
best proof of this is that it never has 
had one. When Gen. Huerta became 
President, we all looked on him as a 
man of good luck, but without believing 
he would some day be the man of the 
situation. The man of the day was then 
Fcli.x Diaz. The partido Felixista was 
composed of the best that Mexico had, 
not only in politics, but men of high 
financial standing. Nevertheless, very 
soon it was realized that Felix Diaz 
was not the man, and Huerta, little by 
little, was seen as a man of big 
energies and talent. Public opinion be- 
gan to forget Diaz and applaud Huerta 
until it was in the conscience of all of 
us that he was just the kind of man we 
needed. 

Mr. Wilson says he does not recognize 
the Mexican Government because it is 
a Government born of a revolution. 
Has ever been in Mexico a government 
that has not come from a revolution? 
Madero overthrew Diaz; Diaz could have 
resisted verj' much longer, but he was 
a man of talent and realized that the 
country did not want him any more. 
We wanted a change, so Madero tri- 
umphed by public opinion. De la Barra 
was only President by name. Every- 
body knew that Madero was then the 
real chief of the Republic, but Madero 
took the Government when Mexico was 
all mixed up by the same revolution he 
had made, and he also was swallowed. 

If Huerta should have taken the Gov- 
ernment when Madero did, I believe 
he also would have failed, but he has 
done it when the country has been suf- 
fering by a civil war of three years and 
when everybody wants peace before 
everything and he has found public opin- 
ion ready to approve everything he does 
to secure peace. 

Mexico is to-day so entirely against 
Maderism and Carrancism. which is the 
same thing, that there will never be _a 
government by these elements. This is 
why it is surprising how this revolution 
has increased so much, and this is why 
nobody can understand it, but by saying 




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that it has the help of some powerful 
concerns of your country. 

Mr. Wilson says he cannot recognize 
our Government on account of the il- 
legal act? it is committing and because 
the elections under Huerta were a farce. 
Has there been any time when elections 
have not been a farce in Mexico? Dur- 
ing Madero's Government, the Governor 
of our State was the father-in-law of 
Don Gustavo Madero, and all the dep- 
uties were placed by Madero. Don Por- 
firio simply elected himself for six 
times and the American Government 
had never anything to say about it. 
Why has Mr. Wilson become so partic- 
ular? 

The attitude taken by the United 
States Government has stirred the sym- 
pathy of all Europe and South America 
for Mexico, as I have read in papers of 
those countries and everybody agrees 
in one thing: "It is not the United 
States' business to tell us Mexicans what 
kind of government we ought to have," 
and everybody asks where is that spirit 
of justice of which the Americans boast 
so much. 



"Villa thinks he will adopt civilized warfare," 
says a news dispatch from O Ginger or O Pif- 
fle or some such Mexican flag station. 

He will have to adopt it if he uses it, for civ- 
ilized warfare is certainly not a child of his own 
brain. — New York "American." 



The Constitutionalists at El Paso were in such 
a hurry to realize on President Wilon's order 
opening up traffic in arms that in rushing a car- 
load of arms across the river they forgot to pay 
for it. Mere details like this are apt to be over- 
looked, but they are all included in the proclama- 
tion. 

According to advices from revolutionary 
sources in Peru, the President who is now in 
jail or in exile was a usurper, and the new 
junta which is to rule is proceeding strictly in 
accordance with the Constitution and the laws. 
Is this a bid for local support or is it intended 
to placate the severe constitutionalist who re- 
sides in the White House at Washington, D. C. ? 
—New York "World." 



ATTACKS BRYAN DIPLOMACY. 
(Special to the New York "Times.") 

Mobile, Feb. 6. — Americans and other for- 
eigners in Mexico City are disgusted with Bryan 
diplomacy, according to refugees from the Mex- 
ican capital passing through here. P. L. Echols, 
of Fort Smith, Ark., was outspoken in his de- 
nunciation of the Secretary. 

"Twelve months ago nearly all Americans in 
Mexico were pronounced Democrats," said Mr. 
Echols, "and there was general rejoicing in Presi- 
dent Wilson's election, particularly because it 
meant the end of the Knox dollar diplomacy. 
Bryan was popular among Americans in Mexico, 
and they were pleased with the announcement 
that he had been selected for Secretary of State. 
To-day they are disgusted with him. His dreams 
of world peace will not fit the present situation 
in Mexico." 



THE TRAGIC STATE OF MEXICO. 

The utter breakdown of our State Department 
in handling the Mexican crisis, combined with 
the European and Asiatic international compli- 
cations resulting therefrom, must now, more 
than ever, be a matter of grave concern to the 
whole American people, absolutely irrespective 
of political affiliation. 

To suppose that the substitution for Huerta 
of a man of the character and antecedents of 
Villa (for he and not Carranza, the idealist, is 
the man to be reckoned with) will bring peace 
to our distracted southern neighbor represents 
a most interesting and curious but, under the 
circumstances, tragic state of mind, for any one 
at all acquainted with Mexico and its political 
conditions must recognize that only a patriotic, 
vigorous and intelligent anned despot (at least 
as a preliminary condition, if Mexico, unassisted, 
is to work out her own salvation), and not a 
bloodstained and illiterate bandit, can bring order 
out of the present chaotic conditions existing in 
that unfortunate country. — SAMUEL L. PAR- 
RISH, in New York "Tribune." 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, February 14, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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CONSTITUTIONAL SOMETHING. 

There is one thing constitutional about 
those Mexicans who are using the Gov- 
ernment and the press of the United 
States to help their game — they are con- 
stitutional liars. The extent to which 
they will go is so appalling that one is 
almost forced to conclude that they have 
a peculiar kink of the brain, which like 
the Administration's Christian Science 
denial of the constitutionality of the 
Mexican Government, really produces a 
constant state of self-hypnosis. If it 
serves their purpose to say that black is 
white or vice versa they have not the 
slightest hesitancy in doing so. To 
show how this works out: 

Roberto V. Pesqueira, described by the 
New York "World" as "diplomatic 
agent of General Carranza" and the ac- 
tive head of the propaganda for the priv- 
ilege of importing arms "openly" from 
the United States, says in a prepared 
statement for last Sunday's "World": 

The talk of confiscating and dividing up the 
great estates among the poor is but idle gossip, 
indulged in, for the most part, by foreign news- 
papers having an imperfect understanding of 
conditions in Mexico. The real policy of our 
cause is to expropriate certain portions of these 
great estates, and to pay their owners the cor- 
responding value of the land taken, allowing the 
people to purchase small tracts for farming pur- 
poses, and granting them ample time within which 
to rcimlursc the Government. 

Mr. Pesqueira is one of lUc owners of 
those great estates — in Sonora. Natural- 
ly he wants a Government of his own 
cronies which will pay him his own price 
for the land and then sell it piecemeal 
to the poor Indians. With the proceeds 
from the sale to the Government, Mr. 
Pesqueira would not have to think about 
Mexico or its problems any longer. 
Broadway and Paris would be much more 
allurinp:. And we haven't the slightest 
doubt that his fervid enunciation of con- 
stitutional principles was music to Mr. 
Bryan's cars. There is one born every 
so often. 



Further on this young prevaricator 
with the freedom of the American press 
in his vest-pocket says: 

We have no fear of intervention on the part 
of the American Government, because, aside from 
the faith wc have in the policy of President Wil- 
son, we know that the thinking men of this coun- 
try, the great minds, realize that no great reform 
was ever brought about, no reign of corruption 
was ever destroyed, without bloodshed. They 
know that the abolition of slavery in the United 
States and the establishment of the supremacy of 
the Federal Government over the doctrine of 
States' rights was only accomplished through one 
of the greatest and bloodiest fratricidal wars the 
world has ever seen. They know that during the 
war certain of the powers of Europe were dispoied 
to intervene, and effect a compromise between the 
contending parties in order to impose peace, a 
peace that would have meant a disrupted union 
and an indefinite continuance of intermittent war- 
fare, suggestive only of an eventual national disin- 
tegration. During those dark days the Govern- 
ment of the United States valiantly resented even 
the suggestion of interference and threatened to 
withdraw its Ministers from London and Paris if 
even the slightest move was made in this direc- 
tion, notifying Great Britain and France that in- 
tervention under any pretext would be consid- 
ered by the American Government as an act of 

If the Government of the United States re- 
sented all suggestions of intervention during the 
devastating struggle of 1S61-65, who could im- 
agine that great republic interfering in the af- 
fairs of Mexico at the present time? What could 
justify such an inconsistency? 

We simply give it up. In the pres- 
ence of this evidence of the contagious 
character of the Washington self-hypno- 
sis we do not know whether or not to 
blame Mr. Pesqueira for asking, "Who 
could imagine the United States interfer- 
ing in the affairs of Mexico at the present 
time?" This thing is really getting us 
all mixed up. Who could imagine such 
a thing? Preposterous! President Wil- 
son never did send ex-Reverend Hale 
and John Lind down to Mexico City to 
snoop around and tell Huerta to get out. 
No, siree, they simply went down there 
to throw oil on the troubled Waters- 
Pierce. There is no matter. All is oil 
and grape juice. 

God bless us, it's a funny world! 



A BANDIT TO CATCH A BANDIT. 

It is really amusing to read that 
Pancho Villa, bandit (we beg Mr. Bry- 
an's pardon — it should be General Villa) 
turned white with rage when the report 
reached him in Chihuahua while he was 
reading "The Ethics of International 
Warfare" that Maximo Castillo, bandit, 
his old friend Max, was wrecking trains 
and incidentally killing fifteen Americans. 

There was nothing amusing about the 
grimly tragic fact, however, and coming 
on the heels of the lifting of the em- 
bargo on arms to the Mexican bandits, 
it must have touched the conscience of 
those who are responsible for the dis- 
graceful alliance with just such persons 
as Maximo Castillo. 

It is worthy of note that although fif- 
teen .Americans were killed by the dia- 
bolical act of the Mexican l^afidit the 
newspapers that have been supporting 
the .A.dministration's Mexican policy 
treated the awful crime with less empha- 
sis than many of iheni attached to the 
reported capture in San Luis Potosi of 
an American oil man, Dobson by name, 
by "Pluerta's men!" 



The Secretary of State blandly told the 
newspaper correspondents that "General" 
Villa had gladly complied with his re- 
quest for an armed escort for a rescuing 
party — who found nothing but charred 
bones — and that he was inclined to be- 
lieve that "General" Villa would see to 
it that the culprits were punished! 

It should make the blood of every true 
American boil to tliink that the Adminis- 
tration, in the beautiful name of consti- 
tutional government, has encouraged 
conditions in Mexico which make such 
monsters as Castillo and Villa powers of 
evil, that the Administration was actually 
concerned that they were not getting all 
the arms and ammunition they needed, 
that the newspapers and the Adminis- 
tration will make light of the death of 
fifteen Americans and plunge a whole 
country into distress because some con- 
spiring Mexican deputies are arrested, 
that the Secretary of State will enter into 
negotiations with a bandit like Villa to 
catch his brother bandit Castillo! 

Ugh! 



CALL OFF THE VULTURES. 

From private and official advices the 
Administration knows full well that nine- 
tenths of the rumors and insinuations 
against the Mexican Government in the 
press of this country are downright per- 
versions of fact. 

The Administration knows also that 
the worse the case made out against the 
Mexican Government the better bol- 
stered up is its own attitude toward that 
Government. 

The fear of foreign complications that 
has led the Administration to suggest 
to tlie press that it put the soft pedal on 
discussion of issues with countries more 
powerful than Mexico has not operated 
to dampen the creative ardor of writers 
of pernicious fiction about the country 
below the Rio Grande. 

On the contrary, the Administration 
has seemed to encourage the fiction, 
evincing smiling satisfaction on hearing 
any news concoction that would help it 
find an excuse for "getting Huerta." 

Is this the strictly honorable new free- 
dom? 

Or is it the new privateering? 



SIX LATIN-AMERICAN REVOLU- 
TIONS. 

"This makes six revolutions in Latin- 
America," says the "Herald's" Washing- 
ton correspondent in recording the out- 
break that has come to Ecuador, in 
which the town of Esmeraldas is pre- 
paring to be bombarded to-day by the 
rebels that are harassing it. 

Mexico, Hayti, Peru, Venezuela, Bra- 
zil and Ecuador are listed as the six 
bases of revolt, and Mr. Bryan's poor, 
bedraggled dove of peace is all a-flutter 
at the dismal outlook. 

Europe, it is recalled in Washington, 
predicted when Mr. Wilson entered office 
that Mr. Bryan's scheme of Latin-.\mer- 
ican amity and brotherhood would be 
welcomed with more bloodshed than ac- 
companied the tenure of anj' of his more 
militant predecessors. Is this a fulfil- 
ment of the prophecy? — New Yoi-k "Her- 
ald." 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. 27 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly. ---Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



Blunderers 



How history is made. 
When the Wilson Administration came 
into power, March 4, 1913, enthusiastic- 
ally determined to carry out its platform 
pledges of tariff, financial and trust re- 
form, recking little or nothing of foreign 
affairs, it immediately ran into an area 
of unexpected high pressure. 

Concerning a matter that was for the 
time, at least, outside its program, and 
outside its intimate ken. 

Two areas of high pressure, to be ex- 
act. The first was an inheritance from 
the Taft Administration. The second 
was an adroit assault on the tempera- 
ment and character of the leaders of the 
new order. 

The inherited pressure was from those 
Americans and American interests who 
for purely material and selfish reasons 
wanted the United States to intervene by 
force of arms in Mexico. They had al- 
most brought the Taft Administration 
to the verge of this national crime. Only 
the Republican President's innate pat- 
riotism and his reluctance to take a step 
so momentous in the last days of his 
term could resist the pressure. 

When President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan took over the reins of affairs they 
were advised and petitioned jmd briefed 
and buttonholed by American interests 
in Mexico after this fashion: 

"We have put our money into Mexico, 
upward of a billion. They've been fight- 
ing down there for nearly three years 
and we've lost millions. The country's 
rich. It's a gold mine. We ought to go 
in tllere and show them how to run it 
and make it pay. We ought to get some- 
thing out of it, too. There's Lower Cal- 
ifornia, with Magdalena Bay! The 
Northern tier of States, along our bor- 
der, are sparsely settled and they never 
will be fully developed until we take 
them over and put more of our people 



and capital in there under the stars and 
stripes. Here's your chance to put some- 
thing over for the old U. S. A. It's our 
destiny. It's evolution. Every strong 
nation absorbs its weaker neighbors. 
Don't waste any time trying to figure out 
who's who down there. They're all the 
same and the only solution is American 
intervention." 

To the credit of the Wilson Adminis- 
tration be it said that this disingenuous 
pressure was given short shrift. The pro- 
posed course was against the announced 
and well-known ideals of the Adminis- 
tration. Hearst's cry for intervention 
was given the quietus by Secretary Bry- 
an's characterization of those who 
thought in dollars and not in moral prin- 
ciples. Cleveland H. Dodge, of the 
Phelps-Dodge interests, with large hold- 
ings in Mexico, friend and adviser of the 
Administration, was constrained to admit 
that although American intervention in 
Mexico would be a good thing for him, 
he could view it from a broader, more 
patriotic standpoint, and consider the loss 
of American lives and money it would 
involve. 

So far the Administration followed the 
best traditions of American statesman- 
ship and represented the will of the mass 
of the American people, who no more 
wanted a war to benefit Big Business in 
Mexico than they wanted to take up arms 
against the Seven Seas of trouble. 

Now comes the second area of high 
pressure, an adroit assault on the tem- 
perament and character of the leaders of 
the new Administration. 

The Administration would not listen to 
such words as "intervention," "war," 
"material interests," "manifest destiny," 
"territorial acquisition," "imperialistic 
evolution." It was a Democratic Admin- 
istration striving to live up to Demo- 
cratic traditions. These things smacked 



too much of cold and heartless corpora- 
tions and dollar diplomacy, always re- 
pugnant to the minority that had be- 
come all-powerful. 

But these Administration leader", of 
fine ideals had been trained to love such 
words as "constitutional government," 
"consent of the governed," "free and fair 
elections" (outside of the South) and 
were filled with an ardent dislike for 
conditions represented by such words as 
"privileged classes," "usurpation of au- 
thority," "dictatorship," "military oli- 
garchy," etc. 

Into Washington swooped the Ma- 
deros and their cohorts, all well coached 
and primed by their clever adviser, the 
attorney of the Waters-Pierce Oil Com- 
pany, and the second area of high pres- 
sure on the Administration were the 
wailing cries of a widow and the equally 
well-calculated importunities of the de- 
structive tribe that had brought anarchy 
to Mexico and looted its treasury. These 
wily appliers of pressure were well aware 
of the words and phrases that would 
"catch the conscience of the king." Ev- 
ery one they worked to a frazzle — though 
it wasn't really necessary to be so stren- 
uous about it. The Administration bit — 
so gulpingly that it wasn't any sport at 
all for the fishers. A considerable part 
of the pressure was brought to bear 
against the American Ambassador to 
Mexico, because he knew the true status 
of affairs in Mexico. Hence the cam- 
paign to discredit him and get him out 
of the way. 

Thus, although the Administration 
held out righteously and earnestly 
against the pressure of those selfish and 
material interests who advised United 
States occupation of Mexico, it suc- 
cumbed without a struggle to the pres- 
sure of those who cleverly worked on its 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



righteousness and ideals — for equally sel- 
fish and material interests — and probably 
felt that it was the soul of everything 
noble when it refused to recognize the 
provisional Government of Mexico. 

Then upon this highly ideal Adminis- 
tration, with its mind made up self-sat- 
isfactorily against intervention in Mex- 
ico and against recognition of the Mex- 
ican Government came another area of 
pressure — THE PRESSURE OF 
FACTS. 

These facts are: 

The Administration's theories and 
preconceptions are not applicable to 
Mexican conditions. 

Those who sought to force the Ad- 
ministration to intervene in Mexico are 
just as well pleased with its present 
course, as it creates the very conditions 
that wUl make a plausible excuse for 
intervention. 

While professing to wish peace in 
Mexico the Administration has in fact 
encouraged rebellion and disorder. 

Foreign as well as American interests 
in Mexico have suffered and it is per- 
fecUy natural that foreign governments 
should have pertinently asked the Ad- 
ministration "What are you going to do 
about it?" 

The position assumed toward the Pro- 
visional Government of Mexico has 
proved untenable, as witness the pre- 
cipitate recognition of the revolutionary 
government of Peru, which came into 
power under precisely the same condi- 
tions as the present Government of Mex- 
ico. 

Despite the efforts of the Administra- 
tion to overthrow the Mexican Govern- 
ment, it has steadily gained in prestige 
and power with the Mexican people, 
principally because of the opposition and 
antagonism of the Administration. 

The bandit hordes whose paid agen' 
have prated of constitutional liberty an 
democracy for the benefit of the Admin- 
istration and the American people have 
been shown up in their true colors as 
the enemies of society under any gov- 
ernment. 

These are cold, hard facts which need 
•no propaganda to demonstrate thenv. 
They are obvious to the naked eye and 
the unclouded reason. 

Against the pressure of these indis- 
putable facts what has the Administra- 
tion done? It has simply postponed, 
hedged, manoeuvred obliquely, impul- 
sively grasped at straws, in desperation 
virtually formed an alliance with out- 
laws, battled by indirection and insinu- 
ation against the plain truth of the situ- 
ation, and seems ready to go to any ex- 
treme to escape the log^ical inevitable 
results of its first blunder. 

It would be a pity to see a promising 
Administration wrecked on the rocks of 
prejudice. 

When the chart is so plain except to 
those who will not see. 



Plain Words from the Border 

By C. F. Z. Caracristi, Ph.D., C.E. 



The other day an American Carran- 
cisla, who is mostly noted for the fact 
that he is getting stoop-shouldered from 
packing hand bags, suit cases and poodle 
dogs for the would-be and near great, 
and for his ability in packing American 
juries to throw out neutrality cases, 
stopped me on the street to protest 
against my last article on Mexico. He 
said ihat my comparison of the Mexi- 
can "patriots" that roam the country in 
search of loot under the banner of "con- 
stitutionalists," to the American negro 
was a libel; and embellished his opin- 
ion with the choicest collection of un- 
printable expressions that ever disturbed 
the border atmosphere in winter. It is 
fine to hear the other side of any argu- 
ment, as knowledge comes from com- 
parison, while the "sic him Towzer!" of 
a few more timid friends gave him 
courage to speak to me of the matter. 

I feel that there are others who would 
like to join his chorus, which compli- 
ment is gratefully acknowledged. Any- 
way, it gives me an opportunity to say a 
little more on the fallacy of our Govern- 
ment's attitude toward Mexico and to 
point out our inconsistencies; at least, 
some that are more glaring than others. 

While we sob and we weep for the 
past and establish splendid benevolent 
orders under the names of the North 
American Indians, we did not hesi- 
tate to kill poor Lo until we have just a 
few left to exhibit in the menageries 
and other shows. The brave Indian has 
been sent to the happy hunting ground 
by our equally brave fellow citizens who 
did it out of pure gratitude and because 
they wanted a billion acres of land or 
more. Yes, just pure philanthropy — we 
are just full of it! On the other hand 
the Spaniards, whom we so often con- 
demn without reason or knowledge of 
the people themselves, assimilated the 
Indian in Mexico and elsewhere. They 
attempted not to destroy him, but to 
civilize him, and make him an asset to 
their convenience and country. It was 
easier and less costly to the Spanish to 
enslave the Mexican Indian than to just 
kill him, as we did, and import Mr. Black 
Man. True, the Mexican Indian was 
not the warrior of the Indians further 
north, but was still a savage. 

Four hundred years of civilization and 
European vice and infirmities have not 
made the impression upon him that has 
been made upon the negro since 1865. 
The American Government maintains 
schools and colleges for the Indian but 
they are kept in reservations, not allowed 
to drink "booze," not allowed to vote 
and systematically and continuously 
robbed of what little they have left. 
They are wards of the nation, handed 



over to a set ci more or less, honest or 
dishonest Indian agents and kept uiulcr 
lock and key. 

Poor, dear Indians! The poets turn 
on the weep spigots when they write of 
tliem, but tlie "Great White Father" at 
the Wliite House does not issue many 
proclamations giving them freedom and 
a vote. Does he? But the same Great 
Father does tell General Huerta and 
those Mexicans who by thrift, applica- 
tion and intelligence have acquired 
wealth and influence that the Mexican 
Indian must be free — must vote and must 
be given back his land with equal so- 
cial, political, financial and moral rights. 
Hearken to that! 

Was there ever a case so well devel- 
oped in the world's political insane asy- 
lum as this proposition from our noble 
President? 

Not one-tenth of one per cent, of all 
the Carrancistas, their officers, men, of- 
ficials and sympathizers in Mexico are oi 
pure Spanish Caucasian blood. Not one 
per cent, are over one-quarter white, 
and not one-half of one per cent, are 
half white. The rest are just Inil . 
who can speak Indio-Mexican. Of 
course, there are great Indians in Mex- 
ico, men like Juarez and Diaz, but they 
belong to a different class of Indians; 
to the ancient ruling classes of prehis- 
toric times, and who are in no way re- 
flective of the vermin-covered riff-raff 
that goes to make the Villa-Zapata- 
Carranza brigands and cutthroat mobs. 

Why is it, to be logical, indeed, that 
President Wilson and Mr. Bryan do not 
turn our own Indians loose and give 
them the right to rob, to rape and to 
burn up all property in the States of 
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona? 
Why do they not give them back the 
lands they claim, give them a vote and 
allow them to burn and destroy all the 
railroads in those States? If it is right 
in Mexico, why in the name of glorious 
fulminate of mercury and Jupiter Plu- 
vius, is it not right at home? If any 
man connected with this Administration 
can answer the questions that I ask, even 
with a fairly remote degree of logic, I 
will forever hold my peace. I am a 
Democrat and always have been one 
and always will be, but it is hard to 
teach a jackass his alphabet and harder 
still to reform a crook. Of course, I 
am speaking only of the Democratic em- 
blem, not the Government; vfhy, of 
course not. Who would dispute the 
Government? Not I! for I am ortho- 
dox in my Democracy and would not 
dare say what my real opinion is be- 
cause I might desire to run for office or 
do something equally disreputable some 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February tl, 1914 



MEXICO 



PLAIN WORDS FROM THE BORDER-Continued 



day and I do not want this laid up 
against me. 

Have the American people ever 
stopped to think how very ridiculous we 
arc in the Mexican matter? Certainly 
not! But we get as angry as a muzzled 
lion in a butcher shop if any one tells 
us that the Rubeville "Gazette" or the 
"Scientific Impostor" furnishes us our 
prediges.ed opinions, but it is so just 
the same. 

I am not defending (jeneral Huerta. 
I am condemning our own imbecilic pol- 
icy, because we are practicing one thing 
at home and demanding another of Mex- 
ico. 

But our Great and Glorious Govern- 
ment, whose principal duty is to watch 
the s;ars and see that the stripes do 
not get away, spend the people's money 
and fight the Trusts in public and pat 
them on the safe deposit combination 
in private, says that Huerta is a terrible 
man and cannot be tolerated or synco- 
pated, etc. They say he killed a man 
or two or maybe three, and therefore 
he must retire to some far and distan. 
loneliness. In other words, that the pe- 
culiar style of landscape architecture on 
his piiysiognomy being incompatible and 
at variance with the moral ideals of 
President Wilson he, Huerta, should first 
consult the contract diplomatic agent 
purposely dug out of the ice palace of 
Minnesota lo thaw out at Vera Cruz, 
and then evacuate to some adjacent do- 
main, just like that or something worse. 

No; our great and glorious country 
could not stand Huerta. He must go, 
muy pronto, carramba! 

Has it ever occurred to the average 
reader that Mr. Wilson's misguided 
sense of morality is costing Mexico hun- 
dreds of lives, and ten million dollars 
per month and that this with the con- 
sent, approval and connivance of our 
Government has gone on since 
March 4th, 1913? I only wish that the 
American press was not muzzled on this 
greatest of all American crimes. 

If we were to admit the ridiculous 
probability (which competent judicial tri- 
bunals have disproved) that Huerta 
really did have the two disturbing ele- 
ments, Madero and Suarez, executed, are 
they not dead? Why should Mr. Wil- 
son in order to avenge a presumptive 
crime against two irresponsible agita- 
tors condemn a hundred thousand men, 
women and children to death by aiding a 
few ambitious bandits like Villa, Zapata 
and Carranza? 

Where is your precedent, Mr. Presi- 
dent? 

Let me just name a few: 

1st. We helped to drive the French 
out of Mexico and were the cause of the 
murder of Emperor Maximilian. State 
Department records prove it. Did that 
prevent us from recognizing Juarez and 
Diaz? 

2nd. Emperor Don Pedro of Brazil 



was driven out by force anil wc were 
the first to recognize the republic. 

3rd. The King and Queen of Ser- 
via were murdered in cold blood and 
the facts never ever denied; we were 
among the first to recognize the new 
king. 

4th. The Kingdom of Portugal was 
overthrown by murder and war. Ui< 
we refuse recognition? 

5th. When it suited our convenience 
to steal the Panama Canal from Colom- 
bia we ourselves got up a fake revolution 
and recognized as Panama Minister ;i 
man who was a Frenchman and was the 
drummer who had the Panama Canal 
for sale. He never had been a Col 
bian. 

6th. When the revolutionists in Ecua- 
dor dragged President Alfaro's pros- 
trate form through tthe streets of Quito 
until his head was practically knocked 
oflf against cobble stones, did we protest 
or fail to recognize the Ecuadorian Gov- 
ernment? 

Ttli. When Governor Goebel of Ken- 
tucky was shot to death why did the 
State of Indiana and the District of 
Columbia (United States) refuse extra- 
dition papers for ex-Governor Taylor 
when charged with responsibility in the 
alleged assassination? 

8th. How about Wilson's recognition 
of China and Peru? 

I cannot believe that the President is 
responsible for his attitude toward Mex- 
ico. He is being misled by a litter of 
sinister co-partners in the Mexican Mur- 
der Syndicate. 

Of course, when the buffalo disap- 
peared from the American plains the In- 
dian had to surrender. When the Mexi- 
can leaders of the revolution have sold 
oflf all the available cattle to their Ameri- 
can partners (are there any border Con- 
gressmen interested in this ???) the 
Mexican Indian "peon" and "pelado," 
for they are nothing but a low grade of 
Indians, will find no food on the range 
and will surrender as the North .Amer- 
ican Indian did when the bison had been 
destroyed. . 

In conclusion, I would like to know 
upon what real or imaginary ground and 
upon what tangible or reflective halluci- 
nation our government is withholding 
rccognilion to Huerta. 

The fact is that the self-styled consti- 
tutionalists do not want Huerta, nor 
Villa, nor Carranza, nor anything on 
earth, over the earth or under it that 
really represents a government. They 
do not want any government and the 
leaders, mostlj' just common thieves and 
gentile renegades, are leading the semi- 
civilized Indian peon and city pelado to 
loot, for whom? Just for the leaders, so 
that if they should ever win they might 
ascend to the profession of Lagartijas on 
San Fra'ncisco avenue in Mexico City or 
in the States. 

The President savs that he will not 



support "The Interests" in Mexico be- 
cause I believe that outside of the Wa- 
ters-Pierce group all are clamoring for 
the recognition of Huerta. It is not be- 
cause any one has any personal interest 
in who is President but because nothing, 
short of a benevolent despotism and 
mild dictatorship can ever bring Mexico- 
back to peace and prosperity. Those of 
us who have interests in Mexico want a. 
government of force because the Mexi- 
can Indian masses in Mexico can no- 
more understand governmental paternity 
and affection than our Indians can. I am 
sorry to have to say it, but in Mexico 
a governmtnt without a club and willing- 
ness to use it is impossible. 

President Wilson and Mr. Bryan both 
have absolutely refused to listen to the 
facts sul)mitted through the diplomatic 
or consular corps in Mexico, to the re- 
ports of army officers stationed on the 
border, to the results of investigations 
nude by the agents of the Department 
of Justice and to reputable private ad- 
vices. I hardly know if it is politic ; ■ 
state that our attitude in Mexico is u 
ly due to the evil influences of a certain 
secret society, the individual members 
of which were promised vast concessions 
by Madero. These people are fighting 
Huerta and the Roman Catholic church 
in Mexico by using our government as 
the catspaw. Too well do I realize that 
this is a dangerous statement lo make, 
but it is nevertheless a true one and I 
make it so that the Catholics of the 
United States may know that our coun- 
try is lending itself to the nefarious 
machinations of private anti-Catholic so- 
cieties seeking to reap personal gain for 
its members in Mexico through star 
chamber devices and traitorous methods. 
Strange that the American Catholics 
have never discovered this infamous plot 
lo use our non-religious government 
against their creed. 

Of these facts I have absolute evi- 
dence. Does the President know ih t 
he is being made a tool of by a few men 
in Mexico City who want to dominate 
that Government as they dominated Ma- 
dero?' I hardly believe it possible. 

Some one will quote to me that "fools 
rush where angels fear to tread," but 
some one had to say this in order to 
reform American ignorance on the Mex- 
ican situation and in its place substitute 
intelligence. 



Loud hints of trouble between Car- 
ranza and Villa. 

Carranza reported moving to Juarez 
to attack Pancho. 

Don't believe it. Carranza will keep 
just as far away froi-n the bandit as he 
would from a rattlesnake. 

* * * 

But if Villa goes south to Torreon — 
well, he had better keep an eye for a 
metaphorical knife in his back. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



What Does it All Mean? 



By Saterios Nichelson. 



UNITED STATES POLICY AS IT 
AFFECTS MEXICO. 

That the Great Powers are becoming 
resuve under the conditions imposed by 
the "Watchful Waiting" attitude of 
President Wilson toward the abominable 
situation existing throughout Mexico to- 
day, is noi to be wondered. 

It is now fully understood that the 
Lind mission was a direct result of the 
simultaneous sending of an identical 
note, by the various members of the 
Diplomatic Corps in Mexico City to 
their respective governments, expressing 
the conviction that the "Non-recogni- 
tion" policy of the Wilson Adminisira- 
tion, was contributory cause of the cha- 
otic conditions then existing in Mexico. 
Courteously, but firmly requesting the 
United Sates government to give defi- 
nite information as to the results ex- 
pected from its attitude, and at the 
same time pointing out the responsibility 
the continuance of such a policy nec- 
essarily involved, the powers expressed 
the hope that the Washington Admin- 
istration would see its way clear to re- 
verse its decision, hus recognizing the 
sovereign right of the Mexican people to 
adjust their internal affairs as they saw 
fit. 

That the complacency of the Wilson 
Administration has experienced several 
severe shocks since the avowal of its pur- 
pose of adhering strictly and unalterably 
to the policy of "non-recognition" was 
natural and despite the transitory good 
effect of his Mobile speech by the Presi- ■ 
dent declaring that the traditions and 
principle of the Monroe Doctrine would 
be vigorously upheld and defended if 
necessary; still a fuller realization upon 
the part of the American public of the 
import of that responsibility, has awak- 
ened a feeling akin to anxious concern 
as to the goal toward which such a 
policy will inevitably commit the Amer- 
ican nation. 

It is now quite apparent that the 
Powers will not be content with the 
mere reiteration of the present policy 
and that they expect from this govern- 
ment an early and more definite state- 
ment as to just how Mr. Wilson con- 
ceives his present course will secure the 
much needed peace in Mexico, and as 
to how the duty incumbent upon the 
President as advocate of the Monroe 
Doctrine can be fulfilled to the satis- 
faction of all concerned. 

The important questions now con- 
fronting the Administration seem to be: 
"What is the government of the United 
States going to do to lift the grievous 
burdens now imposed upon foreign in- 
terests in Mexico and just when shall 
the Government set about securing the 
needed reliefs?" That European gov- 
ernments look to us as the paramount 
power in this hemisphere is natural and 
that no coercive action may be taken 
without our consent is beyond question. 
The "restiveness" however, is natural 
and pertinent because no one can fore- 
see what the result is to be.. Now, it 
is all very well to insist upon the elimi- 
nation of President Huerta, but what 
■ if he is eliminated? Will the Wilson 
Administration recognize Carranza, or 
Villa or any,-other of tlie constitution- 
alist leaders who may happen to be 
more powerful than Carranza? Presi- 
dent Wilson's pronunciamento against 



Huerta, upon moral grounds solely, 
surely is likewise applicable to brigands 
ot the Villa and z.apa.a type as actual 
violators of all rules of civilized war- 
fare, whereas Carranza himself is in- 
dictable upon similar charges, at least 
a^ an accessory both before and after 
the fact, as the history of pillage, ra- 
pine and murder in many instances con- 
clusively proves. Truly then recogni- 
tion of Carranza would be a repudiation 
of the standard set up by our President 
to the effect that "not only consent of 
the governed" would be required, but 
that in any case no government founded 
upon blood would be recognized by the 
government. 

A fair-minded man is credited with 
having considered all available facts 
germane to the case, before committing 
himself to a final decision and it is to 
be assumed that the President not only 
has access to, but has carefully examined 
such facts in the Mexican controversy. 
It is assumed he became convinced that 
whe.her or not the leaders of the op- 
posing factions in Mexico are fighting 
for revenge and retaliation, their respec- 
tive foUowers are for the most part 
seeking either the paymaster's money 
or the "dinero" plus the grand opportu- 
nity to loo , pillage, etc., at will and 
with immunity. A less sagacious man 
than our President could not fail to 
foresee that the inevitable result of such 
a warfare must necessarily mean the 
mere replacing of one President by an- 
other, who, in turn, will be declared an 
usurper by the disgruntled force which 
has not profited by the change in leader- 
ship. That Mexico is overrun by pro- 
fessional revolution-organizers (the ma- 
jority of whom hail from other coun- 
tries) is an indispu able fact and that 
they would be satisfied merely by a 
change in the personnel of the govern- 
ment is not at all conceivable, unless 
they themselves should acquire the pow- 
er. 

Now, the American press and public 
have been most docile and patient, even 
in the face of the inaction imposed and 
enforced by the attitude of "watchful 
waiting" and this in itself is singular 
when the temperament of both is con- 
sidered. Then, too, the Powers have 
been at considerable pains in giving the 
Wilson policy a fair trial and ample op- 
portunity has been afforded the admin- 
istration to develop a definite plan serv- 
ing to terminate the intolerable situation 
existing in Mexico. Now that the sit- 
uation is no longer "a family affair," it 
is to be expected that foreign govern- 
ments will demand some form of action 
upon the part of the Wilson Adminis- 
tration, whether drastic or conciliatory 
does not so much concern these Powers 
as tha; something be done and done 
without loss of time. Thinking Amer- 
icans perceive the diplomatic advantage 
of these Powers over the United States, 
for whereas the Monroe Doctrine guar- 
intces protection of their interests, these 
powers are not pledged in the slightest 
degree to abstain from individuality or 
jointly securing the protection they may 
judge necessary for their subjects in 
Mexico. "Waiting." HOWEVER 

"Watchful" may eventually degenerate 
into procrastination and it does not in 
any case secure the desired results; 
h cnce it is conceivable that even thoiigh 
the United States Congress may tacitly 
agree to remain silent upon the subject 



it is highly probable an informed press 
supported by a citizenship that delights 
in fair play, and is apprehensive of the 
possibili.ies of complications with for- 
eign Powers may insist upon a full and 
impartial discussion of the Mexican sit- 
uation, if the present policy is not 
changed considerably. 

In view of the above facts it occurs to 
the writer that but one of two courses 
remain open for President Wilson to fol- 
low: namely, that of an immediate re- 
versal of his policy of "non-recognition 
of the de facto government of Mexico," 
by morally requesting the Provisional 
President Huena to designate the day 
for general elections irrespective of 
candidates; guaranteeing him in return 
that such persons as may be elected will 
be acceptable to the United States Gov- 
ernment. The only other course is that 
of intervention, actual, prompt and ef- 
fective. 

The former policy would be not only 
more humane, prudent and honorable to 
the nation as a whole, being in accord 
with the desire of our respected Secre- 
tary of State, who has so earnestly prayed 
for peace for the Mexican people, but 
it would meet the approval of the ma- 
jority of American citizens. Such an 
act of reversal of opinion would afford 
an enviable example for the magnanimity 
of the President himself. In any event 
as the present policy has borne no ef- 
fective results and is disapproved by 
well-informed Americans as it has been 
openly ridiculed by foreigners, and as 
this consensus of opinion should be re- 
spected by the President it is hoped he 
w 11 do hs manifest duty to all — for 
the wishes of the people, the honor of 
the nation, and the welfare of suffering 
Mexico, are of paramount importance. 

Alternately praised for the President's 
courageous advocacy of the Monroe 
Doctrine and censured for the injection 
of the personal element into the con- 
sideration of the Mexican situation, it 
occurs to the writer that due deliberation 
should be given to the following and 
it will lead to a conclusion different 
from that so persistently pursued by the 
present Administration. 

Grotius has, laid down the legal axiom 
that "non-interference in the internal af- 
fairs of a foreign power is a law" that 
should not be violated. The non-recogni- 
tion policy is in effect a violation of this 
law in that it has blocked financial aid 
from foreign Powers, morally pledged 
•o follow the initiative of the United 
States. Here was an act of intervention, 
morally at least, in the internal affairs 
of Mexico. That this slight to the sov- 
ereignty of the Mexican nation was re- 
sented in sundry and humiliating ways 
cannot be disputed and that it served 
.to cement the more or less disorganized 
lova! Federal Mexicans into one group 
and made more adhesive their factional 
opponents is not singular, so that the 
resentment evinced by all classes 
toward the American Administration was 
but natural. 

Secondly, it should be remembered 
that the Monroe Doctrine was not con- 
ceived in a desire to oppress, much less 
to dismember any of the Latin-American 
republics, but was formulated to protect 
them against European aggression. 
Now the "non-recognition" policy has 
indisputably and deliberately oppressed 
the de facto government of M^rxico and 
is a contributory cause to the continued 
strife and dismemberment of said gov- 
ernment, which is derogatory to the 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



WHAT DOES IT MEAN?— continued 

principles of the "non-interference law" 
and the Monroe Doctrine as well. This 
much the Mexican nation can charge the 
WilsonAdministration as being guilty of. 

Let us look at the situation from an- 
other, a more selfish, more practical, 
and more business-like angle. With the 
opening of the Panama Canal is it not 
conceivable that the protectorate policy 
in Mexico may lead to general distrust 
of the United States not alone in Mexico 
but throughout all Latin America? Up- 
on this broader viewpoint is the present 
Administration warranted in thus arous- 
ing the enmity of our sister Republics? 
Hardly. The proposed protectorate over 
the Central American countries and a 
sympathetic understanding at least by 
the Mexican Government as to the in- 
tents and purposes of such a policy is 
a "desideratum" President Wilson ought 
to appreciate. That protectorate should 
be extended so as to embrace such South 
American Republics as Argentine, Bra- 
zil and Chile into one grand Pan-Ameri- 
can Monroe Doctrine. That the Presi- 
dent should have formulated a policy 
that has awakened the distrust of our 
South American Sister Republics and 
has aroused a pronounced feeling of re- 
sentment against the Washington offi- 
cials responsible for that policy, upon 
the part of the Mexican nation, is sur- 
prising in the extreme. 

I am convinced, however, of the high 
motives of the President and confident 
that his loyalty to Democratic princi- 
ples is such that he will not permit 
the opportunity to pass without securing 
to his party the prestige consequent upon 
the fathering of the Pan-American Mon- 
roe Doctrine Protectorate; nor do I con- 
ceive it possible that he will forego the 
great opportunity of asserting his vigor- 
ous constructive statesmanship along this 
line. In view of the pressure from with- 
out and the incentives from within to 
prompt, effective and magnanimous ac- 
tion, I anticipate we may witness in the 
near future a complete reversal of the 
"non-recognition" policy. 

Now, such reversal of policy will se- 
cure to Mexico the needed aid from 
abroad that will determine the victor 
to the present struggle there in the 
shortest possible time. Nor will the 
raising of the embargo upon arms be 
inconsistent with such a policy of fair 
play. In any event, the recognition of 
de facto government will render un- 
necessary the only other solution of 
the Me-xican problem which is inter- 
vention, and which bleeding Mexico 
does not deserve, nor the American 
people desire, however much certain 
soulless corporations are striving for it. 



LEST WE FORGET 



Castillo says it was Villa's men who 
were responsible for the Cumbre tunnel 
outrage, in which fifteen Americans were 
killed. 

* * * 

Castillo or Villa — what difference does 
it make? They are all of the same 
breed. 



Friend Villa has to see that his rival 
Castillo is executed — after a trial, of 
course. 

* * * 

The Administration's efforts to draw 
a distinction between them are pitiful. 

You know, Castillo's a bandit, while 
Villa, why. Villa's a friend of the Con- 
stitution. 

« » * 

But Castillo was Madero's bodyguard. 

Then, of course, he was a noble pat- 
riot. 

When is a bandit not a bandit? 

* * * 

When he is playing the game of the 
Maderos, the American oil interests, and 
incidentally the Administration. 

When he is in partnership with Tex- 
ans for the disposal of stolen Mexican 
cattle. 

* * * 

When he can hire a press agent to 
whitewash him. 

* * ♦ 

Who through the gullible press corre- 
spondents outlines a millenium for Mex- 
ico when "Huerta falls." 



What would we think of a man in this 
country who would start to loot and de- 
stroy and murder and rape and incite the 
riff-raff of the country to do the same, 
because, according to his press agent, 
crime and poverty should not exist in 
the world. 

* * ♦ 

The man would be branded as either a 
blithering idiot or an arch-criminal. 

* * * 

But the pure-minded Administration in 
Washington is supporting that kind of 
thing in Mexico. 

* * * 

Why? 

* * * 

It cannot be through ignorance, be- 
cause no matter how conditions in Mex- 
ico were misrepresented to the Admin- 
istration in the beginning, it has since 
learned the truth. 

* * * 

Is it with the idea of helping Mexico 
destroy itself? 

* * * 

Is it simply pig-headedness? 

Is it blundering ineptitude? 

Or is there some ulterior purpose hid- 
den from the people? 



It appears now that the Administra- 
tion is no longer opposed to revolutions 
in Latin-American countries. 

But the revolutionists must say they 
are for constitutional government. 

How easyl 

* * * 

Why, they always say that 

* * ♦ 

What a terrible story that was about 
a naval lieutenant who bruised his hip 
on the seat of a carriage. 

* * * 

Which trivial incident was twisted by 
the nimble correspondents into a Mexi- 
can plot to assassinate our naval officers, 
blow up our ships, and all sorts of dire 
things. 

* * * 

Is it fair to distort the truth like that? 

* * * 

But why look for fciirness in the press 
of this country as regards anything Mex- 
ican? 

* * * 

Carranza has sent for Reverend Tap- 
per, according to press reports. 

* * * 

Remember he's the Peace Forum com- 
missioner who pleaded so piteously for 
the lifting of the embargo on arms 
so that his dear friends the Mexicans 
might kill one another more expeditious- 
ly. 

What does Carranza want him to do 
now? 

Get the Administration to send some- 
body down to assassinate Huerta? 

* * * 

Oh, these reverends and ex-reverends 
are an influential lot. 

* * * 

They can give more beautiful reasons 
for arming bandits and wholesale exe- 
cutions, not to speak of fouler crimes, 
than the devil's advocate. 

* * * 

This fellow Tupper says he had a very 
satisfactory talk with the President and 
Secretary Bryan. 

* * * 

Um-m, really! 

* * * 

The President asked Congress to re- 
verse itself on the Panama Canal tolls 
legislation. 

But the Administration will not re- 
verse itself on its Mexican policy. 

* * * 

Which more than anything else is re- 
sponsible for the foreign complications 
that threaten the peace and prestige of 
the United States. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



HE KNOWS 



Washington, D. C, Wednesday — Sen- 
ator William Alden Smitli, of Michigan, 
one of the Republican members of the 
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 
■which made an investigation of Mexican 
afifairs under the Nelson resolution, gave 
exclusively to the New York "Herald" 
of February 12 the first statement he has 
made in regard to the Administration's 
Mexican i;olicy. 

President Wilson's action in lifting the 
embargo on the shipment of arms from 
the United States into Mexico is con- 
demned by Senator Smith as "inhuman 
and barbarous." He strongly criticizes 
the administration for not having recog- 
nized President Huerta. 

While the Administration's policy was 
in the formative stage Senator Smith and 
other Republican Senators refrained 
from hostility and criticism. It has been 
generally understood this was in defer- 
ence to the President's wish to present 
abroad the appearance of united opposi- 
tion to President Huerta and thus force 
■his early abdication. 

Assails Arms Policy. 

This having failed. Senator Smith feels 
that he may freely criticize the policy 
that has been adopted. In part he sa/s: 

■"I think the lifting of the American 
embargo against the shipment of arms 
and ammunition to Mexico was a bar- 
barous proceeding. At the time the act 
of Congress was passed emphasizing a 
little more strongly the attitude of this 
government with reference to neutrality, 
I did not favor it. I feel that it was an 
attempt on the part of some one — I do 
not know whom — to strengthen the 
hands of the Mexican rebels who had at 
that moment become supreme in Mexico. 
But the forces of Madero disintegrated 
so rapidly that our attempt to strengthen 
Madero's tenure through greater vigi- 
lance in withholding arms and ammuni- 
tion from his former chiefs, who at that 
■moment were engaged in rebellion 
against Madero, failed. 

"To arm bandits freely on this side 
of the border is, in my opinion, a crime. 
If the President had granted belligerent 
rights to the rebels upon the ground that 
a state of war existed and that a gov- 
ernment was sought to be erected in 
place of the established government 
there might have been some reason in 
such a course. To hand over to semi- 
savages and bandits American arms with 
■which they may murder one another is 
barbarous and inhuman. 

Favors Recognition of Huerta. 

"Because our government had made a 
mistake in not recognizing the de facto 
government as had been done by other 
countries of the world having represen- 
tatives in Mexico, except Argentine, 
Chile and Brazil, was no good reason 



why we should continue to align our- 
selves with the disorderly prowling 
bands who preyed upon the property of 
American citizens at will and murdered 
American citizens when such a course 
seemed to them for their purposes 
to be necessary. 

"I have no hesitation whatever in say- 
ing that hundreds of American Uves have 
been sacrificed, American women have 
been attacked and the torch has been ap- 
plied time and again to the property of 
otir citizens. This condition will not be 
improved by the course which this gov- 
ernment is now taking. Instead, it wiU 
be aggravated. 

"All the leaders in arms against 
Huerta except Carranza, who is a feeble 
old man, are bandits and ruffians of the 
worst character. Zapata was execrated 
I)y public opinion when he was in re- 
bellion against Diaz. The world looked 
upon him as an irresponsible and ven- 
turesome half caste when he was in re- 
bellion against Madero. It is not sur- 
prising that he is now in rebellion 
against Huerta for he will be in rebel- 
tion against any government until he 
himself holds the reins. 

"Aguilar, who is second among the 
prominent leaders in the rebellion, 
fought against Diaz, then against Ma- 
dero and now against Huerta. His con- 
tribution to the cause of constitutional- 
ism was the massacre of soldiers and 
non-combatants after the capture of Vic- 
toria. 

Calls Villa Mere Bandit. 

"Villa has been a famous bandit in 
Northern Mexico for twenty-five years. 
His contribution to the cause of consti- 
tutionalism were the massacres at Jua- 
rez, Ojinaga and Chihuahua. 

"It will be no credit to our govern- 
ment if the time ever shall come when 
Villa, Zapata and Aguilar will govern 
Mexico. Their government would be a 
'travesty and a disgrace to civilization 
and the officers of our government who 
shall be in any way helpful to them will 
not be excused for taking this horn of 
the dilemma as the lesser of the evils 
with which we are now confronted. 

"I cannot understand how treaties of 
peace and good will can literally be 
showered upon us from the Department 
of State, while at the very moment we 
are being urged to join in such a whole- 
some festival of peace we arc blindfold- 
ing our soldiers and tying the hands of 
tlie officials of the Department of Justice 
and permitting revolutionary juntas with 
headquarters in the United States to ob- 
tain arms and ammunition with which 
our neighbors are to be permitted to kill 
one another. 

"1 regret exceedingly that the circum- 
stances attending the death of Madero 



should have been permitted to influence 
the action of our government. 

"No single foreign Minister who was 
in thi Mexican capital at the time of 
Madero's death has reported to his gov- 
ernment that Huerta had anything to do 
with that unfortunate phase of Mexican 
affairs. It will not do to allow such a 
circumstance to so prejudice our govern- 
ment that further lives of Americans and 
Mexicans, as well as those of other for- 
eigners, shall be taken in revenge. Yet 
there has been abundant evidence that 
the attitude of our government under 
both the administrations of Taft and 
Wilson has been influenced more by the 
ghost of Madero than by consideration 
for the real situation as it now exists in 
our neighbor to the south." 



Villa will think twice and then some 
more about going far from the Ameri- 
can border. 

He has made his money and salted it 
away in El Paso and New York banks. 

« * * 

Why should he go so far away from 
it? 

* * i 

Or spend it to advance the interests of 
the Maderos and Carranzas? 

* ♦ • 

Extensive military operations cost 
piles of dinero. 

^ * it 

It is so much easier and profitable to 
loot and "confiscate" in Chihuahua. 

* * * 

The New York "Tribune" sent a man 
down to Mexico to "write up" the situa- 
tion. 

* 4! * 

After forty-eight hours in Mexico he 
cabled a long story to his paper to the 
effect that the Mexicans want United 
States intervention. 

* * * 

He knew it all in forty-eight hours! 

* * * 

Why did he go to Mexico at all? He 
could have written as intelligently right 
on Park Row, without the slightest 
knowledge of Mexico. 

* * * 

The chances are that like John Lind 
he doesn't even speak Spanish. 



National Honor 

We must give in to England on 
the Panama Canal Tolls. 

We must continue to destroy 
Mexico. 

National Buncombe! 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



A CHARITABLE VIEW 

Even those who are most impressed 
by Mr. Wilson's lofty moral standards, 
»nd who are most anxious to see him 
emerge safely from the new and grave 
responsibilities which he has brought 
upon his country in connection with the 
Mexican problem, and who admire his 
determination to avoid war if possible, 
frankly admit that they cannot see how 
he will find a way out of the situation 
when he is called upon, as he presently 
will be, to choose a stable constitutional 
and blood-guiltless government for a 
country that has never known peace in 
al! the centuries of its history except un- 
der the iron rule of a military master. 

The secrecy and silence of the Wilson 
Administration may do for the present. 
Democrats, Republicans and Progres- 
sives alike refuse to n.ake the Presi- 
dent's difficulties any greater than they 
are by public criticism. 

All seem to understand the impasse 
to which his uncompromising theories 
have brought the country. All feel that 
whatever mistakes he has made he is. 
after all, the President of the whole 
country and that party soirit and hostile 
judgments should remain mute while he 
attempts to grope in his own way for a 
solution that will avert the bloody and 
costly alternative of war. — New York 
"Evening Mail." 



THE FLAG OF PILLAGE 

From "El Independiente" of Mexico City. 



The Shibboleth for Bryan's Ears. 

If Joseph W. Bailey still takes interest 
in mundane affairs, what joy must fill his 
heart when he notes the rapid spread 
throughout this hemisphere of a faith of 
which he was once the sole custodian — 
that which has its feet firmly imbedded 
in the constitution! 

Down in Peru, by way of illustration, 
a "constitutional!" President is evicted, 
jailed and exiled by forces boasting a 
truer "constitutionalism." In Hayti sev- 
eral bands of sable patriots are fighting 
for domination, each trying to outcry 
the others in their demand for "constitu- 
tionalism." In Nicaragua American ma- 
rines are bolstering up a "constitutional" 
government and giving it protection 
against "constitutionalists" who would, 
if this protection were removed, get 
their "constitutional" hands on whatever 
is left of the treasury 



We are amuting Europe. 

* • * 

A laughing-stock to some, an invitation 
to others. * * • 

Nothing is impossible in ;hat lin^— 
to the would-be autocrats in Washinf- 
ton. * » * 

One would think he was U. S. presi 
agent for the "cause." 

* * * 

Which will get us nowhere. 

* * * 

Unless the Administration intervenes 
with an army. 

* * » 

Which is the very thing it professes 
not to want to do. 

* * * 

Huerta stands for Mexican nationality. 

* * • 

Whereas the Carranzas, the Villas, etc., 
don't give a hoot about their country, 
and deliberately sell it for their own 
selfish ends. 

* * • 

All of which will be revealed in due 
time as surely as right is right. 



A revolution does not simply mean 
that a group or various groups of armed 
outlaws declare themselves against au- 
thority in order to engage in sacking, 
homicide and violence. 

A revolution in order to deserve such 
a name must form a body and contain 
a spirit, be consistent cind diplomatic, 
be prudent and intelligent, employ force 
whenever it may be necessary; destroy 
its enemies, but only its enemies; be 
aggressive but must know how to 
arouse sympathy; and, above all have 
cohesion and know the direction in 
which it is going. 

Even the worst bandits, when they 
enter into a compact to fight the com- 
mon enemy, agree to a truce among 
themselves in order to realize their pur- 
pose. Never do they fight one against 
the other, while the spoils are in sight. 
The fighting among themselves is car- 
ried on after, when the spoils are to be 
divided. 

The "constitutionalists" are not even 
capable of having that patience which 
is favorable to their interests. 

These wolves are devouring them- 
selves. 

So it was before. President Madero 
never had worse enemies than his debts, 
relatives and favorites. His brother 
Gustavo used to attack him in the 
"Nueva Era", and tried in the last 
moments of his ephemeral power to 
make it appear that Francisco was ousted 
b}' Congress, in order to assume the 
presidency himself, by means of an in- 
trigue in which Pino Suarez figured. 
Pino Suarez also aspired to the supreme 
control, and exploited himself in "El 
Intransigente." Nor is it strange to 
those who know the workings of the 
press that Don Ernesto Madero was 
paying four thousand pesos monthly to 
a paper of greater circulation to cruelly 
attack the deceived Don Francisco. 

All of the wolfish band tried to make 
the weakness of Madero a stepping 
stone to power. 

Those who are still struggling to take 
root in the mire are the rotten branches 
of that polluted tree. They are those 
who are decorated with the pompous title 
of revolutionists. We have already dem- 
onstrated that they do not deserve that 
name and that they are not capable of 
triumph. Now, these very men are 
giving us new proof of the base passions 
that impel them to claw each other, even 
in the most anxious moments of the 
strife for power. 

Emiliano Zapata repudiates, detests 
and condemns Venustiano Carranza. 
Fra'ncisco Villa, in power in Chihuahua, 
forbids Carranza to approach that sec- 
tion; Maytorena, master of some ranches, 



is independent of the bearded "first 
chief." And if to-morrow Villa found 
himself in need of the help of Carranza 
or Maytorena, and asked for it, it would 
not be strange if they took him a pris- 
oner and shot him. And if Zapata, 
importuned, started toward the North, he 
would be destroyed by any one of his 
co-religionists. 

Each one of them wishes to have a 
territory of his own so that he may 
rule supreme over it without contradic- 
tion, and all coincide in one thought: 
that of getting to be President of the 
Republic and ruling the entire nation. 
If any one of them triumphed we would 
see unthought-of things: the "revolu- 
tion," instead of being united and trans- 
formed into the government, would be 
infinitely multiplied and sub-divided. 
Then we would not only have the plan 
of San Luis, of Tacubaya, of Villa Ayala, 
etc., but that of Huehuetoca, of Calera, 
of Cautillan, of Chupaderos, of Xochi- 
milco. Each infamous city would pro- 
duce its plan and its leader. On each 
ranch there would be a candidate, 
armed and mounted, who in expectancy 
of assuming the Presidency, would en- 
gage in robbing and raping. 

The "revolution" has got control of 
some places by force of arms, but never- 
theless, it does not triumph. Why? 
Because the organic resistance of so- 
ciety is superior to that superficial in- 
fection of brigandage; because the actual 
government is not supported by force of 
bayonets or the amount of the national 
treasury, almost exhausted; but the pub- 
lic conscience, the strong tendency to 
maintain order, peace and achievement, 
which is the one thought of all the in- 
telligent classes of progressivism. 

The great thought of the revolution 
is systematic robbing. And notwith- 
standing the theories which drop from 
the lips of the Washington Administra- 
tion and the resources which it offers the 
bands of brigands who pillage the coun- 
try, the revolution does not triumph. 
We do not think that we deserve the 
shame of being governed by bandits. 



Nobody Wants to See the 
Administration Confounded. 

It is Tying Its Own Hands 
by Its Blundering Mexican 
Policy. 



WHY? 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



The Troubles of A Bandit 



(By Telegraph to the New York "Tri- 
bune.") 
El Paso, Tex., Feb. 13. — If reports re- 
ceived today from apparently authentic 
sources in Sonora are to be credited, 
General Pancho Villa is waiting on the 
border to greet Venustiano Carranza — 
but not as first chief of the revolution. 
Reports, unconfirmed but persistent, are 
that Carranza, with nearly three thou- 
sand men, who until to-day was sup- 
posed to be on the west coast of Mex- 
ico, planning a campaign against points 
still held bj' Federals there, in reality 
is in the hills of Eastern Sonora, await- 
ing an opportunity to come to Juarez. 

According to the reports, some of 
them from rebel secret service men. 
Carranza purposes to take Juarez peace- 
ably, if he can, but forcibly if neces- 
sary. In Juarez he plans to establish 
his provisional government until such 
time as it will be safe for him to go to 
Chihuahua City. The Sonora chief ex- 
pects to catch Villa unawares, and, with 
his three thousand men, he e.xpects that 
Villa will see the futility of opposing 
him, there being fewer than one thou- 
sand of Villa's men in Juarez or avail- 
able in Northern Chihuahua. 

Carranza hopes that Villa will hail 
' -m as chief. If he does not, then Car- 
anza expects to use his three thousand 
iien in forcibly seizing Juarez. All of 
'his is according to the reports coming 
Q from Sonora, where Carranza is su- 
jjreme. 

Villa Knows of Plans. 

That Villa has learned of the plans of 
Carranza and has known of them for 
days, and that he is remaining near the 
border to thwart the Sonora leader's 
ambitions, is admitted by rebels who 
are close to the Chihuahua rebel leader. 
Villa came to Juarez hurriedly and un- 
announced about the time Carranza gave 
out the report that he (Carranza) was 
going to the west coast. 

When advised about Carranza and his 
plans Villa has time and again said that 
he was not friendly with the Sonora 
chief, and he has often said that he knew 
nothing of Carranza. He has intimated 
that he cared little what Carranza did, 
provided he did not interfere with Vil- 
la's plans. 

The split between Villa and Carranza 
is believed to be real. Villa does not 
trust the Sonora chief, and is not will- 
ing to surrender to him any of the pres- 
tige which hard fighting has given to 
the ex-bandit in Chihuahua. Villa may 
leave Juarez at any time. He will not 
say when, but it is regarded as certain 
that if he goes it will be only to Chi- 
huahua City to strengthen his position 
there and not to Torreon, near which his 
army of nearly 12,000 men is anxiously 
awaiting him. 

The rumors say that Villa considers 
the movements of Carranza just now of 
vastly greater importance to tlie rebel 
cause than the campaign against Tor- 
reon. For a time Villa gave out the im- 
pression that he would recognize Car- 
ranza as chief and would welcome him 
to Chihuahua. That was before Presi- 
dent Wilson had lifted the embargo on 
arms to Mexico, and when Villa counted 
on receiving recognition for the rebels 
in AVashington" provided they presented 
a solid front. Even then it was said that 
the two factions were widely apart. 



Expect Battle at Juarez. 

That Juarez is again to be a bone of 
contention and the scene of a battle is 
becoming a settled conviction among 
those who are in touch with the situa- 
tion, and if Carranza is really in the hills 
of Eastern Sonora the battle may not 
be far distant. 

Federal soldiers operating in squads of 
fifty or sixty men and attempting to burn 
bridges and destroy tracks on the Mexi- 
can Central Railroad between Juarez 
and Chihuahua are proving a menace to 
Juarez. As a result of the renewed Fed- 
eral activity rebel troops are being sent 
up and down the railroad, and it has be- 
come necessary to station forces at var- 
ious points. 

Rebel oiTicials fear that the Federals 
are trying to isolate Villa at Juarez and 
make easy his capture in case a large 
Federal force reported moving from Sal- 
tillo to attack Chihuahua succeeds in ac- 
complishing its purpose. 

The Federals appearing at various 
points below Juarez to-day are t)elieved 
to be some of those who succeeded in 
crossing from the American side near 
El Paso on Wednesday night. 



(By Telegraph to the New York "Tri- 
bune.") 

El Paso, Tex., Feb. 13. — Federals at 
Torreon, to the number of twevle thou- 
sand, have started an aggressive cam- 
paign to drive back the rebel army of 
General Pancho Villa, and have won !,he 
first battle, according to official dis- 
patches received at the Mexican consul- 
ate here to-day. 

The dispatches say that the Federals 
have driven the rebels from Jiminez, 
where Villa had planned to establish a 
base for the Torreon campaign. The 
Federal commander, Generat Velasco. 
has moved his headquarters from Tor- 
reon to Gomez Palacio and has estab- 
lished outposts as far north as Jiminez. 

The reports also say that a Federal 
command is moving from Saltillo to at- 
tack Chihuahua and reclaim the State. 

To destroy rebel communication with 
Juarez and cut ofT Villa in the border 
city, 258 armed Mexican Federal sym- 
pathizers are moving into the interior 
of Eastern Mexico. The expedition is 
one of three which had planned to enter 
Mexico last night at three different 
places. 

One of the expeditions was headed ofT 
by American troops near Ysleta, Te.x., 
and a second was scared away from the 
border by knowledge that the plot had 
been discovered, but the third, compris- 
ing nearly 300 men, succeeded in getting 
into Mexico from Ysleta. 



FRANCISCO VILLA. 

No great man in the public eye at pres- 
ent understands the value of publicity to 
greatness better than Francisco Villa, 
sometimes a filibustering marauder, now 
General in Chief, and the only command- 
er actually in sight of the constitution- 
alist forces in Mexico. Villa is. fond of 
being interviewed. He has lately been 
picturing for the press the transformed 
Mexico which will follow his forthcom- 
ing successes on the field of batttle. A 
cliicken always in the pot in every peas- 
ant's home was the promise made by 
royal Henry of Navarre. Forty acres 



and a mule were promised to every lib- 
erated slave in the South in carpet-bag- 
ging days. Similarly, Villa promises to 
every poor Mexican a piece of land, and 
he also promises that he will establish 
schools for all the children. The army 
is to be abolished altogether, but mili- 
tary colonies are to be formed in which 
the men will be trained three days 
of every week for the wars which will 
never occur, and work on the other days. 
He will establish great industries 
throughout the country. 

In fact. Villa has a big programme in 
his mind, and while he declares that he 
recognizes Don Venustiano as his leader, 
until another leader is legally chosen by 
the people, it is clear that he expects 
Don Venustiano to take orders from 
Villa and proceed to the establishment 
of an industrial Utopia according to 
Villa's plans. Carranza, on the other 
hand, being a man of education, with 
some small knowledge of governmental 
practice, is doubtless wondering how he 
will be able, if he ever gains the upper 
hand in Mexico, to pajr the huge debt 
that has been incurred by nearly four 
years of continual rebellion. 

Meanwhile, Villa, though he promises 
to do wonders presently, lingers at Jua- 
rez, waiting for Carranza to make a 
move, and Carranza, though he is re- 
ported to be "advancing," is not yet dis- 
cernible to the naked eye. The rumors 
of disagreement between these two are 
doubtless greatly exaggerated. That is 
to say, they keep too many miles of al- 
most impassible territory between them 
to disagree very much. Nobody who 
knows Villa, or has watched his recent 
career closely, believes that submissive- 
ness is one of his qualities. Poor Madero 
had a number of aiders and abettors in 
his revolution, not one of whom ever in- 
tended to surrender any power whatever 
to the ostensible leader. The relations 
between Villa and Carranza are similar, 
except that Villa has done something be- 
sides talk. He has not yet shaken 
Huerta, however, and although the ru- 
mors from the neighborhood of the cap- 
ital are frequently alarming, there is still 
a chance that the soldiers of Huerta will 
overcome the rebels at Torreon. The 
contrast between the two important lead- 
ers in Mexico at present is impressive. 
The Dictator a stern, reticent, well-train- 
ed soldier, crafty, self-possessed and res- 
olute; the leader of the rebels in the 
field a very child in ignorance, with no 
comprehension of statesmanship, wholly 
self-satisfied, yet, it must be admitted, 
courageous and purposeful. — New York 
"Times." 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday, February 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



WHEN DIPLOMATISTS BECOME 
BUSY. 

Proper confounding of those Demo- 
crats at Washington who have been de- 
ploring the uselessness of diplomatists is 
furnished by important happenings at 
Mexico City. Who will dare say that 
our diplomatic corps is a needless ap- 
pendage upon the body politic now that 
Mr. O'Shaughnessy has so valorously 
bombarded the provisional government 
with "sharp notes" of protest against 
wicked Mexican newspapers that have 
permitted uncomplimen.ary references to 
President Wilson to appear in their col- 
umns? 

The possibility that this episode may 
spur President Huerta to retaliation in 
kind is, however, one that may well send 
cold shivers down the liacks of the Com- 
missioners of the District of Columbia. 
What if Senor Don A. Algara R. de Ter- 
reros, Mexican Charge d'.'Kffaires at 
Washington, were instructed to rush 
post-haste to the State Department with 
formal protest every time an .American 
newspaper said anything uncomplimen- 
tary of Provisional President Huerta? 
How long could the asphalt in the re- 
gion of McPherson and Lafayette 
squares stand the strain? — New York 
"Herald." 



SOME FEATURES OF THE MEXI- 
CAN SITUATION. 

There are some features in tlie Mexi- 
can situation entirely unsatisfactory. 

The only reason alleged by President 
Wilson for his rejection of Huerta is 
the participation of the latter in the kill- 
ing of Madero, the former President of 
Mexico. 

President Wilson declares that the 
time has come to refuse recognition to 
a ruler who has reached his high place 
through assassination. 

Whatever we may think of the prin- 
ciple, we have never yet heard any proof 
that Huerta was an accomplice in the 
murder of Madero. .Embassador Wil- 
son' — and he was on the spot and well 
situated for information — has publicly 
declared that it is his opinion that 
Huerta had nothing to do with the kill- 
ing of Madero and was in ignorance of 
it. 

Possibly President Wilson has authen- 
tic information that Huerta shared in 
the murder; but if he has, he has never 
communicated it to the .\merican people. 

Another distressing feature is the con- 
stant and public repetition of the charge 
that the series of Mexican revolutions 
has been promoted by great business 
interests in the United States. 

If such is the case — and most people 
believe it to be so — the crime of these 
trusts is unspeakable. 

Congress is every ready to investi- 
gate. Why is there such reticence about 
Mexico? Why do men who constantly 
announce they abhor bloodshed allow 
these ignorant victims of commercial 
rascality to butcher one another? Why 
not show them whose hand has set their 



bloody fratricidal strife in motion. War 
for commercial advantage is not a 
strange experience in the annals of Eng- 
land. We had hoped that our country 
had reached a higher standard. But 
perhaps war is war only when we are 
engaged in it. Mexican blood is of less 
value than Mexican oil. 

.An opinion that is nursed by some 
.\nicricans is that Carranza represents 
.■\mcrican ideals. This is far from the 
truth. 

Carranza. like Madero, belongs to the 
rich landlord class in Mexico. He pos- 
sesses thousands of acres and lords it 
like a feudal despot over the peons who 
live on his lands. He is an aristocrat 
and of Spanish blood. 

Huerta is half-Indian like the bulk of 
the Mexicans. He is a peon by birth 
and sympathizes with the peons. He is 
poor personally and has nothing in com- 
mon wi; h the wealthy landowners. 

We inust remember also that Huerta 
was strongly pro-.'\merican in his syin- 
pathies. He favored a close union with 
the L'nited States. 

Madero and Carranza looked toward 
Japan and favored intimate relations 
wi h the Japanese. 

Villa is a bandit drunk witli blood and 
eager for power. Fate has opened up a 
way before his ambition. Carranza 
would be a puppet in his strong, rough 
hands. 

It may be ultimate destiny that the 
L'nited Sta es shall set up a man to rule 
Mexico and uphold him for a time by 
.\merican bayonets. 

But it does not require the gift of 
prophecy to p-edict that as soon as the 
.\m..-rican bayonets disappear, that man, 
whoever he may be, will be slaughtered 
like a sheep in the shambles. 

Then revolution upon revolution and 
confusion worse confounded. — "Catholic 

Mirror." 

PRACTICAL IF NOT CONSISTENT. 

President Wilson is to be congratulat- 
ed, not commiserated, upon his recogni- 
tion of the provisional governinent set up 
in Peru by an army officer. Colonel Ben- 
avides, who displaced President Billing- 
hurst and put him in prison. It has been 
well said that "a foolish consistency is a 
hobgoblin of litttle minds." 

Consider how awkward and unavail- 
ing a refusal to recognize the unconsti- 
tutionality of Provisional President Ben- 
avides would be. No warships can be 
spared for concentration at Callao, and 
there is rather a dearth than a surplus of 
marines in the Caribbean for emergency 
duty at Vera Cruz and Tampico. The 
financial condition of Peru might be bet- 
ter, but her trade relations with England 
are so profitable to that country that 
even the averting of President Wilson's 
face at this juncture would not cause 
a restriction of credit at Lima. Bena- 
vides would not crumble. What in the 
world is to be gained or accomplished by 
reading the riot act to the Peruvians? 
Do we want all of Spanish America be- 



low the Rio Grande against us? 

Mr. Wilson's critics quote to confound 
him that lofty passage in which he said 
that "we can have no sympathy with 
those who seize the power of govern- 
ment to advance their own personal in- 
terests and ambitions," but at this dis- 
tance from Peru who can judge whether 
the cap fits Benavides? He, like Ores- 
tes Zamor, the new ruler of Hayti, may 
be a true patriot and a thoroughly prac- 
tical man. Very sensibly Mr. VVilson has 
decided that a sentiment, however well 
expressed, shall not tie his foreign pol- 
icy into a gordian knot that only the 
sword can sever. 

Furthermore, Mr. Wilson is not to be 
deceived by the myth of constitutional 
government in Peru. Fidelity to an ideal 
may have misled him in the case of Mex- 
ico, where constitutional government is 
a fetish to a few if it is not a fact; but 
everybody knows that nobody takes the 
Constitution seriously in Peru. The 
ousted Presiden' himself, Guillermo Bil- 
linghurst, was not elected by the people 
as that document requires, but by the 
na:ional Congress, which acted oppor- 
tunely when the popular choice could 
not be determined. There is no doubt 
that President Billinghurst did his best, 
and he was probably in advance of his 
time. Peru was not ripe for an econo- 
mist and financier who was also a re- 
former, and he fell. 

Mr. Wilson's decision not to apply the 
Mexican policy to Peru shows that he 
understands the situation perfectly. 
Perhaps it will turn out that the Mexi- 
can policsy is not so inflexible that it 
cannot be bent to suit conditions. — New 
York "Sun." 



OUR WEAK MEXICAN POLICY. 

The recent action of the Washington 
.Administration in removing the embargo 
on arms has further embittered the ele- 
ments supporting Huerta. through the 
encouragement it has given to the rebels, 
who by their control of the northern 
border are able to import arms and am- 
munition without trouble. .-Mthough the 
Federal Government has defaulted on 
the interest on the Mexican public debt, 
it would be a mistake to suppose that 
Huerta and his advisors have readied the 
end of their financial resources. Emis- 
saries have been sent to New York and 
Europe, whose avowed purpose is to ne- 
.gotiate fresh loans, which they are like- 
ly enough to secure on the plcd.ge of 
valuable concessions. While the revolu- 
tionists may refuse to recognize the va- 
lidity of these concessions, should they 
eventually come to power, the fact that 
all the European governments have rec- 
o.gnized the Huerta .Administration 
makes it certain that any future govern- 
ment that may be set up in Mexico will 
be compelled to recognize and respect 
any grants that Huerta may make. 

Thinking men will view with alarm the 
mere possibility that either Villa, the ex- 
bandit, or Carranza, the rebel leader, 
may eventually secure the presidency. 
Neither of these men would be regarded 
abroad with confidence, as aside from 
any plundering that they might individ- 
ually authorize, they will be compelled 
to provide out of the public treasury for 
the hungry hordes that make up their 
armies. .As the scene of fighting recedes 
from the border and goes inland our 
chance of successfully intervening grows 
daily less. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



MFXICO 



Saturday, February 21, 1914t 



STRANGE BEDFELLOWS. 

Uncle Sam has had some strange asso- 
ciates. But never before has he been 
in partnership with such a degraded and 
disgusting scoundrel as Villa of Me.xico. 
When President Taft laid an embargo 
upon the exportation of arms and ammu- 
nition into Mexico, he first consulted 
Congress and obtained due authority. 
This was his Constitutional dut3'. For- 
getting this dut}- in his bitter, personal 
prejudice against President Huerta, mis- 
led by the Ring in the State Department, 
and blind to facts and consequences. Mr. 
Wilson has raised the embargo with the 
.1 vowed inteniion of assisting the villain 
Villa. Henceforth the brigandage 
against the legitimate government of 
Mexico is to be conducted by the firm of 
Villa and Wilson. Although Mr. Wilson 
may not take the field in person and in- 
dulge in rape and rapine, he certainly 
will be morally responsible for whatever 
Villa does, and will be held legally re- 
sponsible for the damages when our ac- 
counts with Mexico are settled by a tri- 
bunal of arbitrators. The lengths to 
which prejudice, obstinacy and selfwill 
may lead an official have been illustrated 
before, but never more luridly and as- 
toundingly. Mr. Wilson might just as 
well order that all assassins be provided 
with sharpened knives and all burglars 
with automatic revolvers. Men of affairs 
know 'hat his scheme will work out ex- 
actly the opposite of his intention. Villa, 
with the connivance of our Administra- 
tion, has been .supplied secretly with all 
the arms and ammunit'on he could use, 
and raising the embargo will do him no 
good. But if proves to Mexico, to South 
America and to Europe the utter reck- 
lessness of the Bryan .Administration and 
the extent to which our President is be- 
fooled bv playing upon his personal 
whims. — "Town Topics." 



ASSISTING REBELS. 



The Alabama Case is Cited as a Warning ir. 
Mexico. 

Since President Wilson has announced that tho 
embargo against selling arms, etc., to the Mex 
icans will be raised my mind has gone back 
to the period of the Civil War, and it seems to 
me that we are creating conditions against which 
we vehemently and successfully protested at tha; 
time. 

During that war we contended that the South 
was in rebellion, and we protested to Englano 
against assisting the rebels, and subsequentlj 
claimed that she should respond for the damages 
our commerce had sustained by reason of hei 
assistance. We all know that she was obligeo 
to answer for her assistance in a large sum ol 
money. 

To-day there is a rebellion in Mexico. Huerta 
is de facto President of the Republic of Mexico, 
if not de jure President. At least he has a Con- 
gress with him and his government has been 
recognized by certain foreign governments. Does 
he not stand in the same position that Mr. Lin 
coin's government stood? If so, it would seem 
that the neutrality declared by Mr. Taft should 
be maintained if we are to escape from tha 
charge of inconsistency. But Mr. Wilson's rea 
sons for raising the embargo, if he is correcll) 
reported, arc that it will assist the rebels in 
overthrowing Hucrta's government. In othc> 
words, Mr. Wilson is proceeding openly to "do ex 
actly what we claimed England was guilty of. 

Have we not established a precedent in the 
matter of the Alabama's depredations that can 
most successfully be urged against us later? In 
other words, will not the raising of the embargo 
prove a very costly "boomerang"? — E. J. VAN 
ALSTYNE in New York "Tribune." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

PRESIDENT WILSON AND MEXICO. 

American diplomacy in its dealings with Mex- 
ico has adopted in the past ten months many 
strange expedients. It has declined to admit 
General Huerta officially to the international cir- 
cle. It has sought to extract from htm a pledge 
that he will not put himself forward as a Presi- 
dential candidate if and when the long-promised 
cl-ctions are held. It disputes alike his authority 
and his power to restore order. At the same 
time it announces its intention of holding him 
severely to acc.urit in the event of injury to 
American lives or property. It draws a picture 
ol a country uiable to fulfill its international obli- 
gations and ])!u;iging deeper and deeper into the 
morass of civil war, and it proposes a general 
election as a suitable remedy. It has demanded 
the immediate cessation of hostilities, but it has 
offered no inducements, financial or political, by 
way of loan or of diplomatic support to this 
desirable end. It has warned all American resi- 
dents to leave the country as speedily as may 
be, and it has officially assisted such few of 
them as listened to its injunctions. But it has 
done nothing more; and its determination neither 
to intervene itself nor to allow any other Power 
to do so is apparently as set as ever. 

N'ow, however. President Wilson is trying a 
new tack. He has decided to raise the embargo 
on the export of arms to Mexico. This means, 
of course, that the "rebels" will be still further 
strengthened for the work of burning, slaying, 
blackmailing and thrusting their country into a 
yet darker abyss of anarchy. Whether the device 
will succeed in ousting General Huerta remains 
to be seen. Even if it does, will Mexico thereby 
be brought any nearer to tranquility, or is any 
President likely to be evolved to whom the objec- 
tions urged against General Huerta will not apply 
with tenfold force '—London "Daily Mail." 



It would be fortunate if the United States 
were never called upon to recognize Central and 
South American governments resting solely upon 
force. But conditions in many Central and South 
American republics must be taken into account. 
Legitimacy and constitutional succession are ideals 
very imperfectly lived up to there. All the moral 
influence of this country should be exerted to 
encourage peaceful and orderly successions. But 
an administration at Washington would be hope- 
lessly handicapped and would defeat its own 
purposes by insisting upon breaking off relations 
with each country in which there had been an 
unconstitutional transfer of power. Practically 
we have no choice but to conduct diplomatic 
relations with our unrulier Southern neighbors 
on the old fashioned de facto basis.— New York 
"Tribune." 



LETTER FROM AN EYE WITNESS 
OF REBEL ATROCITIES. 

Corpus Christi, Tex., Dec. !), 191.3. 

On Tuesday, the 3rd, fearing another 
attack of the Carrancistas on Monterrey, 
I with most of my family, of about, thir- 
ty-five persons, left that city for this 
country. 

As you perhaps remember, I wrote you 
on Nov. 14th that until we saw how the 
city remained in the part occupied by 
the Carrancistas, we did not fully realize 
the danger in which we had been. 

The^ first thing they would have done 
in taking Monterrey would have been to 
ask us for money, and if we could not 
give it to them, shoot us. This you 
must not think is exaggerated. They 
have done the same everywhere, and that 
is the reason that since about twelve 
days ago four hundred persons daily, not 
only tlic wealthiest families, but all who 
can afford the trip, are leaving Monter- 
rey. 

I have been surprised reading news- 
papers here, how they are inclined to the 
rebels, giving only the news favorable to 
them. People here do not realize that 



the war in Mexico is the most barbarous 
and worthless there has been. It is not 
really war, but high brigandage against 
order. Don't the American people ever 
stop to think that if two thousand of the 
wealthiest families of Chihuahua, in 
which there must be many children, are 
taking a trip for .several days through 
a desert, in which there is no water, 
nothing to eat, and which is being done 
with carriages and mules, and they pre- 
fer that to remaining in a city which is 
in power of the rebels, does not any- 
body here realize that there must 
be a reason for that? 

I don't think there is a bigger in- 
justice done than that which is being 
done with Me.xico. How can the trouble 
finish in Mexico in this way? I have 
received from many other sources many 
details showing that the Government 
people are always getting in difficulties 
with the authorities in the State of Tex- 
as, while the rebels do everything they 
please, and have at least the indifference 
of the authorities. Right here in town 
a friend of mine, related to the Maderos, 
has been trying to collect money from 
some wealthy families of Monterrey who 
who are in this town. Of course he has 
not got a cent, because no one that has 
honor wants to become an accomplice 
of such brigandage. 

The Banco Mercantil has closed its 
doors and has placed all its securities in 
Laredo. But of course this will not 
interfere with our business with this- 
bank, since it is only temporarily closed 
down, and it is only made so as to save 
all the interests of this bank in case the 
Carrancistas should happen to take 
Monterrey. 

This will show you how everj'body, 
more or less, is suffei^ing from this 
revolution, and the worst of all is that 
we don't see any end to it, because 
even if Carranza should win, and take 
Me.xico Citv, though I hope it will not 
happen, I fear very much or rather I 
am sure a new revolution will come. 
There is already some newspaper rumor 
that Villa is not satisfied with Carranza, 
and that he was about to repudiate him 
as the leader. On the other side, Lucio 
Blanco is also dissatisfied, because they 
have taken him away from Matamoros, 
where he has been doing fine business, 
stealing the cattle from the State of 
Tamaulipas and selling them on this 
side of the river. I have a cousin who 
is just now in Brownsville and who is 
being obliged to buy his own cattle that 
have been taken from Lucio Blanco by 
some sort of Insurance Company, so 
with these people as our new Govern- 
ment what will become of us? 

On the o'ther hand, as I have very 
often written you. all the white people 
in Mexico, all the city people, all the peo- 
ple with whom you have to deal every day 
and speak to, including the foreigners, 
.Americans among them, absolutely hate 
Carranza. The army, of course hates 
Carranza also, and if when Madero was 
president, no matter that the army did 
not quite like him. they supported him 
because it was their duty, I hardly 
think they will do it now. .A.nd having 
all these people of this opinion against 
them, how are they going to govern? 

Mr. Wilson seems to be entirely de- 
cided not to recognize Huerta. So the 
future is every day darker, and we don't 
see any hope of it getting any better. 

Of course, if things remain the way 
they are, there will be no business at 
all, or very little business. If Carranza 
triumphs, there will be still less hope 
of doing any business. 

(Continued on next page.) 



iturday, February 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



The only hope I have is that the 
American Government shall recognize 
Huerta, and absolutely not allow any 
arms and ammunition to pass into Mex- 
ico, and then the Revolution would be 
finished in two or three months. At 
the same time, Huerta would get money 
and the worth of the Mexican peso in- 
stead of 35 cents, would be as usual 50 
cents. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: — In a most unforeseen way 
Mexico has risen in less than a decade 
to the position of second of the world's 
oil producing countries, and according 
to most careful and conservative esti- 
mates will, in another equal lapse of 
time, pass the United States, its only 
rival in oil production at the present 
day. 

This calculation is based on the extent 
of the oil producing zone on the Gulf 
of Mexico, which zone has an approxi- 
mate area of 25,000 square kilometres. 
This gives a slightly greater area than 
the oil producing zone of the United 
States, and there is a vast superiority 
in point of production in favor of the 
Mexican fields, for thousands of wells 
have been opened in the United States 
and as yet no more than a few hundred 
south of the Rio Grande, where the 
work of e.xploitation is not thoroughly 
developed. The Mexican wells have 
shown a remarkable flow, quite superior 
to that of wells in other parts of the 
-world. 

That this new source of wealth is des- 
tined to produce profound economic 
changes in Mexico was clearly foreseen 
by the notable parliamentary orator and 
present head of the Cabinet. Mr. Quer- 
ido Moheno, who is known as the Mex- 
ican Gambetta, and it was he who for- 
mulated and defended in the Chamber 
of Deputies and in the press the project 
for the nationalization of the oil in- 
dustry in Mexico. Political and finan- 
cial considerations of moment have 
held this plan in abeyance, but there are 
powerful reasons to believe that the oil 
problem will solve both the political and 
economic questions now at issue in Mex- 
ico. 

Until a short time ago the indus- 
trial wealth of a country was based on 
its deposits of coal, and this is still true, 
but only in respect to production of 
iron and steel, for in other branches 
coal is being displaced by mineral oil, 
for the following reasons: Greater 

heating efficiency, less space required 
for storage, greater facility in transpor- 




1913 WASHINGTON 
SUGAR BUREAU 



1914 



1915 



MUNSEY BUILDING 



Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



tation and handling, lower cost, espe- 
cially in Mexico, where coal costs $10 
a ton Mex. at Tampico, and from $22 
to $25 Mex. in the interior, as against 
$5.36 to $6.70 Mex. per ton for oil. 

As a practical result the National 
Railways have abandoned coal as a fuel, 
adopting oil in its place, thereby effect- 
ing a saving of 40 per cent, or about 
two million pesos annually. The Elec- 
tric Light and Power Company of No- 
noalco, Mexico, has effected a daily sav- 
ing of the wages of 100 laborers since 
adopting oil as a fuel, and so on down 
the list, but it is at sea that the great- 
est saving is evident, and calculations 
show that through the saving of bunk- 
er space, lower cost and fewer hands 
in the stoke-room there is a total econ- 
omy of something like sixty per cent, 
over a coal burning vessel, thus afford- 
ing the opportunity to lower freight 
rates very materially. 

The enormous industrial opportuni- 
ties of mineral oil show the motive for 
the ferocious intrigue instituted against 
the Mexican Government by certain 
well known .American industrial inter- 
ests, who seek a monopolistic control of 
the newly discovered sources of wealth 
and power. 

The conduct of the United States 
toward Colombia was a signal that no 
nation jealous of its territorial integrity 
could fail to heed. The fundamental 
facts, then, of the Mexican situation are 
not to be e.xpressed in terms of Villa 
and his bandits or in the hyprocritical 
mouthings and absurd demands of the 
Wilson administration. Neither the 
continual scolding of the Mexican 
Government by the constitutionalist- 
loving President Wilson, nor his 
unparalleled open support of blood- 
stained bandits will effect a solution of 
the question, nor will the childish re- 
fusal to return the salute of a Mexican 
gunboat suffice to close a single oil 
well. Perhaps the proposed concession 
to England in the matter of the Pana- 
ma Canal tolls may have as much to 
do with the naughty President Huerta 
as with the "high principle of justice" 
which suggests the repudiation of a 
plank of the Democratic platform. 

C. U. MESTA. 
Baltimore, Md., February 14, 1914. 



Editor of MEXICO: 

Dear Sir: Have been wondering who the John 
MacGregor is who has so glibly advocated armed 
intervention by the United States in the Mex- 
ican embroglio. As a rule, Scotchmen don't 
'*shoot off their mouth" without knowing where- 
of they speak. If Mr. MacGregor would care to 
hear from a namesake and possible relative who 
has spent ten years in Mexico, some very cogent 
reasons why the United States should not inter- 
vene, he may command me. 

It is a pity that those of us who could speak 
upon the matter authoritatively are tongue-tied 
for two reasons. 



First, because owing to the immoral partisan- 
ship of the American press, our statements would 
either not be published or would be garbled 
beyond recognition. 

Second, because we feel so deeply the horrible 
mess that has been made of Mexican affairs by 
the present Administration in Washington that 
it would be difficult to keep our indignation 
within bounds. And strong criticism would be 
interpreted as reckless abuse. 

We do, nowever, in out social relationships try 
to remedy the false ideas bred in the minds of 
so many Americans whose beliefs and views are 
largely moulded by the press. What a travesty 
upon the "power of the press for good" is the 
present condition. Men whom we know to be 
patriots, such as Huerta and Blanquet, being 
daily vilified by grafting scribblers. And men 
like Villa and Zapata, whose deeds are a stench 
tn tlie rostiils. deified. 

"Whom the gods would destroy they first 
make mad." Surely the destruction of the Demo- 
cratic party has been decided upon in the 
Olympian Halls. 

Sincerely, 
JOHN D. MACGREGOR. 



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Saturday, February 21, 1914 



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THE JEWEL OF INCONSISTENCY. 

The recognition of the revolutionary 
government of Peru by the Washington 
Administration was a confession of the 
impracticability and inapplicability of the 
Administration's previous declarations of 
policy in regard to revolutions in Latin 
America. 

It was a complete change of front, an 
absolute reversal based entirely on the 
expediency of the situation. 

Secretary Bryan was silent on the shift 
and had nothing to say about high moral 
principles for once in his life. 

The President explained that he con- 
sidered the new government of Peru as 
constitutional, thus setting himself up 
as the supreme arbiter and sage of the 
Western Hemisphere. 
• The Peruvian Government came into 
power when its present head. Colonel 
Benavides, led the garrison troops 
against the national palace, imprisoned 
President BiUinghurst and killed the 
Minister of War and others who opposed 
the attack. 

This was strictly according to the 
Constitution of Peru — as interpreted by 
the Washington Administration. 

Was there ever such blatant incon- 
sistency? 

The Mexican situation last February 
which resulted in the establishment of 
the present Provisional Government was 
practically identical with the recent situ- 
ation in Peru. 

President BiUinghurst was forcibly 
taken from the national palace and put 
in prison; his resignation was forced 
from him just as Madero and Pino 
Suarez, Mexico's Vice-President, were 
imprisoned and forced to resign. Huerta 
became President under provisions of 
the Constitution providing for the suc- 
cession of the Minister of Foreign Af- 
fairs upon the disability of the Presi- 
dent, and furthermore his accession as 



provisional President was confirmed by 
the Congress. In Peru the present Gov- 
ernment has no basis in the Constitution, 
consisting of a junta formed by repre- 
sentatives of several political parties, and 
its existence has never been authorized 
or confirmed by the Congress. 

President Wilson, in his Mobile speech, 
said: 

"It is our duty to make the Western 
Heniispliere the home of the free, gov- 
erned only as the people dictate. We 
must follow the course of high princi- 
ple, not expediency, no matter what the 
pressure; so to do otherwise would be 
untrue to ourselves." 

In his declaration of policy on March 
4, President Wilson said: 

"Cooperation is possible only when 
supported at every turn by the orderly 
processes of just Government based upon 
law, not upon arbitrary or irregular 
force"; and: 

"We can have no sympathy with those 
who seek to seize the power of Govern- 
ment to advance their own personal in- 
terests or ambition. We are the friends 
of peace, but we know that there can be 
no lasting or stable peace in such cir- 
cumstances. As friends therefore we 
shall prefer those who act in the interest 
of peace and honor, who protect private 
rights and respect the restraints of con- 
stitutional provision." 

All these beautiful words have van- 
ished into thin air. 

Expediency is enthroned. 

But the fatal mistake of denying recog- 
nition to the Mexican Government is to 
be persisted in. 

No wonder the nations of the world 
look on our foreign policy with distrust 
and the countries of South America 
through their public men and the press 
cry out against the hypocrisy of the 
"Colossus of the North." 



THOSE WHO ARE BUSIEST. 

Pancho Villa tells the New York 
"Herald" that he is fighting for pat- 
riotic principles, which indicates that, 
though he can neither read nor write, 
he can coin new names. — Houston 
"Chronicle." 

More probably indicates that Pancho 
also has a busy press agent. — New York 
"Herald." 

Who has no trouble at all in "getting 
anything over" on the "Herald." 



Standard Oil is now financing China's 
mines and railroads and Washington is 
said be elated. 

* * ♦ 

Patriotic, philanthropic Standard Oil. 

* * m 

Villa is finding all kinds of excuses for 
remaining in Juarez. 

* ♦ * 

He is disappointing his Washington 
friends. 

* * ♦ 

But a cattle thief would rather steal 
cattle than please his moral allies. 



The revolutionary government of Peru 
has been recognized. The Washington 
Administration says it is constitutional. 

♦ + » 

But that the Mexican Government, de- 
clared constitutional by the Mexican 
Congress, a Maderist Congress at that, 
and the Mexican. Supreme Court, is not 
constitutional! 

» * * 

The fact that the Administration de- 
liberately indulges in this casuistry — and 
shamelessly — ought in itself to arouse 
doubts in every frank mind as to the 
straightforwardness of the whole Mexi- 
can policy. 

• * * 

An Administration policy is no strong- 
er than its weakest manifestation and 
nothing more piflflingly weak than the 
Administration's attempted explanation 
of the recognition of the new Peruvian 
Government while refusing to recognize 
the Mexican Government has ever been 
known in our conduct of foreign rela- 
tions. 

It may deceive the dear public. 

But the Administration would not, of 
course, think of such a thing as deceiv- 
ing the public. 

• • * 

Congress is not deceived, intelligent 
observers are not deceived, foreign rep- 
resentatives are not deceived, Latin- 
American countries are not deceived. 

« • • 

The Administration is simply deceiving 
itself. 

What a national humiliation it will be 
when the unmasking comes! 
» * * 

How much more honorable and Ameri- 
can it would be to come right out and 
say: 

"Mexico is rich with oil beyond the 
dreams of avarice. Our oil companies 
want control of Mexican oil. The Gov- 
ernment is going to help them get it 
Whatever the methods necessary, what- 
ever the consequences." 

* * • 

This at least would not be hypocriti- 
cal. 

• • * 

But the Administration knows that the 
American people do not want a war for 
the benefit of American oil interests. 

♦ * * 

So it fights Mexico according to the 
approved methods of the oil and other 
American Trusts when they made up 
their minds to get something. 

♦ * ♦ 

While it condemns these very methods 
in our own country and proposes laws 
to curb them. 

* ♦ * 

If that is not outrageous hypocrisy, 
what is it? 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion ol Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. 28 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



The Only Way 



It is plain to the most casual observer 
or commentator that despite the yelp- 
ing of a few influential jingoes for in- 
tervention in Mexico there is among the 
people, who would pay the cost of war 
in lives and money, a distinct and for- 
midable opposition to any action by the 
United States that would make such a 
war unavoidable. 

There will not be any intervention in 
Mexico, which means war with Mexico, 
as long as it is not absolutely inevitable. 

As things are now, it is not inevitable, 
it can be avoided. 

The people know this. The Adminis- 
tration must know it. 

If in the future it becomes inevitable, 
unavoidable, the Administration vyill be 
responsible before God and men for 
plunging this country into a future of 
incalculable suffering. 

The recognition and support of the 
present Government in Mexico is a step 
to be taken before any one can con- 
scientiously say that war is unavoidable. 

For that very reason it is a step that 
will sooner or later have to be taken. 

For reasons of its own, which have 
been discredited by the opinion of the 
world and the logic of events, the Ad- 
ministration saw fit not only not to rec- 
ognize the present Government of Mex- 
ico, but openly and actively to seek to 
destroy it, in passionate futility even 
joining forces with a horde of barbarian 
bandits under a murderous Villa. 

The true character and motives of 
those who have been the allies of the 
Administration have been so clearly re- 
vealed that the shame of the alliance and 
the folly of those responsible for it have 
done more to destroy the prestige of the 
United States abroad than a humiliating 
military defeat. 

It has come to a point where the spec- 



tacle is presented to the world of a dig- 
nified Secretary of State dickering and 
threatening and bluffing virith his bandit 
ally for the right to dig up a grave. 

In this ghoulish proceeding it is not 
impossible that the Secretary is digging 
his own grave — politically. 

But it is too unpleasant to dwell on 
the ghastly consequences of a blunder 
from which so many sought in vain to 
save the self-will of the Administration. 

The bliuider has been made, the mis- 
take is so clear that the less said about 
it the better. 

Has the Administration the manhood, 
the bigness, the common decency to rec- 
tify it? 

Will it not suffer less by admitting it 
than by perversely persisting in it, while 
it gropes for ways out? 

The way out is clear, as we have so 
often pointed out. As all the other na- 
tions of the world have pointed out. As 
all decent Mexicans, who love their 
country, and all Americans in Mexico or 
who have come out of Mexico have 
pointed out. 

It is painful to a sense of fairness to 
realize that when the Bryan- Villa house 
of cards tumbled to the ground as a re- 
sult of the Benton tragedy, the cry for 
a change of policy came from those jin- 
goes who want intervention in Mexico, 
not, believe us, for the good of the Mex- 
ican people, but for their own selfish in- 
terests. As if this were the only way 
out of the debacle. 

Little or nothing was said about the 
other way — the support of the govern- 
ment of Mexico, which has shown the 
ability and the willingness to protect life 
and property and re-establish peace. 

They would destroy the Government 
of Mexico, fight the fifteen million or 
more of peaceable Mexican people, be- 



cause the very force the Washington Ad- 
ministration was using to hamper the 
government in its efforts to restore peace 
was used as it always has been used — in 
a lawless manner. 

Is this American fairness? Is this a 
square deal? Is it decent? Is it honor- 
able? 

The busy little bees who have been 
buzzing intervention since the Benton 
tragedy brought home the impossibility 
of the present Administration attitude 
have, according to their lights and pre- 
dilections, put forth three brands: 

Intervention by the United States 
alone. 

Intervention jointly with European na- 
tions. 

Intervention jointly with leading 
South American countries. 

Intervention by the United States 
means war with Mexico, with possible 
foreign complications that may align oth- 
er countries against this. Any one who 
thinks that under any pretext United 
States troops or marines could invade 
Mexico peaceably is a fit subject for an 
alienist. Or, more charitably, he knows 
nothing of the Mexican people, Mexican 
conditions, Mexican history, Mexican 
character, Mexican anything. It would 
be war against a united Mexico, even 
though a few individual Mexicans of the 
wealthier class might welcome it as they 
did the tragic Maximilian occupation, for 
property and other selfish advantage. A 
few influential men of this type are re- 
sponsible for a mistaken impression 
among some Americans that the Mexi- 
cans would welcome intervention. Any 
illusion as to this would be criminally 
fatal. 

It is not necessary to go into the ap- 
palling figures in lives and money it has 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



been authoritatively estimated such a war 
would entail, nor the police, racial and 
social problems with which it would bur- 
den the futiu-e of the American govern- 
ment and people. 

The most important fact is that the 
people do not want any such war. 

As to proposed joint intervention with 
European countries: In the first place, 
this would necessitate an abandonment 
of the Monroe Doctrine, which might or 
might not be a good thing. But Euro- 
pean intervention, even jointly with the 
United States, could not be directed to- 
ward the overthrow of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, which they have recognized. It 
■would have to be directed to helping 
that Government in putting down the 
rebels and bandits who are destroying 
life and property. And the United States 
alone, without any abandonment of the 
Monroe Doctrine, without any outside 
help, can do this much more simply, 
without the loss of a single American 
life, by the recognition and moral sup- 
port of the Government. Rebellion in 
Northern Mexico cotdd not exist three 
months without the connivance and sup- 
port of the United States authorities. 

Those who suggest intervention jointly 
with South American countries know 
they are only dealing in shadows. Those 
countries have little or no interests in 
Mexico. Their people would not coun- 
tenance a government which would en- 
ter into such an alliance with the United 
States against any Latin-American coun- 
try. Rightly or wrongly, there is as 
much distrust of the United States and 
its motives in those countries as in Mex- 
ico. To the Mexican people any such 
intervention, if it were possible, would 
be sensed as a Yankee subterfuge to 
throw a cloak of disinterestedness about 
intervention, and the result would be ex- 
actly the same as United States inter- 
vention alone, which would be war, in 
which no South American nation would 
conceivably want to share. 

No, all these propositions to end an 
intolerable situation are evading the real 
issue, which is this: The United States 
has in an underhand, oblique manner in- 
tervened in Mexico, to the extent of dic- 
tating what kind of government and what 
President Mexico must have. The Ad- 
ministration had absolutely no right in 
international law to do this. The Ad- 
ministration did have the right not to 
recognize the Mexican Government. But 
beyond that point it should not have 
gone. Having gone as far as it did, and 
not having been successful in imposing 
its will upon the Mexican nation, it re- 
sorted to a financial boycott and the en- 
coiu"agement of rebels and bandits. The 
result of which has been to create con- 
ditions in Mexico against which Mexico, 
Americans in Mexico, all foreign nations 
and a considerable portion of our pub- 
lic have protested. 

The Administration's interference with 
the work of pacification inaugurated by 
the Mexican Government has been the 



AN APPEAL TO REASON 



Whatever sympathy the Maderos, Vil- 
las, Carranzas and Zapatas of Mexico 
have received from the mass of the 
American people has been based on the 
carefully created impression that they 
were fighting for social reform, for ad- 
vanced ideals of government and living. 

By this time it has been pretty well 
established that such generous but 
mistaken sympathy and the moral sup- 
port of the Administration have been 
lavished on a precious crew of cut- 
throats and murderers, whose scheming 
representatives in Washington have mis- 
led the Administration and people of the 
United States to strengthen their sel- 
fish and conscienceless campaign for 
loot and power. 

But the fact remains, which we have 
frequently pointed out in this publica- 
tion, that in our opinion the people of 
Mexico have real grievances and cer- 
tain demands of social reform in Mex- 
ico are based on actual, crying needs. 
The Madero Government failed be- 
cause it did not give nor try to give 
the people the reforms they demanded. 

Those whose sympathies have been 
worked upon by the agents of destruc- 
tion in Mexico are fain to believe that 
rebellion has been justified by the fact 
that the Mexican people have suffered 
for many years under the oppression of 
a plutocracy of landlords and that they 
are seeking to obtain a political free- 
dom heretofore denied by a despotic 
government supported by these land- 
owners. 

In the abstract such principles of 
economical and political freedom can- 
not but appeal strongly to the people of 
the United States, who for more than 
a century have stood before the world 
as the sponsors of free government. 

In the concrete and in practice, how- 
ever, this phase of the Mexican situa- 
tion must be analyzed to determine 
whether it can serve as a justification 
for the Washington Administration's 
support of those who are laying waste 
the North of Mexico. 

Granted that the Mexican people have 
certain wrongs that should be righted, 
granted that in the course of a neces- 
sary evolution of the Mexican people 
certain social and economic reforms 
muBt be instituted, is there in these facts 



greatest single factor in creating these 
conditions. 

This factor must be withdrawn, if the 
Administration is to have any standing 
in court. 

Any other way lies madness. 



cause or justification for the policy of 
the Administration which, it is obvious 
to the whole world, has only served to 
make the ills of Mexico more poignaat 
and widespread? 

It may be contended that desperate 
cases require desperate remedies, but 
who will say that there can be any rem- 
edy for Mexico's ills in the prevalence 
of anarchy and the saturnalia of crime 
and pillage in which the so-called "con- 
stitutionalists" under such men as Villa 
have reveled? 

If the mere recognized necessity for 
social reform were an excuse and justi- 
fication for a destructive revolution, to 
be consistent Mr. Wilson and Mr. 
Bryan should resign from office and be- 
come the leaders of a revolution in the 
United States. For only a few will 
dispute the fact that social reform is 
greatly needed in the United States and 
has been demanded by the people for 
many years. 

A plutocracy, composed not of land- 
owners but of great captains of indus- 
try, has held sway over the people of 
this country for decades. Ownership 
of immense industrial combinations 
limited to a few individuals has made 
possible the existence of a plutocracy 
by far more powerful than that of Mex- 
ico. Its control of legislative bodies, 
of courts and of political organizations 
has been discussed and proven too often 
to require further demonstration. 

The grievances of the people of the 
United States are shown and known by 
the socialistic unrest which is becom- 
ing felt more and more every day. If 
such grievances can, in the opinion oi 
Washington officials, under any circum- 
stance justify a revolution, then we re- 
peat they should be the first ones to 
welcome in the United States a revolu- 
tion such as they are encouraging and 
supporting in Mexico. 

Likewise, if President Wilson and Mr. 
Bryan believe that the Mexican Indians 
are justified in rising up in arms to ob- 
tain more political freedom, then they 
should arm the American Indians and 
encourage them in rebelling against 
themselves, who have not granted the 
Indians any political freedom at all. 
Not even in form and appearance, as it 
is granted to the Southern negro. 

Likewise, if they believe that the Mex- 
ican peons are justified in fighting for 
a political freedom that they do not 
possess except in form and appearance, 
they — Wilson and Bryan — should arm 
and encourage the Southern negroes to 
rise up in arms against the State and 
Federal governments for they — the ne- 
groes — -like the Mexican peons, possess 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, February 28. 1914 



MEXICO 



AN APPEAL TO REASON— Continued 

a political freedom that is such only in 
name. 

And in fostering the rebellion of ne- 
groes, Indians and of all other Ameri- 
cans who demand just social reform, 
President Wilson and Mr. Bryan should 
induce them to conduct such a fight of 
destruction and rapine as is being con- 
ducted in Mexico by the rebels whom 
they support against the Huerta Gov- 
ernment. 

If this is deemed just and right in 
Mexico why should it not be deemed 
just and right in the United States? 

Here some one will answer: "Because 
in this country we can right our wrongs 
by the use of the ballot." Which an- 
swer would only be a platitude, as many 
years of unsuccessful struggle by the 
people of this country have amply de- 
monstrated. 

If, on the other hand, some one 
should say that the righting of social 
wrongs by the use of the ballot requires 
a thorough education of the voters and 
a long time, we would agree and add 
that (he same rule applies to Mexico. 
There, however, the time necessary 
would be longer, because the people 
have not reached the standard of edu- 
cation reached by the people of the 
United States. All of which would only 
go to prove that there can be found no 
justificat'on for the Mexican revolution 
or for the support it receives from the 
Wilson Administration. Much less when 
the character of the revolution is con- 
sidered. To be convinced of this one 
has but to listen to refugees from the 
States where the rebels hold sway and 
hear the horrible tales of wanton de- 
struction of property and life and the 
savage deeds committed by the rebels. 

We may add here that many reforms 
demanded by the people of Mexico have 
been recognized as just by the existing 
Government as well as by the rebels and 
that none of these reforms can be 
brought about until peace is restored in 
Mexico. 

From whichever angle we consider the 
Mexican struggle we are compelled to 
conclude that it is a struggle being con- 
ducted by a group of men to regain 
lost power. If the rebels were animated 
by the sole desire for reforms, then the 
rebel leaders should give an opportunity 
to the existing government to establish 
practicable reforms, which the Govern- 
ment is ready to do as soon as peace is 
restored. Should the Government fail 
to carry out the proposed reforms, then 
there would be some justification for 
the opposition leaders to try to over- 
throw the Government. 

As matters stand, even if the rebels 
should succeed in regaining power, the 
campaign of devastation and destruction 
they are waging will have rendered im- 
possible the carrying out successfully of 



LEST WE FORGET 



NAUGHTY VILLA! 

Wasn't he a friend of the Constitu- 
tion? 

* * « 

And hadn't General Scott told him all 
about the civilized methods of warfare, 
or the methods of civilized warfare? 

* • * 

And weren't Consul Edwards and 
Villa's old pal, Carothers, employed by 
the State Department, doing all they 
could to help the gentle bandit? 

* * • 

And weren't the Washington junta and 
Don Sherby telling him nice things 
about Villa and the dawn of constitu- 
tional liberty in Mexico? 

* * * 

And hadn't it all been made plain that 
Castillo was a bandit but Villa was a 
patriot? 

* ♦ * 

Then why would friend Villa go and 
kill a bally Britisher? 

* « * 

It was absurd, impossible, unbelievable, 
or else dear Pancho was cruelly irritated 
by that sharp-tongued Benton. 

* * * 

Perhaps the Englishman didn't speak 
softly enough. You know, my friends, 
"a soft answer turneth away wrath." 



any economical and consequently of any 
social reform. Conditions will be such 
that many years will have to elapse be- 
fore Mexico will be able to return to 
even a condition of relative prosperity. 
And while misery and poverty shall last 
there will be no hope of reforms for the 
Mexican masses. 

Besides, that very fact will make it 
impossible for any new Government to 
sustain itself in power for a long time, 
for it will be confronted by many revo- 
lutions fostered by hunger. 

As to ideals of political freedom: 

Dictatorial or extraordinary powers 
are necessary to a Government which 
seeks to re-establish peace. Anarchy has 
ever engendered despotism, for between 
the destruction of all property and many 
lives and the rule of a despot the think- 
ing elements of a nation will always 
select the latter. If the Huerta Gov- 
ernment faced no revolution and were 
not endeavoring to stem the tide of an- 
archy, it would have no excuse for as- 
suming dictatorial powers and we should 
be the last to approve its course. 

In any case, between the despotism of 
Gene.ral Huerta and the odious despot- 
ism of Villa any decent person, what- 
ever his political ideals, could but select 
the former. 



"My God," one Senator is quoted as 
saying, "this man Bryan is actually de- 
fending Villa's action!" 

* * * 

Well, Mr. Senator, he has been de- 
fending as bad and worse for the last 
six months. 

* • • 

He's only the same old Bill! 

* * » 

You are just getting a peep at the 

truth. 

* * * 

AH of which will be revealed in tb» 

course of nature. 

* • • 

Now the talk is of intervention. 

* * • 

Which means war against the Mexican 
nation. 

* • ♦ 

Fight the Mexican Government be- 
cause of an act of Villa's, or the anar- 
chical conditions he has created? 

* * • 

When all has been encouraged an« 
fomented by American money, Ameri- 
can arms and American moral support? 

* * * 

Despite all the evidences the Admin- 
istration has given, there is a deep and 
abiding sense of justice and fairness ia 
the American people. 

* * * 

They have been fooled for a long time 

* * • 

But those who are advocating inter- 
vention to overthrow the Mexican Gov- 
ernment because of the conditions i» 
Northern Mexico, for which the United 
States is largely responsible, are going 
too far. 

When the inevitable reaction in publir 
opinion became certain following tha. 
revelation of Villa's true character, did. 
you not notice how quickly the sugges- 
tion was thrown out, from obviously in- 
spired sources, that the Northern States 
might secede and form another Mexicait 
Republic? 

* * * 

If the hand that at this juncture put 
forth that suggestion were known to the 
people of this country we would know 
the most powerful source of the troubles 
of Mexico. 

* * * 

If it isn't to be all of Mexico, then 
half the loaf will do — for the present. 

« * * 

That seems to be the game now. 

* * • 

But some day those who are playing it 
will have to come out in the open. 

* * • 

Dies irae, dies ilia. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 38, li\i 




Mexico City, Feb. 26. — The Mexican 
Government this afternoon sent to all 
the diplomats here a memorandum 
deprecating the action of the Washing- 
ton Government in lifting the embargo 
on arms and asserting that the Benton 
incident was a natural result of such 
action. 

The memorandum says that Pre'sident 
Huerta's Government is doing every- 
thing it can to suppress the rebels by 
force of arms and to counteract at great 
sacrifice the work of the rebel chieftains, 
who, under the cloak of political ideals, 
commit all manner of excesses. 

"But," it adds, "the work of civiliza- 
tion, which in this respect the Govern- 
ment purposes to carry out, meets with 
serious difficulties, in view of the fact 
that the rebels receive pecuniary sup- 
port and arms from outside the repub- 
lic. The annulment by the Government 
of the United States of the decree pre- 
venting the exportation of arms and 
other assistance given the rebels in the 
North place the latter in a favorable 
position to continue the committing of 
excesses and prevent the constituted 
Government from stopping such out- 
rages as speedily and energetically as it 
desires. 

"This Government, without taking in 
consideration any right the United States 
may have to follow a policy which it 
thinks best in dealing with Mexico, be- 
lieves that the time has arrived to point 
out the fact that the rebels in question, 
wherever they have been able to domi- 
nate, far from insuring the establish- 
ment of even a fev^r institutions which 
characterize any Government, give plain 
demonstrations of their anarchistic .ten- 
dencies and absolute lack of respect for 
those interests which morality and in- 
ternational justice impose upon civilized 
nations. 

"The constituted Government, on the 
other hand, not only dictates such effi- 
cacious measures as are within its power 
in the effort to bring about the submis- 
sion of the rebels and to re-establish 
social and constitutional institutions in 
the territories now alienated from its 
jurisdiction, but also in all the towns 
where it exercises power, gives complete 
guarantees to the property and persons 
of its nationals and foreigners. 

"From this point of view it cannot 
be doubted that the Government of the 
United States will admit the right which 
the Government of Mexico has to ex- 
pect in its collaboration in the task in 
which the interests of civilization are 
involved and likewise to expect that it 
will fix its attentian upon the grave con- 
sequences which (low from the annul- 
ment of the decree that prohibited until 



recently the exportation of arms and the 
rendering of assistance to the rebels of 
the north. 

"This Government believes that it ful- 
fills its high humanitarian duty and its 
functions as the representative of a State 
which forms a part of international so- 
ciety when it asks, by means of this 
note, the careful consideration by the 
Government of a neighboring country, 
which also forms a part of the society of 
States, of the sad consequences which 
this action has brought already and will 
continue to bring with the facilitating 
of the giving of arms and other assist- 
ance to rebels who do not respect life, 
honor or property." 



The present Government of Mexico 
has been recognized as existent de facto 
and de jure by all the nations of the 
world except the United States and three 
Latin-American countries currying favor 
with the Washington Administration. 

All these powers have diplomatic rep- 
resentatives accredited to the Mexican 
Government, which in turn is diplomat- 
ically represented in those countries. 

All the functions of government for 
fifteen millions of people are performed 
in a regular and orderly manner by this 
Government. 

It protects life and property and ad- 
ministers courts of justice. 

It has been declared constitutional by 
the Congress and Supreme Court of the 
Republic, and it upholds the traditions 
and dignity of the nation. 

But V/ashington says Mexico has no 
government. 

Because that Government would not 
bow to the Administration's sweet, un- 
reasonable will. 

If it had, then truly Mexico would have 
no government. 



BARBARITY IN MEXICO. 

These recent acts of barbarism, for 
they are nothing else, are sure to arouse 
the indignation of Europe, and the Brit- 
ish Government, once satisfied that one 
of its subjects has been illegally done to 
death, will demand that the United 
States take prompt action or it will it- 
self take such steps as may be neces- 
sary to compel the punishment of those 
responsible for the murder, even if the 
main culprit be Villa himself, 
prisals and insisting upon full reparation 
and atonement. Having refused to rec- 
ognize Huerta, and having given aid and 
comfort to the revolutionists we are in 
no position to hold Huerta responsible 
for the acts of Villa and other men of 
the same kidney within the lines con- 
trolled by the revolutionists. There 
should be a demand for the immediate 
surrender of Villa for punishment and 
his removal as a rebel commander. — 
New Orleans "Picayune." 



EL PASO'S CHARGES AGAINST 
MR. BRYAN. 

.A.n El Paso "mass meeting" under the 
leadership of a professional Rough 
Rider, who was once a Democrat and is 
now a Republican, charges specifically 
that William J. Bryan, Secretary of State 
in President Wilson's cabinet, is guilty 
of the following named offenses: 

I. — That he has "persistently sup- 
pressed facts concerning the true con- 
ditions in Mexico." 

2. — That he has "endeavored through 
inspired newspaper articles and by other 
means to mislead the American people." 

3. — That he is trying to "form public 
opinion for political purposes in support 
of a policy that is ruinous to all foreign 
interests in Mexico and the Mexican 
people themselves." 

4. — That he has made statements which 
"we know to be absolutely false." 

5. — That "we believe there are reports 
on file in the State Department from our 
own consuls" which disprove Mr. Bry- 
an's statements to the American people. 

No more serious charges have ever 
been made against an American Secre- 
tary of State. If they were true it would 
be the duty of the House of Representa- 
tives to impeach Mr. Bryan at once and 
of the Senate to try him for the high 
crimes and misdemeanors charged 
against him. Anybody who believes 
these charges must also believe that Mr. 
Bryan should be removed from office 
forthwith. 

The man who presided at this El Paso 
mass meeting is an old political crony of 
Senator Fall of New Mexico, the distin- 
guished gentleman who is interested "in 
mining in Me.xico." He and his friends 
will be satisfied to have their charges 
against the Secretary of State "read into 
the Congressional Record," which is a 
favorite device of tricky politicians. That 
may be all they want, but it is not all 
that Congress should want. These men 
should be brought to Washington and 
made to substantiate their allegations un- 
der oath. 

The Mexican situation is the most deli- 
cate question that the United States 
Government has had to deal with in 
many years. It is impossible to exagger. 
ate its potentiality of evil, and the ability 
of the Administration to deal with it de- 
pends upon its success in commanding 
the confidence of the American people. 
There could be no public confidence in 
an Administration whose Secretary of 
State had done what the El Paso reso- 
lutions accuse Mr. Bryan of doing. Con- 
gress should take immediate steps to as- 
certain if the El Paso accusers are as 
well informed and patriotic under oath 
as thev are in a mass meeting. — New 
York "World." 

By all means let Congress take such 
steps! Despite the "World's" labored ef- 
fort to discount the El Paso charges, 
there are hundreds who could conscien- 
tiously swear to their truth. 



Members of Congress declared that 
the Administration policy of "watchful 
waiting" had become tiresome to many 
in Congress and that it was likely there 
would be lively debates on the subject 
this week in both branches of Con- 
gress. Members who are most familiar 
with the Mexican situation expressed 
the belief that the time had arrived when 
the Government must take its choice 
between intervention or recognizing 
Huerta. These men have given up hope 
that Villa and his army can work any 
improvement in the Mexican situation. 
— New York "Sun" Washington des- 
patch. 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



HOPEFUL SIGNS IN PARIS. 

Mexican Shares Are Stronger on The 

Bourse. 

(Special Cable Despatch to N. Y. "Sun") 

Paris, Feb. 25. — While the Paris press 
continues to use the Benton incident to 
base attacks on the United States policy 
in Mexico, news from the republic south 
of the Rio Grande yesterday was re- 
garded in financial circles as giving 
ground for optimism. 

Mexican shares were stronger on the 
Bourse, where it is felt that any aggrava- 
tion of the situation in the troubled re- 
public is likely to hasten a permanent 
solution of the problem. 

The "Journal des Debats" said yester- 
day that the death of Benton illustrates 
the incoherence of President Wilson's 
policy. 

"This question." it says, "affects the 
whole of Europe. If Great Britain de- 
mands intervention on the part of the 
United States against Villa it is a recog- 
nition that the United States exercises a 
form of protection over Mexico. If a 
similar incident occurred again should 
Europe confer the same mandate on the 
United States?" 

The financial newspaper "L'lnforma- 
tion," said: 

"President Wilson's haughty, tortuous 
and clumsy diplomacy is doomed to lead 
him into a blind alley." 



LEGISLATORS GROWING IMPA- 
TIENT. 

The number of members of congress 
who are convinced that President Wil- 
son made an error in declining to rec- 
ognize Huerta, and who believe that 
the lifting of the embargo on arms was 
merely a case of following one bad blun- 
der with another, is increasing daily, al- 
though a majority of those who take is- 
sue with the White Huose have not yet 
arrived at a point where they believe 
good can be accomplished by expressing 
their views in public. — New York 
"Times." 

The frequent executions by the revo- 
lutionists stamp the leaders of the 
movement as practically outlaws entirely 
unworthy to control the affairs of Mex- 
ico in the event that they succeed in 
their efforts to overthrow the Huerta 
government. The latter is orderly and 
dignified in comparison with the forces 
in opposition, and it would have been 
much more dignified for our government 
to have recognized Huerta as de facto 
president than to have lent aid and en- 
couragement to his opponents, who ap- 
pear to be conducting warfare more like 
Apache Indians than like civilized men. 

It is utterly useless to hope for any 
improvement in the affairs of Mexico to 
result from the success of the revolu- 
tionists when such men as Villa and the 
outlaw who recently ran a whole train 
crowded with people into a tunnel and 
set fire to it, causing the cremation of 
fully fifty persons, are the '^'uiding spir- 
its. The interests and lives of foreign- 
ers would be in imminent peril at all 
times at the hands of such men should 
they succeed in securing a firm hold on 
power even for a brief period, 



THE QRAVE=DIQQERS 

Administration Resents Criticism of the Murdering Villa. 



The President asserted emphatically 
to-day that there was no change in his 
Mexican policy and that none was con- 
templated. He gave evidence of irrita- 
tion when it was suggested that Gen- 
eral Villa was an outlaw whose control 
could not be regarded as "constituted 
authority," and he intimated that pos- 
sibly the first construction put on Villa's 
apparent refusal to surrender the body of 
William S. Benton had been too hasty, as 
it was couched in polite language and 
intimated that the body would be surren- 
dered "in due time." 

Nothing further has been heard from 
Villa, which the administration explains 
as due to the fact that he is constantly 
traveling around, although there is sus- 
picion in some quarters that Villa has 
adroitly avoided receiving the communi- 
cations of this government. It is ad- 
mitted that nothing is known of the lo- 
cation of Benton's body, which Villa has 
said that he took to Chihuahua, an asser- 
tion the accuracy of which is questioned 
by Thomas D. Edwards, American Con- 
sul at Juarez. 

The suggestion that Villa is sparring 
for time, with the knowledge that suffi- 
cient delay will result in rendering the 
body of the Englishman unfit to afford 
evidence of the manner of his death, is 
dismissed with marked impatience at the 
White House, where every suggestion 
reflecting on Villa seems to cause annc 
ance. — New York "Tribune." 



VILLA AN INTERNATIONAL 
ISSUE. 

Leaving behind him toll of death that 
has stirred to deep resentment the peo- 
ple of two great nations, "Pancho" Villa 
has taken hasty departure from the vicin- 
ity of the American border. Discretion 
is sometimes the better part of valor. In 
the present state of feeling along the 
Rio Grande growing out of the murder 
of Benton and of apparently reliable re- 
ports that other foreigners have been 
killed by him or by his orders. Villa 
may be wise in concluding that the cli- 
mate of the extreme North is not par- 
ticularly good for his health. 

The zeal of those persons who have 
rushed to his defense may have Villa's 
approval, but their efforts are not at all 
convincing. In the explanation issued at 
Washington and the "report" of the al- 
leged court martial at Juarez the hand 
of the lawyer is plainly visible. Neither 
the one nor the other is able to conceal 
the fact that a British subject was shot 
down in cold blood. And for this mur- 
der Villa is responsible. 

British restiveness under conditions 
prevailing in Northern Mexico is natural. 



In so far as it is aimed at the feature of 
the policy of the United States that has 
made it possible for bandits of the Villa 
stripe to obtain arms with which to pur- 
sue their murderous way, British criti- 
cism finds a vulnerable spot. Such sym- 
pathy, official and non-official, as has 
been felt in this country for the persons 
styling themselves "constitutionalists" 
has, manifestly, been misplaced. 

* * * Carranza's approval of the Ben- 
ton murder either stamps the "benevolent 
old gentleman" as no better than Villa 
or proves that as "constitutionalist" 
leader Carranza is nothing more than a 
name to conjure with. 

Expressions from leading newspapers 
in all parts of the country show that an 
increasing proportion of the American 
press is tired of "watchful waiting." But 
what would they have? Certainly our 
contemporaries cannot differ with Presi- 
dent Wilson as to the undesirability of 
plunging this country into a war. That 
is what intervention would mean. No 
man understands better than the Presi- 
dent the difficulties of the situation. He 
v/antp to avoid war if he can, and the 
people of the United States want him to 
avoid it if he can. — New York "Herald." 



The lies and evasions manufactured by 
and for Villa are the most amazing fea- 
ture so far in what has been a revolution 
of lies. 

* * * 

Has anything in history been so un- 
dignified and humiliating as the Admin- 
istration's receptivity to the most pal- 
pable and contradictory falsehoods from 
a fellow of Villa's stamp. 

Even a child could detect the inten- 
tional deception of them alt and any real 
man would never stand for them. 

And Carranza? 

• * • 

He approves of the "execution" as per- 
fectly justifiable and legal. 

At least his agents do. 
« « * 
The doubt is growing daily whether 
there is or is not a Carranza at all, at alL 

• • • 
Many believe he's dead. 

* * • 

He is, at any rate, as far as having 
any influence over Villa is concerned. 

* * * 

Villa is the revolution and the revolu- 
tion is Villa. 

• * * 

And Bryan is his prophet? 

♦ * « 
What? Not any longer? 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



Plain Words from the Border 



3y C. F. Z. Caracristi, Ph.D., C.E. 



The Administration, after having used 
the theoretically free press of the coun- 
try in a campaign of misrepresentation 
■of the true facts relative to conditions in 
Mexico in order to educate the public 
mind and conscience to accept its for- 
eign policy, has stepped from behind 
the screen and exposed its plans to as- 
sist the noted bandits in overthrowing 
law and order in Mexico. 

What is to be our gain or our glory, 
and what will the nations of the world 
and history say of us in the future? Out- 
side of the jn (tice or injustice of Mexi- 
can polemics; outside of every consider- 
ation that h( nan ingenuity may con- 
ceive or intelli, ,ence moot on the question 
we can find n( possible present or future 
excuse for bei jming the champions and 
supporters of aen like Villa and Zapata, 
ihat the whol( ;ivilized world accepts as 
the arch-crimi als of modern times. 

I cannot ( e how the responsible 
heads of our Government, who must 
know what thb • are doing by instituting 
this damnable policy in behalf of our 
nation, can commune with their God, 
knowing that they have made a whole 
country but a vast shield of blood, and 
chat this blood is shed to satisfy the 
vainglorious ambitions and the spirit of 
2 petty revenge of a few misguided theo- 
rists and politicians whose amateurish 
■;fTorts at diplomacy would be ridiculous 
if they were not revolting and grotesque. 

President Wilson is defying every tra- 
dition of modern times by his action in 
supporting the semi-civilized and wholly 
barbarous savagery of the Mexican In- 
dian peon and pelado in their war 
against the wealth, intelligence, culture 
and responsibility of the Caucasian blood 
of the country. 

The President and his advisors go fur- 
ther and tacitly make us allies of vulgar 
bandits, brigands and uncivilized ghouls, 
to whom crime is a pleasurable pastime. 
There is no pretension on the part of 
these wholesale ravishers, murderers and 
robbers to carry on a civilized warfare. 
A state of inhuman atavism has grasped 
these organized anarchists and they have 
•everted to the primitive savagery that 
♦Tie Spaniards had but slightly varnished 
•ver during four hundred years of ef- 
J*rts. 

Regardless of all the bombastic theor- 
izing and the preachings of our beloved 
■president and his worthy Secretary of 
State, you can no more educate men like 
Villa, Zapata and their followers to stay 
educated in the modern precints of peace, 
fiappiness and Christianity than you can 
teach a rattlesnake to repeat the Ten 
Commandments. 

I am sometimes led to believe that the 



word "villainous" is derived from Villa, 
because the man has committed and is 
committing every crime in the category 
of infamy and a few unlisted. I know 
whereof I speak. 

On September ii, 1909, the man rode 
into the heart of the city of Chihuahua 
and shot and killed one of his former 
bandit companions who had reformed 
and became a Government secret service 
agent. I was at the time completing a 
survey of the subterranean water tables 
of Chihuahua as part of my general geo- 
logical survej' for the Government. My 
camp was located on the Fresno Ranch, 
thirteen miles west of Chihuahua. The 
night after the murder Villa and his gang 
stole six mules from my outfit which 
my son and a posse retook after a run- 
ning fight and many shots. 

During the Madero revolution Villa 
looted 185,000 pesos and he got Colonel 
Paul Mason to go with him to a bank in 
El Paso to have the money converted 
into American currency. When I asked 
him why he wanted American money he 
stated that he might have to take a trip 
to Europe or South America. He told 
me afterward that he had planned to 
murder an Italian carpenter named Gari- 
baldi who gave up his job on the U. S. 
Reclamation project at Elephant Butte, 
N. M., and joined the Madero army and 
was made a putty "general" for expert- 
ness in the art of adulation. 

Madero was honest but purchasable 
through the inexpensive price of idle flat- 
tery, and by the use of this commodity 
foreign adventurers and Mexican crooks 
held him in their power and led the na- 
tion to ruin. What remains of these hypo- 
critical idolaters and the riffraff and out- 
laws of every order of Mexican and for- 
eign society now make up the self-styled 
"Constitutionalist" party. 

They do not want Huerta, de la Barra, 
Lascurain nor Carranza; all they want is 
just plain loot and the right to desecrate 
the sanctity of any home that has a 
woman in it that appeals to their craven 
lust and the fancies of infamy! 

Such are our high-born and beloved al- 
lies, forced upon our great Christian na- 
tion by a satirical, misfit Government. 

What is the "White Man's Burden"? 
Is it not to bring enlightenment and pro- 
gress to the world at large, using the 
supreme instrumentality of the white 
man's dominion? Why, in the name of 
logic and self-protection, are we turning 
Mexico over to an Indian mutiny more 
horrible than the one that England sup- 
pressed in Asia? 

Have President Wilson and the Secre- 
tary of .State any valid reason to offer 
why they should use every available force 



at the command of our powerful Gov- 
ernment in order to oppress and enslave 
the respectable people of Mexico and 
turn them over to the savagery of the 
bandits? 

Why did we prevent the Cuban ne- 
groes and peons from gaining control of 
that Government and go so far as to up- 
hold this very principle by forcible inter- 
vention? Now, just because we have 
taken umbrage at a grape juice hallucina- 
tion and become obsessed of the idea, 
which evidence and competent courts in 
Mexico have disproved, that Huerta 
caused the assassination of Madero, we 
attempt to place all white men and wo- 
men in Mexico on the altar of a spiteful 
sacrifice. To satisfy whom? To gain 
what? To place in power a band of cut- 
throats and satisfy our exalted Govern- 
ment's greed for revenge. 

Do our people know what this terrible 
act means to the people of Mexico? 

We are helping to sell the better, no- 
bler, cleaner and only truly representative 
humans in Mexico into a damnable and 
revolting bondage. We are destroying 
in Mexico the principle of vested rights; 
we are legalizing and rendering moral 
support to anarchy, which we would not 
tolerate at home; we are denying the 
white man, the Caucasian, and the bet- 
ter class of Indians in Mexico the divine 
right of supremacy over an inferior mob 
of nondescripts who have not yet forgot- 
ten the Omego of the cave man nor 
learned the Alpha of civilization. 

Let it not be understood from what I 
have said that I am disparaging the In- 
dian race in Mexico, for I am only refer- 
ring to that proportion that for cen- 
turies will be incapable for performing 
the functions of intelligent and Chris- 
tian citizenship. 

Spain may have murdered the ancient 
rulers of Mexico, whose learning and 
chastity have been the world's wonder- 
ment, but they did not destroy the seed 
of the dynasty, for every now and then 
we see it spring forth, as was the case 
with Juarez, Diaz and other notables of 
that country. General Porfirio Diaz is 
unquestionably to-day the greatest of all 
living statesmen, although he is in exile 
from his country. These great men do 
not belong to the human vampire mobs 
that are now devastating Me.xico. 

The Government of the United States 
is aiding to suppress all that is good in 
Mexico, for property, consanguinity, mor- 
ality and learning are all but about two 
per cent, in favor of the present Gov- 
ernment. 

When Gladstone, out of a mistaken 
sense of duty and vaccillation, aban- 
doned Lord Gordon in Africa, when he 
with his troops were massacred at Khar- 
toum, he committed a crime against his 
race and placed a blot on his otherwise 
noble career. If President Wilson suc- 
ceeds in putting into power (even tem- 
porarily, for no such Government in 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



PLAIN WORDS FROM THE BOR- 
DER— Continued. 

Mexico or elsewhere can last) the selt- 
styled Constitutionalists, he will deserve 
and receive the scornful condemnation of 
every white man who knows the facts 
as they really are, and not as the Admin- 
istration is having them painted by a 
nursing and servile press. 

If Mr. Wilson were right in his univer- 
sal suffrage policy for Mexico, majority 
rule, and all the rest of his theories, 
frapped buncombe and tweedle-dee and 
tweedle-dum, what on earth would be- 
come of England's and Europe's colonies 
in Asia and Africa? Does he really be- 
lieve that he has the support of Europe 
in this wild, though theoretically sancti- 
fied scheme of his? 

Posterity will demand of him a reck- 
oning — the American voter when he be- 
comes educated up to the facts, the cause 
and the results will demand a reckoning. 
God and humanity and the Caucasian 
people throughout the world will de- 
mand a reckoning for this political 
crime that is being committed under the 
guise or disguise of a new national mor- 
ality. 

My experience is that the President 
nor any other man can keep the Ameri- 
can people fooled very long at a time. 

Though President Wilson has hypno- 
tized himself into the belief that Secre- 
tary Bryan is the personification of hu- 
man infallibility and endows him with 
ultra-mundane attributes, it is neverthe- 
less a fact that Mr. Bryan's record proves 
him to have been politically the most 
colossal failure in American history. 

Of course Mr. Bryan is an excellent 
gentleman, even though he has been un- 
fortunate in his mental attitude on pub- 
lic issues. The lyric and hysteric stage 
missed a great actor when Mr. Bryan 
entered politics. If all his past public 
acts have been monumental failures, cen- 
sured by the .American voters, what rea- 
son have we to believe that his Mexican 
policy is any saner than the rest of his 
somnambulistic vagaries? 

The Administration's Mexican policy is 
born either of ignorance or perversity. I 
happen to know that the true facts on 
Mexico were laid before the Government 
by men of standing and supposed influ- 
ence with the Democratic Party — and I 
also know that the Administration re- 
fused to accept any advice that was not 
favorable to our dearly beloved and high- 
ly honored friends and allies, Zapata, 
Villa, Carranza and the rest of the devil's 
imps. 

I have been told that if I don't refrain 
from writing these articles the Villa- 
Bryan press would retaliate by entering 
a campaign of personal villification 
against me. Such is the freedom of 
thought and press in America. Let them 
get busy if they care to hear some truths 
that I am keeping in reserve. No clean 
man needs fear publicity. 



POOR JOHN! 



From article by James Creelman in N. Y. Evening "Mail" of February 26. 



AMERICA IN EXTRAORDINARY 
ROLE. 

The extraordinary part which the 
American government is playing as a 
supporter of the rebel cause and a se- 
cret negotiator with the ignorant bandit 
rebel leader is shown by Secretary Bry- 
an's "I have assurances from Villa, etc.," 
communicated to Mr. O'Shaughnessy, 
the American charge d'affaires in Mexico 
City, who is an intimate personal friend 
of Huerta, and calls him familiarly by 
his first name, and by the secret acts and 
utterances of Mr. Wilson's cloistered, 
paramount agent in Mexico. 

It is time that the careful curtain of 
silence that has surrounded Mr. Wilson's 
mysterious envoy should be raised. 

In a small, darkened room, with a red- 
tiled floor, opening on a shabby Mexi- 
can courtyard in the rear of the Ameri- 
can consul's office in Vera Cruz sits 
John Lind, the personal representative 
of the President of the United States, as 
he has sat for seven months, smilingly 
watching and waiting, while Mexico and 
her 15,000,000 men, women and children 
have moved to wreck and ruin. 

He Advises Mr. Bryan. 

Altogether a hale, dignified, old-farmer 
type of lawyer-politician, who loves to 
talk of the smell of burning brush, the 
cheeping of squirrels, the spring call of 
birds and the plowing of the soft brown 
furrows in distant Minnesota and who 
adores Mr. Bryan, with whom he served 
in Congress. 

This is President Wilson's personal 
representative in war-smitten, pillaged, 
despairing Mexico, the amiable, calm, 
comfortable, good-natured, philanthropic 
sentimentalist, who dreams away his days 
in his shadowy room in hot Vera Cruz, 
an easy rocking-chair hermit with 
brawny, white-clad American blue- 
jackets yawning on guard at his door. 

It is Mr. Lind's opinion that the north 
must conquer the south before there can 
be peace in Mexico. 

Admires Carranza. 

President Wilson's representative and 
confidential adviser never allows him- 
self to be quoted in the newspapers, but 
he talks freely to the Americans who 
call on him, and makes no secret of his 
admiration for Villa and Carranza and 
his hopes for their success. 

He has a poetic vision, embracing all 
human history, in which the north al- 
ways conquers the south, and sometime, 
somehow, when the rebels conquer 
Huerta, the victorious bandits, murder- 
ers and violators of women will suddenly 
turn patriots, statesmen and moralists 
and there will arise in riven Mexico a 
noble government — converted to the rule 
of the majority. 

At tlie heart of this sun-scorched cozy 
city, its venerable walls, church domes 
and roofs crowded with black vultures 
and its people largely indifferent to the 
fate of the nation, Mr. Lind, of Minne- 
sota, dreams his dreams and writes them 
to President Wilson. 



Undisturbed by Massacres. 
There is sometlung almost inexpressible 
in Mr. Lind's genial, imaginative calm. 
Nothing frets his sheltered, comfortable 
life. 

The widespread scenes of massacre, 
outrage of women and children, sacking 
and general misery and ruin mean little 
to him but that the north will conquer 
the south, and that the twentieth cen- 
tury, represented by Villa and Carranza, 
will take the place of the sixteenth cen- 
tury, represented by Huerta. 

Everything is going on all right. Of 
course. Villa is a murderous bandit and 
his followers are savage plunderers, who 
spare neither women nor young girls, 
but men grow better with responsibili- 
ties and, after all, there is such a thing 
as what might be called intellectual mor- 
ality. 

And when Villa's hordes at last get 
control of Mexico — a highly improbable 
event, the mention of which makes all 
who know the rebels shudder — the 
friendly countenance of the Wilson ad- 
ministration might result in a great loan 
of money. 

Has Idealized Rebels. 
With the cruel evidence of their char- 
acter and acts daily before his eyes Mr. 
Lind, in his gloomy little room in Vera 
Cruz, has idealized the bloody plunderers 
of the north to an almost unbelievable 
extent. 

But there is a graver side to Mr. Lind 
than his dreaming of an impossible Mex- 
ico. 

Take the single case of an American 

citizen appealing for protection to $2,- 

500,000 of legitimate American property. 

Mr. Lind's answer should be known to 

the American people. 

This story throws a strong light on 
what is happening to our citizens in Mex- 
ico with the consent of the United States, 
and the moral, if not direct, relations of 
the Wilson administration with outright 
bandits and blackmailers. 

The Tezuitlan Copper Company is an 
American mining enterprise in the east- 
ern part of the state of Puebla. far from 
the scene of the northern rebellion. 

Last August there came into this re- 
gion of peaceful development, a former 
officer of rurales under Madero named 
Marquez, who, with a band of Indian 
raiders calling themselves "constitution- 
alists," began to overcome the tiny, scat- 
tered federal garrisons. 

The copper company carefully re- 
frained from taking sides in the situation 
and preserved an attitude of neutrality 
in politics. 

But when the company's manager, Mr. 
G. H. Carnahan, returned from a busi- 
ness trip, he was invited by Marquez_ to 
use his influence to assist in restoring 
peace. 

Medina Starts Trouble. 
In December, a young desperado of 
twenty-four years, named Medina, came 
from the north, representing Carranza 
and his forces. 

He is tall and thin and given to loud 

boasting and the robbery of plantations. 

One of his feats was the capture of 

the paymaster's car on the Inter-Oceanic 

Railroad, and the stealing of $14,000. 

About a month ago this plundering 
band went to the Tezuitlan Copper Com- 
pany's camp and announced that they 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



POOR JOHN— Continued 



intended to hang Manager Carnahan be- 
cause he had taken part in the peace 
negotiations. 

Uttering savage threats, they searched 
the buildings, but failed to find their 
American victim. 

Then they compelled the cashier to 
open his safe and robbed it of all the 
money it contained, fortunately only 3,- 
000 pesos. 

The spokesman of the raiders was a 
renegade employee of the company, an 
Italian from New York, who shouted 
bloody threats and finally demanded $50,- 
000, saying that the whole plant would be 
destroyed unless the money were paid. 

"These buildings will burn fine," he 
said. 

Medina Sends Letter. 

Three days afterward Medina repeated 
the blackmailing demand of his bandits 
in a letter, of which this is a translation: 
"Constitutionalist Army of the State of Puebia," 
"San Miguel Tenextatiloyan, Puebia, 
Feb. 7th, 1914. 
"To the Manager 

The Tezuitlan Copper Company, 
La Aurora, Puebia. 
"Respected Sir: 

"At a meeting held yesterday the following was 
determined: 

"In view of the reasons expressed by the citi- 
zens who have charge of the treasury of the 
Serdan Constitutionalist Brigade, and in view of 
the growing expenses which result from the daily 
increase in our ranks, it is to be determined, and 
we hereby do determine, that the principal indus- 
trial concerns of this vicinity must be asked for 
assistance of a pecuniary nature to sustain the 
heavy cost occasioned by the revolution, which 
has assumed the patriotic task of overthrowing 
the nefarious and traitorous party of Huerta, 
which has brought many evils to our country. 

"It must be taken into consideration that the 
important mining concern known as the Tezuitlan 
Copper Company can assist in obtaining our tri- 
umph over the usurpers with the sum of $50,000, 
fifty thousand pesos, and therefore a communica- 
tion should be directed to the representative of 
the said company making it known to them that 
within the term of eight days they must deliver 
the above mentioned sum to this general head- 
quarters, advising them of the energetic procedure 
of our forces if our demand is not satisfied. 

(Signed) Col. A. Medina, Col. Treasurer 
Adolfo Garcia, Lt. Col. Chief of Staff A. Pala- 
cio, Lt. Col. Dr. Gabino Beudelamata, J. L. 
Gomez, secretary (elaborate pen flourishes). 
"All of which I have the honor to communi- 
cate to you, not doubting that you will make 
answer, fixing the day on which your company 
will deliver the quota which has been assessed. 

"You will reflect on the serious consequences 
which will result from your disobedience to this 
order, and on the other hand you will consider 
the good and the guarantees that our army will 
afford your company, who with such dignity will 
have lent assistance to a cause so just and so 
sacred as that followed by the Constitutionalists. 
"Protesting to you my respect and awaiting 
your prompt and decisive reply, I remain 
The Colonel in Chief of the Movement, 

A. MEDINA." 

Lind Gives No Hope. 

Manager Carnahan hurried to Vera 
Cruz and saw Mr. Lind in his shadowy 
little room, explaining that he, an Ameri- 
can citizen, was threatened with death, 
and that $2,500,000 of American property 
was to be destroyed unless he paid $50,- 
000 blackmail. 

President Wilson's direct representa- 
tive calmly advised Mr. Carnahan that 
the easiest and most sensible thing to do 
was to pay duplicate taxes to Medina's 
band. 

Mr. Carnahan said that his company 
could not aflford to be put in the posi- 



tion of submitting to blackmail levied 
by the men who had robbed their safe. 

Then Mr. Lind talked of the noble pol- 
itical ideals of the revolution and actu- 
ally offered to write a letter to Medina 
asking him not to carry out his threat. 

The manager patriotically protested 
that it would be beneath the dignity of 
the personal representative of the Presi- 
dent of the United States to address such 
a communication to robbers and black- 
mailers. 

Mr. Lind finally wrote a letter to Mr. 
Carnahan, authorizing him to show it to 
Medina. 

Envoy Sends Mild Request. 

It is interesting to consider the lan- 
guage of the supreme agent and adviser 
of President Wilson in Mexico intended 
for the eyes of robbers of trains, farm- 
houses and safes: 

Feb. 9, 1914. 
G. H. Carnahan, 

Manager Tezuitlan Copper Company, 
(Aire Libre) Tezuitlan, Puebia. 

I am grieved to learn that Col. Medina has 
given expression to threats against you and your 
company. * * • 

Say further to the colonel in my behalf that I 
sincerely hope that he may see his way clear to 
afford you and your property protection instead of 
menace through these troublous times. This is 
the attitude of the revolutionists of the north 
(meaning Villa and Carranza) and should be the 
attitude of the revolutionists of the south. Col. 
Medina need not be told that an injustice inflicted 
upon an American citizen is an injury that the 
American people and government will not ignore. 
Respectfully yours, 

JOHN LIND, 
Personal Representative of the President of the 
United States. 

This, and his advice to pay duplicate 
taxes to the raiders, was Mr. Lind's only 
answer to a demand for protection to 
American life and property. 

But it is only fair to Mr. Lind to say 
that he talked eloquently of the twentieth 
century spirit animating Villa's rebel cut- 
throats and looters and predicted peace 
and a constitutional democracy when the 
north should conquer the south. 

HUERTA'S PEACE PLANS. 
As Reported by Philip H. Patchin, Spe- 
cial Correspondent of the New 
York "Tribune" at Mexico City. 

First — He firmly intends to retain the 
office of President until he is removed 
by death, intervention or the rebels. He 
has health; he does not fear assassina- 
tion; he does not think any foreign na- 
tion will step in, and he laughs when 
one speaks of the rebels ousting him. 

Second — He counts on eventually 
pacifying the country. His confidence 
in this is extreme, and he is directing all 
his energies entirely in this direction. 

Third — He hopes to hold elections in 
July and show the United States that 
Mexico is well able to run itself. 

Fourth— He hopes to establish by a 
far-seeing policy, on which lie is vvork- 
ing, a true democracy. He is certain of 
his ability to accomplish this, even 
though every ruler since 1857 has failed, 
largely through the fact that the Indians, 
who constitute such a large part of the 
population, are totally incapable _ of 
grasping even the elementals of politics. 
When President Madero attempted this 
by testing the views of the Indians on 
the subject they wanted to know if "dem- 
ocracy was Mrs. Madero." Huerta 
thinks he can so enlighten the Indians 
that they will be fitted to participate in 
pacifying Mexico. 

Fifth — He intends when — or if — he has 
accomplished these things to effect a dis- 



tribution of government lands. About 
10,000,000 acres would be disposed of to 
about that number of persons. The 
states that would be afifected are in the 
north, and the principal ones are Chi- 
huahua, Sonora, Sinaloa, Coahuila and 
Durango. Land in these five states 
brings now about $4 an acre. Huerta 
would have to condemn the land and fix 
the government purchase price by a com- 
mission and then place the land at auc- 
tion. It is on this feature that he counts 
much. The present struggle began be- 
cause of the land squabble, and Huerta 
thinks that if he promises to distribute 
the lands he can win the majority of 
Mexicans to his side. 

Sixth — Should every one of his plans 
work out successfully Huerta is confi- 
dent that President Wilson will recede 
from his present position and grant to 
Huerta the recognition for which he is 
fighting. 

Must Have U. S. Confidence. 
Huerta does not take the stand that 
Mexico can get along without recogni- 
tion from Washington. He is exceeding- 
ly eager to obtain it. He wants the 
support of the United States, but he con- 
tends that he has not received just treat- 
ment from President Wilson. That 
Washington holds aloof from a govern- 
ment that has not succeeded in stifling 
disorder would not, he thinks, be open 
to such severe criticism from the coun- 
try involved were the circumstances 
otherwise. President Wilson's theory 
is all right in the United States, he holds, 
but in the circumstances cannot be 
worked out in Mexico. 

Huerta's whole attitude is interesting. 
He is endeavoring to the utmost to main- 
tain the friendliest relations with the 
United States, and I have met no one 
who will admit that he heard Huerta in- 
dulge in any violent criticism of Presi- 
dent Wilson. He seems particularly 
eager to protect Americans. On more 
than one occasion he has ordered the 
release of imprisoned Americans merely 
on the unofficial request of Nelson 
O'Shaughnessy, the United States charge 
d'affaires here. 

Personally Huerta gives one the im- 
pression of great courage. Knowing as 
well as any other person that the city is 
full of Maderistas and others who hate 
him whole heartedly and would cheer- 
fully assassinate him were the opportun- 
ity to escape afforded, he goes about 
freely, visiting all the principal cafes and 
restaurants without the slightest appar- 
ent fear. His daring seems to be enough 
to awe his enemies. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday, February 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West amd All Angles. 



VILLA AND BRYAN. 

Texas has held a mass meeting to de- 
nounce Bryan for "misleading the Ameri- 
can people," "persistently suppressing 
facts about the Mexican situation" and 
"trying for political purposes to influ- 
ence public opinion in support of a pol- 
icy that is ruinous to all foreign inter- 
ests in Mexico." This is only a begin- 
ning. Similar mass meetings will be 
held in other States until Congress can 
no longer refuse to arrai.gn Bryan for 
incompetency and malfeasance in office. 
I have repeatedly given him good advice 
— he should resign from the Cabinet at 
once. 

Under the auspices of the Administra- 
tion, a plan is proposed to create a new 
Republic of Mexico out of five of the 
northern Mexican States. This is exactly 
parallel to the attempt to induce Great 
Britain to recognize the Confederate 
States as a separate Republic. We know 
what the people thought of the project 
in the 6o's; they have not changed their 
opinion since. 

Castillo, the brutal bandit, who has 
murdered more than fifty Americans and 
blackmailed all who would pay him, is in 
the custody of United States troops, and 
is said to be a puzzle to the Bryan Ad- 
ministration. Villa wants him, and prom- 
ises to shoot him first and give him a 
fair trial afterwards, or vice versa, but 
this would be simply handing over one 
bandit to another. Instead of a puzzle, 
Castillo ought to be a joy to the Admin- 
istration. Let President Wilson order 
him to be surrendered to Provisional 
President Huerta, the only legal author- 
ity in Mexico, and the Mexican muddle 
would settle itself at once without any 
formal renunciation by President Wilson 
of his former prejudices. He cannot try 
Castillo here for crimes committed in 
Mexico; he cannot turn him over to Vil- 
la, who is a rival bandit, and the legal, 
diplomatic, common-sense course is to 
deport him to Huerta. Incidentally, a 
few words might be said to the United 
States officers who put the Administra- 
tion in d hole by bringing Castillo into 
camp alive; but such vords should be 
said privately and confidentially. 

Villa & Bryan, the firm that has under- 
taken to manage Mexico and kill Presi- 
dent Huerta, made a fatal blunder in 
murdering an Englishman. So long as 
only American women were outraged and 
American residents blackmailed and as- 
sassinated the policy of watching and 
waiting and supplying the villains with 
arms worked beautifully. But plucking 
feathers from the patient American eagle 
is very different from pulling hairs from 
the mane of the British lion. The Eng- 
lish have a traditional habit of protect- 
ing or avenging their countrymen. 
Great Britain is marking time un- 
til the official reports of the mur- 
der of Benton are received, and will then 
proceed to act. Villa will be hunted 
down like the mad dog he is, and partner 
Bryan will be fortunate if he escapes by 
a prompt resignation from the Cabinet, 
to which he should never have been ad- 
mitted. If British marines are landed 
upon Mexican soil to avenge Benton, the 
Monroe Doctrine will go up in the smoke 
of the first rifle fired. Should the United 
States marines and sailors be ordered to 
act in concert with the British troops, 
the combined forces will be under the 



command of British officers by right of 
seniority and through the disgraceful de- 
lay of Congress in revising our Army and 
Navy ranks. This is a state of affairs 
upon which no .-American citizen can look 
without shame and indignation. We 
have been at war with Mexico — a mean, 
cowardly, underhand war — for over a 
year, on account of the personal preju- 
dice of one single individual against 
President Huerta. The talk of "dread- 
ing intervention" and "avoiding interven- 
tion" is nonsense. We have intervened 
already. We intervened when we sent 
our army to the Texas border to encour- 
age Villa and other bandits. We inter- 
vened when we insultingly refused to join 
all the other Powers in recognizing 
Huerta as Provisional President. We in- 
tervened when we imposed an embargo 
to prevent Huerta from obtaining arms 
and ammunition. We intervened when 
we raised the embargo at Villa's demand 
to supply him with weapons to kill Amer- 
icans. We have been fighting the con- 
stitutional government of Mexico for 
over twelve months, and have been 
watching and waiting for Mexico to re- 
taliate, so that open war might be de- 
clared. Now Villa & Bryan have gone 
too far, and Great Britain will take a 
hand in the fighting. If. before the firm 
is dissolved. Villa will kindly murder a 
German and a Japanese, we shall have 
the whole world to confront, and the hor- 
rible loss of blood and treasure will fall 
upon the American people, not upon the 
arrogant incompetents who subject inter- 
national affairs to their personal whims 
or ignorant blunders. — "The Saunterer" 
in "Town Topics." 



POLICY MAY BE BEGINNING OF 
PERIOD OF GRAVE DIFFI- 
CULTIES. 

I have no authority and no intention 
to judge the present Mexican policy of the 
United States. To do so would be in- 
discreet for many reasons, among others 
chiefly this — that I am ignorant of the 
motives which may have led the Wash- 
ington Government to adopt it. 

Now one cannot judge a policy with- 
out knowing motives. History teaches 
us that States and parties are often com- 
pelled by events and circumstances to 
decide on policies whose perils and ruin- 
ous consequences can be easily foreseen. 

It should be remembered that a states- 
man cannot always do what he believes 
best and most useful for his country, and 
that he is often forced to do the best he 
can. But if in the present circumstances 
it would be impossible to pass judgment 
on the policy of the United States, it is 
possible, and even easy, that this policy 
may be the beginning of a period of 
grave difficulties with Mexico. 

When a revolution breaks out in a 
neighboring country there are three pol- 
icies between which a State can choose. 
Either resolute armed intervention, to 



re-establish order quickly; or strict neu- 
trality, which leaves the hostile forces to 
fight out their fight alone; or masked in- 
tervention, by giving indirect support to 
one of the two parties at war — and 
usually to the weaker one. 

All these three policies have their 
drawbacks and their advantages. But it 
is certain that the greatest drawbacks 
and the least advantages are to be found 
in the third policy, that of indirect in- 
tervention, to which the United States 
are now committed. 

A policy of this kind leads to the pro- 
longation instead of the shortening of 
the conflict; heaping up ruins; exasperat- 
ing men's minds more even than direct 
intervention, and, almost always, earning 
for the State which adopts it the dislike 
of the winning side, whichever it may be. 

If the side which has been helped gains 
the victory it almost always turns against 
the State which has helped it, to make 
the nation forget that it has won its 
power thanks to the aid of foreigners. 

So, if things go on as they have be- 
gun, one may foresee that the relations 
between the United States and Mexico 
will for a time be very uncertain and un- 
pleasant. This revolution will leave be- 
hind it a long trail of hatreds, distrusts 
and fears. — Guglielmo Ferrero, famous 
Italian historian, in New York "Ameri- 
can." 



U. S. Aids Standard Oil in Berlin 
Fight. — Headline. 

Well, what's the United States Gov- 
ernment for if not to demand a reckon- 
ing for every drop of oil belonging to an 
American citizen? 

When speaking of the British Govern- 
ment amend by changing "oil" to 
"blood" and "American citizen" to "Brit- 
ish subject." — Don Marquis in New York 
"Evening Sun." 



CAN IT BE A "RED HERRING"? 

If it is true that "federals" hanged 
Clemente Vergara near Hidalgo the epi- 
sode only proves that the many bands 
of bandits now holding Mexico prostrate 
are "all tarred with the same stick." 

Vergara resented being robbed just as 
William S. Benton did. Such difference 
as there is between the two cases rests 
upon the fact that one was an American 
citizen and the other a British subject, 
and that Benton had the questionable 
distinction of falling victim to the big- 
gest bandit of the lot — of being sacrificed 
upon the altar of "constitutionalism." 

It is just possible, however, that the 
Vergara episode represents the efforts 
of Villa's busy agents to drag a "red 
herring" across the trail that leads to 
Benton's much sought grave. For it is 
not forgotten that these gentlemen have 
for some time been telling us that "con- 
stitutionalist" control over Northern 
Mexico was complete and that no fed- 
erals were left in the vicinity of Hidalgo. 
— New York "Herald." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, February 28, 1911 



VILLA'S TACTICAL BLUNDER. 

The unspeakable Villa prides himself 
on being the friend and ally of Presi- 
dent Wilson and the instrument with 
which the latter hopes to overthrow 
Huerta. But Villa is a blundering ruf- 
fian whose regard for human life is so 
small that he loses sight of his own in- 
terests. He is continually bringing em- 
barrassment to President Wilson 
through his ignorance and native bru- 
tality. This most recent outrage laid 
at Villa's door is serious. Had William 
S. Benton been an American citizen his 
death would have been a mere incident 
— regrettable, of course, but without dip- 
lomatic significance. But Benton hap- 
pened to be a subject of Great Britam 
and the customary "aggressive attitude" 
of Great Britain in "pressing for repara- 
tion where her subjects have been 
wronged" calls for something more than 
renewed assurance of "watchful waiting." 

* * * Villa kills with little or no provo- 
cation, and impudently tells Americans 
that when he orders somebody to be 
shot it is "nobody's business" but his 
own. Yet Villa is the man upon whom 
President Wilson has pinned his hope. 
It appears that in all this terrible Mex- 
ican lawlessness and slaughter the Wash- 
ington administration has but a single 
definite purpose — to oust Huerta. It is 
a stubborn and unreasonable obsession 
based on the fact that Huerta refused to 
abdicate when called upon to do so. 
From the day that the usurper in the 
Mexican capital defied President Wilson 
there has been but one aspect of the 
case, so far as the general public in 
America could see, and that was the firm 
determination of President Wilson to 
force Huerta out. 

If the murder of William S. Benton 
results in an awakening of our own gov- 
ernment to a change of policy toward 
Mexico, it will have accomplished more 
than the sacrifice of scores of lives of 
.'\mericans heretofore, in that republic. 
We have assumed a kind of unofficial 
protectorate over Mexico. We have, in 
effect, assured other nations that we will 
afford adequate protection for their citi- 
zens. As long as only Americans suf- 
fered in Mexico foreign governments 
made no protests. But now that an 
Englishman has been killed, in the simple 
defense of his property against destruc- 
tion by Villa's soldiers, the United 
States government is inclined to think 
that the incident warrants attention. — 
Kansas City "Journal." 



AMERICAN AID FOR ASSASSINS. 

President Wilson has decided to fiddle 
no longer while the whole of Northern 
Me.xico is aflame; his ambition to rank 
as a Twentieth Century Nero carries, him 
further. Carnage has not been rampart 
enough of late; so to stimulate it he has 
taken oflf the embargo on the transit 
of arms across the American frontier 
to the rebels. The excuse is that this 
will hasten the "elimination" of Huerta. 
As all the more civilized portions of the 
Republic have quietly accepted General 
Huerta's sway, the new Washington pol- 
icy means that the peaceful and indus- 
trious among the population are to be 
exposed to the tender mercies of irreg- 
ular forces, mainly brigands by profes- 
sion, licensed by the United States to 
kill, burn and destroy. Of course, it is 
not merely lust -for blood or indifference 
to human life that inspires President 
Wilson. We must never overlook the 
commercial side of the American policy. 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

The Japanese have been supplying the 
Provisional Government with arms; the 
United States is not on particularly good 
terms with Japan just now, and especi- 
ally resents that the Orientals should be 
making a profit in a trade forbidden to 
American citizens. Accordingly Messrs. 
Wilson and Bryan, professed mission- 
aries of the peace movement, hacten to 
open a market for American munitions, 
which will be paid for by the picceeds 
of forced levies on the wretched inhabi- 
tants of the Northern provinces of Mexi- 
co. 

Surely there must be an energetic pro- 
test from the European Powers against 
this support of rebellion aimed at the 
Government recognized by these Powers. 

No graver ofifense against the comity 
of Nations can be committed than the 
virtual subsidizing of banditti to over- 
run regions in which subjects of friendly 
Powers are settled. It is not only the 
right, but the duty, of the Powers to 
represent at Washington the danger to 
their nationals involved in this American 
encouragement of the rebels. While the 
United States Government is compass- 
ing the destruction of British lives and 
property in Mexico, we read with dis- 
gust and depression, that Mr. Bryan's 
precious proposals for deferring recourse 
to arms, even after arbitration has failed 
between two countries, are being con- 
sidered by the British cabinet. Such 
propositions might be listened to if they 
came from unsullied source. Mr. Bryan 
does not come forward with clean hands. 
While unofficial effort in Europe has 
been addressed to bringing the warring 
factions in Mexico into communication, 
in the hope that an accommodation 
might be reached, Mr. Bryan and his 
chief add fuel to the conflagration. If 
this country is not prepared to take 
strong action to protect our own sub- 
jects and the peaceful population in 
Mexico, at least the Government should 
adopt an attitude of polite frigidity tow- 
ards Washington. And we trust that 
until President Wilson mends his ways 
all respectable Britons will abstain from 
cotmtenancing public Anglo-American 
fraternisation in connection with the 
"hundred years of peace." We want no 
dealings with the open adherents of 
"messieurs les assassins" in Mexico or 
elsewhere. — London "Financial News." 



OUR SOUTH AMERICAN TRADE. 

We Seem to Be Losing Customers in the 

Southern Continent. 

The Department of Commerce reports a falling 
off of our exports to South American countries 
for the month of December, as compared with 
those of the corresponding month of 1912. At the 
same time our imports from those countries in- 
creased. 

There is not in itself any great significance in 
the trade movement of a single month, and it 
would hardly have been worth while for Washing- 
ton correspondents to single out the operations 
of those particular countries for that month for 
the dispatches had there not been in their en- 
vironment a feeling that in that particular case 
there is a special meaning in the figijres. 

There is no doubt that there is a growing feel- 
ing of dislike of us in all Latin-American coun- 
tries, which is becoming more and more extensive 
and fixed, and which is affecting trade. 

Some American observers say that this feeling 
is not serious among the educated, governing 
classes of the southern countries, who, they say, 



fully understand that the people of the United 
States have no desire to extend their territory 
or absorb into their body politic populations which 
bring new racial problems. 

But it is not the educated, governing classes 
who buy most goods. The valuable trade with 
any country is in the substantial staple products 
which are consumed by the masses, whose aggre- 
gate purchasing power is the main support of 
trade. 

It is they who have prejudices and who let 
their prejudices influence trade. Moreover, while 
such prejudices may be of rather slow growth, 
when once fixed, it is almost impossible to re- 
move them. 

When the Monroe doctrine was promulgated, 
Europe was making effort to occupy and colonize 
South America and control its political institu- 
tions, while we could not even be suspected of 
intent to do either. Consequently, Europe was 
hated and the United States exalted, and had we in 
those days manufactures to sell to those coun- 
tries we should have got their trade. 

To-day Europe does not meddle with the 
domestic institutions of any country on this dou- 
ble continent, while we are continually interfer- 
ing with many of them. Consequently, Europe 
is liked and we are hated by the mass of South 
American people, and the cause is the attitude of 
the Washington Government, together with many 
overt acts, not necessary to mention, which seem 
to South Americans to justify fear of us. — San 
Francisco "Chronicle." 



AN AMERICAN WOMAN IN TAM- 
PICO. 

Mrs. Harold H. Webber, of Tampico, Mexico, 
formerly of Denver, passed through the city last 
evening on her way to Portland, Ore. She is 
one of a party of thirteen that left Tampico last 
week at the urgent request of the American con- 
sul there, on the report that an attack by the 
rebel forces was imminent. Though Tampico has 
been on the edge of the disturbances for many 
months— more than a year— Mrs. Webber says 
there has been few alarms there. "The Ameri- 
can consul has been insistent in urging all women 
to depart," said Mrs. Webber, "and he has been 
obeyed until I suppose there are not more than 
five American women in Tampico. Last Decem- 
ber, when the rebel army advanced on the city, 
the consul hurried all American residents into the 
warships and we were kept at sea for five days. 
At the end of that time we returned. 

"I have found that the regular Mexican troops 
have not annoyed Americans at all. The only 
times of panic have been when raids were threat- 
ened, and then it has been pretty lively for a 
time. 

"In general everything moves along as usual. 
One instance of this is that the street railway 
is now being built and is about completed. An- 
other is that oil shipments go out almost as reg- 
ularly as at any other time. There were 18,000 
barrels of oil on the ship that brought our party 
away. 

"A couple of times small parties of rebels raided 
the towns for provisions. They did not molest 
the population in general, going to a couple of 
stores and taking everything they could carry 
away. This put the storekeepers out of business, 
of course, though it had no other effect upon the 
city, except, that it gave us some mighty scares." 
—Denver "Times," February 21. 



CLEMENCEAU BLAMES U. S. 

(Special Cable to New York "American.") 
Paris, Feb. 25. — Georges Clemenceau, ex-Prime 
Minister of France, declared to-day that the 
United States has full responsibility for the 
peace of Europeans in Mexico. The former prem- 
ier, who is the greatest authority in France on 
international affairs, after reviewing the situation 
in "L*Homme Libre," says: 

"The application of the Monroe Doctrine in 
Central and South America has often troubled 



Saturday, February 38, 1914 



MEXICO 



Europe, but in Mexico the difficulty is greatly 
aggravated by the fact that all the force of the 
rebellion is derived from the United States her- 
self. 

"I do not see what good can come from the 
inquiry into Benton's murder, what results are to 
be ejcpected or could be demanded. 

'"The United States' right of intervention in 
this affair is weakened by the fact that she her- 
self is responsible for the anarchy in Mexico. 
She does not wish England or any other Euro- 
pean power to intervene. 

Wilson in Bad Position. 

"The English press is perfectly just when it 
points out that the United States' claim to 
guarantee the American continent against for- 
eign interference cannot be reconciled with Presi- 
dent Wilson's course in permitting aid and arms 
to be sent rebels. He first opposed Huerta by 
dictating terms, which the dictator ignored. Then 
he endeavored to strengthen the rebels. This was 
intervention without responsibility. It results in 
attacks on the lives and property of foreigners. 

"President Wilson is in a bad position. I do 
not think a mere inquiry as to Benton's death 
will satisfy British opinion. The question is of 
interest to all European powers, and while they 
wish to avoid the necessity of armed intervention, 
they do not want their citizens to be delivered 
into the hands of bandits by the very people who 
profess to protect them." 



WOULD RECOGNIZE HUERTA. 

The murder of William S. Benton, coming on 
the heels of the Cumbre disaster, is a logical 
conclusion of America's Mexican policy. 

Right or wrong, if this Government had made 
the best of a bad job and recognized Huerta at 
once, the bottom would have dropped out, of the 
revolution. 

Any Mexican who has the price of a gun can 
steal a horse, declare himself a leader and sally 
forth to rob and pillage. Why not? With an 
unrecognized Government he is responsible to no 
one but himself. 

It may be too late to save the lives of the 
endangered foreigners, but it is not too late for 
the United State to reverse its policy of "watch- 
ful waiting" and recognize the one strong man 
in Mexico, Gen. Huerta.— WILLIAM WILL- 
IAMS in New York "World." 



From month to month during the entire year 
Mr. Wilson has said that Huerta was tottering 
on the brink and that he must soon fall. Yet 
Huerta has demonstrated a remarkable tenacity, 
and he is not only still in charge of the Mexican 
government, but is in no apparent acute distress. 

If by a stretch of the imagination anything 
humorous could be evolved out of the Mexican 
situation it would be in connection with the feud 
between Wilson and Huerta. The two came 
into their respective presidencies about the same 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

iqie MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
l»IO WASHINGTON, D. C. '^'O 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sujar legisla- 
tion. 



lime. Wilson was elected by the fair and hon- 
estly counted votes of his countrymen and Huerta 
simply seized the power that was in his reach 
and made himself president by force of arms. 
From his own elevation Wilson looked over into 
Mexico and decided that Huerta was not prop- 
erly chosen. Wilson said: "I will not recognize 
you because you were not elected as I was." 
Huerta responded that it made no particular dif- 
ference what Wilson thought about it — that in 
Mexico they did things differently. It has been 
the -usual custom for Mexican presidents to secure 
their positions by force and maintain them by 
force. If that was not the American way, all 
well and good. 

In the year that has passed, it must be con- 
fessed. President Wilson has not made much 
progress in his efforts to overthrow Huerta. Even 
the lifting of the embargo against exporting arms 
into Mexico seems not to have altered the situa- 
tion materially. While it has practically amount- 
ed to backing the Villa-Carranza revolution, it 
is not accomplishing the intended purpose — the 
ousting of Huerta. The dictator is still doing 
business in defiance of Washington. But if Villa 
or Carranza finally reaches the capital and Huerta 
is forced to flee, will either Villa or Carranza be 
more legitimately entitled to the Mexican presi- 
dency than Huerta? And is he likely to make 
a better president or pacify the country? The 
American residents of Mexico are agreed that 
Huerta should be recognized and upheld. But, 
being on the ground, their vision may not be as 
clear and accurate as that of men looking through 
spy-glasses from the banks of the Potomac. — 
Kansas City "Journal." 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Dear Sir: — Day by day events in Mexico are 
proving that the "constitutionalists" are not in- 
spired by any patriotic motives, and that they 
are conducting their campaign solely for the 
purposes of loot. They are not fighting for any 
principle of government, because such ideas are 
beyond their mental capacity. 

The much-vaunted Carranza is in no sense of 
the word a leader and still manages to keep in 
mysterious seclusion far from the actual zone of 
operations. This foolish old man who has been 
set up as the figurehead of revolutionary move- 
ment has contented himself by playing at govern- 
ment, appointing "cabinets" — and keeping out of 
Villa's road. He has proven a serious disap- 
pointment to his American sponsors in Washing- 
ton (ask the ex-Rev. Hale), and has done nothing 
more wonderful than to issue a few absurd 
"manifestos." 

On the other hand. President Huerta is stead- 
fastly at his post, and despite the difficulties which 
the Wilson administration has unrightfully and 
unlawfully put in his path, is gaining ground 
daily against the odds of subsidized bandits, big 
business and Watchful Waiting. His government 
is affording protection to Mexicans, Americans 
and other foreigners alike. Federal troops are 
detailed to afford protection impartially to all, 
and large bodies of soldiers are guarding foreign 
mining and industrial interests in spite of the 
fact that such withholding of thousands of men 
from the revolutionary area makes it more diffi- 
cult to prosecute an active campaign against the 
subsidized bandits along the northern frontier. 



Months have passed and the press agencies 
still continue to announce a pending move of the 
"constitutionalists" against Mexico City, but loot 
is still plentiful in the north and the cause of the 
neo-Maderists has not advanced despite the alli- 
ance between the gentle Villa and the patient 
Watchful Waiting. 

For a year now President Huerta has put up 
a plucky fight against enemies within and pres- 
sure from without and in spite of all he is mak- 
ing good. For the sake of distressed Mexico he 
ought to be given a fairer show and not need- 
lessly harassed because the Mexican people chose 
to execute a vicious lunatic who had deceitfully 
secured the highest power only to allow his fam- 
ily and followers to loot the treasury and betray 
their country. A firm hand is needed to ter- 
minate the turmoil of the past four years, and 
General Huerta is the only man in Mexico to-day 
who is capable of the task. Give him a show and 
let up on the hypocritical talk of "constitutional- 
ism" and cut out the vicious alliances with 
Villa and his cutthroats. 
Baltimore, Md., Feb. 25, 1914. C. U. MESTA. 



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15 Broad Street, New York 



KICKING THE PATIENT. 

Nations have their periods of illness, 
sometimes severe, just as do individuals. 

Mexico as a nation is ill, critically ilL 

The pessimistic James Creelman after 
a hasty diagnosis shakes his head dole- 
fully and croaks that she is on her death- 
bed. 

The sincere well-wishers of the strick- 
en country, within and without, are long- 
ing and searching earnestly for quick 
and efficacious relief. 

The fakers and the quacks, native and 
foreign, are advertising their patent rem- 
edies and nostrums, seeing mean advan- 
tage in the nation's Uls. 

The resilient and optimistic Mexican 
President sees the natural cure in the in- 
herent virility and stoical resistance of 
the Mexican nation and people. 

The Washington Administration talks 
about theories of government — zmd 
kicks the patient out of bed. 

And a considerable portion of the 
press and the people, taking their cue 
from the heartlessness and cold-blooded 
inhumanity of the Administration, talk 
of going into Mexico and adding to its 
welter of woe. 

Where is our boasted civilization? 
Where is our human sympathy for suf- 
fering? 

There are fifteen million people in 
Mexico who are taking no part in the 
disorders that have been fomented from 
this side of the border and encouraged 
by a disgraceful and dishonorable Ad- 
ministration-Villa alliance. 

What of them? 

They are the ones who are suffering 
from the conditions created by the Ad- 
ministration's "financial boycott," and 
the Washington, encouragement of law- 
lessness and anarchy. 

They are suffering in the struggle of 
life, in body and in mind. 



Because a cold-blooded theorist in 
Washington must work out his theories, 
that have no more application to the ac- 
tual facts than the mouthings of a re- 
ligious maniac. 

Because the cut of one man is not 
agreeable to certain pure-minded individ- 
uals whose own unpleasant cut is slowly 
but surely being shown to an amazed 
world. 



A REVOLUTION OF LIES. 

There is one fundamental reason why 
the Administration's Mexican policy has 
been a failure. There is one fundamental 
reason why if that policy is persisted in 
it will result in a national and interna- 
tional calamity. 

It has been founded on Ues, plain, un- 
adulterated, unvarnished, downright lies. 

"Error runs swiftly down the hill, 
while Truth climbs slowly." 

Here are some of the most glaring lies 
on which the relations between the Unit- 
ed States and Mexico for the last year 
have been based. 

The lie that Victoriano Huerta became 
President of Mexico through the assas- 
sination of Madero and Suarez. 

The lie that President Huerta was re- 
sponsible for the murder of those men. 

The lie that the Mexican people either 
wanted or were fitted for a government 
like that of the United States. 

The lie that its opponents were fight- 
ing for such a government. 

The lie that the Administration sought 
only to restore peace in Mexico. 

The lie that the Administration was 
neutral as to all factions. 

The lie that the Mexican Government 
had authority only in the capital. 

The lie that all other nations were in 
sympathy with the attitude of the Unit- 
ed States. 

The lie that the lifting of the embargo 
on arms was in the interest of neutral- 
ity- 

The lie that Villa was subordinate to 
Carranza. 

The lie that there was any difference 
in the character of Villa and Castillo, or 
any of the other bandit leaders. 

The lie that foreign oil interests were 
seeking a Mexican monopoly. 

The lie that there is no government in 
Mexico. 

Is it any wonder that a policy built 
on such a foundation — a tissue of lies — 
should have crumbled till it has aroused 
the pity and contempt of the world? 



The whole thing is really too tragic for 
merriment, but Villa's statement that 
Benton was given a real funeral, with 
music, flowers and a "fine" coffin, and 
that it would be a sacrilege to open the 
grave blessed by the Church, is simply 
diabolical humor. 



Again the Administration has ex- 
pressed personal satisfaction on learn- 
ing (from private sources of informa- 
tion) that the Mexican Government is 
embarassed for money. 

Was there every anything so ghoulish? 

* * * 

And it was personally peeved when 
somebody asked if Villa were not an 
out and out outlaw. 

* * * 

Somebody has put over on the Ad- 
ministration one of the greatest flim-flam 
games in modern history. 

And like the hick who has been 
trimmed by a plausible confidence man, 
it goes back for more of the game. 

The people of the United States want 
to know exactly what the Administration 
is trying to do to Mexico. 

* * * 
They are entitled to know. 

They will know. 

* * » 

The Administration is reported as pro- 
fessing to be in the confidence of the 
"constitutionalists." 

If that is the case, the Administration 
is simply one of the plotters against the 
Mexican Government. 

Fooled by a clique, the tool of a fac- 
tion. 

* • • 

Ye gods! These amateur statesmen 
who have adroitly been led into a pol- 
itical plot may yet get their country into 
war. 

* * * 

Unless a halt, on their actions is called 
soon, by the people. 

Actually the Administration has made 
itself into an apologist and press-agent 
for the so-called "constitutionalists." 

And has tried to whitewash the un- 
speakable Villa. 

Quibbling over grave-digging. 

Ugh! It's disgusting. 

The Bryan- Villa alliance was doomed 
from the beginning. 

* * • 

But how touching was the loyalty 
shown to the last by the Apostle of 
Peace, the Great Commonizer. 

* * * 

He simply wouldn't believe that dear 
little Pancho, his sweet little bandit, 
would do such things. 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down th« Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. II— No. 29. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1914 



FIVE CENTS 



Arc They Free? 



The Administration's Mexican policy 
has been defined by the President him- 
self as Watchful Waiting. Several Sen- 
ators and Congressmen have been as al- 
literative in qualifying it as Deadly 
Drifting. We prefer to call it Deliberate 
Destruction. 

Those who have been led to believe 
by the constant reiteration of the words 
Watchful Waiting that the Administra- 
tion was through caution or timidity 
keeping hands off a dangerous and com- 
plex situation in the belief that matters 
would somehow right themselves have 
been badly deceived. There has been much 
of watching, but little or no inaction or 
waiting save for results of deliberately 
planned offensive eflforts to destroy the 
Mexican Government. There has been 
no drifting save to the deadly conse- 
quences of a bitter and relentless war- 
fare to overthrow the only government 
that stands between Mexico and an- 
archy. 

Those who have been led to believe 
that the -Administration has been hesi- 
tant or supine or indifferent have not 
read the history of the last year in the 
true light. Never has an Administration 
been so determined, active and relent- 
less. It has been carrying on a persis- 
tent adroit war with all the power at 
its command and only the fact that it 
has been unsuccessful has created the 
impression of weakness in the Adminis- 
tration's policy. 

It is a policy of Deliberate Destruc- 
tion. Whether it was entered on ?s the 
expression of a personal obsession or 
whether it was initiated through the ef- 
forts of those who would destroy Mex- 
ico as a nation because Mexico as a 
nation would not be subservient to 
them, or whether it was a combination 
of both, time will tell. 

The Administration knows that it has 



taken every possible step to dominate 
Mexico short of sending troops across 
the border and it knows that if it does 
not abandon its policy of Destruction 
that such an eventuality is an inevitable 
detail. 

But the Administration takes pains to 
proclaim that it will not abandon its ef- 
forts to overthrow ihc Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

Has the Administration been a free 
agent in its relations with Mexico? 

This question is pertinent because of 
the remarkable discrepancy between the 
oft-expressed and well-known ideals of 
the leaders of the Administration and 
their acts in regard to Mexico. 

Secretary Bryan has been one of the 
world's most ardent apostles of peace 
and yet he now stands before the world 
as the apologist for armed rebellion and 
cold-blooded murder. Surely the Secre- 
tary would not have put himself in that 
position if he were a free agent. 

President Wilson came into the 
White House with a reputation for pos- 
sessing the finest qualities of a schol- 
arly gentleman and yet the world was 
amazed to see him come out openly 
with insults to the Mexican Government 
and people, even calling names with ob- 
vious personal animus. Would he have 
freely chosen to give a wrong impres- 
sion to the world? 

Secretary Bryan has always been a 
pronounced critic and opponent of im- 
perialistic tendencies in our Govern- 
ment and has made political capital of 
his convictions in this regard, and yet 
he is party to one of the most high- 
handed imperialistic acts of interference 
in the domestic affairs of a neighboring 
people. 

President Wilson's books have re- 
vealed him as a clear-headed master of 
logic and yet he attempted to draw a 



quibbling distinction to explain why the 
Administration recognized the new rev- 
olutionary government of Peru and yet 
would not recognize the government of 
Mexico which came into power under 
precisely the same conditions. 

Secretary Bryan has been universally 
believed to be a friend of the common 
people and the foe of predatory wealth, 
yet he enforces a policy toward Mexico 
which is bringing suffering to fifteen 
millions of poor, peaceable Mexicans and 
the success of which he is desired by 
the worst brand of Big Business in this 
country. 

President Wilson is the last man in 
the United States who would be expect- 
ed to have anything to do with a bri- 
gand and cutthroat of Pancho Villa's 
stamp, yet the President has been quot- 
ed without denial as having faith in him. 

Secretary Bryan, with all his faults, 
has enjoyed the distinction of being a 
man who would always come out in the 
open and explain his position on any- 
thing without evasion, yet in the hand- 
ling of the Mexican situation he has de- 
veloped a secretiveness and a resent- 
ment of publicity that have never be- 
fore been characteristic of the man. 

President Wilson as a deep student of 
history is, it was taken for granted, fa- 
miliar with the regular course of di- 
plomacy and the dangers of foreign com- 
plications and misunderstandings when 
the regular procedure among nations is 
abandoned, yet he deliberately ignored 
the advice of the State Department's au- 
thority on international law as to the 
recognition of the Mexican Government 
and the sending of irresponsible repre- 
sentatives like John Lind to negotiate 
in matters of extreme delicacy, involv- 
intr the fate of the nation. 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 7, ]«14 



Secretary Bryan has time and timt 
again in feeling words shown that he 
appreciates fully the desirability, even 
the necessity of the friendship of Latin- 
American countries, and yet he has lent 
himself to a Mexican policy that any 
diplomat in Washington will tell him 
has done more to injure this country's 
prestige in Latin America and arouse 
the suspicion and antagonism of Latin- 
American peoples ,than would armed 
aggression. 

President Wilson knew and was fully 
alive to the strong moral repugnance 
aroused here and abroad by the Roose- 
velt method of fostering a revolution in 
Panama in order to get possession of 
the canal zone for the United States, 
and yet he has entered into even a more 
flagrant alliance with bandits in Mexico, 
to get what? 

Secretary Bryan could not heretofore 
have been regarded as a man who would 
have dealings with revolutionary factions 
who make Washington their headquar- 
ters and conspire against established 
governments on one pretext or another, 
and yet a Mexican faction of disgruntled 
politicians are as thick as thieves with 
Bryan and he seems to want to believe 
everything they tell him. 

President Wilson announced a pro- 
gram of pitiless publicity in the Admin- 
istration's conduct of affairs, and yet 
there has been every effort made to 
muzzle Congress and the press regard- 
ing Mexico. 

In view of all these startling "rever- 
sals of form," is it not reasonable and 
pertinent to ask: 

Is the Administration a free agent? 




Never since the dawn of the American 
Republic has this country been so cheap- 
ened and humiliated in the eyes of the 
world. 

Never has our prestige been so low- 
ered in the eyes of the civilized nations. 

We are almost without a friend among 
them. 

In desperation we are trying to bribe 
England to our side. 

This is what the combination of a 
demagogue and a pedagogue has brought 
us to. 

Because they m»tt "get Huerta!" 

Oh, the shame of it. 



We are arresting I. W. W. agitators 
and obstreperous unemployed in New 
York City. 

* * * 

If that happened in Mexico City what 
a howl would go up about the harsh dic- 
tatorship of President Huerta I 

* * * 

We have enough problems of our own 
in this country without going far afield 
to find others. 

* * * 
Get Huerta! 



Months ago we were stating in this 
publication that the Administration was 
morally responsible for the lives and 
property lost in Mexico because it was 
encouraging the lawless conditions in the 
North and that by its opposition to the 
Mexican Government it was really back- 
ing the Villas, Zapatas, and Carranzas. 

The lifting of the embargo on arms 
and the course of events following on 
the brutal murder of a British subject, 
made this as clear as daylight. It is 
openly admitted now that the Adminis- 
tration is actively backing the activities 
of the rebels and there are some who even 
go so far as to assert that United States 
agents along the border are directing the 
movements and statements of Carranza 
and his followers in their desperate ef- 
fort to becloud the actual situation and 
throw a cloak of respectability about the 
"revolution." 

Anything to "get Huerta." 

It is the most humiliating revelation 
of American responsibility for Mexican 
conditions and yet the Administration 
brazenly announces that it will continue 
its present policy. 

We say in all earnestness that this mo- 
ment is the turning point in the fortunes 
of the Administration. There are only 
two courses open to it. One is to de- 
clare in a big manly way that it was de- 
ceived as to the character and purposes 
of the Northern rebels and that with 
the best intentions it has placed itself 
in a position from which there can be 
no escape with honor unless the mis- 
take is admitted. 

The other is to continue bullying the 
Mexican Government, assisting the rebels 
and bandits, adding to the destruction of 
Mexico as a nation and moving inevi- 
tably to armed intervention. 

When the Administration says it 
shrinks from the idea of avoidable armed 
intervention it is not to be believed until 
it has adopted the only course that will 
make it avoidable — the recognition and 
moral support of the Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

The discussion of our humiliating po- 
sition in the world as a result of a stub- 
born and perverse Mexican policy is 
daily becoming more pointed and in- 
formed. Both houses of Congress are 
restive and many members are utterly 
disgusted. No doubt as a result of this 
feeling, which reflects the feeling of the 
people of the entire country, the truth 
about Mexico will gradually be revealed. 
The more we learn of the actual situation 
in Mexico the harder it will be for the 
Administration to maintain its policy of 
destruction and ruinaton. 

The only argument advanced in the 
public mind now against the recognition 
of the present Government of Mexico is 



based on the reported personal habits of 
the Mexican President. 

James Creelman, of the New York 
"Evening Mail," recently spent ten days 
in Mexico City, mostly in the American 
Embassy, and has written a series of 
articles in which he draws a hopeless 
picture of Mexico. Mr. Creelman makes 
it plain that he believes the Mexican 
Government should have been recog- 
nized in the beginning, but he tells the 
most amazing stories about the Mexican 
Executive. 

We do not know anything about Gen- 
eral Huerta's personal habits and we 
more than suspect that for graphic ef- 
fect Mr. Creelman seized on all the hear- 
say yarns that were related for his en- 
tertainment by not wholly disinterested 
Mexicans and Americans who came to 
the Embassy to tell him all about Mex- 
ico. And with a graphic writer's love 
of striking effects, Mr. Creelman did not 
hesitate to exaggerate all that he had 
heard, not for any other reason than to 
make a "good story." 

But Mexico City is a hotbed of irre- 
sponsible rumors and we are surprised 
that Mr. Creelman with all his wealth of 
knowledge about things Mexican did not 
instinctively know how to discount what 
was poured into his ready ears. 

However, if even a portion of what 
Mr. Creelman writes about the personal 
habits of General Huerta is true, it is 
very remarkable indeed that the rugged 
soldier should have maintained his poise 
and dignity so wonderfully in the strenu- 
ous year of locked horns with disciples 
of various fruit juices. He certainly has 
not so muddled up the foreign relations 
of his country that he must purchase the 
friendship of one of them so as not to 
risk being an "outlaw among the na- 
tions." 

Another thing. Be President Huerta's 
habits what, they may, since when have 
such things entered into consideration 
in determining what is right or wrong 
in the dealings of one nation with an- 
other? 



A metropolitan newspaper has been 
running a series called "Little Causes of 
Great Wars." 

* * * 

In these days it would seem alrr^ 

impossible that a war could be caused by 
personal prejudice. 

» * * 

Yet it is not at all unlikely. 

President Huerta could be all that his 
worst enemies have made him cut to be, 
but this would not justify a national at- 
titude toward him that may involve thou- 
sands of American lives and tremendous 
burdens. 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



'•A CATASTROPHE LIKE THIS." 

The situation is in such a condition 
that it would be improper for me to 
comment on it except to say this, that 
those who lightly look forward to in- 
tervention are either utterly regardless 
of the loss of life and the expenditure 
of immense treasure or else they don't 
know what armed intervention on the 
part of this government in Mexico will 
mecm. 

"Those of us who have had exper- 
ience in the tranquillizing of a tropical 
country, with a people not very different 
from the Mexicans, who take naturally 
to guerilla warfare and who would rather 
fight than work — that is, would rather 
fight and run than work — know the dif- 
ficulties that an army would have to 
meet to accomplish the only purpose 
that we would have in going in — to wit, 
the bringing about of law and order. It 
would involve the garrisoning with a 
sufficient force of every town. 

"It would involve the organization of 
columns to chase the guerillas into their 
mountain fastnesses and across trackless 
desert plains and the subjugation of 
fifteen millions of people. 

"I don't know when we would get 
through; I don't know how many lives 
it would involve; I don't know how 
much it would cost, but I do know 
it would be a drag on us, and then 
when we had gotten the thing done the 
future would still be doubtful and still 
be a charge and a burden upon our gov- 
ernment and upon our treasury. I do 
not speak thvs postively without some 
knowledge of the subject. No effort 
ought to be omitted to prevent a catas- 
trophe like this." — William H. Taft. 



LEST WE FORGET 



REAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR IN- 
TERVENTION. 

The humiliating and perilous position 
to which the United States has been 
brought in the Mexican question is in no 
way due to opponents of the Wilson- 
Bryan administration. 

If the United States must resort to 
armed intervention to meet the world- 
responsibilities we have assumed under 
the Monroe doctrine, the credit or the 
blame will belong alone to President 
Wilson arHJ his advisers. 

In spite of the fact that every other 
great nation recognized the Huerta gov- 
ernment at a time when it offered the 
only promise of peace in Mexico, Mr. 
Wilson deliberately chose to risk every- 
thing on his personal idea that "Huerta 
must go." 

Again and again the President had his 
attention called to the fact that he must 
choose between recognizing the then 
strong Huerta government or inevitable 
armed intervention. 

Every patriotic citizen must sympa- 
thize with Mr. Wilson in the grave em- 
barrassment which has come upon him, 
but if we are forced into war by the 
stern necessity of events he cannot es- 
cape full responsibility. 

No doubt when the President decided 
that he would not recognize the Huerta 
government he did not realize, as more 
inforiTi.-ri n-en did. that he was really 
committing his administration to ulti- 
mate forcible interference. — New York 
"Evening Mail." 



This inscription should be marked on 
the tombstone over the grave of a Demo- 
cratic Administration: HUERTA MUST 
GO! 

* * * 

It has become a sort of morbid obses- 
sion. 

* * * 

Defying reason, logic and truth. 

* * * 

Why? 

* * * 

When we get the answer to that ques- 
tion we shall wonder and ponder and 
finally come to the conclusion that Lin- 
coln was right: "You can fool all of the 
people some of the time." 

John Bassett Moore stood it as long as 
he could, against his judgment and con- 
victions. 

So have t'ne people stood it. 

But they are waking up to the facts 
which are so writ that he who runs may 
read. 

The fact that the State Department, or 
rather the Great Commonizer, has been 
simply the tool of an intriguing Mexican 
faction. 

That the Great Commonizer has swal- 
lowed all the guff handed to him by that 
faction, coached by a clever attorney of 
the Maderos and the Waters-Pierce oil 
interests. 

* • * 

That he, the Administration and the 
American people have been made a fool 
of. 

* * * 

That President Wilson has been per- 
niciously advised. 

* * • 

Or that he took only the kind of ad- 
vice that pleased him. 

What's the answer? 

* • • 

Watch and wait. 

* • • 

Will the Administration be big enough 
to admit its mistake? 



On the answer to that depends the 
future of the Administration, the Demo- 
cratic Party and the country. 
• * • 

If the United States is going to sur- 
render to every pressure from European 
nations so that the Administration may 
be free to destroy Mexico, then the peo- 
ple of the United State* have been badly 
misjudged. 



From now on the Administration's 
Mexican policy will have to stand the 
severest tests. 

* • • 

For the truth is out. 

The people can not be fooled any 
longer. 

It was easy to cover tracks when the 
manufactured sentiment prevailed that 
the trouble in Mexico was a fight for 
constitutional principles. 

It was too easy. 

* • • 

But Villa had to go and show what hw 
was made of. 

* * * 

And Carranza and his faction were re- 
vealed in their true light. 

* « * 

Watchful waiting! 

* » * 

There was not so much waiting about 
that policy as the public was led to be- 
lieve. 

* • * 

There was action. 

* * ♦ 

The "financial blockade," "mental sug- 
gestion," connivance and scheming with 
the representatives of Carranza, et al, 
lifting of the embargo on arms to as- 
sist them, direction of a virulent press 
campaign against the Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

* * * 

Was that waiting? 

* » * 

No, it was desperate, underhanded ac- 
tion. 

* * » 

Why? 

* * ♦ 

Watch and wait. 

* * * 

This has been, so far, only the first act 
of the drama. 

* * * 

Which is a tragedy. 

« * * 

In which there is a Hamlet. 

* * * 

Also a Macbeth and an lago. 

* * * 

Has anything so unjust and prepos- 
terously inconsistent ever been suggested 
in affairs of state as intervention di- 
rected against Mexico and the Mexican 
people because of conditions which have 
been made possible by the attitude of 
the Administration? 

* * ♦ 

If the Administration is looking for 
matters of national honor to straighten 
out, why not start with this? 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



THE BIG GAME 



By Dr. Ledyard Smith 



The attitude of our Administration is 
but one act of a real tragedy, the dra- 
matic motive of which is to force a fight 
on an unfortified nation : nagging, nag- 
ging and harassing iliat nation with the 
hope that some accident of the Maine 
character will force Congress to declare 
war, when, to indemnify the expense ol 
that undertaking, the present territorial 
border will be shifted as far south as 
the new map-makers can arrange. 

The Administration of Porfirio Diaz 
saved Mexico's main-line-to-border rail- 
roads for Mexico, against the open rail- 
road-grabbing and oil monopoly scheme 
of her Norlhern neighbors. 

That slap in the face to a few men 
who had never been so humiliated 
roused an indignation in these individ- 
uals that called for retaliation. The 
chance came to these Wall Street in- 
terests with the entrance of Madero and 
his monumental crime in inciting the 
Mexican peons to armed rebellion. The 
value of these lawless elements in 
wrecking tracks, bridges — many hun- 
dreds — tunnels and rolling stock was 
quickly appreciated. Here was retalia- 
tion; here was a slap back at the man 
who dared to save Mexican railroads for 
Mexico. That they were nothing but 
bandits who did this devil's work so 
much ■, he better. The demoralization of 
Mexico's railway interests was the 
point. The point was being gained. 

Looting, robbing, outraging, murder — 
these were minor details — all necessary 
to create a disorder that would under~ 
mine Mexico's strength in her own rail- 
ways. If these disorders, this seeming 
general public opinion put in a differ- 
ent President, a pliable concession-giv- 
ing President, why then the point was 
the better gained. 

But the bone of the railway interests 
was not the only one that needed pick- 
ing with the Oaxaca Indian, the man 
who for thirty years had saved Mexico 
for Mexicans. It is notorious that cer- 
tain oil interests paid the Madero insur- 
rectos when in the field, and that after 
Madero assumed power the Mexican 
treasury reimbursed these oil interests 
at a fabulous advance. It is also a re- 
corded fact that Madero found 63 mil- 
lions in the Treasury; and the entire 
available fund in paper and otherwise 
swelled this to over two hundred mil- 
lions. And still another but sadder fact 
is that Huerta found less than two hun- 
dred thousand of that sum. Here was 
more retaliation for that oil slap of fif- 
teen years ago. A' come-back at the 
man who could ,-l>e deposed, primarily 
because of his age, but who could not 
be bought by an Oil King. 
Then came the Huerta Administration. 



A recognition of Huerta by the Unit- 
ed States would curtail the gross sum 
of bandit disorder. Such recognition 
would lend strength to this new Mex- 
ican power that is holding Mexico and 
Mexican interests for Mexico. A rec- 
ognition of Huerta would induce and 
practically guarantee foreign loans, and 
a large loan would supply a cash ac- 
count that would cripple not only the 
bandits, but their United States allies 
who are bent on map-making and con- 
cession grabbing. These allied interests 
form an octopus that has grown to far- 
reaching proportions. It is more than 
political; more than party. It entangles 
the press, which is no longer divided in 
party, for it stands almost solidly for 
this octopus. 

This commercial monster demands 
that anything that strengthens Mexico 
for Mexico must be put down. Anything 
that will disrupt Mexico and leave it 
open to pillage, grab and new map-mak- 
ing, must be encouraged and maintained. 
That "Huerta must go" is only a part 
of the game. That American citizens 
owning and occupying property on Mex- 
ican soil are robbed and murdered and 
their wives and daughters are outraged 
— as consular reports show and prove — 
this also is part of the game. It creates 
further disorder, further prejudice and 
helps to shorten the time before new 
map-making. The cry for redress when 
heard is only converted into press mat- 
ter that helps to bring closer this com- 
ing occupancy. 

Huerta will not be recognized. He 
cannot be. Simply cannot. It is against 
the whole game. It is the mandate of 
the Monster. The recognition of Peru 
recently, with governmental conditions 
similar to those of Mexico, proves that 
the antennae of this United States Big 
Game do not extend that far — that's all. 
The bandit part of Mexico's woes is 
an asset and a strong one. Without 
their murders, their lootings, their day- 
light bank breaking and their outrages 
on anything female over ten years of 
age, why, their part in the game would 
then fall short that much. They must, 
simply must, live up to their part. 

The bandit part in the play is an acci- 
dent, or at most, a coincidence. It was 
not only pounced upon as an important 
factor to use, but it has been nourished. 
Their chief, a cattle thief, who can't 
count his murders, nor yet his millions 
that he is stealing there and banking 
here in the United States, who has al- 
ways been an outlaw, is snatched up by 
the octopus and elevated by the press 
to the title of "General." 

The Administration of ninety millions 
of people openly bases its hopes on this 



cattle thief. It frankly, without shame, 
expresses its belief that Villa, the out- 
rager of women and girls, has become 
a patriot of high principles and noble 
ideals! The Secretary of State emphat- 
ically deprecates anything which might 
lead to a clash with Villa, the assassin. 
Here is open business partnership wi.h 
the vilest wretch in Mexico; but who, 
because of his acts and lawlessness be- 
comes at once an important asset in this 
Well Street game. 

The status of Mexico to-day in Uic 
eyes of her neighbor to the North is ev- 
erything that embraces theft, murder, 
blood. It is the result oi a deliberate 
press propaganda to foster this idea in 
the public mind. The public must be 
educated to the belief that Mexico is 
but a small patch of unclaimed land, un- 
governed and populated by a wild set of 
bloodthirsty savages. 

This press purpose is to cover up the 
fact that her territory is larger than the 
combined area of France, Germany, Aus- 
tria, Hungary and Italy. Larger by ex- 
actly 2,495 square miles. And it is this 
territory rich beyond conception, that is 
the secret attraction. Anything that will 
divert publicity from that fact must be 
done. Anytliing that will lessen Mex- 
ico's honor and integrity as a nation, 
anything that will compel her to repudi- 
ate her obligations on her bonds or 
debts, all this must be done and is being 
done by the invisible hand. It's the 
garne. 

This publicitj' campaign magnifies the 
strength of the bandits and tries to make 
their outrages national, as if the acts of 
a few hundred or even a few thousand 
misled degenerates with a leader who is 
openly referred to as the partner of 
Washington, marks what they do as hav- 
ing national intent and purpose. 

The hand of Big Money is showing 
finger marks on the Washington throat, 
strangling it into submission to its de- 
sires. But this is not the na-lional de- 
sire of ninety millions of honest people 
here. 

Nor does a bandit in Mexico even with 
considerable following — when well paid 
— represent the feelings, the wishes, pur- 
poses, honor and national spirit of six- 
teen millions of people there, who, for 
the most part are Indians; peaceful, con- 
tented and even happy, and who as a 
whole know nothing of Standard Oil or 
Big Railroads and would care less if 
they did know. 

But, as a whole people they come un- 
der the slander of a well-organized press 
campaign that besmirches the whole 
Mexican nation one day and follows it 
with cheap talk of peace, morality, neigh- 
borly love and other hypocritical rubbish 
the next. In reality, our part is that of 
the real robbers; the real murderers and 
disturbers, for this Mexican situation 
was born, bred and is still nourished in 
the United States. It never was and is 
not now an internal Mexican issue. 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



THE BIG GAME— Continued 

The Mexicans are the victims. Their 
nation is being stolen. The blood of a 
hundred thousand humans will write in 
red VICTORY TO A FEW, who are 
already fat with greed and power and 
whose address is Wall Street. This vic- 
tory, this gain, no matter in what de- 
gree, no matter how great, will be but 
a short victory for a few. Its shame, its 
disgrace, its deplorable lack of all 
honor will last out generations. Never 
will our victory over a weaker nation, 
with the consequent gain for a few and 
a national war expense to all, never will 
it offset our national loss of honor in 
this red-handed steal of a nation. 

Never will it compensate in this blood- 
stain for the loss of the Latin faith in 
the Northern Anglo-Saxon. 



CONGRESS BALKS 



DESIGNS ON MEXICO. 

To the Editor of the "Evening Post": 

Sir: — People who have known Mexico 
for years have been declaring for the 
last two years that behind the revolu- 
tionary movements there was a well- 
conceived plan to bring about the sepa- 
ration of the Northern States of Mex- 
ico from those of the South, and, ulti- 
mately, to secure their annexation to the 
United States. They have occasionally 
ventured an expression of this thought, 
and some have gone so far as to say 
that the United States were headed for 
a war and only the providence of God 
could prevent it. Of course, these peo- 
ple have been denounced as cynics and 
pessimists. Events are proving that 
they were merely able to see the ob- 
vious. 

The Washington "Post" of yesterday 
had an editorial under this heading: 
"The Plan to Split Mexico." To-day the 
same paper printed a communication of 
James Creelman from the City of Mex- 
ico, in which these words occur: "and it 
may be that in the end the north will 
separate from the south and there will 
be two Mexicos." 

These are referred to here to indicate 
what is in the minds of men. It is what 
the schemers intended from the begin- 
ning should be in the minds of men in 
general. That is the particular field 
which they have been cultivating and 
now they think it almost ripe for the 
harvest. 

It is inconceivable that Carranza, 
who keeps bad company but who is said 
to be a man of education, should be in a 
conspiracy to dismember the Mexican 
Republic. But he is co-operating with 
these schemers just as effectively as if 
he were a willing party to all their pro- 
jects. 

There are commercial interests along 
the northern border of Mexico which 
will gain enormously by the transfer of 
sovereignty from the Northern States of 
Mexico to the United States. One can- 
not help believing that the President and 
the Secretary of State have been misled 



Representative Frank W. Mondell, of 
Montana, spoke in the House of Repre- 
sentatives in criticism of the Wilson 
Administration. Mr. Mondell's speech 
was the third in as many days from the 
Republican side in opposition to the Ad- 
ministration's course. Representative 
Ainey of Pennsylvania and Representa- 
tive Kahn of California attacked the Ad- 
ministration's course, each describing 
the "watchful waiting" policy as one of 
"deadly drifting" that was leading to- 
ward armed intervention. 

In his speech Mr. Mondell referred to 
Mr. Bryan's Chautauqua lectures: 

"What we have needed was close at- 
tention and prompt and practical action 
by those charged with authority on for- 
eign affairs. On the contrary, our Sec- 
retary of State, while engaged in Chau- 
tauqua lectures and in speeches extoll- 
ing the 'new freedom,' is employing his 
spare moments in unwarranted inter- 
meddling with the local politics of peo- 
ple of the West Indies and in promoting 
treaties calculated to embroil and entan- 
gle us in the domestic affairs of Central 
American countries. I am very glad to 
credit the best intentions in the world 
to the President and to the Secretary of 
State'in connection with our foreign af- 
fairs, but good intentions cannot save us 
from disasters which amateurs, theorists, 
dreamers, acting on impulse when not 
on prejudice, are likely to bring upon 
us. When we compare the policy of re- 
treat in China, of aimless vacillating in 
Mexico, of meddling in the West In- 
dies, and of entanglements in Central 
America, with the Administration's plan 
of scoot and scuttle in the Philippines, 
where we have real interests and great 
responsibilities, we have a picture of ex- 
ternal affairs calculated to make fools 
laugh and wise men grieve." 

Thinks Silence Useless. 

Mr. Mondell thought the time had 
come when no good could be accom- 
plished by further support, "active or 
passive," of the attitude of the Wilson 
.Administration toward Mexico. He said 
he felt now that patriotism impelled the 
expression of his views in the hope that 
"wiser counsels" would prevail. He 
thought the policy of "watchful waiting" 

in many particulars in the handling of 
the Mexican question and in none more 
than in the skilful manner in which they 
have been made to play into the hands 
of certain selfish commercial interests. 

The project to annex the Northern 
States of Mexico is ripening. The prof- 
its to a few will be great. The cost to 
the many cannot yet be told either in 
blood or money. — X. Y. Z. in New York 
"Evening Post." 



had prolonged a lamentable condition of 
disorder and distress in Mexico and 
said: 

"The only features of our attitude to- 
ward Mexico that seem to have any ele- 
ments of fixity are the continued evi- 
dences of personal antipathy toward the 
individual at the head of the only Gov- 
ernment in Mexico which has ciny stand- 
ing among the nations; makes any pre- 
tense of protecting life and property or 
of conducting warfare in a civilized man- 
ner; a fatuous and fantastic theory that 
we should withhold recognition from 
Governments, however well established, 
which in their genesis and personnel do 
not measure up to the highest ideals of 
our executive authorities; an extraordi- 
nary obsession that any outlaw or bar- 
barian chieftain is a patriot entitled to 
our support and encouragement, regard- 
less of his aims and methods, providing 
he dubs himself a 'Constitutionalist.' 

"While the attitude of our Administra- 
tion is that of indirect intervention, we 
still maintain a tenuous and uncertain 
anchor to windward by sustaining, 
through various intermediaries, a pecu- 
liar and precarious, not to say humiliat- 
ing, semi-personal, semi-official relation- 
ship, with the head of that Government 
in Mexico the overthrow of which seems 
to be the principal aim and end of our 
endeavors. I can recall nothing in in- 
ternational relationship so unusual, and, 
it seems to me, so lacking in the dignity 
and rectitude which should characterize 
international relations as, on the one 
hand, the Administration's announced 
anxiety for the fall of the Government 
now established in the City of Mexico, 
and, on the other, the apparent determi- 
nation to hold that Government respon- 
sible for the lives and property of Amer- 
icans and other foreigners in Mexico. 

"Perhaps the most striking feature of 
this situation and condition of paradoxes 
is to be found in the generally perfectly 
correct attitude of that Government 
which our Administration is seeking to 
overthrow toward our Government and 
people. 

Situation Growing Worse. 

"The situation is bad enough as it is, 
but it might easily be worse, and will, 
in my opinion, be infinitely worse if the 
aims and objects apparently desired by 
our Administration shall be accom- 
plished with the aid of the arms, ammu- 
nition and encouragement obtained and 
received from us. 

"I have profound faith in the good in- 
tentions of our President. I approve 
most heartily his avowed and unques- 
tioned desire to save our people from the 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 1, 1914 



CONGRESS BALKS— Continued 
loss and sacrifice which active interven- 
tion in the affairs of Mexico would en- 
tail. I regret most profoundly the lack 
of sound and sane advice which the Pres- 
ident should have had and to which he 
was entitled. I still hope that a change 
of attitude and policy may place us in 
a position where we can be of real ser- 
vice to the people of Mexico without im- 
properly intruding ourselves into their 
affairs." 

Senator Works of California, had this 
to say to his colleagues, and his speech 
made a deep impression. 

Mr. Works said that he believed the 
intentions of President Wilson and Sec- 
retary Bryan were good; but the course 
they have adopted, he declared, would 
be spoken of with "sorrow and shame" 
unless the American people had lost their 
courage and patriotism. 

Mr. Works said that the President's 
demand that Gen. Huerta bind himself 
not to be a candidate for re-election 
was "preposterous," and left the United 
States in the humiliating position of 
swallowing Gen. Huerta's sarcastic dis- 
obedience. The mission of John Lind 
was doomed to failure from the first, 
said Mr. Works, because negotiations 
with Carranza on one side and Huerta 
on the other would have no binding 
force on the great mass of the combat- 
ants, who were bandits pure and simple, 
recognizing no superior authority. 

The Senator's sharpest criticism wasi 
«0r the Administration's handling of th& 
■"Benton incident. He made it plain that 
he thought the American course in that 
matter cowardly. The demand for the 
delivery of Benton's body should have 
been pressed vigorously, he said, and Vil- 
la's refusal should have been answered 
by sending an armed force to seize the 
body and bring it over the Rio Grande. 



PRETTY PANCHO! 



Apart from the right or wrong of Eng- 
land's contention as to the Panama Canal 
tolls, the fact remains that the surren- 
der of the Administration to the conten- 
tion was dictated by expediency. 

Blind expediency. 

* * ♦ 

In other words, rather than admit that 
it has made a mistake in not recognizing 
the Mexican Government, the Adminis- 
tration prefers to charge the country and 
Congress with a mistake in dealing with 
England. 

• « • 

England is a powerful nation. Mex- 
ico is smaUer than the United States. 



Who said might makes right? 

« * * 

Who said the' Administration would 
tully Mexico but show yellow to a Great 
Power? 



Mexico City, Feb. 18. — While of some 
small benefit to American manufacturers, 
President Wilson's removal of the em- 
bargo on arms has proved harmless as a 
measure aimed at Huerta. 

Huerta is stronger, both politically and 
in a military sense, than at any time 
since his accession to the Presidency; 
his army is larger and better organized, 
and he has just completed the payment 
to Japanese manufacturers for 50,000 
rifles and 25,000 carbines of the most 
improved pattern, along with an ample 
supply of ammunition. 

While the rebels are rapidly exhaust- 
ing the sparsely populated region under 
their control and from which they must 
draw their resources, Huerta has ample 
means to prosecute the war. 

The appropriation foT war purposes- 
of the customs receipts, made available 
by suspending the payment of interest 
on the national debt, gives the Govern- 
ment $3,000,000 monthly, while the in- 
creased taxation on spirits, tobacco, 
mortgages, &c., and the heavy export 
duties on many articles help mightily 
to fill the war chest. 

Yet Huerta has scarcely scratchedi the 
surface of his resources. The gold and 
silver mines could easily support 3.n ad- 
ditional 10 per cent, tax on their pro- 
duction and the great haciendas can be 
levied upon for the defence they jaust 
Ihave from the Government against the 
irebeJs. 

Concentration o£ WeaMi. 

It is apt to escape the consideration, of 
the average American who sees on the 
map the vast area overrun by the liocdes 
of Villa and Carranza that the bulk, of 
Mexico's population and its most im- 
jjortant wealth producing area are con- 
tained within the region dominated by 
the Government. 

It is true that business is suffering,, 
that hundreds of millions of wealth have 
been lost and that a continuance of the 
civil war will ultimately bring about 
exhaustion. Mexico is so wonderfully 
productive and the people are so inured! 
to spoliation that the process, will be 
a cruelly long orse. 

"Kind Hearted Man and the Tiger." 

"There was a kind hearted man whose 
heart bled for the herbivores in his 
neighborhood, for a wicked tiger was 
preying upon them. He decided the 
tiger must go. He did not shoot the 
tiger. He set fire to the woods in which 
the tiger operated. The fire spread and 
burned the grass and the bushes and 
killed all the poor herbivores. The tiger 
had taken refuge in a cave and emerged 
uninjured, but the kind hearted man, 
nothing daunted, said: T am much en- 
couraged; now the tiger will starve to 
death,' " 

In the foregoing parable, however, the 
tiger is supposed to be Huerta, who is 
very gentle compared with Villa, whose 
claws the "kind hearted man" is sharp- 
ening, as may be gathered from the fol- 
lowing sketch of the reljel leader's ca- 
reer to date: 

"Many persons living in Durango, the 
rebel chieftain's birthplace, declare that 
his name is Dorotco Arango, not Fran- 
cisco V'lla, he having assumed the l^ttei: 



name to hid« himself from justice. At 
the age of 14 he was imprisoned in his 
native State for cattle stealing. 

"Later he went to the mines of Gnan- 
acevi, where he remained only four 
months before h« was again put in 
prison for cattle stealing and murder. 
Escaping, he went to Chihuahua, where 
he was hired to assassinate a man. 

"Having accomplished his crime, and! 
received his pay, he fled to the moun- 
tains, where he organized a band of 
brigands, devoting himself to wholesate 
cattle stealing. From that time on he 
made himself infamous by the boldness 
of his crimes. 

"In September, 1910» during the cele- 
bration of the republic's centenary, he 
rode into Chihuahua in broad daylight 
and on the main avenue in the heart 
of the city murdered Claro Reza, a 
former member of his band, who had 
offered to deliver him over to the au- 
thorities. 

Ambush of Rurales. 

"He ambushed the rurales who set out 
dn his pursuit, killing the sergeant com- 
ananding them. In November of the 
:same year (1910) he raised the Maderista 
standard, attacked the military train 
from San Andres, killing among others 
1:he commanding officer, Lieut.-Col. 
Yepez. Entering the town of San An- 
<dres, he committed every kind of out- 
rage and was driven out by the revolu- 
tionists themselves. 

"Later, entering Santa Rosalia, he 
skilled with his own hand one Ramos, 
^secretary to the court, because of Ra- 
imos' connection with an indictment 
sigainst Villa. In 1911 upon the capture 
•of Juarez he killed with his own hand 
a Senor Felix Mestas for the purpose 
•of taking from him a pocketbook con- 
taining a large sum of money in bank 
bills. 

"On entering Chihuahua with the tri- 
umph of the Madero revolution he es- 
tablished on his own account a number 
of butcher shops which he supplied with 
meat by stealing cattle. 

■"When the Orozco movement started 
he sent emissaries to Orozco offering 
his services, which Orozco rejected, 
^lereupon in pique he arrayed himself 
against Orozco on behalf of the Govern- 
ment, it is said', and entering Parral 
looted the branch of the Banco Minero 
of $300,000 and' imposed large forced 
loans, committing, moreover, every kind 
of .atrocity. Later, joining the column 
of Gen. Huerta at Jimenez, he attempted 
to continue his robberies, for which he 
was arreslied and sent to the capital, 
where he was placed in the military pris- 
on of Sa>rtiago. 

"Again making his escape, he reached 
El Paso,, where he remained until March 
of last year, wlien he recrossed the 
border, organized a band and attacked 
a passenger train near Madero, from 
which he took ninety-six bars of silver 
and two of gold, of an aggregate value 
of 300,000 pesos, 

"He took from the train a man and 
shot him because he fead been an au- 
thority in the city of Guerrero, Later 
he entered La Ascension, where he out- 
raged women. Thence he went to Cam- 
(ContinuQii Qa next page.) 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



argo, where he imprisoned distinguished 
women to extort from them money and 
murdered the bookkeeper of Sordo & 
Blanco, Senor Montilla, a Spaniard, be- 
cause the latter refused to deliver the 
sum of money he demanded. 

Shoots and Burns Prisoners. 

"At the battle of San Andres he cap- 
tured 200 prisoners, whom he took to 
Bustillos, where he lined them up in 
ranks of five and had a volley fired upon 
them. While many still retained life he 
had them piled upon a pyre and burned, 
along with the bodies of their more for- 
tunate comrades. 

"His heartless atrocities at Torreon, 
Chihuahua and Juarez are still fresh in 
the minds of all. Such is the man who 
is striving to overturn the de facto Gov- 
ernment in the names of patriotism and 
the constitution." — New York "Sun." 



Plain Words from the Border 

By C. F. Z. Caracristi, Ph.D., C.E. 



FAILURE 

_ The greatest failure of the administra- 
tion has been in dealing with foreign 
afifairs. In this field its policy has been 
fitful and inconsistent. In the estimation 
of the rest of the world the United 
States has seldom appeared to less ad- 
vantage than it has in handling the Mex- 
ican situation. The President's pro- 
gramme has been one of drifting. He 
has set less store on the practical need 
of protecting life and property in Mexi- 
co and winning back order out of chaos 
than he has on holding the government 
and the people of Mexico up to ideals 
of constitutional action which are hardly 
realizable in periods of unrest and vio- 
lence 

Mr. Wilson's absorption in domestic 
questions may account for his inaptitude 
in dealing with foreign relations. But 
it is hard to find any excuse for his 
acqiiiescence in the looting of the diplo- 
matic service which has put the United 
States at a still further disadvantage in 
applying its foreign policy. It is equally 
hard to find an excuse for the compla- 
cency with which the President has ap- 
proved the various raids made by Con- 
gress on the merit system and the class- 
ified service. 

Good predominates in the administra- 
tion's record so far. It could be made 
to predominate still more if in the re- 
maining three years the President should 
draw counsel from his first year's indis- 
cretions and failures. — New York "Tri- 
bune." 



The responsibility for the sickening 
prostitution of the diplomatic service 
to the spoils appetite in its vulgarest 
juanifestations; for the abandonment 
of the American policy in the Far East 
inaugurated by Secretary John Hay and 
maintained by his successors down 
to the advent of Secretary Bryan; 
and, most grievous of all, for the amaz- 
ing initial blunder which has brought 
upon the country the ignominies and 
grave dangers of the Mexican situation 
— the responsibility for these things 
rests not less directly on the President 
because his subordinate may be in great 
measure also culpable. Why should a 
statesman of Mr. Wilson's high ideals 
and, we may add, remarkable power 
of adjusting those ideals to circum- 
stances, have lacked the essential qual- 
ity of common sense in this most im- 
portant particular? — New York "Sun." 



There are always some more or less 
amusing sidelights even to the most 
tragic of human events, and the Mexican 
situation offers no exception to the gen. 
eral rule. 

At a convivial little gathering the con- 
versation, as usual drifted off to the 
trouble across the Rio Grande. A United 
States Army captain stated that the 
troops had just captured four "constitu- 
tionalists" who had been driven across 
the river by the Federals at San Ignacio. 

"Funny," I remarked, "that the Army 
should arrest any one at that point 
when I know for a certainty that the 
rebel officers nightly cross into Texas 
territory for fear of being captured in 
a surprise and sleep in San Ignacio, frat- 
ernize with our soldiers and only one 
arrest has been made in six months and 
that at the request of the Carrancistas 
themselves out of spite and another rea- 
son that I will not name." 

"Yes, you are right," replied the cap- 
tain, "but you see these fools surren- 
dered to our troopers and we could not 
avoid this arrest." 

This is how unequally the neutrality 
farce — not law — is being enforced on 
the border. 

The conversation proceeded on these 
lines, when I offered to discuss the situ- 
ation before any body of intelligent gen- 
tlemen who would keep within parlia- 
mentary rules and forget border usage. 
Some one suggested a certain judge who 
was present, a gentleman of unusual re- 
finement and affable personality, as the 
chairman of such a meeting. I protested 
saying that he was not impartial, to 
which he retorted: "I certainly am im- 
partial. Don't I know that Huerta mur- 
dered Madero and that Washington is 
right?" 

In these two little accounts we have 
the true sentiment of the border vox 
populi, both official and profane. 

Of course there are exceptions. There 
are men who while officially affiliatea 
with the government and sympathizers 
with the Mexican Murder Syndicate are 
prone to insist upon justice. 

The Benton case has awakened the 
border, not to a sense of horror or re- 
vulsion, but in the direction of inventive 
genius in finding some suitable lie that 
would make Villa's act palatable to the 
American and English people. 

Let it be understood that outside of 
that grand and progressive town of El 
Paso and probably that equally advanced 
city, San Diego, Cal., the local sentiment 
along the international boundary at the 
horrible murder of Benton applauds and 
does not condemn. 



These two great cities, may they al- 
ways prosper, are wholly dominated by 
white men and women — people of high 
moral and intellectual standards, who 
have come out of the refined East, North 
and South and established a modern and 
clean civilization where ingorance and 
bastardy reigned before. In these cities 
foregather of the best of Mexico and the 
United States; exchange views and, in a 
business way, work together. 

Therefore, outside of the subsidized 
papers, one in each city, the views that 
reach the outside world through individ- 
ual sources are usually correct and reli- 
able. I am not now referring to the 
press stuff that a lot of poor devils have 
to send out because "it is the Govern- 
ment's policy," and which, at times, is 
sent to them either bodily or in brief 
form from Washington and New York 
and distributed to the American press. 

The Benton incident has demonstrated 
that El Paso wants fair play and desires 
the execution of Villa. 

The present Administration is the only 
human institution on earth that claims 
omniscience, infallibility and immunity 
for its sins of omission and commission, 
unanswerable to God aiid man. Had it 
been possible to have created itself, un- 
der the single cell or any other unfathom- 
able process of birth, it would be the 
only perfect thing in the Universe. I 
say these things because the Mexican 
situation was prejudged by the Admin- 
istration and since then they have re- 
fused all advices and educational infor- 
mation that would give them the facts. 
These people are the moral progenitors 
of all the infamy and suffering that to- 
day cries to Heaven for redress. Not 
only this, but it is understood here that 
William Jennings has warned certain 
consuls in Mexico that if they did not 
support his policy they would be re- 
moved. 

If I fail in respect to those responsi- 
ble for the present situation it is because 
they have placed themselves outside of 
the pale of respect by actions that I 
have for a long time accepted as the re- 
sult of ignorance but which I now know 
to be the result of a preplanned stubborn 
insincerity. I did not appeal to the forum 
of the press until after I had laid all of 
the facts that I have reviewed in these 
various articles before the Honorable 
President and Secretary Bryan through 
official channels, as the record of the De- 
partments and my correspondence will 
prove. Yes, not only what I am publish- 
ing but far more important data that will 
never come to light through me. 

As far back as last October I realized 
that the Administration had no idea of 
accepting, except as a matter of personal 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



courtesy, any advices that were not based 
upon villification of the Huerta Govern- 
ment and glorification of Villa, Carranza 
and Zapata. 

This proposition is one that cannot be 
mooted and this is proved because our 
Government's most zealous energies are 
devoted to the suppression of the truth 
and the fomenting in the public press and 
mind impressions that this Government 
knows to be false. 



Friction between Mr. Moore and the 
President and his Secretary of State is 
imderstood to date from a time shortly 
after he became counsellor. Mr. Moore 
firmly believed that the Huerta govern- 
ment in Mexico should be recognized, 
and when the President and the Secretary 
of State asked his advice he promptly 
told them that the United States would 
be following the proper course if it rec- 
ognized Huerta. Furthermore, Mr. 
Moore, it is understood, quoted numer- 
ous precedents to sustain his view, but 
the President and Mr. Bryan asserted 
that the precedents he had cited dealt with 
monarchies only, and as this was the 
case of a republic it required different 
treatment. 

In these circumstances Mr. Moore's 
friends say that it is surprising that he 
stayed in the State Department as long 
as he did. Holding diverse views from 
those of President Wilson and Mr. Bry- 
an, the situation in which Mr. Moore 
found himself was anything but a pleas- 
ant one. — New York "Tribune." 



The Wilson administration's foreign 
policy has been a dismal and sometimes 
disastrous failure. 

In sober truth it has amounted to an 
abandonment of the policy of protecting 
and encouraging American business in- 
terests abroad which has accompanied 
our magnificent and hitherto increasing 
international trade balance. 

How far President Wilson himself is 
responsible for a governmental attitude 
hased on the theory that all American 
citizens engaged in business in foreign 
ountries, particularly in undeveloped 
countries, are presumably unscrupulous 
adventurers who deserve no considera- 
tion or encouragement, it is impossible 
to say. 

The policy sounds like Mr. Bryan, but 
the power behind it feels like Mr. Wil- 
son. 

Every one familiar with the subject, 
and free to express an honest opinion, 
agrees that the sudden withdrawal of 
the United States from its support of 
the Chinese loan plan has proved to 
be a profound disaster to American in- 
fluence and American opportunity in the 
great markets of the Far East. 

This hasty reversal of a farseeing 
policy, to which the nation was solemnly 
committed by a year of negotiation with 
six great nations, actually was accom- 
plished through a newspaper paragraph 
issued from the White House when the 
s crctary of state was absent from 
Washington. 



STRAIGHT FACTS 

The Kind of Information the Administration Pays No Attention To. 



(Interview with Charles Von Brandis, 
Mining Engineer, a resident of Durango, 
Mexico, more than twenty years, in New 
York "Globe.") 

"The whole trouble started with a per- 
sonal grudge of the Maderos against 
Porfirio Diaz. Before the elections of 
1909 Madero had been making himself 
objectionable to the Diazistas, and his 
action led to such an acute state of 
affairs that he had to be put in jail in 
Monterey. After Diaz once more was 
re-elected President Madero got out of 
jail. He met the revolutionist Orozco 
at San Lius Potosi, and there they 
framed the San Luis Potosi platform. 

"This was the platform upon which the 
Maderistas started their revolution. ^ In 
substance it called for better conditions 
for the peons." 

Mrs. von Brandis interrupted her hus- 
band. 

"Yes," she said, "and despite the fact 
that Francisco Madero made all these 
demands, he had done nothing to im- 
prove the conditions on his own haci- 
endas. His peons were as ill-used as 
any in northern Mexico. And to prove 
that there was no real demand on the 
part of these peons for better conditions, 
it is only necessary to say that at this 
very time the minimum wage for peons 
all through the northern Mexico was 
$3 a day in Mexican money." 

"That's only $1.50 in American mon- 
ey," put in Don Carlos (as she calls her 
husband, Charles), "but it will purchase 
as much as $3 American money will pur- 
chase here, so that it's a pretty good wage 
for wholly unskilled labor — especially as 
in central and southern Mexico, on the 
Guggenheim estates, the wages run all 
the way down to 3 pesos, 1^ pesos, 
and even 54 of ^ peso a day. The lowest 
wages are paid in the southern and 
central parts of the country, yet all 
revolutions have their genesis in the 
north. 

"But the main point about Madero was 
that he did not put his platform demands 
into practice on his own estates. 
Francisco Madero was an illusionist. 
His brother Gustavo was the brains of 
the Madero revolution, and he was the 
villain. He, with his glass eye, is thor- 
oughly hated by all Mexicans." 

"All that is needed to prove Francisco 
Madero's insincerity," said Mrs. yon 
Brandis, "is to note the very first thing 
that he did when he go: office. He 
voted himself and the members of his 
family $700,000, to reimburse^ them for 
their expenses in getting him into office. 
And practically the next thing he did was 
to give all the best positions for the col- 
lection of graft to the members of his 
own family. His brother Gustavo was 
hob-nobbing with the biggest financiers 
in New York, telling them that if they 
would lend him money they could have 
what concessions they pleased." 

"It was evident from the first," said 
Mr. von Brandis, "to every one who 
knew anything about Mexico, that Ma- 
dero could not last. When the break- 
up came all the best people in the coun- 
try got behind Huerta." 

"Well, what sort of a man is Huerta, 
anyway?" the reporter asked the en- 
gineer. But it was his wife who an- 
swered, as her eyes sparkled. 

"He is a well educated Mexican of 
the better class, who still has the sup- 
port of all the better elements of the 



country. I don't believe a word of all 
that stuff about his holding cabinet meet- 
ings in the Cafe Colon and being behind 
the scenes with three chorus women 
when the American consul was looking 
for him. It is utter nonsense. And I'll 
t^ll you why. Undoubtedly he is not all 
that could be desired in his personal 
habits but the Mexican people are very 
conventional, especially in the upper 
classes. They would assume a virtue if 
they have it not. Victoriano Huerta is 
of the upper classes, and he is not the 
kind who would openly flaunt his vices 
or indulge them in public for a moment. 
He couldn't. The only reason he is in 
office is because the better classes sup- 
port him, and that support would not 
continue from the better classes of Mex- 
ico if he were the sort of man he has 
been painted. The man who wrote that 
story did not know much about actual 
conditions in Mexico or in Mexican 
society, and was drawing upon his im- 
agination for details. 

"Huerta, from top to toe, is a soldier. 
His whole aspect is that of a field gen- 
eral and not a council chamber doctrin- 
aire. .. He is very much on the order of 
Porfirio Diaz — quick in thought and 
action, a great disciplinarian." 

"I am not criticizing Washington, and 
do not want you so to misunderstand 
me. I know that the greatest brains of 
the United States are concentrated at 
Washington, and have sources of infor- 
mation that are denied to me. I would 
not presume to question that they are 
doing right; but I do not find that any 
of their actions fit in at all with the 
impressions that I have gained from a 
twenty years' intimate knowledge of 
Mexican conditions. As I see it, it 
would be the best thing for humanity 
— the easiest way to restore peace and 
prosperity to Mexico — for the United 
States to ally itself with Huerta and the 
federal forces." 



While the Wilson government has 
recognized the brutal dictatorship of 
Yuan Shi Kai in the pretended Chinese 
republic, it has refused to recognize the 
Huerta government in Mexico, accepted 
by all other important nations, and has 
plainly encouraged the murderous and 
looting forces of the rebels, led by no- 
torious and savage bandits, in a hopeless 
and shameful chaos of destruction that 
means the complete devastation of a. 
rich and neighboring country or Ameri- 
can armed intervention. 

The dignity and authority of the 
United States as the protagonist of the 
American republics has been openly in- 
sulted and mocked in Mexico by the 
grafters of the south and the cutthroats 
of the north, and our national prestige 
in Latin America has been seriously 
damaged. 

Meantime the Wilson administration 
has made the United States responsible 
for Mexican conditions that must go 
from bad to worse until, apparently, the 
horrors and losses must end in bloody 
intervention. . . 

After the experience of a year it is 
not at all clear whether Mr. Wilson, 
who assumed power as a minority 
President, will yet become a majority 
President.— New York "Evening Mail." 



Saturday, March 7, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



CONSUL EDWARDS 

The Uniu-iJ States CuuMii a; Juarez, 
Thomas D. Edwards, does not seem to 
be honored in El Paso across the river 
by the enterprising newspapers of that 
town, where he is suspected of admiring 
General "Pancho" Villa and convincing 
Mr. Bryan that the (leneral is doing 
his best and ought to be trusted. Cer- 
tainly the Secretary of State has shown 
a most remarkable faith in the good in- 
tentions of General Villa and given him 
the benefit of every doubt. Whence do 
Mr. Bryan's inspiration and information 
come? In the Los Angeles "Times," 
which covers the frontier with its cor- 
respondents, we find an interview with 
the Hon. Thomas D. Edwards that may 
answer the question. It will be remem- 
bered that the American Consul al Juar- 
ez, at the request of General Villa, made 
a formal report of the death of William 
S. Benton without investigating it. In 
the interview referred to Mr. Edwards 
is quoted as saying: 

"I will not say that I am a Villacista, 
but I do say that he (General Villa") is 
doing the only thing possible under the 
circumstances. In my despatches to the 
Department all this has been explained, 
and I have been assured that my actions 
have received the approbation of the De- 
partment chiefs. 

"No American newspaper man whose 
newspaper criticises Villa can enter 
Mexico without danger of execution, and 
I cannot do anything to prevent it. I 
cannot depart from my fixed policy. 

"Villa cannot be bothered with petty 
complaints, and it would be imprudent 
for any one to pry into his affairs. 

"He is doing the best he can under the 
circumstances and all of these things 
have been reported to the Department at 
Washington, and thus far ha->'e r"pt 
with full approval." 

We are reluctant to believe that the 
American Consul at Juarez talked in 
this amazing fashion about the Con- 
stitutionalist General who bestrides 
Chihuahua like a Colossus, and if Mr. 
Edwards did nothing of the kind and 
values his reputation he cannot too soon 
deny the interview. We are not say- 
ing that the picture of "Pancho" Villa 
as an inflammable and dangerous swash- 
buckler who will not have his affairs 
pried into is not true to the life, but 
we assert that a consular officer who 
affirms, if Mr. Edwards did affirm it, 
that the arbiter of Benton's fate "is 
doing his best" and "cannot be bothered 
with petty complaints" betrays a sym- 
pathy with Villa's leadership that must 
be distasteful to thoughtful .'\mericans 
and misleading to the State Department. 
— New York "Sun." 



AVOID INTERVENTION. 

Ex-Gov. Curtis Guild's warning at the 
Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the 
unpreparedness of this country to en- 
gage in war, coupled with his suggestion 
that such an event was not the most re- 
mote possibility, voices the opinion of 
nearly all students of the Mexican situ- 
ation. 

In rpite of the Administration's appar- 
ent disregard of our citizens in Mexico, 
intervention seems sooner or later inev- 
itable. Admirable as England's self-re- 



straint lias l)een she is not likely to wait 
indefinitely to secure redress for tlic mur- 
der of William S. Benton. Two weeks 
have already elapsed. 

Just what course the United States will 
take when the utter futility of "watchful 
waiting" becomes as apparent to its ex- 
ponents as it has to the rest of the 
world, remains to be seen. It is likely 
to lie vi ct armis. We may call it in- 
ervention. We may consider it a puni- 
tive expedition. But it will be war. And 
its cost in human lives and in money may 
run into high figures. Once entered up- 
on, national self-respect, to say nothing 
of our rapidly frazzling Monroe Doc- 
trine, will compel our going ahead sin- 
gle-handed. 

One way out of this calamitous course 
remains — with honor. There is still a 
chance to avert war. It is to recognize 
Huerta and further than that, to 
strengthen his hand. We should renew 
the embargo on arms to the bandits. 

It may be that this step would come 
too late, that our policy has so weakened 
Huerta that he can no longer restore 
order. But he deserves the chance. He 
has clearly established his claim as the 
de facto ruler of Mexico. And until we 
have given him the opportunity, we are 
not justified in making the sacrific-e that 
armed intervention would entail. 

President Wilson would do well to re- 
member that stout old Bismarck did not 
he^'tate to admit that he could to advan- 
tage change his mind. In one of his 
speeches to the Reichstag he said he 
would scorn to belong to the number 
of those who in their whole life main- 
tained certain definite opinions from 
which they never varied. The President 
would thus have the support of ample 
precedent in reversing his position on 
Huerta. And he has reversed his posi- 
tion on other men already — for instance, 
on Mr. Bryan, and on other issues — for 
instance, the Panama tolls. — Boston 
"Herald." 



CZAR TALKS. 



While we are engrossed with the snow- 
storm and the income tax returns, we 
must not forget that the rest of the 
world moves right on and there is no 
pause in the inexorable logic of events. 
Bandit Carranza has defied poor Piffle 
Bryan and asserted that he will tolerate 
no representations from foreign govern- 
ments unless they are addressed to him 
directly, not through the medium of the 
United States. In this shrewd move he 
has been coached, doubtless, by Japanese 
or German emissaries, for he has not 
brains enough to originate it. He aims 
at one fell swoop to secure official recog- 
nition and to kick a fatal hole in the 



Monroe Doctrine. Carranza is the scoun- 
drel selected by Professor Wilson as the 
next President of Mexico, and he has 
been supplied with arms and ammunition 
by Professor Wilson's connivance. Sir 
Lionel Garden, the British Minister to 
Mexico, blocks this game by asking, 
"Great Britain having recognized Presi- 
dent Huerta's government as the only 
constituted authority in Mexico, why 
should I request Carranza for a report 
on the killing of Mr. Benton?" Here, as 
I have pointed out repeatedly, is the 
crux of the situation — the recognition of 
President Huerta. All other nations 
have recognized him, and why should 
we refuse simply because of the personal 
prejudice of Professor Wilson? It is the 
duty of Congress to inform Professor 
Wilson that he is not a Czar; that his 
personal prejudices are of no conse- 
quence in the administration of the 
United States government, and that our 
recognition of the only constituted au- 
thority in Mexico must be announced at 
once. This information may be conveyed 
in a polite joint resolution or in a vote 
of censure. In either form it would be 
carried by a large majority of Congress- 
men, because they know that all their 
constituents are in favor of it and op- 
posed to a Mexican war. In the name 
of humanity, patriotism and economy 
the vote should not be delayed, for while 
Congress abjectly acquiesces in the Wil- 
son-Micawber policy we are morally re- 
sponsible for the rapine and rapes, mur- 
ders and misery in Mexico, and held 
pecuniarily responsible by the Powers 
of Europe. A vote of censure, offered 
by Senator O'Gorman and seconded by 
Senator Root, would clear the situation. 
There is no political partisanship in deal- 
ing with assassination, blackmail, robbery 
and outrages upon women and children. 

Professor Wilson, on Monday, "de- 
clared to the reporters, in tones whose 
finality left nothing to the imagination, 
that the present policy of the United 
States towards Mexico would be con- 
tinued, no matter what pressure from 
within or without is brought to bear to 
force a change." No real President of 
the United States ever talked like that. 
It is Czar talk. What does Congress 
think about it? — "Town Topics." 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March. T, 1914 



A TALK WITH CREELMAN 

"Could Huerta have pacilied Mexico if 
he had been recognized by the United 
States? 

"I think it is very probable, if not ab- 
solutely certain. The ignorant Indian 
revolutionarj' bands and their bandit 
allies and leaders in the north, such as 
Villa and Carranza, would soon have 
exhausted their strength. The country 
in which they were operating is, as 
a rule, thinly settled, and when the 
mines have been closed down, the cattle 
driven off and the towns, villages and 
plantations thoroughly looted, they 
would have had no means to carry on 
serious operations against ihe Govern- 
ment for any length of time. 

"The Huerta government simply 
needed money. The weak, . sentimental 
and calamitous Madero administration 
had resulted in the gutting of the over- 
flowing treasury left by the old Diaz ad- 
ministration. Huerta's government had 
control of the bulk of the country, in- 
cluding its richest and most productive 
lands, and all the great cities and ports. 
To put down the northern insurrection 
and to stamp out brigandage. Huerta 
needed a great loan of money with which 
to reorganize and equip an army great 
enough to restore peace and order. 

"Bankers of Europe and America were 
readj' to furnish these funds, but Presi- 
dent Wilson's refusal to recognize the 
Huerta government, his announcement 
that none of its acts would be recog- 
nized as valid, and his systematized 
eflo'rts to destroy Mexican public credit 
in Europe and the United States forced 
the bankers of the world to refuse to 
come to the assistance of Huerta's empty 
treasury. 

"When Huerta first seized the Presi- 
dency, he had nine-tenths of all the 
property owners and business men of 
the country behind him. It cannot be 
truthfully said that they admired or 
loved him, because they knew little 
about him but that he was a strong and 
determined man. They saw in him a 
force of character and the ability to 
command that promised peace. 

"Since then the open encouragement 
given to the murderous and plundering 
hordes in the north by the United States 
Government has strengthened them, not 
enough for victories that would bring 
peace to Mexico, but for a continuation 
>f the work of destruction." 

"If the Constitutionalists or rebels 
step into power, will Mexico be better 
off than she is under Huerta? 

"There is not an intelligent Mexican 
alive who does not shudder at the 
thought of what would happen to Mexi- 
co if the cut-throats and robbers who 
surround and follow them should get 
control of the country." 
control of the country." — Interview with 
James Creelman in \'ew York ".Ameri- 
can." 



All the activity of the Washington au- 
thorities seems to be directed against the 
Huerta provisional administration, yet 
the latter has been guilty of nothing like 
the atrocities which are of daily occur- 
rence among the rebels. It vifould be a 
menace to the lives of all foreigners still 
residing in Mexico were the followers of 
General Carranza and General Villa per- 
riitted o secure'confoi of Mexico City. 
To allow any such result as that would 
be little short of a crime. — New Orleans 
"Picayune." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

IT CONTINUES TO MOUNT 
It is to be regretted, as has been 
said, that in the face of all the ad- 
mirable and the successful record, the 
spectacle of a Mexican policy of drift 
and ineptitude of mistaken zeal followed 
by not less unhappy dallying, has 
brought to the Wilson Administration 
the only just criticism it has to face, 
criticism which continues to mount, to 
grow more and more severe as the sit- 
uation passes from internal disorder to 
international peril. 

For this single failure tlie responsi- 
bility will rest primarily upon the Sec- 
retary of Sta'.e. To that criticisny of 
the man, his methods, his unutterable 
cheapness, his greed, his shameless pur- 
suit of Chautauqua dollars at the cost 
of the dignity and even the success 
of Mr. Wilson's administration which 
has filled the press for well nigh a year 
— there is little that can be added. No 
critic of his appointment could have 
wished to have mournful forecasts so 
wholly realized as in Mr. Bryan's case 
they have been, and no well wisher of 
the Wilson Administration can fail to 
cherish the hope that Bryan and his 
yodellers may presently be sent packing. 
Few Presidents of the United States 
have gathered more well earned lau- 
rels in one year than Woodrow Wilson, 
and the "Evening Sun" joins its 
congratulations to those which from all 
sides, all shades of partisans, mark the 
passine of the first milestone. — New 
York "Evening Sun." 



Not to be Jingoed Into War. 

President Wilson very properly asks 
whether those congressmen and editors 
who are clamoring for instant war with 
Mexico realize the dreadful consequences 
of their agitation — the cost in blood and 
sorrow to thousands of American homes. 

The blare of trumpets, the martial 
tread of soldiers, the gay unfurling of 
flags, lose their joyous and inspiring 
note when merged in the roar of cannon, 
the shock of thousands of rifles, and the 
awful toll of death on the battlefield. 

No man should countenance a single 
step toward war who does not first 
contemplate the lives that will be sacri- 
ficed, the homes that will be desolated, 
and the almost endless miserj' that will 
follow. With such a picture in mind, 
no voice should be raised for war while 
there is the faintest hope of avoiding 
it. 

The serious tone of President Wilson's 
talk with the newspaper correspondents 
Monday shows that he is anxious to im- 
press this phase on warlike congressmen 
and editors. But the President over- 
looks the fact that these men are now 
discussing a situation which he — not they 
— created, and which to tliem is now in- 
tolerable for this nation with honor to 
endure. 

When President Wilson declared a 
year ago that Huerta must go he fi.^ed 
our attitude toward Mexico and our 
responsibility for its future as inevitably 
as Dewey's first shot in Manila Bay 
fixed our attitude and responsibility in 
the Philippines. 

We arc now in the midst of the peace- 
ful though irritating consequences of 
Mr. Wilson's declaration; we are draw- 
ing closer to the more dreadful conse- 
quences — those that come with war. — 
New York "Evening Mail." 



There seem to be but two alternatives 
— immediate intervention or immediate 
recognition of Huerta, far preferably the 
latter. The world has always recognized 
that moral courage is far greater than 
physical courage. Is President Wilson 
great enough and strong enough to say 
to Huerta: "I have opposed you from 
the beginning, because I thought I was 
right and that you were wrong. I now 
realize that I have been wrong and I am 
going to give you a chance to prove that 
you are right and can bring peace to 
Mexico. I am therefore willing to rec- 
ognize your government with the under- 
standing that you will bring peace to 
your country within the next three 
months. If you fail to accomplish this I 
shall recommend immediate intervention 
to Congress. The present conditions can- 
not continue; they are intolerable." If 
Woodrow Wilson is a big enough man 
to do this our people and the nations of 
the world will acclaim him the greatest 
man in the world. I can see no alterna- 
tive. — L. C. T. in New York "Tribune." 

A MESSAGE TO CARRANZA. 

Ab£ori.)ed in admiration for the squeak of cat- 
gut under the magic touch of his own trusty 
bow, Nero fiddled on. 

Absorbed in admiration of his own deftness in 
clanging the diplomatic lyre, Venustiano Car- 
ranza "fiddles" on. 

Rome burned itself to destruction while Nero 
listened contentedly and unconcernedly to his 
own music. Is not Carranza in danger of seeing 
his structure called "constitutionalism" swept to 
destruction while he, all ui, concerned of its im- 
pending fate, indulges himself in the delights of 
quibbling over diplomatic niceties? 

There was a "message to Garcia." 

There was a "message to Raisuli." 

There is a "message to Carranza" written in 
the hearts of the American people and the people 
of Great Britain. If it has not yet been trans- 
lated into official language it soon will be. For 
the benefit of Carranza and whomever else it 
may concern we give it here. It is: 

"Benton's body, or Villa— Villa alive— or Villa 
dead!"— New York "Herald." 



HUERTA OR INTERVENTION? 

To the Editor of "The World": 

In your editorial' "Truth as a Peacemaker" 
you say: "The President's motives are correct. 
Only on the part of those * * * who are' always 
wickedly clamorous for war is there any disposi- 
tion to force his hand." 

On Oct. 30 last I sent you very briefly my 
opinion in regard to the President's Mexican 
policy, and believe that events since then have 
proved the correctness of my views. I do not 
question the honesty of the President's motives, 
but believe he has made a terrible mistake in 
not having accorded 'diplomatic recognition to the 
head of the Government at the capital of Mex- 
ico, and that in the interests of humanity he 
should have put aside any repugnance he. felt as 
to the personal character of the person in power 
or to the means by which he obtained the power. 

The President has quite recently recognized 
diplomatically a small party of men who by 
armed force seized the Chief Magistrate of Peru 
and overthrew the legally constituted Government 
at the cost of life, and such recognition was 
given without inquiry as to "the will of the 
people" in regard to the revolt. Are the Presi- 
dent's actions consistent? I really should not 
blame Mr. Wilson except for having placed our 
Stale Department in the hands of such a would- 
be statesman as Mr. Bryan. 

Notwithstanding our strong official opposition 
to Huerta, that has prevented him from obtain- 
ing funds or augmenting his army, and your 
repealed assertions lliat he was on his last legs, 
he seems to have proved that he is the strongest 
leader in Mexico to-day, and that, had he been 
granted rccognitiqn in April last, his country 



Satuiday, March 7, I'JH 



MEXICO 



would have been peaceful long since, at least 
would have been free from the armed bands of such 
assassins and robbers as Villa, Castillo, Zapata 
and others. I do not mention Carranza, as he 
is apparently only a figurehead, with sufficient 
sense to keep him from coming in contact with 
Villa. 

It seems to me plain that those who have advo- 
cated recognition for Huerta are not clamorous 
for war, as you intimate, but firmly believe that 
such a step would have prevented any cause for 
intervention by having brought peace to Mexico 
and saved thousands of lives and millions of dol- 
lars' worth of property. Although our official 
treatment of Huerta has been such as to per 
fectly warrant him in ignoring completely any 
demands or requests made to him, he has in- 
variably given courteous attention to all repre- 
sentations from our unofficial Charge d'Affaires 
and acted promptly on all our complaints. 

Kindly note this: If we do not recognize Huerta 
and assist him in bringing his country out of 
anarchy (though very late for such a step and 
now attended with much greater difficulties than 
at an earlier date), intervention must surely take 
place, for even should we willingly continue our 
"watchful waiting" and look on quietly at a ter- 
rible state of affairs, other nations will not 
agree to hold aloof for a much longer period. — ■ 
Letter in New York "World." 



*'juntas" in most of our border towns, and that 
American citizenship and soil are being used 



THE CASE OF VERGARA. 

An attempt is being made to create a sensa- 
tion out of the alleged hanging by the Federals 
of an American citizen, Clcmente Vergara. Note 
well the typical American name, Clemente Ver- 
gara. 

It was established in the investigation made by 
Consul Garrett that Vergara had crossed the 
river and was on Mexican soil and was not kid- 
napped from an island in the middle of the river, 
as first reported. I am pretty thoroughly familiar 
with the conditions along the border from El 
Paso to Brownsville, and it is my opinion that if 
Vorgara was hanged, which has not been proved, 
he got what was due him. 

Ail our border towns are made up of about 
90 per cent. Mexicans. The greater portion of 
these Mexicans are either partisans of Carranza 
or strong sympathizers. In many ways these 
Mex-Texans are more potential as adversaries 
than those in the nondescript armies operating in 
the field. They render to the Constitutionalists 
every possible assistance, even to fighting on the 
side, and when hard pressed they slip back to 
American soil and take refuge in what is very 
frequently a fictitious American citizenship. 

Any one at all familiar with the conditions 
along the border knows that a large number of 
the officers in the rebel army claim American 
citizenship and are normally residents of Ameri- 
can soil; that they visit frequently and freely 
on this side of the river. It is also well known 
that the Constitutionalists have headquarters or 




1913 WASHINGTON I9I4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

iqic MUNSEY BUILDING inic 
laiO WASHINGTON. D. C. ' = "> 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



No one will attempt to deny that Vergara 
was a rebel in sympathy ; that he and others 
of his kind were doing all that they could for 
the rebel cause and against the Federals. These 
are facts capable of easy proof, and being such 
why should this country interest itself in these 
traitors, too cowardly to go in the field openly, 
men that remain on American soil, take refuge 
in a citizenship which means nothing to them 
but a haven when in trouble brought about by 
their own pernicious meddling? 

It has been my observation that the Federals 
have, in the face of a thousand abuses and indig- 
nities, been most tolerant and honorable. Long 
life to theml They are good soldiers and pa- 
triots.— G. R. WILSON, in New York "Sun." 

San Antonio, Tex., Feb. 28. 



"FIGHTING SUBSIDES." 
Detroit "Tribune"— "The fighting, which was 
fast and furious in the northern States of Mex- 
ico before the embargo was raised, seems to have 
subsided since that action." 

"VILLA'S SCALP." 

Boston "Transcript"- "If the President thinks 
Carranza capable of setting up and maintaining 
a constitutional government throughout Mexico, 
then he should address to him as the constitu- 
tionalist leader this ultimatum: — 'Benton's body 
or Villa's scalp.' " 

"HEAVY RESPONSIBILITIES." 

Providence "Journal"— "The responsibility 
shouldered by the administration when it branded 
Huerta as an outlaw and encouraged the activity 
of Villa was a heavy one." 

"ONLY ONE COURSE." 

Chicago "Inter-Ocean" — "There is only one 
possible course with 'Pancho.' He must be 
brought to obey with scrupulous exactness the 
demand for the surrender of the body of the 
unfortunate Benton." 

"STAINING MEXICO." 

Syracuse "Post-Standard" — "Villa and Car- 
ranza do not appear to be concerned about the 
staining of Mexico except that they wish to 
have charge of what staining is done." 



WOULD RECOGNIZE HUERTA. 

To the Editor of the "Herald": — 

* * • I would like to have you explain why 
the papers are talking about the intention of the 
authorities sending United States marines to 
Mexico City. • • • i am unable to see where 
there is any disturbance in the Mexican capital ; 
all the trouble appears to be along our Texas 
border. To me it seems as if our government 
had made a fatal mistake in not recognizing 
President Huerta, who was and is the strongest 
man in Mexico. * * • As it is now, in sending 
arms and ammunition to Mexico for the use of 
the rebels we are placed in a position where, 
when we do undertake to stop the slaughter, our 
troops will be met by a rain of American bul- 
lets. 

It is not too late to recognize General Huerta. 
—JOHN DONALD in New York "Herald." 



CARRANZA. CARAMBAI 

There's a horrible suspicion that some mis- 
creant has sneaked up on Senor Venustiano Car- 
ranza and jabbed him with a poison needle. 

Instead of the mild constitutionalist statesman. 
with weak eyes and weeping willow whiskers, sor- 
rowing for his country, he has suddenly become 
full of "pep" and perversity. He is in the saddle 
with Villa, to hear him tell it, at his stirrup doing 
homage. 

"It is true that Villa, at my order," says Senor 
Carranza, "recalled the invitation to investigate 
the body of Benton, and withdrew the permission 
he had given. He did this because I informed 
him that he was not to treat with any nation 
concerning international affairs. Villa and I are 
in perfect accord. lie obeys my orders, as he 
should obey them, and without question." 

There is much more. The Senor calls England 
"the bully of the world," and his column talk 
boasts as many cap I's as ever graced a document 
issuing from Oyster Bay. 

This attitude further complicates matters. The 
language doesn't sound like Carranza. Rather 
suggests that Villa is twins. 

Have to wait until the effects of the needle 
wear off. Or maybe General Villa will see him 
first. — New York "Evening Telegram." 



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Saturday, March 7, 1914 



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WHAT IS IT? 

Who can believe that the Administra- 
tion's Mexican policy is founded on the 
principles of right and justice when the 
President of the United States and his 
Secretary of State are daily quoted in 
the press as offering excuses for Villa 
and Carranza whatever crimes they may 
be responsible for, and on the other 
hand inspiring the worst possible con- 
struction on every official action of the 
Mexican Provisional President? 

Do men who resort to such methods 
of saving their face expect to convince 
the world that they are sincere and hon- 
est in maintaining the attitude they do 
toward the Mexican Government? 

Do men who talk peace in glowing 
terms see no war in the disgraceful al- 
liance they have made with the outlaw 
VUla? 

How can anybody have faith when 
the Administration on the one hand is 
doing all in its power to encourage the 
elements in Mexico who are making 
armed intervention a possible necessity 
and on the other hand is protesting it is 
imalterably opposed to armed interven- 
tion? 

There is something far worse than 
inconsistency in this Mexican policy of 
destruction. 

What is it? 



MISGUIDED MEXICANS 
O Mexicanos, who through desire of 
power are playing into the hands of 
cleverer men this side of the border, 
do not deceive yourselves into the belief 
that you are patriotic. 

Do not think for a moment in your 
conceit that you are using an ingenuous 
Administration to serve your own ends 
or, if you will, the- ends of your country 
as you see them. 
You are being used! 



Where is your patriotism, where is 
your love of country? If you, responsi- 
ble men of Mexico, at least in the eyes 
of your neighbors of the North, place 
yourselves in so unpatriotic a light, what 
are those neighbors and the world at 
large going to think of the right of 
the Mexican people to independent na- 
tionality? 

The greatest source of danger to 
Mexican nationality are those misguided 
"patriots" and uncompromising partisans 
who are so blind that they reveal their 
unworthiness to those wolves who inter- 
pret it as the unworthiness of a nation 
and make capital of it. 

If such Mexicans are to come to the 
fore — soon there will be no Mexico. 



OPTIMISTIC 

While all the world is shaking its head 
dolefully about Mexico, we wish to strike 
a note of optimism. 

We firmly believe that sooner or later 
the present Government of Mexico will 
be recognized as such de facto and de 
jure by the United St&tes. 

We firmly believe that the inevitable 
logic of events will make that the most 
reasonable and necessary action of the 
Administration. 

We firmly believe that with United 
States recognition the present govern- 
ment of Mexico will speedily put an end 
to the intolerable conditions that are dis- 
gracing civilization. 

We firmly believe that the present 
Mexican government is alive to the 
necessity of certain social and economic 
reforms when peace has been restored, 
and that Mexico will enter into a hope- 
ful period of reconstruction. 

We firmly believe that the mass of the 
Mexican people are sick and tired of rev- 
olutions and that there will not be an- 
other with their approval. 

We firmly believe that Mexico is in 
riches of resources one of the most in- 
trinsically sound countries of the world, 
and that this inherent wealth will insure 
a long period of material prosperity. 

We firmly believe that the relations be- 
tween the United States and Mexico wUl 
grow more friendly and mutually advan- 
tageous with each passing year, as they 
come to understand each other better. 

We firmly believe that those particu- 
lar American interests who have caused 
the present troubles and misunderstand- 
ings through greed will be revealed as 
dangerous to our national peace and their 
power for evil in Mexico destroyed. 



IS IT SINCERE? 
Notwithstanding the fact that there is 
an almost universal wish to ascribe the 
best intentions and the purest motives to 
the Administration in dealing with Mex- 
ico, those well-informed as to Mexican 
affairs and conditions have at times been 
constrained to note a definite insincerity 
in the words and actions of the Admin- 
istration, if insincerity is a word strong 
enough to convey the impression. 



This note has been most marked on 
those- occasions when, under pressure of 
the inevitable consequences of its own 
acts, the Administration has represented 
itself as virtuously opposed to armed in- 
tervention, as if the avoidance of this 
were the object of its policy and the 
only alternative to its continuance. 

In other words, when the Administra- 
tion is confronted with facts which show 
that its antagonism to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment and its support of bandits are 
creating conditions that foreshadow in- 
tervention, the Administration, knowing 
that armed intervention is unpopular, 
takes the pious stand that it will resist 
to the last any such action, and talks feel- 
ingly of sons and brothers and sweet- 
hearts who would lose their lives from 
bullets and fever. 

There is another alternative and the 
Administration knows it. It is not in 
a spirit of innocence that the Administra- 
tion insists that its policy is directed 
against intervention, when that very pol- 
icy gives occasion for intervention de- 
mands and agitation. 

The obvious insincerity of this shifty 
maneuver is not calculated to inspire 
faith in the Administration's singleness 
of purpose even among those who are 
most inclined to wish it well. 

CAN YOU, NOW? 

The President told "callers" — meaning 
the Washington correspondents — that 
nobody can doubt for an instant that the 
Administration, with all the power of 
the United States behind it, can accom- 
plish what it wishes in Mexico. 

What does it want to accomplish in 
Mexico? I 

Its accomplishment so far ■ has been 
merely destructive. 

Is this strong, powerful, honorable na- 
tion seeking to destroy Me.xico? 

If the Admininstration is seeking to 
help Mexico it is certainly going about 
it in the worst way possible. 

And yet the genial, peace-loving Sec- 
retary of State says the Administration 
wants above everj^thing else to avoid 
war. 

Can you beat it? 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 
ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
ful of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his wanderings in Me.xico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranchinfT, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since the 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres- 
ent day and with existing conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eight full-page half-tone 
ilhistrntions. 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



MEXICO 



A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. Ki 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly. — Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MARC H 14, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 




So much has been taken for granted 
as to the disinterested, highly idealistic 
purposes of the Administration in the 
conception of its Mexican policy that we 
here take them for granted in their full- 
est significance. 

Let us for the purposes of discussion 
admit: 

1. That the Administration leaders 
were profoundly shocked by the forcible 
overthrow of the Madero regime in 
Mexico almost simultaneously with their 
peaceable inauguration in Washington, 
the contrast in conditions between the 
two countries being painfully obvious. 

2. That the Administration, unac- 
quainted with revolution and irrecon- 
cilably opposed to revolutionary meth- 
ods, to be honest and consistent with it- 
self would naturally frown upon revolu- 
tionary actions and tendencies in a near 
neighbor. 

3. That to men of principles and ideals 
like the leaders of the Administration 
the killing of the unfortunate Madero 
and Suarez was a bloody deed that un- 
der no circumstances could be condoned. 

4. That the representations and the 
pleas of the Madero family and their 
agents were effective because they were 
in harmony with the instinctive personal 
feeling of the Administration. 

5. That, having these feelings, no fact 
presented to it as to Mexican conditions 
could excuse the revolting fact that Ma- 
dero and Suarez were killed. 

6. That the Administration was led to 
believe honestly that the masses of the 
Mexican people were fighting for free- 
dom and constitutional government 
against a despotic military oligarchy. 

7. That, enamored of this appealing 
idea, the facts to the contrary presented 
or brought forward by others than those 
who catered to this belief were looked 



upon with intense suspicion as the pres- 
sure of the foes of freedom. 

8. That the Administration, receptive 
to the plans advanced by those who 
cleverly called themselves "constitution- 
alists," was idealistically impulsive when 
it interfered in their favor in the do- 
mestic aflairs of Mexico. 

9. That the Administration sincerely 
believed, as the result of representations 
made to it ,that there could be no perma- 
nent peace in Mexico as long as General 
Huerta was in power. 

10. That the Administration took its 
antagonistic attitude and put into effect 
its antagonistic program against the 
Mexican Provisional President because 
it was convinced that in the long run 
tlie best interests of the Me-xiran peo- 
ple and the United States would thus 
be served. 

11. That the Administration closed its 
eyes and brain to anything and every- 
thing that might have disillusioned it, 
not because it did not want the truth, 
but because it could not conceive of 
truth that would run counter to its hon- 
estly predetermined ideas. 

12. That the Administration, failing in 
other methods of eliminating the Presi- 
dent of Mexico, was left no other alter- 
native but to encourage those who had 
convinced it that they were patriotically 
fighting for "constitutionalism." 

13. That the .Administration has been 
as deeply chragrined as anybody to 
learn that it has encouraged groups and 
men who are sadly lacking in the virtues 
the Administration had read into them. 

14. That the Administration had no in- 
tention of creating and prolonging the 
condition of anarchy existing in certain 
parts of Mexico. On the contrary, that 
its course of action was dictated by an 
earnest belief that such conditions would 
speedily be put an end to. 



15. That at all times armed in^VvCTl- 
lion in Mexico has been the last thought 
m the mind of the Administration, in- 
volving a war which it has, according to 
its lights, used every means to avoid. 

Let us admit all these ideals and in- 
tentions of the Administration and hope 
that they are representative. 

But let us look at the other side of 
the page: 

1. Profoundly shocked by the forcible 
overthrow of the Madero regime, the 
Administration has encouraged openly a 
revolution to overthrow the present 
Government just as forcibly. Also it has 
since recognized the revolutionary gov- 
ernm.ent of Peru. 

2. It has frowned upon revolutionary 
actions and tendencies in those who are 
persona non grata but not in those who 
aie ii; favor. 

3. It can see no palliation for the kill- 
ing of two Mexicans who were respon- 
sible for the woe of Mexico, but it has 
shown marked favor to bandits and out- 
laws who have killed thousands — includ- 
ips iorcigners — and ravished women and 
girls by the wholesale. 

4. The effective representations and 
pleas of the Madero family and their 
agents were born of a spirit of revenge 
and falsehood and nicely calculated to 
influence the impulsively sympathetic, 
unfamiliar with what the Maderos had 
done to Mexico. 

5. The crimes of the Madero regime, 
its corruption and its plundering and 
ruination of Mexico, its murdering and 
persecution of individuals, were a thous- 
and times more revolting than the death 
of Madero and Suarez, which was and 
has been a source of profound indif- 
ference to the Mexican people, which 
was the act of revengeful individuals and 
not of the present Mexican Government, 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



BALANCE UP --Continued 



and abhorrence for which at any rate can 
not justify the enforced suffering of the 
whole Mexican nation and people. 

6. The masses of the Mexican people 
are not fighting at all, have no desire to 
fight, want only peace and order. Some 
thousands of them, whose profit is in an- 
archy, and to whom the Constitution is 
not even a name, are opposing the forces 
of law, under the leadership of bandit 
chiefs, instigated and hired by unscrup- 
ulous politicians and moneyed interests, 
whose agents this side of the border 
have used the shibboleth of constitu- 
tionalism and liberty to get the sympa- 
thy and moral and material support of 
the people and the Administration. 

7. The facts presented to the Adminis- 
tration to prove this condition, facts 
which have been ignored completely, 
have been made known by the former 
Ambassador to Mexico, the entire for- 
eign diplomatic corps in Me.xico, virtu- 
ally all Americans resident in Mexico, 
all other foreigners in Mexico, all in- 
telligent Mexicans not allied with the 
Madero-Carranza faction, and more 
strongly than all these, by the very char- 
acter and acts of the so-called revolu- 
tionists. 

S. The interference in the affairs of 
Mexico for the benefit of a faction, the 
first act of which was the sending of 
John Lind to the Mexican Executive 
with his preposterous demands, may 
have been idealistically impulsive but it 
was unwarranted in international law 
and the best possible proof of the Ad- 
ministration's ignorance or misinforma- 
tion as to Mexican affairs, which a few 
months have revealed. 

9. If the Administration, as we have 
admitted for the purposes of discussion, 
sincerely believed that there could be no 
permanent peace in Mexico as long as 
General Huerta remained in power it has 
actually helped to keep him in power by 
making it impossible for him to resign 
without surrendering Mexican natonality 
and sovereignty and admitting the right 
of the President of the United States to 
dictate who shall or who shall not be 
the President of Mexico. 

10. The interests of the Mexican peo- 
ple have not been served, for their 
country has been kept in a state of dis- 
order, their business functions have been 
terribly affected, their credit has been 
deliberately injured, their good name 
trailed in the dust. The interests of the 
United States have not been served, for 
it has been put in an isolated position 
among the nations of the world, its 
prestige lowered, its Latin-American re- 
lations prejudiced, its authority humil- 
iated, the lives and property of- its citi- 
zens lost. 

11. If the Administration thought that 
there was only one conception of the 
truth as regards' Mexico the events of 
more than a year would have revealed to 
it the other side if it were honestly de- 



termined to do right and justice to all. 

12. The outrageous alliance with band- 
its like Villa may have seemed to the 
Administration a necessary move in its 
purpose of overthrowing the Mexican 
Government, and the Administration 
may even at a late date have been 
plausibly fooled as to the character of 
the Northern rebels, but there is no ex- 
cuse for such an alliance now that no- 
body else in the world believes in the 
alleged "conslitutionalism" of these who 
have brought anarchy to the State of 
Chihuahua. 

13. If the Administration is chagrined 
to learn that its confidence has been 
misplaced, its idealism flagrantly out- 
raged, why does it not face the truth in 
a manly, honorable way and withdraw 
its support by again placing the embar- 
go on arms and ammunition to cattle 
thieves and cutthroats instead of trying 
to whitewash them and obfuscate the 
issue? 

14. The prolongation of disturbed con- 
ditions in Mexico has been caused by 
the Administration's Mexican policy as 
by no other single factor. It has been 
a source of inspiration to every bandit 
chief looking for loot and power, and 
the lives that have been lost and the 
property that has been destroyed might 
with perfect justice be charged up to 
those of the Administration who say 
they only want peace in Mexico. 

15. The Administration may declare 
most solemnly that armed inter- 
vention, which means war with all 
its horrors, is the one thing that it 
wants to avoid, but it can not but see 
that even if it should overthrow the 
present Government of Mexico and put 
one in power after its heart's desire, it 
would be necessary to send an American 
army into Mexico to sustain it against 
the revolution that would break out al- 
most immediately against the "Gringo 
President." 

Facts are hard things. 

Here are two: 

The Administration has made a fatal 
blunder by not recognizing the Mexican 
Government. 

If it does not yield to the truth it 
vnW go down to destruction and carry 
the country with it. 



Imaginary Letters — No. 1 



We still think the conduct of foreign 
affairs should be in the experienced 
hands of a permanent staff of tried and 
true diplomats with no political bias. 
« * * 
Not at the mercy of personal whims 
and prejudices. 

» * * 

Again we ask: "After Huerta, what?" 

* * * 
And they call it Watchful Waiting. 



My duar Little Pancho: I am sure 
you will bear with me when I tell you 
that you are making it very hard for 
me to explain to the cynical and un- 
righteous the beautiful dreams of liberty 
and fraternal love we have in common, 
the tie of human aspiration that binds 
us as brother to brother. Of course, 
my dear Pancho, when they tell me that 
you have killed an Englishman, and con- 
fiscated the property of the cientificos, 
and are holding young Terrazas for ran- 
som, that you do this and you do that, 
I feel like crying out to the world: "You 
don't understand my Pancho. You have 
not advanced to a degree of spirituality 
at which you can see these sporadic out- 
breaks of materialism as simply the mo- 
mentary lapses of a noble soul, freighted 
with noble purposes, sailing against the 
waves of buffeting facts into the peace- 
ful harbor of humanitarian achievement. 
I do not know whether I make myself 
clear, but you will know that I under- 
stand. 

Now the point is this, Pancho. Here- 
after when in your warm-hearted, im- 
pulsive way you find that you must do 
something that may be misunderstood 
by the grossly material, please tell my 
friend who will accompany you where- 
ever you'go, take counsel with him, and 
he will take counsel with me, and be- 
tween us it may not be so difficult to 
translate your actions into such mean- 
ing and significance as can readily be 
appreciated by our critic's matter-of- 
fact minds. 

Permit me to approach a delicate sub- 
ject, my dear Pancho. It may be neces- 
sary at times for the good of our right- 
eous cause to make the world think that 
you have been at fault, but that it was 
through excess of zeal and that you feel 
the need of a restraining hand to keep 
you from forcing the millenium out of 
chaos all in one day. Then we shall say 
that you yield to the mature wisdom of 
friend Venustiano and we shall have 
him seem for a time something more 
than a doddering old man. It won't hurt 
you, Pancho dear, for we all know that 
you are the real militant leader of the 
new order of civilization, but it is wise 
at times to yield to the prejudices of an 
unbelieving Philistinism. 

I shall be most happy if you will agree 
with me in my humble suggestions and 
so help bring nearer the day of joy and 
gladness. 

Your good friend and brother 

THE S.A.ME OLD BILL. 
BILL. 

Those who want armed intervention 
like the Administration's policy because 
it gives them just the opportunities they 
need to point out its inevitableness. 
* * » 

And the Administration piously sets it- 
s(If up as a foe to armed intervention. 



Saturday, Mur^h 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



NAGGING WOMEN. 

Washington has persistently tried for 
many months to nag President Huerta 
into a display of temper or unbalanced 
action, like a woman trying to goad a 
man. The following from the New York 
"Herald's" Washington correspondence 
is a reflection of this very thing. Note 
how the wish of a change ot attitude by 
President Huera is father of the 
thought. 

Washington accepts the "Herald's" re- 
port irom Mex.co City stating thai the 
Mexican War OiTice ha.s information of 
Clemente vergaras association with the 
constitutionalists as evidence of General 
Huerta's intention to refuse reparation to 
the United States, if this proves true it 
will mark a decided change in the a^LUudL' 
of General Huerta toward such requests 
from the United States. 

Up to th.s time General Huerta has 
been exceed-njjiy ea^er lo make his rec- 
ord in this respect spotless. He has gone 
to great lengths to afford protection to 
Americans whenever Mr. O'Shaughnessy 
requested this of him. He has sought out 
ana i,Ul to dea.h those gu.lty of murder 
of Americans. Indeed, General Huerta's 
record for the pTotection of foreigners and 
for quick action in making reparation for 
such crimes, as d.d occur in federal terri- 
toy has been in strong contrast to the 
record of t'..e consntutionalists wiiom 
President W.lson .s supportmj lO drue 
General Huerta from office. 

It .s considered probable that General 
Huerta has :»t last heeded and accepted 
as final the repeated declaration of Presi- 
dent Wilson that he will not recognize him, 
and, realizing that he has nothing to hope 
for from Washinglcn, no matter how fine 
his record ;n t e protection of foreigners 
is, he has decid d to thwart the United 
States in its e.f ; ts to obtain reparation 
for the death of Mr. Vergara. 

But following Carranza's defiance to 
the United States in the matter of pro- 
tection to foreign lives and property we 
read this in the New York "Sun." 

Carranza has been persuaded to amend 
his late defiant attitude toward the United 
States. In an interview with .American 
Consul Simpich last night the "Supreme 
Chief" announced that in the future he 
would consider complaints of personal in- 
jury or property damage from all foreign- 
ers and that every such case would be 
rigidly investigated. Carranza said that if it 
were not possible for the aggrieved persons 
to appear before him or such against as he 
might designate to make the investigation 
that he would take the matter up with the 
diplomatic agents selected by the aggrieved 
persons. He made it plain that he would 
make strong endeavor to remedy any 
wrong that might be substantiated against 
the rebels in the future. 

On the one hand, not a stone left un- 
turned to place Huerta in a false posi- 
tion. On the other hand not a thing 
left undone to prop up Carranza. Even 
to the extent of swallowing his insults 
and then patting him on the back. 

How can any decent man stand for 
these petty methods of saving the Ad- 
ministration's face. 

Mexico is smaller than the United 
States. 

But England — ah! that's another mat- 
ter. 



LEST WE FORGET 



The inscription on the tomb of a 
Democratic Administration: HUERTA 
MUST GO. 

* * * 

The Administration has so decided a 
reputation for revolution-promoting in 
Mexico that every Mexican "partiot" 
who thinks he is the man who ought 
to be President of Mexico goes to 
Washington and puts in a bid for as- 
sistance. 

If it ail were not so tragically bad for 
the Mexican people and foreign inter- 
ests in Mexico it woixld be funny, this 
revolutionary business that the Admin- 
istration has taken up as a side line. 

Of course it has the best intentions in 
the world to discourage revolutions in 
Latin-American countries. Hasn't that 
been repeated often enough? 

* • * 

But the Latin mind is peculiar in that 
it looks beyond mere words to the real 
facts. 

And argues that if Carranza and Villa 
could get Administration support, why 
should it be denied to anybody with a 
plausible plan? 

The next thing you know they will 
be going to Washington with a proposi- 
tion to divide the spoils with the Ad- 
ministration. 

* * * 

Watchful Waiting! 



Why is it that those word's suggest 
the vulture? 

* • * 

There is certainly no heart of man in 
them. 

♦ * * 

But we know that it isn't Watchful 
Waiting! 

* « * 

That phrase deceives only the super- 
ficial observer. 

* » • 

Is the support of the Northern rebels 
and bandits watchful waiting? 

♦ ♦ ♦ 

The "financial blockade"? 

The activities of the border consuls 

• * * 

like Edwards of Juares and Carothers, 
attached to the person of Villa? 
» * » 
When Villa murders they try to white- 
wash him. 



When anything goes wrong in the re- 
motest section of Mexico under Fed- 
eral control a "demand" is made upon 
the Mexican Government. 

* • « 

Which, according to the Administra- 
tion, does not exist. 

* * * 

When wUl the farce end? To what 
limits will the Administration go to 
"save its face." 

Oscar Straus suggested that the Ad- 
ministration appoint a commission of 
such experienced and unbiased men as 
Elihu Root, Choate and Henry White to 
study the Mexican situation at first hand 
and inform the PreoiJent whether or no? 
the present Government should in theit 
judgment be recognized. 

Of cov-TGc it wou'dn't be necessary fot 
men of that stamp to go out of th« 
country to enable them to form an opin- 
ion. If the Administration would simply 
call them to Washington for a confer- 
ence there is little doubt that they would 
unanimously recommend recognition ot 
the present Government, perhaps makinf 
it conditional on certain definite under 
standings. 

But some "high ofTicii's" of the A'" ■ 
ministration are quoted as saying that 
such a commission would be impossible 
because it wou'd be an acknowledgmers«. 
that Watchful Waiting has failed. 

Well, what are they going to do? 

* * * 

Go on forever insisting that they ar 
Watchfully Waiting while they get deep- 
er into the mire of intrigue with an un- 
principled Mexican faction, which is 
only seeking loot and power? 

* * * 

While it is every day courting war. 

* * * 

It may imagine it is resisting clamor, 
but in reality it is creating clamor. 

* * ♦ 

Making the people of the coimtry rest- 
less for a solution. 

* ♦ ♦ 

That was the method used by the 
propagators of the Spanish - American 
War. 

* * » 

Every day come reports of Villa's 
"confiscations" and holding for ransom, 
showing him to be a plain bandit if 
there ever was one. 

* * * 

And the Admistration is "rooting" for 
Villa to take Torreon. 

All his bandit activities are referred 
to euphemistically. 



MEXICO 



Saijirday, March 14, 1914 



THE BIG GAME 



By Dr. Ledyard Smith 



The "Watchful Waiting*" of President 
Wilson has been a minor part of his atti- 
tude toward Mexico. His activity of pur- 
pose has been intended to be as deadly 
to the Xlexican government and as ruin- 
ous to Mexico as thouTh Huerta had been 
killed and Mexico invaded by United 
State troops. This intent, this purpose 
has been covered with the cloak of soft, 
euphemistic wards calculated to mislead, 
while destructive measures of the most pro- 
nounced type have been used to bring about 
a condition that, in the nature of things, 
would throw the blame on other shoulders. 
Every act of the Administration toward 
Mexico suggests a plan to destroy that 
nation, or part of it. The first act was to 
discredit President Huerta. That, in it- 
seli, wrs destructi- e. The slandering of 
Huerta was the slandering of Mexico and 
it cheated her out of a just support at 
a most critical moment. 

The oily words of the Administration, 
words that bespoke friendship for Mexico, 
were made doubly hollow and insincere 
by slandering its head as an excuse for 
this one act of refusing recognition of 
the government. 

With a daily false picture of the real 
condition, the press has tried hard to create 
the imoression that President Wilson was 
watrhins and waitine only, while holding 
hands off an issue that was purely Mexi- 
can. Nothing is farther from the truth. 
The issue is not internally Mexican. It 
has its local phases there, but the thing 
itself was born, bred and fostered in the 
United States, but agitated in a manner 
that represented it as an internal bandit 
afTair. 

The press, in addition, has supported the 
entirely false idea that the Administration 
is only an onlooker. Instead, it lias been 
and is a prime destructive agent in a 
game that spells war — and occupation. 

But with well-covered finesse it has man- 
aged to throw the blame elsewhere and 
make it appear that a few border senators 
and governors want to force war — actual, 
live war. Whereas its own every act has 
made that coming war almost a real thing. 
President Wilson followed his non-recog- 
nition by a boycott on foreign loans — a 
starvation process, not only coldly, delib- 
erately planned, but executed vigorously. 
The Administration has several times pro- 
tected its game by unfurling the Monroe 
Doctrine banner whenever just foreign 
protection to investments and nationals 
seemed in sight. 

Taft's embargo on border arms became 
an open scandal under Wilson, who left 
the border as free as an open lot, until 
finally, to protect his name and aid his 
purpose more fully, the embargo was 
lifted. 

With the fall of Madero, Huerta was 
forced into the Bie Game. Here was an 



unlooked-for tactor to the American Big 
inieresLS. The first play was : "Huerta must 
„u. ■ iuen lolloweci the series of acts 
...li. -..v,., ao p.aimy Li.e l.e that the Ad- 
HiiniouiaL.on is just "watching and wait- 
ing." it is not, nor has it been. It is act- 
ing ana has been, with constant destruc- 
tive vigor, .-^nd its every act is according 
to plan. Its insults have been — were 
MeXiCo on a war basis such as Germany 
or Lngland — intolerable. They have been 
most Oamnabie pieces of etfrontery from a 
nation that calls itself Big. 

'ihese blots on the nation's honor have 
been followed by the cleared decks of a 
war neet in Mexico's two Gulf ports, an 
act ot over-povvenng buUyism, as senseless 
as uncalled lor, s.nce ail subsequent fail- 
ures to act and protect Americans m Mexi- 
co have proven the miss. on of warships 
Uiere lo be lor some other purpose than 
a protection to our citizens. 

The act of wuhdrawmg our Ambassa- 
dor was done Witn no otner reason than 
that our Ambassador was sane, honest and 
truthful. Another act, inhuman in pur- 
pose, warlike in its appl.cation, was to 
openly afford the border bandits the oppor- 
lUnity to procure arms that they might 
iuo., rob and ransom, that they might get 
casn wuh which to return to the border 
and expend fortunes in United States 
arms and aminuuitiuon. The purposely 
forgotten mu.ders and outrages on many 
Americans in Mexico, w.th Bryan sup- 
pressing all such news, toilowed by the 
great importance given to the murder of 
Benton, with the Wilson-Bryan partner- 
ship of dealing with Benton's murdere; s, 
asking Villa to investigate himself, the 
same as' when Becker was sent out to in- 
vestigate himself, all these acts and many 
more show that the Administration is ac- 
tive, terribly so. And all for what pur- 
pose? That Mexigo shall be disrupted — 
seemingly by herself — but, in truth, by the 
United States. But disrupted, broken, un- 
governed and in a position for Wilson to 
do the Napoleon-Maximilian act. 

It's a Wall Street game to break a 
market and then buy it in. 

This is a national Wall Street game — to 
break Mexico, and then take it. 

A few hotheads want to rush a war 
and take a country that can't be readily 
taken. 

The cool Wilson prefers to insult, starve, 
cut off loans, provide arms for internal 
disruption, and in other ways bring about 
a condition that will seemingly, just seem- 
ingly, appear clean. But it will be war and 
war he will get and when it comes he 
will try to place the blame on others, over- 
looking the sliamcful fact that all his acts 
liavc very largely brought about this condi- 
tion. 

.Any enumeration of tlie .Administration's 
Mexican efforts will serve to show at a 



glance the extreme contrast between its 
smooth words, assumed idealism and its 
acts. It has failed to show by act one 
sample of ideal. sm. It has failed by any 
act to show a moral spirit or lesson. By 
its non-recognition of Huerta it showed 
antagonism, hatred and revengeful force. 

By recall. Ui .Ambassador Wilson, it 
showed emnily and a stand against fairness 
and truth. 

The overwhelming and threatening war- 
ships .n Mexi-an waters represent the cow- 
ardly act oi a buliy o>er a nation without 
means of protection. 

The Administration's rush order to- 
Americans to leave Mexico was an outrage 
in itself to those who lost by doing so ; 
and an outrage in its spirit of fomenting 
hatred for Americans in the less intelli- 
gent Mexicans. 

By treating through the Secretary of 
State with the vilest wretch in Mexico, 
Wilson has lent his aid, his spirit of ac- 
quiescence and support to Villa in his mur- 
ders, lootings, outrages and other crimes. 

Months after records of Villa's crimes 
have been exposed to the Administration, 
it expresses confidence in Villa and hopes 
he will become a patriot of noble ideals. 

And when the Administration is voicing 
these silly expressions, it is affording Villa 
open, free means to acquire arms and am- 
munition with which to spread murder, not 
always singly, but by wholesale : not to hold 
up a man in the dark, but to rob a bank 
by daylight and hold sons and families for 
fabulous ransoms. 

Knowing this, dees the Administration 
care? Rather is it not a partner to it? 
The Administration recognizes Villa as a 
"General." It falsely, without evidence or 
truth, brands Huerta an assassin. 

Where is the Moralist? Where is the 
Idealist? Not in the Administration. Its 
every act toward Mexico has been immoral. 
Each act has created disorder. Each act 
has bred and spread the growth and feel- 
ing of hatred, vengeancce and retribution 
for bullying injustice. 

Each act has been the incentive and 
support of new crimes — and crime breeds 
crime. 

It was a wrong of extreme international 
importance, involving a billion dollars and 
the lives of many thousands of humans 
not to recognize Huerta. 

Its persistance is breeding the great 
wrong of a big nation stealing an unr 
protected one ; one that has had no ag- 
gressive part, nor yet, sadly, the means of 
protection. And whether the end comes 
about by actual force of arms or by the 
other route of questionable diplomacy, the 
route, which means war, will be strewn 
with blood, a bloody road that leads to 
the .Administration's door. 



There is now not the slightest effort 
to hide the fact that the Administration 
is backing Carranza and Villa. 

To get Huerta! 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



AND THERE YOU ARE! 

It has never been said of the United 
States before that it would hire gunmen 
to do its fighting. 

» ♦ • 

Whenever the protest against Mexican 
conditions becomes too loud for the Ad- 
ministration's ear it sends another regi- 
ment to the border or a battleship to 
Vera Cruz. 

* * * 

Which accomplishes nothing and only 
adds to the general dissatisfaction, is 
menacing to the only power in Mexico 
that can restore order, and deceives no 
one. 

* ^ » 

The world is waiting watchfully to 
learn what the Administration has to 
propose after Huerta. 

* * * 

Presumably CarranzEU 

* * * 

But what guarantee has it that Villa 
would in the flush of victory be subser- 
vent? 

* * * 

Or that another revolution -would not 
be started to oust the Yankee - made 
President? 

* * » 

It is Huerta or anarchy. 

* * * 

Huerta or intervention. 

* * * 

Everybody in Mexico knows that. 

* ♦ * 

But the Administration deals with 
dynamic situations and dynamic person- 
alities as if they were problems of the 
class-room or unruly pupils. 

* * * 

The European nations know that the 
Administration is advocating the repeal 
of the Panama Canal tolls exemption for 
American coastwise ships as a matter of 
expediency. 

* * * 

Not of spontaneous friendship. 

* * « 

The Administration wOl win not their 
hearts but their indulgence. 

* ♦ * 
For the Mexican folly. 

* * * 

If they would only get a real man, a 
red-blooded man, a man of affairs and 
of mature judgment as Secretary of 
State, the atmosphere would clear at 
once. 

Nobody denies that this country 
stands in a humiliating position before 
other nations. 

<» * * 

The Mexican "policy" has done most 
of the damage. 

* * * 

But it seems that is to be persisted 
in through a long succession of other 
humiliations. 



LIFE AND THRILLS 

By Philip H. Patchin, in New York "Tribune." 



In a setting strikingly beautiful General 
Victoriano Huerta, President of Mexico, 
looking strong and forbidding in his regi- 
mentals, reviewed some three thousand 
or more Mexican soldiers of various kinds 
and decorated the regimental flag of the 
29th Infantry with a bandelero of ribbon, 
which he kissed as he fastened it to the 
standard, and presented medals to sev- 
eral officers who have proved their loyal- 
ty and efficiency. 

It was picturesque to a degree and ex- 
ceedingly impressive. There were soldiers 
of many kinds, some in the most brilliant 
of uniforms. There were lancers and hus- 
sars, infantrymen and artillerymen, ordi- 
nary cavalry, and, best and most pictu- 
resque of all, a regiment of the far- 
famed rurales, garbed, some of them, in 
jackets of flaming yellow, with bright col- 
ored sombreros, riding prancing ponies 
with tremendous grace. They rode well 
and in perfect organization, presenting a 
splendid picture, which the populace ap- 
plauded enthusiastically. 

The ceremony was held at what is known 
as the Conseda Hippodrome, which is the 
racecourse of the Jockey Club of Mexi- 
co, a fashionable and exclusive organiza- 
tion. The course is on the outskirts of 
the town, not far from the new bull ring, 
which, on this day of fiesta, was topped 
with many fluttering flags, as was the 
grandstand at the racecourse. The hip- 
podrome is wonderfully beautiful, sur- 
rounded by a fringe of beautiful green 
trees, whose delicate color was accentuat- 
ed as they stood out against the back- 
ground of the dark and distant mountains. 
Off to one side were the beautiful moun- 
tains of Popocatepecl and ExtaccilinatI, 
known as the "Sleeping Lady," both cov- 
ered with perpetual snow. 

It was a wonderful morning as well — 
a cool May morning in the middle of Feb- 
ruary, and in this high altitude even the 
sunshine took on a new character un- 
known to more northerly climes. Even 
without the brilliant uniforms of officers 
and men the Conseda Hippodrome would 
be attractive, but adding to its ordinary 
features a perfect riot of blended colors 
of the military uniforms, the gleam of 
bayonets, sabres and lances and the boom 
of heavy guns firing salutes, the playing 
of the national anthem by splendidly 
trained military bands, and the scene be- 
came most impressively beautiful. 

In the grandstand there was another 
impressive sight, for there, seated in or- 
derly rows, to which they had marched 
two by two, were several hundred wom- 
en clad entirely in white, save for a red 
or lavender cross on the arm. They be- 
longed to the Red Cross and the Laven- 
der Cross. Once there was only the Red 
Cross, but there appears to have been 



some difficulty in the organization, and 
now there is a Lavender Cross, as well 
as a White Cross. 

From the outside it must be said that 
Huerta's troops looked mighty good. They 
were clean of uniform, their clothes fitted 
well, their equipment was shining and uni- 
form, their organization and marching 
were good. A remarkable thing about 
Huerta's troops as one looks at one or- 
ganization after another is the traces one 
can discern of the influence of armies of 
other nations. One sees an officer of the 
cavalry with a uniform that is distinctly 
German, even unto color. In the infantry 
the cap is typically French and the car- 
rying of the rifles is also from France. 

But most remarkable of all is the ap- 
pearance of the infantry, particularly the 
honored 29th. Were one to take off their 
uniforms of blue, throw away the high 
French cap and substitute one of lower 
crown, clad them in the khaki of Nippon, 
and they could be mistaken for Japanese 
soldiers. They are small of stature and 
have the Indian brown complexion which 
is much like the color of the Japanese. 
And many of them have even the same 
cast of features which is so typically 
Japanese, high cheek bones and slanting 
eyes. There is a tradition here, which 
some people believe and others laugh at, 
that the Indians are really from Asia. 

The troops arrived at the hippodrome at 
an early hour and arranged themselves 
in an extensive formation, awaiting the 
arrival of their chief. Every precaution 
\vas taken for the protection of Huerta. 
Probably this excess of zeal was on the 
part of officers, for Hierta himself seems 
to entertain no fear. The city is full of 
Maderistas, whose chief died a sudden 
death after he was deposed just a year 
ago today, but Huerta shows no worry 
about them. This ceremony was a cele- 
bration of the accession of Huerta. 

Huerta's coming was impressive and the 
mihtariness of the occasion might have 
characterized, on a small scale, the ar- 
rival of some war lord of Europe at a 
great camp. A dashing courier came in 
advance. An order was given and a bugle 
sounded. That bugle call was a thrilling 
thing, wierd and plantive, starting off on 
a low note and ascending in a curved tone, 
starting a supercilious chuckle over the 
bugler having struck a discord. But not 
so, as the remainder of the mysterious call 
showed, and as the calls of other bugles 
speedily demonstrated. Of all things the 
day produced, one thing was clearly 
brought out, that the Mexicans are musi- 
cians. 

Then came a string of carriages, mag- 
nificent in themselves and magnificently 
drawn by splendid horses, richly har- 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Ctalurday, March 14, 1914 



LIFE AND THRILLS-Continued 



nessed. There were perhaps a dozen of 
them, filled with officials of the govern- 
ment, cabinet officers in conventional 
frock coats, generals and colonels and ma- 
jors in uniforms of blue and gold and 
tred, admirals with cocked hats. Finally 
•came Huerta, accompanied by the famous 
BlanqueL 

Here was Huerta. A figure of inter- 
national importance, a personality whose 
fame will long endure. The man who 
has defied the President of the United 
States, who is accused of a foul political 
murder, whom the government of the 
United States considers a pariah among 
Jieads of nations. His carriage was closely 
surrounded, fore and aft and on each side, 
by members of the Chapultepec Guard, 
magnificent looking fellows in their bril- 
iiant greenish uniforms, steel helmets sur- 
mounted by a waving white plume, riding 
well groomed and powerful horses splen- 
didly. 

The troops presented arms and the 
"bands played the national anthem. The 
military men stood at attention ; the civil- 
ians, every one, doffed their hats. Other 
bands took up the anthem and could be 
faintly heard from their stations in the 
Iroad field on the other side of the stand. 
■The national air is as weird as the bugle 
•calls, but beautiful, and made all the more 
-effective by the pimctuation of a steady 
■stream of drum-beats. And from 'way off 
in the midde of the racecource, the sound 
•dulled by the intervening grandstand, came 
the boom and thump of a battery of field 
artillery firing the Presidential salute. Hu- 
erta had removed his hat and stood at 
attention until the air was finished. 

A glimpse of Huerta brought new ideas 
concerning the man. One's impression 
from pictures was that he was a man of 
large stature. He is not. He is rather 
:small — five feet eight at a guess — and his 
shoulders are broad, but a bit stooped. He 
las not a great physique, but there is in 
3iim an attitude of wiry strength such as 
Indians, of whom he is one, have. Even 
were his stature far less than it is, a 
glance at his face would dispel any 
thought that here was a weak man. It is 
.a strong face, almost too strong, if that 
.could be, and a rather hard face. 

It has a long, powerful jaw, which 
•would indicate plenty of obstinacy and 
tenacity of purpose, even if there were 
no other evidences of those qualities be- 
fore the world. Huerta is bronzed, not 
the deep bronze of the ordinary Indian, 
but more like the color of a darkly com- 
plexioned man well tanned by the sun. 
His is an inscrutable countenance, and 
one might call it sinister, but the glasses, 
which he always wears, somehow ' take 
away some of the hardness that may be 
there and add a reassuring aspect. 

Blanquet's, too, is a strong face, not so 
Mexican as many otficrs there, and hand- 
some after another than the Mexican style 
-of manly perfection. The 29th infantry, 
which was honored, was Blanquet's own 



regiment, and it was when Blanquet went 
over to the opposition that Madero's fall 
was made certain. So it was something of 
a day for Blanquet, too. 

Huerta and his following passed through 
to a stand which had been erected and 
which was decorated with the national col- 
ors and flowers. The bands continued to 
play, the guns boomed, the soldiers pre- 
sented arms and saluted their chief. Once 
in the stand Huerta bared his head and 
after a moment started to speak. His hair 
proved closely cropped and was gray in 
color. Were Huerta to permit his hair to 
grow long it would be seen that a consid- 
erable portion of his head is bald. Huerta 
addressed the vast number of troops before 
him: 

"Soldiers of the 29th Regiment: In the 
name of the republic and in recognition 
of the heroic conduct which you have ob- 
served the government is about to deco- 
rate the symbol of our love of country, 
of our dignity and all that we hold dear — • 
your flag, which waves above you. In 
the name of the republic I grant you this 
reward, which you will surely uphold 
worthily and respect as it deserves." 

Huerta paused for a moment and his 
eyes swept the ranks before rum. Then 
he suddenly cried: 

"Soldados, attencion!" 

The ranks stiffened, the color guard, 
which stood before him with the flag of 
the 29th, was rigid. Huerta commanded 
his soldiers to carry arms and then pre- 
sent arms. While they were in that po- 
sition he took the red streamer, which he 
touched to his lips, and attached it to 
the flag of the regiment. There was the 
call of a bugle. The national anthem again 
broke forth in all its glory, save that it 
was robbed of its beauty by the fact that 
so many bands were playing it at once. 

Once the business of decorating the flag 
was out of the way General Huerta ac- 
scended from the stand and took his place 
on the ground beside a table laden with 
small plush boxes containing medals and 
decorations for officers of the service who 
had in one way or another distinguished 
themselves in the service of Huerta. One 
after another, headed by Blanquet, to 
whom was given the decoration of the 
first class of constancy, officers with 
drawn sword presented and with hat re- 
moved stepped forward, and Huerta with 
his own hands pinned on the decorations. 
He had a word for each and an embrace 
for some. 

Generals, admirals, colonels, captains 
and lieutenants got their rewards. Some 
were evidently popular favorites. One 
young fellow on crutches was enthusias- 
tically applauded as he swung away. An- 
other who was cheered was a small, old 
man, evidently of little rank, but who was 
known and popular. He was once with 
President Diaz and a trusted suliordinate 
of Mexico's former President. From the 
point where he did the decorating Huerta 
went into the grandstand, there to review 



the troops. He and his Cabinet sat in 
the section reserved for dignitaries and 
diplomats. 

The parade was not long in starting, 
and when all is said and done it must 
be admitted that the ceremony was ac- 
complished with a great deal of military 
skill. The ranks were orderly, the equip- 
ment clean and the organization smooth 
and even. One or twice the line was 
compelled to halt momentarily. Even this 
disconcerting thing failed to break the 
formation, and the "march past" was cred- 
iable. It showed a lot of training. 



CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT! 

(By Telegraph to the New York 
"Tribune.") 

Chihuahua, Mexico, March 8. — Having 
failed to restore industrial activity in 
Chihuahua and finding his effort to oper- 
ate the big Chihuahua brewery, which 
he had seized, without satisfactory re- 
sults. General Pancho Villa, on the eve 
of his departure for the Torreon cam- 
paign, says that he will make all of 
Northern Mexico sober. 

General Villa let it be known today 
that, following the capture of Torreon, 
which would give the rebels control of • 
all of Me.xico north of and including 
the State of Coahuila, he would issue 
an order prohibiting the manufacture 
and sale of liquors. Villa says drunk- 
enness is the curse of Mexicans. He is 
accused of arriving at this conclusioa 
after he had found that Mexicans would 
not buy the beer his brewery made, pre- 
ferring instead the tequila, mescal and 
sotol. which they could more easily get. 

Efforts made by Villa more than a 
month ago to induce foreign and na- 
tive mine owners to reopen their prop- 
erties have proved failures. A few of 
the smaller properties were reopened, 
but most of these have since closed- 
down, there being no regular railway 
service and practically no labor that 
can be depended upon. 

No banks are operating in Chihuahua 
except the one Villa seized while money 
was still in the vaults — the Falomir 
Bank, in Chihuahua City. 

Federal cannor secured by rebels as tro- 
phies of war in the Ojinaca battle will not 
be u.sed in the battle at Torreon. General 
Villa has been unable to secure any 
shells for the big guns, and his efforts 
to make projectiles have proved fail- 
ures. 

Laree quantities of 70 millimetre shells 
havp been made here by Villa's order, 
pnd qunntities have been sent forward to 
Torreon, but when a test of the home- 
made shells was made today it was 
found that thev would not explode, and 
the nntnut of the local ammunition plant, 
*hp fruit nf more than a month's hard 
labor, has been ordered thrown away. 



SO THERE ARE! 



The State Department has advised 
Governor Colquitt how to proceed with 
Mexico under the treaty. From our 
viewpoint the affair is most embarrass- 
ing to the Administration, because it 
gives Huerta an opportunity to declare 
that there are lawless bands in the 
United States as well as in Mexico. — 
Statement of State Department official 
in New York "American." 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



LOOT! LOOT! LOOT! 

By James Creelman, in N ew York "Evening Mail. 



* * * Even as long ago as Decem- 
ber 2, Mr. Wilson publicly confessed, 
when matters were better than now, that 
the Mexican situation "made it doubtful 
whether even the most elementary and 
fundamental rights either of her (Mexi- 
co's) own people or of the citizens of 
other countries resident within her ter- 
ritory can long be successfully safe- 
guarded. 

The lawless and scattered Indian 
forces led by Villa — for Carranza is a 
mere figurehead — control a great coun- 
try, measured in square miles, but it is 
largely desert or undeveloped land and 
is sparsely populated. 

These regions have been thoroughly 
looted by the rebels. Not only have 
the mines been plundered of their bul- 
rion, and residences, stores and banks 
sacked, but rich men who hid their mon- 
ey have been forced to pay blackmail 
■under threats of immediate death. 

The rebel territory has been swept 
clear of its wealth. 

There are limits to an income pro- 
■duced by murder and robbery. 

With the mines largely closed, the 
millions of cattle driven off, orchards 
wantonly destroyed, manufacturing 
brought to a standstill and crops seized, 
but not replanted, the rebels have few 
productive sources of wealth to draw 
from. 

Printing Fiat Money. 

The rebels are printing fiat money and 
are minting some coin with stolen bul- 
lion, but it is obvious that a paper cur- 
rency which has no security other than 
the words "provisional government of 
General Francisco Villa" — notice the sig- 
nificant omission of the weak Carranza's 
name — and a coinage that depends on 
the looting of mines, cannot furnish sup- 
port for a costly and prolonged military 
campaign. 

On the other hand, Huerta's territory 
contains about 13,000,000 inhabitants, 
four-fifths of the whole population of 
Me.xico. 

The Federal Government has in its 
jurisdiction rich cities like Mexico City, 
Puebla. Guadalajara. Vera Cruz and San 
Luis Potosi, to say nothing of scores of 
important cities and towns and the great 
sea trade of the Atlantic coast. 

Its income in the month of January, 
for instance, amounted to an aggregate 
of 9,000,000 pesos. 

While the rebel regions are wrecked 
and ruined, industry, agriculture and 
trade goes on, much reduced, in the pop- 
ulous country governed by Huerta; for 
the dictator, * * * has protected life, 
property and business, and, except in 
the zone of actual war, has raised his 
revenues by taxation and loans obtained 
in legal form. 



Huerta Has Great Resources. 

The truth is that while the hostility 
of the United States has broken down 
Huerta's efforts to secure funds in 
Europe, he has not done much more 
than scratch the surface of the vast do- 
mestic wealth in his control. 

Nor do the present revenues of the 
Huerta government represent his normal 
financial resources. 

For instance, although the import 
duties were doubled, importers were al- 
lowed to pay the excess in special gov- 
ernment certificates, and these, in the 
eagerness of the treasury officials to get 
money quickly, were at first hawked 
about at fifty cents on the dollar. 

The tax on alcohol was increased 
from fifteen cents to twenty-five cents. 
Taking advantage of the government's 
need for cash in advance, the great al- 
cohol interests bought $1,000,000 of tax 
stamps, with the privilege of dating 
them back to a time before the alcohol 
tax was raised, so that 40 per cent, of 
the new revenue was sacrificed, at the 
beginning. 

It is recognized by all that the 1 per 
cent, tax on mortgages which has yield- 
ed such a vast sum, could easily be 
raised to 5 per cent., and that the re- 
sulting revenue would, in addition to the 
existing income, support the government 
for at least six months. 

Huerta has also in reserve the power 
to issue hundreds of millions of fiat cur- 
rency. 

Have 1,000 Miles to Go. 

To reach Mexico City the compara- 
tively small and bankrupt rebel forces 
must advance more than 1,000 miles from 
Chihuahua, their stronghold in the west, 
and nearly 800 miles from their garri- 
son at Victoria, in the east. 

As the rebels and their bandit lead- 
ers and allies move southward they must 
become weaker because of the longer 
lines of communication with their base 
which they must protect. 

Meanwhile Huerta must become 
stronger as he draws his forces toward 
a common center. 

Should Villa take Torreon, which is 
294 miles from Chihuahua, he would 
have to go 267 miles further to reach 
Zacatecas, and if he captured that place 
he would still be 439 miles from Mexico 
City. 

The scanty rebel forces in the east 
must go 422 miles from Victoria to reach 
San Luis Potosi, and it is 326 miles 
further to Mexico City. 

The revolt of Castillo against Villa 
and Carranza indicates the almost cer- 
tain prospect of a counter-revolution in 
the north should the rebels, in a south- 
ward movement, withdraw any consid- 



erable force from the country they have 
robbed and terrorized. 

Counter-Rebellion Certain. 

There are multitudes of men whose 
homes have been desolated, whose rela- 
tives and friends have been murdered, 
and whose wives, daughters and sisters 
have been dishonored, ready to rise in 
arms at the first opportunity. 

With the United States Government 
in open sympathy with the rebels it is 
clearly impossible for Huerta to estab- 
lish his authority in the distant and, to 
some extent, almost impassable desert 
and mountain territory in their hands. 

Nor have the rebels any prospect of 
ultimately overcoming the federal 
forces, whose lines of communication 
will grow less and whose resources will 
increase if they retreat toward the capi- 
tal. 

The slightest consideration of the ac- 
tual facts makes it plain that the rebels 
will continue to ravage the north and 
that the federals will continue to hold 
the south. 

It is probable that if President Wilson 
persists in his policy of "watchful wait- 
ing" the Mexican carnage will go on for 
years. 



THE FINANCIAL SITUATION. 

While it is true that Huerta is embar- 
rassed to the extent that he now needs 
ready cash to take care of his army's 
needs — especially to buy munitions, which 
are obtained abroad, where the manufac- 
turers insist on cash payments — his fin- 
ancial collapse is distant. A careful in- 
vestigation shows that, with proper man- 
agement, within the scope of the ability 
of Mexican financiers, Huerta can obtain 
all the money he needs without resort- 
ing to extraordinary taxation. If the or- 
dinary legitimate measures of taxation fail, 
Huerta can resort to the issuance of flat 
currency and then enforce unreasonable 
war taxes to obtain great sums sufficient 
to carry on the campaign indefinitely. 

Naturally, if Huerta were to oppress the 
people too heavily he would speedily be- 
come so unpopular that this would lead 
to his ultimate downfall, and at the same 
time bring ruin on the country. Neverthe- 
less, under any circumstances dealing with 
the financial question and not considering 
the possibility of assassination or a great 
rebel victory or any other unexpected 
event, Huerta is certain to hold on for a 
long time. It is the consensus of opinion 
among the best observers of the situation 
— expert financiers, diplomats and mer- 
chants — that Huerta has not yet struck the 
bottom of all his resources. 

The Minister of Finance, Senor de La 
Lama, is working on new plans' to take 
care of the future. The establishment 
of a Federal bank was recently proposed, 
with the view of issuing $400,000,000 in 
paper money, but this is temporarily in 
abeyance, De La Lama considering the 
question whether it might not be wiser 
to turn to other measures to raise money. 
(Continued on next page.) 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



THE FINANCIAL SITUATION— 
Continued. 

He is thinking of readjusting the pro- 
visions of tlie real estate tax, which is 
based on income. It is proposed to regu- 
late the tax according to the actual value 
of the property. With proper readjust- 
ment, such a tax would increase the reve- 
enue fully $15,000,000. 

Another source of legitimate taxation 
which would not be oppressive lies in an 
income tax at reasonable rates, and this 
would produce another $15,000,000. 

Most of the reports touching on the 
condition of the Huerta finances are true. 
His treasury is nearly empty and the gov- 
ernment is struggling to maKe both ends 
meet. However, this condition improves 
day by day because of the fact that it is 
not necescsary to lay out as much money 
as the situation required in the begin- 
ning. 

The government's chief sources of rev- 
enue are the customs, which bring in $27,- 
000,000; the internal stamp taxes, which 
produce $11,000,000, and the federal taxes 
on the mining of gold and silver, and on 
tobacco, alcohol, cotton, petroleum, etc., 
which bring in $23,500,000. 

While this schedule seems to make the 
situation appear rosy, Mexico's financial 
state is really serious, but not so serious 
as to point to Huerta's downfall. At least, 
this is the opinion of persons who thor- 
oughly understand the situation. It is gen- 
erally believed here that Huerta will sure- 
ly last the year out, unless some new and 
strong move is taken against him by forces 
outside of Mexico. — Special correspondence 
of Philip H. Patchen in New York 
"Tribune." 



WILL HISTORY REPEAT? 



A SUGGESTION. 

Commending the suggestion of Oscar S. 
Straus that a commission of prominent 
Americans should be appointed by Pres- 
ident Wilson to investigate conditions in 
Mexico and to report which side should 
be recognized by this government, Al- 
fonso L. Jimenez, Vice Consul of Mexi- 
co in New York, yesterday expressed the 
opinion that much good could be ac- 
complished by such a commission. 

"I am convinced Mexico would wel- 
come such a commission," said Mr. 
Jimenez. "This would be especially the 
case were the commission to be headed 
by a man like Senator Elihu Root, who 
is much admired in Mexico and whose 
fame has reached to every section of 
Latin America. If Mr. Straus and Mr. 
Moore, who recently resigned from the 
State Department, could be induced to 
serve on this commission there would 
be absolutely no question that its judg- 
ment would have great weight in' Mexi- 
co and do much to settle the troubles 
there. 

"There is a disposition on the part of 
the jingo element in this country to 
force intervention, but such a course is 
not and will not be necessary for some 
time to come. President Huerta is 
•handling the situation as well as it is 



Mexico City, Feb. 25. — How fleeting was 
the hold of Francisco I. Madero on the 
people of Mexico was demonstrated last 
week, when the installation in the Presi- 
dency of General Huerta was celebrated. 
There was a brilliant review of troops and 
fifteen Maderista deputies were released 
from the prison in which they had been 
since Huerta's dissolution of Congress. 
The Spanish have a pitiful saying: "Que 
solos estan los rauertos !" (How lonely 
are the dead!) There were few to re- 
member Madero, who had been dead for 
a year. A few women went out to the 
cemetery and laid flowers on his grave. 
That was all. 

Notwithstanding the allegations of the 
Carranzas and the Villas that they took 
up arms to avenge the murder of Madero 
and vindicate the Constitution, the truth 
is that Madero is little missed by his 
country, which considers him much bet- 
ter dead. The puppet of the clever 
members of his family, he undertook to 
regenerate the country, only to bring up- 
on it greater ills, not the least of which 
was the shameless grafting of his rela- 
tives, with whom he surrounded himself 
in places of high power. 

Long before he was removed he had 
shown himself utterly incompetent to in- 
augurate any of the reforms he had prom- 
ised, as he was helpless to hold m check 
those who had made him a ruler that they 
might gratify the'r own cupidity. After 
but a year Francisco Madero is remem- 
bered, if he is remembered at all, only as 
a foolish visionary, who brought upon 
his country endless woe. 

For a year Huerta has maintained him- 
self in the Presidency in defiance of Pres- 
ident Vv'ilson's mandate and at the end of 
that year, during whirh President Wilson 
has sought to discredit and weaken him, 
he finds himself stronger than ever, more 
favorably regarded by the nafions of Eu- 

possible for any man to do in the cir- 
cumstances and had he been recognized 
by the government in Washington the 
revolution would have been ended long 
ago and such men as Villa would not 
have gained the ascendency they have 
achieved. That Secretary Bryan should 
have paid any attention to Villa is re- 
grettable, and it is certain that this 
course can in no manner bring about 
peace to Me.xico." 

Mr. Jimenez said that any commission 
of representative American citizens 
sent to Mexico by this government 
would be assured of the best possible 
treatment and that no efTort would be 
spared to present facts regarding condi- 
tions which would be available in no 
other way. He urged that a non-parti- 
san commission be appointed and that 
it be afforded every facility to get at 
all the facts. When these were made 
known, he said, there was little doubt 
that the commission would report that 
the better clement of the Mexican peo- 
ple was with the administration and 
that the revolution was not backed by 
the people themselves, but by hordes of 
irresponsible men wlio were affiliated with 
the revolutionary cause, not from prin- 
ciple, but because of what they might be 
able to make out of it. 



rope, with a larger, better equipped and 
better disciplined army, and by compari- 
son with an atrocious Villa and Zapata 
and the futile Carranza he has gained 
greatly in the esteem of his own country- 
men. 

In spite of the financial embargo, which 
has been the least ineffectual part of Presi- 
dent Wilson's policy of non-recognition, 
Huerta has been able to obtain funds with 
which to run his Government and increase 
his army, and although there may be no 
immediate prospect of his putting down 
the revolt there is still less prospect of 
the rebels triumphing. With the measure 
of Washington's approval, whatever meas- 
ure that may be, now enjoyed by the revo- 
lutionists they can prolong their barbarous 
warfare indefinitely, which they might not 
have done had it not been made easier for 
them to obtain arms and ammunition. It 
is for these reasons that Americans here, 
and Mexicans, too, are eager to snatch 
hope from Villa's stupid murder of Ben- 
ton, hope that it will force auandonment 
of the waiting and watching policy. 

For twelve months the United States 
has refused recognition to Huerta. For 
fourteen months it withheld its recogni- 
tion from Porfirio Diaz, and many are ask- 
ing if history is about to repeat itself. 
Huerta may not be as good a man or as 
able a man as Porfirio Diaz, but he ap- 
pears to be quite as good and quite as 
able as any who have presented them- 
selves in the arena here since the over- 
throw of the old dictator. He betrays 
none of the fatuity of Madero, the va- 
cillation of Felix Diaz, the futility of Car- 
ranza or the barbarity of Villa. 

Nothing in a long time has so strength- 
ened the position of Huerta as Villa's 
murder of Benton. Foreigners are con- 
trasting the perfect safety enjoyed by 
them under the orderly Huerta Govern- 
ment with the jeopardy in which their 
brethren live under the lawless rule of 
Villa's Constitutionalists. 

Naturally, the newspapers controlled by 
the Government make the most of the 
matter, dilating upon the care with which 
Huerta has protected foreigners in his 
anxiety alike to avoid international com- 
plications and to have his Government 
appear before the world as civilized and 
law abiding. They rehearse the many in- 
stances of Villa's barbarity. Some of the 
papers go to the extreme of declaring 
President Wilson responsible for the mur- 
der of Benton. 

Most striking of all, however, of the 
consequences of the rebel leader's latest 
crime is the unanimity with which Ameri- 
cans here welcome the killing of a Brit- 
ish subject for the promise it holds out 
of an enforced abandonment of the wait- 
ing policy. Everywhere they are heard 
to express themselves with grim satisfac- 
tion that at last something has occurred 
to arouse the ire of a nation that pro- 
tects its subjects wherever they are over 
all the surface of the globe. All bitterly 
assert that Washington will be more stirred 
by the killing of one Englishman than by 
the massacre of a hundred Americans. 

With the intimate knowledge due to 
long residence in Mexico they say Presi- 
dent Wilson is mistaken in his treatment 
of the situation, and they arc unable com- 
placently to see the businesses which they 
liavc built up by years of endeavor going 
to ruin and the fortunes won by their en- 
terprise slipping from them. — New York 
"Sun" Special Correspondence. 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



To a Man Who Has the Courage to Say 
"I Was Mistaken." 

If our President, who has proved him- 
self in some ways in this first year of 
his incumbency a very great President, 
could persuade himseif that the whole 
world is not in the wiong — that he is 
like the Irishman who informed his drill 
sergeant who told him that he was out 
of step, not at all, that he was in step 
and that all the rest of the co.Tipany 
were out of step — if he could be made 
to believe that he and his friends may 
possibly be wrong, since the whole 
world of Europe and America thinks 
concerning the advisability of Huerta's 
recognition exactly the reverse of his 
thinking, if he would come out frankly 
and answer that upon misinformation 
furnished him at the outset concerning 
General Huerta's resources and person- 
ality he declined to recognize him, but 
that now he perceives his mistake and 
will recognize him, then the President 
at one bound would become the most 
popular man in the United States, war 
would be averted and the v/ho!e prob- 
lem solved. 

It is the belief of those who have 
studied the situation and are on the 
ground that Huerta, if as well backed 
by this country as the so-called Con- 
stitutionalists have been, would make 
good in short order and restore peace 
and prosperity to distracted Mexico. — 
Junius in New York "Sun" of March 9. 



I sliall not as.';umc that the original 
"Junius" has come back, but this letter 
is so trenchantly true that I am wonder- 
ing if we may not look for a new series 
of "Junius" letters on the vital topics of 
the day quite as forecful and interesting 
as the immortal series. I have a slight 
suspicion that "Junius" must be a reader 
of "Town Topics" since his letter reflects 
the views I have urgently pressed these 
many months. Oh, that President Wilson 
had the courage to "become the most 
popular man in the United States!" — 
"Town Topics." 



THE JINGOES. 

Later news gives this morning's trum- 
peted exploit of the Texas Rangers a 
wholly different color, and makes it ap- 
pear that the pen of those warriors — or 
of their press agent — is mightier than 
their sword. The incident, as now ex- 
plained, has little of the threatening as- 
pect which the first headlines ascribed 
to it. What Governor Colquitt and his 
Rangers apparently ought to do is to 
place themselves under the command of 
Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania. For 
he has discovered the way to make war 
peacefully. In the statement which he 
issued yesterday, as at once his own bid 
for re-election and an attack upon Pres- 
ident Wilson, he lays down his position. 
He is opposed to war with Mexico. He 



lias "ncvLT advocated politional interven- 
tion 111 Mexico." All that he would do 
IS to notify ihc Mexican authorities, civil 
and mili ary, that they will be held re- 
sponsible for "depredat.ons to Ameri- 
cans or their property," and follow up 
this notice by "sending American troops 
to the threatened point to enforce the 
same." This beats the Texas Rangers 
hollow ; and if President Wilosn had a 
proper sense of patriotic duty, he would 
at once appoinf Boies Penrose eeneral 
in command of an invading armv that is 
aeainst intervention, and would scrup- 
ulously refrain from acts of war. — New 
York "Evening Post." 



QUIEN SABE? 

The commission appointed by "First 
Chief" Carranza to investigate and report 
upon the manner of William S. Benton's 
death accomplishes nothing as the days 
pass and is dropping out of public no- 
tice. General Frausto, the head of the 
commission, being asked to account lor a 
rumor that it had gone to Chihuahua when 
it was still drowsing at Juarez, shrugged 
his shoulders and said, "Quien sabe?" 

That is the stock question on the bor- 
der. Why does General Carranza dally 
at Agua Prieta when Genera! Villa is op- 
pressed with the cares of state at Chihua- 
hua and tlie world says that the real leader 
of the Const, tutionalists is the ex-outlaw? 
Quien sabe? How comes it that "Pancho" 
Villa has ceased to be a rude, unlettered, 
ragged bandit and has developed- into a 
suave, wise, self-reliant, and wel! in- 
formed administrator in a new General's 
uniform? Quien sabe? 

What has become of the military opera- 
tions to drive the Federals out of Tor- 
reon and carry the war to the gates of the 
capital? Quien sabe? Why doesn't Huer- 
ta crumble? Quien sabe? Why was it 
said that when the embargo upon arms was 
raised the Constitutionalists would take 
city after city and sweep the Federals like 
chaff before them? Quien sabe? Is there 
ever going to be a pitched battle between 
the insurgents and the Government troops? 
Quien sabe? Is the policy of both sides 
in Mexico one of "watchful waiting"? 
Quien sabe? — New York "Sun." 



INTERVENTION— 

WHAT IT MEANS, 

Senator Fall of New Mexico began 
yelling during the Taft administration for 
armed intervention in Mexico. He liked 
the Taft policy as little as he now likes 
the Wilson policy. He has been "break- 
ing out" about once a month for three 
years. Senator Fall, claiming to be 
greatly interested about the protection 
of the lives of Americans in Mexico, is 
even more concerned about the lack of 
profits from recent Mexican investments. 

The New Mexican senator represents 
the coterie of rich men who are anxious 
about dividends, * * * 

But in one respect Senator Fall ven- 
tures on something new. He is explicit 
as to the kind of intervention he would 
have. In advance of the movement of 
our land and naval forces he would 
make a solemn declaration, such as was 
made in regard to Cuba before the Span- 
ish war, that this country would not ac- 
quire territory; that it would withdraw 
as soon as the altruistic object of inter- 
vention was achieved. He would have 
the occupation of the Cuban kind rather 



tlian of the Philippine or Porto Rican 
kind. He would go in, but cjnly for the 
purpose of getting out again. 

Counting every American killed in 
Mexico during the last three years. Sena- 
tor Fall is able to make up a list of sixty- 
three, it is the opinion of those best 
qualified to judge that intervention would 
mean ihe immediate killing of several 
thousand Americans in Mexico. Prop- 
erty belonging to Americans to the value 
of several millions has been destroyed. 
Intervention would mean the destruc- 
tion of several hundred millions of Am- 
erican property. It would mean the sac- 
rifice of the lives of a hundred thousand 
young American soldiers. It would add 
easily a billion dollars to the national ex- 
penditure. It would mean anarchy all 
over Mexico ?s our troops wTestled 
with guerilla fighters. It look three 
years to "pacify" the Philippines. It 
would probably take ten years — and it 
might take twen'y years — to "pacify" 
Mexico, with its Indian population. 

Then, according to the New Mexican 
senator when what now remains of civ- 
ilization in Mexico was destroyed, we 
should get out. As soon as we were out 
the Mexicans would, of course, begin 
hghting again. 

The "watchful wailing" policy of the 
President is not one to arouse popular 
enthusiasm. But it is a beautiful and 
inspiring thing compared with the altru- 
istic intervention urged by the New 
Me.xican senator. — New York "Globe." 



WHAT A MESS! 



Mr. Wilson placed himself at a disad- 
vantage in his appeal to Congress last 
Thursday._ The Speech from the Throne 
ceremonial was ridiculous. His assertion 
that he was "charged by the Constitution 
itself in a peculiar degree with personal 
responsibility" was badly worded and er- 
roneous. The Constitution charges the 
President with no personal responsibility 
concerning treaties either in a peculiar 
or any other degree. * All his power is 
strictly limited by the concurrence of two- 
thirds of the Senators. There is no per- 
sonal responsibility in the Constitution. 
His reference to "my judgment, very fully 
considered and maturely formed," was 
egotistical and ineffective. What is his 
judgment, after three years of office-hold- 
ing, when compared with that of Con- 
gressmen prominent in public life before 
he was a political possibility? Had he 
based his appeal upon the fact that, a 
month previous to his nomination ,the New 
York Chamber of Commerce, in a resolu- 
tion drawn up by Senator Root, had asked 
the repeal of canal tolls exemption, he 
would have stood upon firm ground. At 
that time he was in favor of exempting 
.American shipping; the sacrosanct Balti- 
more Platform had pledged him to it. He 
did not explain why, after repeatedly in- 
structing Congress that the Baltimore 
Platform is the supreme law of the Demo- 
cratic party, he now repudiates and at- 
tempts to reverse this supreme law. He 

(Continued on next page.) 



MtXlCO 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



offered no arguments for the repeal ; his 
only reason was "My judgment." Then 
he emphatically condemned his own Mexi- 
can policy by contending that the United 
States ought to be governed by the opin- 
ions of Europe. This led up to the sonor- 
ous phrase, "The large thing to do is the 
only thing we can afford to do — a volun- 
tary withdrawal from a position every- 
where questioned." How perfectly this 
applies to his personal refusal to recoj- 
nl^e President Huerta, when all other na- 
tions have given the recognition, and how 
plainly it points to his duty to withdraw 
from a position everywhere questioned! 

Recognize Huerta! "The large thing to 
do is the only thing we can afford to do 
— a voluntary withdrawal from a position 
everywhere questioned." Therefore recog- 
nize Huerta ! 

John hiassett Moore's resignation de- 
pTives.the country of the experienced ser- 
vices of a very able man and shows how 
Bryan has demoralized the Administra- 
tion. It is impossible for anyone, no mat- 
ter how able, expert, conscientious and 
trustworth}', to remain in the State De- 
partment under the direction of ,3. titular 
Secretary, who knows nothing, and in his 
inordinate vanity is jealous of those who 
do know. Mr. Wilson can never conduct 
the executive branch of this government 
successfully while Bryan remains in the 
Cabinet and makes the Administration the 
laughing stock of the world. 

Oscar S. Straus, ex-Cabinet Minister, 
ex-Ambassador, scholar, student of world's 
problems, broad-minded exponent of hu- 
man riynts, has suggested a commission 
to promptly, intelligently, faithfully, with- 
out prejudice, investigate conditions in 
Mexico. Its work completed, the commis- 
sion is to advise the President as to the 
policy to be pursued, to the end that we 
may be spared the horrors of the war which 
would follow armed intervention, and that 
order, peace and prosperity may be 
brought to that ceuntry, now so sorely 
afflicted by revolution and devastated by 
gangs led by bandits indulging in rapine 
and murder and fattening on the spoils. 
Personally, I believe that the President 
is already convinced that his policy of 
non-recognition of Huerta is a mistake. It 
takes a good deal of moral courage for 
even a great man, who must needs re- 
gard consistency as generally a virtue, to 
come out and acknowledge his error and 
face squarely about on his previous posi- 
tion. I have before suggested that Con- 
gress, in view of the actual situation, 
should take the Mexican question into its 
own keeping, and by joint resolution set- 
tle the policy to be pursued by the Execu- 
tive. Possibly the Commission suggested 
by Mr. Straus, if composed of the right 
men, and if it should act promptly enough, 
might accomplish the same result, in cither 
case saving the .President's face. — The 
Saunterer in "Town Topics." 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION -Continued 

IN MEXICO'S CAPITAL. 

From what can be learned here from 
those who have great interes.s at stake, 
it mat.ers litJe by what means Presi- 
dent Huerta has achieved his end. There 
is no doubt that his popularity is grow- 
ing day by day, and that the lifting of 
the embargo on arms has made him 
new friends. Every business man, both 
American and foreign, with whom I 
have come in contact, seems to regard 
him as the strongest man in the coun- 
try. His firm stand and dignified bear- 
ing in the face of overwhelming odds, 
has commanded the respect of the bet- 
ter element, and they seem to regard 
him as the only man through whom 
peace and order can ever come. All he 
needs, they say, is money — and he is 
evidently getting it from some myster- 
ious source. 

The success of the revolution in the 
North does not seem to worry him very 
much, and he has no fear of plots 
against him, going about the City of 
Mexico without a body guard or even 
Secret Service men. He will walk into 
a public restaurant, bowing to every one 
as he passes, hang up his hat and sword 
on a book, and sit down in a most dem- 
ocratic manner. 

If the United States is waiting for 
Villa to en'er the City of Mexico, hold 
a constitutional election for a president 
whom we intend to recognize and give 
a "try-out," I am afraid we will have to 
wait a long time. — W. Nephew King. 
Vera Cruz corespondent New York 
"World." 

AN ILLUSION DISPELLED. 

Senator Fall's return to his favorite sub- 
ject is not going to influence the President 
to assume a new and hostile attitude to- 
ward Mexico nor is the manner of the re- 
covery of Vergara's body likely to increase 
the perplexities of our Mexican relations. 
But those perplexities are formidable. Is 
there a gleam of hope in General Huerta's 
instructions to his commanders to assume 
the offensive hereafter and to begin vigor- 
ous action against the northern rebels? 
Surely, a definite victory of the Federal 
troops in the neighborhood of Torreon 
would have a wholesome result. The illu- 
sion that the influence of Carransa and 
Villa will ever be exerted to secure a sta- 
ble Government should be, by this time, 
effectually dispelled. — New York Times." 



probable as the only solution of a very 
difficult situation. — Collier's Weekly. 

GENERAL HUERTA. 



It is possible, however, for one 
who has followed events close at hand to 
say, at the end of a year of Mr. Wilson's 
Mexican policy, that its results are not 
now, and are not likely to be 
in the future, what he intended. Pres- 
ident Wilson has always had a most 
praiseworthy aversion to intervention, 
and yet many persons felt at the 
time of the adoption of his policy that the 
logical outcome of it would be interven- 
tion. .At the present moment some form 
of direct action, sooner or later, seems 



A Soldier of the Regular Army and No- 
"Bandit" 

To the editor of the "Sun" — Sir: 
There seems to be a disposition to view 
the Mexican question as a sort of Hob- 
son's choice between the recognition of 
one of two rebel leaders, both of whom. 
are ex-cattle thieves and bandits. On 
this point the public needs a little 
knowledge. 

General Victoriano Huerta, who has 
held down the job of dictator for more 
than a year, is a regular army officer and 
has never been anything else. He was 
graduated at Chapultepec, Mexico's mili- 
tary school, and has been a loyal soldier 
ever since, or until, finally finding himself 
under the orders of an incompetent dic- 
tator, he was obliged to engage in a fra- 
tricidal war in the capital city against a 
portion of the army of which he himself 
was a part. He never in all his life fig- 
ured as an irregular soldier, as is gener- 
ally supposed, and even stated by many 
who profess to be familiar with the- 
Mexican situation. He did not transfer 
his service to Madero with the ousting 
of Porfirio Diaz, as is generally stated. 
Madero having usurped the power of 
Diaz and becoming the recognized Exe- 
cutive of the Government, Huerta's only 
alternative as a soldier was to accept 
Madero as his commander in chief and' 
obey his orders implicitly, which he did, 
even after he was called upon to fight 
lbat portion of the army which had re- 
belled against Madero and his nepotic 
and incompetent sway. The situation 
dtirina; the street fighting in the City 
of Mexico, from the soldier's viewpoint, 
was graphically illustrated when a young 
artillery officer, being complimented for 
sending a well directed shot into the be- 
sieged citadel, which slaughtered a num- 
ber of men. replied with an oath, "Don't 
compliment me for killing my brother 
soldiers!" 

When Don Porfirio abdicated he took 
his farewell of General Huerta in a few 
words full of pathos. He said: 

"Mv one regret in leaving my coun- 
try is that mv successor is not a military 
man: but remember, General, that you 
are a soldier and that the duty of the 
soldier is to obey." 

And that General Huerta did not foreet 
his soldier training is shown by his im- 
plicit obedience to the Madero regime 
until after ten davs' battling in the 
streets of Mexico city with the obstinate 
dreamer determined to destroy the city 
itself rather than yield one iota of his. 
despotic sway. Huerta for the first time 
in his Innar and honorable career of loy- 
altv to his Government abandoned his 
soldierly principle of obedience to the 
powers that be. and in so manv words 
told Madero that he was done with him, 
that his rule was marked Kv incompe- 
tency from besyinning to end. and that 
he must get out; and he p'ut him out. 
It seems unfortunate indeed that Ma- 
dero was killed, but as our own Ameri- 
can soldiers declared when thev were 
rhasinp- Indians on our plain.s. the only 
"trond" Indian is a dead one, so the 
Mexican soldier's viewpoint is that the 
only "good" politician is a dead one. 
Conscqnentlv Madero's life was sacri- 
ficed: whether by order of Huerta or 
not never has been determined. 

Now comes Mr. Creelman's statement 
tb^*^ Hnerta is an Indian and that he 
drinks brandv to excess. Lest we for- 
(Continucd on next page.), 



-Saturday, March 14, 1914 



MEXICO 



get, wasn't there a certain General ap- 
:Pointed to the command of our armies 
by President Lincoln who, it was al- 
leged, drank whiskey, and upon it being 
repor.ed to Lincoln he replied: "I wish 
you would find out what kind of whiskey 
he drinks, so that some of my other offi- 
cers may get the same brand?" 

That we as a nation should be held up 
by a murderer and bandit like Villa seems 
preposterous. He is a coward, a robber 
and an outlaw, and he rules mere hand- 
fuls of benighted people by inspiring 
them with fear at ihe terrible examples 
of bloodshed and cruelty he sets them. 
Were we to send a good cavalry force 
across the Rio Grande they would scatter 
like sheep, and by offering them a few 
bushels of corn to feed their hungry 
families and guarantee them protection 
against their brigand chief they would 
■go to their homes and behave them- 
selves. — Thomas Robinson Dawley, Jr.. 
in New York "Sun." 



A COUNSEL OF PERFECTION 

Intervention means war, and war, especially in 
its earliest phrases, is so serious as to demanu 
the ownership and disposition of forces which 
through long seasons of preparedness will have 
a fighting chance to make its conduct successful. 
The raids of Texan Rangers over the border, tht 
despatch of a handful of marines to the City 
of Mexico may be magnificent, but it is not wai. 
This is merely playing with fire and inviting sac- 
rifice, an entrance into a game where the die. 
are loaded and the cards are stacked against 
us. 

Should, unfortunately, nothing but intervention 
be left, let us not take up the great burdei 
with any foolishness of ignorance, repeating the 
old cries of the "Promenade to Berlin!" the 
*'On to Richmond!" or the "March to Pekiny. 
aided or alone!" These are sad shibboleths. 
When we strike, if we are forced to strike, 
let it be with the assured strength that opens 
the way to the nerve centres and compels vic- 
tory. Where our people are counting on hun 
dreds, thousands must be reckoned with, for 
Heaven is still on the side of the heaviest 
battalions.— New York "Herald." 



The Gentle ViUa. 

Richard Harding Davis and "Junius" are right 
about Mexico. 

How our Secretary of State could treat witii 
a bloody villian like Villa is past comprehension. 
If the "Peerless One" would only go back to 
Nebraska and give his attention to the Commoner 
and the President could find another John Hay 
the American people would be spared the hu- 
miliation they have to endure. 

The load of Bryan will prove too heavy for 
the President. Our Mexican policy, if there 
IS one, is a shame in the yes o\ the world. 




1913 WASHINGTON 19I4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

1915 5Ci(g^PrrGT^i',!,':?,'.^c^ 1916 
Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the suj^ar legisla- 
tion. 



Our most astute doplimat, Mr. Bryan, a m£(n 
of peace at any price, should be sent to Mexico 
with a band of yodlers to try the effect of sweet 
music on the hearts and minds of the Mexican 
Indians. Now that the trained diplomat John 
Bassett Moore has quit in disgust, cannot the 
office-boy act as the Secretary of State during 
the absence of the great itinerant lecturer? — 
APEMANTUS in New York "World." 



The Mexican question is from day to day as- 
suming more formidable proportions and those 
who give it the most serious consideration are 
under the impression that one of the features of 
the aftermath will be a general attack upon the 
Monroe Doctrine. There is no indication of a ces- 
sation of hostilities in Mexico; however, no matter 
which party is triumphant the country will be 
saddled with countless claims. Foreigners have 
been great sufferers, their property has been con- 
fiscated and many have been killed. The Chinese 
and Orientals have come under the displeasure of 
Venustiano Carranza, who declares that the Chin- 
ese are "human leeches" and a menace to Mexico, 
and he has issued an ukase banishing all Mongols. 
The Constitutionalists assert that they will drive 
every Oriental out of Mexico. That includes the 
Japanese. The Chinese ambassador at Washington 
has entered a protest against the treatment of 
his countrymen in Mexico, and the Chinese resid- 
ing in the disturbed districts have been instructed 
to place themselves under the wings of the 
American consuls. Under the interpretation of 
the Monroe Doctrine it will be necessary for the 
United States to permit Japan and China to seek, 
reparation, or it will he our duty to compel Mex- ' 
ico to give satisfaction to Japan and China or 
else we would be obliged to assist Mexico in 
resisting pressure. It is said that since we can- 
not permit foreign powers to interfere in Mexico 
in their own interest that we are in duty bound 
to compel Mexico to protect foreigners. The 
Mexican situation has done much to alter the 
aspect of the Monroe Doctrine in foreign eyes. 

It look^ as though President Wilson is called 
for a show-down in the Mexican game. His has 
been a waiting game and doubtless he has 
achieved at Washington what would have been 
impossible had he been forced to intervene at 
any time since March 4. The danger to his 
policy has been the possibility that foreign de- 
mands would cause him to take decided measures 
in order to preserve the Monroe Doctrine. The 
crisis has come, at any rate it is very acute, 
brought about by the murder of the English sub- 
ject Benton. It is worthy of consideration that 
the newest trouble has been brought about, not 
by Huerta but by Villa, whom it is said Wilson 
is inclined to lean towards — "Pan-American Maga- 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: I think the almost universal idea 
that President Wilson and Secretary Bryan have 
been weak and wobbly in dealing with the Mex- 
ican situation is a mistaken conception of their 
year's persistent work to overthrow the Govern- 
ment of Mexico because they in their infinite wis- 
dom and virtue did not approve of it. I should 



say they have shown tremendous strength and 
purpose in setting their individual likes and dis- 
likes against the judgment of all other nations, 
that of our well-informed former Ambassador to 
Mexico, that of the State Department's recently 
resigned authority on international law, against 
the crying necessity for peace of millions of poor 
Mexicans, the opinion of ninety-nine out of every 
hundred Americans in Mexico, as well as all the 
lessons of experience and history. They have 
been strong and persistent to the point of per- 
versity. That they have been utterly wrong is 
another matter. That they have gone to the ex- 
treme of forming an alliance in effect with the 
bandits and I. W. W.'s of Northern Mexico and 
virtually handed them arms and bullets with which 
to prolong the conditions in Mexico they profess 
to abhor shows the strength and determination 
of their policy. Nothing weak and wobbly about 
it. It seems to me that everybody has been 
cleverly taken in by those innocent words, "watch- 
ful waiting." If inter\-ention, which is war, results 
it will be due not to the weakness of the Admin- 
istration, but to its hysterical strength misapplied 
to make intervention a probability. 

Yours very truly. 
New York City. C. H. STAGUE. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, March 14, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

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LOOKING FORWARD. 

■ It has been truly said that the only 
trouble with Mexico is that it borders 
the United States and is a tremendously 
rich country. 

Here is something else for our states- 
men to think about : 

Suppose that in the name of "liberty" 
and "constitutional government" the reign 
of socialism and anarchy under Villa 
should spread over all Mexico. Suppose 
that as in Chihuahua, so in all sections 
of Mexico the masses with a grievance, 
real or imagined or worked up .by agi- 
tators, should "confiscate" and destroy the 
property of the rich and the responsible. 
Suppose that the financial success of Villa 
should inspire even more than it has a 
career of pillage and "confiscation" in 
many other unscrupulous bandits and ad- 
venturers, until the wealth of Mexico was 
destroyed or in the bloody hands of these 
men and their looting followers. 

It does not require a very long stretch 
of the imagination to appreciate the in- 
spirction that this state of affairs would 
give to ambitious men of the same stripe 
this side of the Rio Grande. 

Remember, we have our I. W. W. 

We have our East Side anarchists who 
are looking longingly at the piled-up 
wealth of Fifth Avenue. 

We have our Tannenbaums, incipient 
Villas. 

There is a subterranean rumble in the 
waves of unrest among the masses of u.-- 
employed, unskilled labor. 

We are appointing commissions to study 
such things in the year of Our Lord nine- 
teen hundred and fourteen. 

Maybe we shall have to teach them the 
speech of machine guns in the year of 
Our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty- 
nine. 

Quien sabe? 

And the Administration is watering the 



seed of this dangerous plant at tms very 
moment in our neighboring republic. 

Which may make the reverse of our first 
words true to historians of the future : 
"The trouble with the United States was 
that it bordered Mexico and was so tre- 
mendously rich." 



ALL HONORABLE MEN. 

The way the Administration seized upon 
the case of Vergara, the Texas Mexican, 
as the basis of a "demand" on President 
Huerta is only another indication of the 
fundamental unfairness of the Mexican 
"policy." It amounted to this : "We do 
not recognize your government, we do 
not credit you with the right to govern, 
we have done all in our power to limit 
your power and tie your hands of authority, 
we are openly preventing your control of 
the situation in your country, we are open- 
ly encouraging the very conditions that 
foster the destruction of foreign lives and 
property, but we intend to hold you re- 
sponsible for such destruction wherever 
and whenever we get the chance." 

How can such unfairness be without 
arousing indignation and, concern in the 
mind of every fair American ? Heaven 
knows where a "policy" conceived in that 
spirit will lead the country. 

They are all honorable men, but has 
anything been more dishonorable than the 
Administration's repeated protests of neu- 
trality while it brought every pressure to 
bear against the Mexican Government?" 

They are all honorable men, of course, 
but has there been anything honorable in 
the alliance of the State Department with 
Villa and his bandits? 

They are all honorable men, it is true, 
but has there been anything honorable in 
the State Department's frantic efforts to 
set the murdering Villa and the figure- 
head Carranza right before the world what- 
ever their crimes? 

They are all honorable men, beyond 
doubt, but do honorable men cloak a 
scheme of spoliation and domination in 
studied, honeyed phrases and call it mor- 
ality? 

They are all honorable men, you may 
be sure, but with the honor of the coun- 
try at stake, is it not disconcerting that 
their agents should be the negligible Lind, 
the snooping ex-Reverend Hale, the gulli- 
b'.", usable Tupper, and that a man like 
John Bassett Moore should repudiate the 
game? 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



THE DICTATOR. 

This truth is that, confronted by the 
daily increasing probability of being forced 
by the steady trend of circumstances into 
an invasion of Mexico, the United States 
finds itself without a single sympathetic 
friend among the other strong govern- 
ments of the earth ; and, further, that 
there is a strong possibility, if not prob- 
ability, of one aggressive nation seizing 
upon the moment when we are most deeply 
involved in Mexico to take reprisal for 
fancied injustice. — J. K. Ohl, Washington 
correspondence "Herald." 

There is the key to the whole situa- 
tion. 

The Administration is clearing the 
decks for action, for armed invasion .of 
Mexico. 

The Constitution of the United States 
places in Congress the power and the 
responsibility of declaring war against 
another country. 

But the framers of the Constitution 
did not foresee a situation where the 
President of the Nation in his handling 
of foreign affairs could individually 
shape a situation so that a declaration 
of war by Congress would be only an 
unnecessary formality. 

As far as guiding the affairs of State 
either toward or away from war is con- 
cerned, at the present time there might 
as well be no Congress. 

The fate of the Nation, the lives and 
the treasure of its people are in the 
palm of the hand of a Dictator. 



OF MEXICO. 
(By T. A. Daly in New York "Times.") 
What do you know of 
Of Mexico, 
You who, at ease tonight. 
By your hearth's peaceful light, 
Follow the far-off fight. 
Letting your penny paper 
Be your mind's guide and shaper? 
If to your alien eyes 
Truths and half truths and lies 
Blend in one wild surmise. 
What do you know 
Of Mexico? 

What do you know 
Of Mexico, 
You who have idly viewed 
Evil that throttles Good 
In your own neighborhood; 
Cold to the men about you 
Waging God's fight without you? 
You who have never seen 
Ills here at home, or e'en 
Kept your own doorstep clean, 
What do you know 
Of Mexico? 



For the last few days it was thought here that 
the administration's effort to force a change of 
front from General Carranza had been practically 
abandoned and that the attempts to keep General 
Carranza to the path of moral regenerator of 
Mexico had degenerated to the appeals of Dr. 
Tupper, of the International Peace Forum. 

Degenerated is good. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 

Errsr Rubs Swiftly Dowa tka Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. II— No. 31. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



Word Tyranny 



Wlien il is authoritativelj' said»through 
inspired sources in Washington that un- 
der no circumstances will the Adminis- 
tration recognize the Mexican Provis- 
ional Government, an element is injected 
into the Mexican situation that is the 
most terrible and hopeless to the mind 
of all those who are working for a peace- 
ful solution. 

There is no qualification of the words 
"under no circumstances," and although 
it is possible that they are impulsively 
and bitterly uttered to convey a state 
of mind, in cold blood they can be ac- 
cepted only as an evidence of a perverse 
C!,<)tism of a kind that when responsible 
is pregnant with great evil in the affairs 
of nations. 

Under no circumstances! Let us care- 
fully analyze these uncompromising 
words. 

Under no circumstances? Were the 
circumstances such, as many now believe 
they are, that recognition would save the 
lives of tens of thousands of American 
young men, who would die of wounds 
and disease in the mountains of Mexico? 
Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? Were the 
circumstances such, as many now be- 
lieve they are, that such recognition 
would mean speedy peace in Mexico? 
Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? Were the 
circumstances such that such recognition 
would save hundreds of innocent Mexi- 
cans from barbarous slaughter, the honor 
of thousands of Mexican women from the 
bestiality of savage bandits? Under no 
circumstances. 

ITnder no circumstances? Were the 
circumstances such that such recognition 
would prevent the destruction of millions 
of dollars' worth of property belonging 



to Americans and Europeans? Under 
no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? Were the 
circumstances such that such recognition 
would go a long way to promote this 
country's friendly and trade relations 
with the countries of Latin-America? 
Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition, accorded by all the other great 
nations, would enable this countr}' to 
co-operate with them in a friendly spirit, 
and increase our sadly damaged prestige 
among them? Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition were demanded by the spirit of 
riglit and justice of tlie American peo- 
ple? Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition were shown beyond the shadow 
of a doubt to be not only the most ex- 
pedient but also the most moral move 
that could lie made? Under no circum- 
stances. 

L'nder no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition were essential to the peace and 
prosperity of the L^nited States? Under 
no circumstances. 

Lender no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition were advisable in order to avoid 
unwelcome and unnecessary complica- 
tions with another Power, involving war? 
Under no circumstances. 

Under no circumstances? If such rec- 
ognition would help powerfully to put 
an end to murder, rape, pillage, robbery, 
lilackmail, brigandage, tortures, unmen- 
tionable crimes? Under no circumstan- 
ces. 

It is difficult to believe that any man 
living, at least any man in a position of 
power, responsible to his fellow men, 
responsible to civilization, a servant of 
the people, would use such words in this 



connection, unless he be totally deaf to 
:;.l human appeal. 

In fact, we do not believe that they are 
the words of either the President or the 
Secretary of State. 

And yet not once but many times these 
words have been sent to the press of 
the country through authoritative chan- 
nels and they have been accepted as ir- 
revocable and never denied. 

It would be too much to e.xpect the 
Administration to repudiate such words, 
which suggest a personal despotism 
more tyrranical than any in the world. 
But in the interests of truth and hu- 
manity, ami 10 icassure millions of per- 
haps deluded citizens that they really 
do live in a democracy, it might be well 
for the Administration to see that those 
words are kept out of future communica- 
tions to the press. 



Some rather well-informed persons 
have said that the Administration will 
find occasion to intervene in Mexico if 
the Mexican Government routs Friend 
Pancho. 

* * * 

Rather thaa recognize the Mexican 
Provisional President. 

* » • 

As intervention means war, and as the 
tremendous price of that war will have 
to be paid in the lives and treasure of 
the American people, and as according 
to latest reports this country is not yet 
an autocracy, it is quite possible that 
those well-informed persons misinter- 
pret the intentions of the Administration. 



Or else the Administration does not 
know the people. 



MEXICO 



Saturday. March 21, 1914 



Imaginary Letters==No. 2 



Dear Doctor Hale; 

You made me what I am to-day — I 
hope j'ou boil in oil. You told me it 
was all fixed, that you were Woodrow 
"Wilson's biographer and knew that his 
anind was an open book, to be written 
jn red by us. You told me that Willie 
Witch Hazel Grape Juice would shed 
■criticism like water sheds a duck. You 
told me that Don Sherby Hopkins would 
tend to the legal details and your Wall 
Street friends would supply the mazuma, 
-or dinero, as we saj' in our exquisite 
•Castilian. 

And now I am in the desert, strapped 
to a high-powered motor car. If I go 
too fast my respectable beard will fall 
off and be buried in the sand. If I go 
too slow thej', mj'- enemies the harpies, 
will point to my decrepitude. If I go 
back to Sonora they will flout me for 
dallying with Pancho Villa. If I go 
forward to Chihuahua, I put my plaster- 
of-paris head in the mouth of a lion. 
Wliat am I to do? Come and whisper 
in my ear or send friend Tupper with 
the consolation of the cloth. 

Ah, adversity has made be brother to 
oblivion. And I counted so faithfully on 
you and your Ardmorean morality to 
protect me with a cloak of self-right- 
eousness. 

I am an old man now, and I submit 
that I should not be subjected to the 
indignities that have been heaped upon 
me. Pancho is spreading his spider web 
to receive this old fly in his parloi . 
Pancho has been a good helper and 
server in our scheme of things but is 
now riding his horse to death. He has 
no gratitude for me who have made him 
a hero who was and is a cattle thief, 
nor for you who have gilded his gory 
past for the benefit of the White House. 

My soul is much troubled. Doc, and 
I wish you would tell your boss that I 
cannot stand the strain much longer. If 
you and he want somebody to present 
a respectable front for your celestial am- 
bitions, you will have to get some other 
chap. I am going to dig me a hole in 
the desert or fold my whiskers like the 
Arab and silently steal away. 

It would have been a good thing for 
you. Doc, if you had managed it. You 
were an optimistic child and thought 
nothing was impossible for you with 
your biographical connections, I)ut such 
is life, and we didn't put it over and our 
dream of a Northern Mexican Republic, 
in which wc would l>c tluol satraps, and 
your Democratic friend' would get con- 
cessions as high as tl j lilue sky, has 
proved a chimera, a thmg not to be. 

Damn Huerta. Doc, and don't blame 
me. 



1 have used many boxes of cold cream, 
I have commandeered every wooden leg 
in siglit, I have drawn on all the hospital 
supplies of braces and bandages, not to 
mention hot water bags and trusses, but 
I must confess that you have set too 
hard a pace for me with your boss and 
your countrymen. 

I am a-weary of this great world. 

Commend me to the prof and Willie 
Grape Juice and tell them that I would 
not love them half so much loved they 
not this guy more. 

Yours in bad, 

VENUSTIANO. 



OUTRAGES ON PRIESTS 

AND NUNS 



Stories of the robbery, torture .ind 
even murder of Catholic priests by tiie 
rebels in northern Mexico were related 
liere yesterday by Father Ramon Gon- 
zalez and Jose Medina, a Carmelite stu- 
dent, who, penniless, arrived on their 
flight from Victoria, Mexico. They are 
being cared for by Dominican fathers of 
(be city. Young Medina was driven out 
when he failed to give the rebels money 
but Father Gonzalez, after being robbed 
and blackmailed out of all his posses- 
sions, disguised himself as a peon and 
fl(d across the border in fear of his life 

Rebels Wreck Churches. 

They tell of the raid by Carranza's 
ri'bels upon Catholic churches and a con- 
vent in Victoria three weeks ago. The 
sacraments, crosses and other articles of 
gcid and silver were taken and the church 
imeriors wrecked. Bibles were piled up 
in the center of the Victoria cathedral 
and burned. During the raid on the cathe- 
dral the American Sisters of the Incar- 
nation received warning at their con- 
vent and fled on the moment to various 
parts of the city to hide. The rebels 
visited the convent shortly after and 
looted it of everything of value and 
1)urned Bibles, books and documents. 

Father Cecilia De Leon, pastor of the 
Victoria cathedral, and his two assist- 
ants were made prisoners and takeii off 
liy the rebel army. Their fate is un- 
known, but the refugees say it is proli- 
able that they were murdered — the same 
way that five other priests in various 
parts of Coahuila and Tamaulipas were 
punished by the rebels when they failed 
to give up money the raiders demanded. 

These depredations upon the Cath- 
olic churches by the rebels a,re at the 
orders nf Carranza. the revolutionary 



leader, the two refugees assert. He has 
instructed his men- to obtain money in 
any manner, and there is hardly a priest 
or head of a Catholic institution in rebel 
territory who has not been blackmailed. 
The priests are tortured when they fail 
to respond, it is claimed. 

Blackmail at Base. 
Voung Medina was a Carmelite stu- 
dent in Victoria. He was called into 
the street by a squad of Carranza sol- 
diers. They demanded money. He had 
none. They threw him into prison and 
kept liim there for two days and nights 
without water or food. Finally they 
were convinced that he had no money 
and took him from the jail, but did not 
release him. Instead, they deported him 
to the border and threatened hiin if he 
ever returned ■ to Mexico agairi. He 
wanted to go back to Mexico City to 
the headquarters of his order, but they 
refused him this permission. Dozens of 
priests are being forced across the bor- 
der after being robbed, the refugees say. 
- -New Orleans "Picayune." 



OUR POLICY IN MEXICO. 

From a friend of mine, a prominent 
American citizen, who has lived in Mexi- 
co City for over thirty years and is a 
leader in the American colony there, I 
received recently a letter regarding the 
situation in Mexico. The following is 
an extract from it: 

"Referring to our troubles here, I can 
only say that I am sorry that the United 
States Government has tak-en the stand 
it has in regard to the Mexican situation. 
As a matter of fact the greatest sufferers 
by President Wilson's policy, if it may 
be so called, are us foreigners and the 
poor people of the country. General 
Huerta has no intention of abdicating, 
and if he should do so, what, and who, 
is to take his place? I am not able to 
believe that President Wilson could, for 
a moment, think of replacing him with 
such outlaws and assassins as Carranza, 
or Villa, or Zapata, or any of the horde 
of so-called Constitutionalists (God save 
the mark!). 

"The mass of the people here may not 
think that Huerta is the only man for 
the place, but he has demonstrated a 
greater degree of fitness than any other. 
At the present what are we going to do; 
whom have we to put in his place? At 
the present time he is our only hope for 
a restoration of order: and remember, 
the deaths of Madero and Suarez cannot 
be fixed upon him. I am certain that he 
did not know of them for an hour after 
they occurred, and had he known that 
they were contemplated I am sure that 
he would have intervened. I know Gen- 
eral Huerta and I like him personally 
very much. He is not at all the man he 
is painted in the newspapers in the States. 
If President Wilson had let this country 
alone and given it a chance to work out 
its own salvation, we would have had 
peace long ago. I am an .\merican, and 
under all circumstances and conditions 
will stand by my country, but I cannot 
feel that anything like justice has been 
done to this country by Wilson or 
Bryan. 

"It lias occurred to me that this opinion 
of a man on the spot might be ot ni- 
terest. — .Mfred Muller in New York 
".Sun." 



Saturday, March 21. 1914 



MEXICO 



GOING UP! 

General Carranza is due at Guzman, 
eighty miles southwest of Juarez, Sun- 
day morning. If the Northwestern Rail- 
road is repaired in time General Car- 
ranza will be able to get to Juarez Sun- 
day afternoon. If not, he will have to 
come overland on horseback, which will 
take tlie liettcr part of two days. Gen- 
eral Villa's suggestion of an automobile 
was politely refused by General Car- 
ranza on the advice of members of his 
Cabinet, who are taking no chances on a 
gasoline or other explosion. — New York 
•■Herald." 



LEST WE FORGET 



MEXICAN PRESIDENT UPHELD 
IN LECTURE. 

"President Wilson made his biggest 
mistake when he failed to recognize 
Huerta at the outset," was tiie state- 
nienl niade by William E. Carson, news- 
paper correspondent, author and student 
of Mexico and its aflfairs. in a lecture on 
the Mexican situation before the Men's 
League of the Classon Avenue Presby- 
terian Church. Brooklyn. "The trouble 
with the Americans," said Mr. Carson, 
"is that you cannot interest them in 
Mexican affairs, and that they would 
rather laugh at the comic supplement!, 
than consider questions with intelli- 
gence. 

"The reports from Mexico are all one- 
sided," said the speaker, 'and Huerta 
isn't getting a square deal. Strange 
though it may sound to American ears, 
yet he holds the confidence of the peo- 
ple who recognize in him the only bar- 
rier between themselves and anarchy. 
Mexico needs a strong hand to govern 
it, and Huerta is the strongest man in 
the country. 

"While I was in Mexico I saw an im- 
pressive sight," continued Mr. Carson. 
"We were sitting in the national palace 
when suddenly the bugles sounded and 
a motley army of several thousands 
marched into the palace garden marshaled 
by sergeants from the regular army. Rich 
and poor marched shoulder to shoulder. 
Huerta turned to me and said: "These 
are volunteers whom I did not call out. 
No. they are not going out to fight 
the bandits in the north. They are the 
home guard, and together with thousands 
of others like them, they stand ready to 
fight any invader." 

Mr. Carson branded as absolute lies 
the published reports of Huerta's drunk- 
enness. 

"Huerta drinks like many other good 
men," he said, "but in all my acquaint- 
ance with him, that lasted for about six 
months. I have never seen him under 
the influence of liquor. This talk about 
nights of debauchery and revelry is un- 
founded falsehood." — From Brooklyn 
"Standard Union." 



MR. BRYAN AND MR. MOORE. 

Close observers at Washington have known for 
a long time that our foreign affairs are not well 
conducted ; that too many of our diplomatic ap- 
pointments have been personal and political, and 
that the machinery within the State Department 
has been very badly run. The resignation of Mr. 
Moore has merely called public attention to if. 

In such an office as Secretary of State no 
amount of good will or high purpose can take 
the place of intelligence. Moreover, nothing can 
excuse the partisan and personal character of 
some of Mr. Bryan's appointments. — "Collier's 
Weekly." 



Somebody has suggested that we have 
utterly misapprehended the purposes of 
the Administration's Mexican policy, 
which this apologist asserts have been: 

To strengthen the hand of President 
Huerta. 

To show up the Northern rebels in 
their true light as murderers and ban- 
dits to the world and the better classes 
of the Mexican people. 

* • • 

Perhaps our critic is right. If he is, 
then we congratulate the Administra- 
tion on the success of its policy. 

Referring to the commission sug- 
gested by Straus, the Secretary of State 
was reported as saying that his Depart- 
ment had given absolutely no considera- 
tion to this or any other plan to bring 
about peace in Mexico. 

* * * 

This from the Apostle of Peace, whose 
eyes glow with the fervor of humani- 
tarian impulse when he talks — at so much 
per talk — on the beauties of universal 
brotherhood. 

* * * 

Some critics of the Mexican Govern- 
ment, who have approved the relentless 
efforts of the Administration to tie the 
hands of that government, have the 
nerve now to say that President Huerta 
should not have been recognized be- 
cause he has not shown ability to ac- 
complish anything! 

» * * 

And yet the American President of 
the National Railways reports that sixty- 
five per cent, of the railroads are in oper- 
ation as the result of the assistance ot 
the Mexican Government. 

* * * 

And yet trains are running from the 
American border at Eagle Pass and 
Laredo to Torreon and Monterrey. 

* * * 

And yet the border States of Nuevo 
Leon and Coahuila have been virtually 
cleared of marauding bands and hundreds 
of miles of track are kept open. 

* * * 

And yet all of Mexico's tremendous 
area is under Federal control except the 
sparsely settled States of Sonora and 
Chihuahua, mountainous parts of Sina- 
loa and Durango, and two towns in 
Tamaulipas — Matamoras and Victoria. 

* • • 

And yet that Government has had 
the sources of credit to which it was en- 
titled cynically cut off by the Washing- 
ton Administration. 



As lovers of a good fighter we should 
respect the strength and courage of the 
present Mexican Government in its suc- 
cessful battle against tremendous odds. 

We often wonder what our respected 
leaders in Washington would do under 
similar circumstances. 

* • ■ 
Colquitt, the Conqueror! 

« « « 

He had his little strut upon the stage. 
We hope he's satisfied. 

* * * 

His is a hollow bark, and he has no 
fangs. 

« * • 

But the fact remains that the Admin- 
istration, it is impossible to say why, 
is giving the jingoes of the Colquitt 
breed every encouragement possible. 
« « « 

Because it seems to want to do the 
same thing to Mexico as Colquitt, but 
do it in its own way, which is war un- 
der another name. 

* • • 

As between the two there is something 
more honest and American about the 
Colquitt way. 

* * * 

Than the sly, underhanded, misrepre- 
senting, cold-blooded intervention that 
has been miscalled Watchful Waiting. 

* * « 

The spectacle the Administration pre- 
sents to a puzzled world is this: 

* * * 

On the one hand doing everything to 
provoke war with Mexico. 

* * * 

On the other hand doing everything 
ostensibly to avoid it. 

* * * 

Is that playing both ends against the 
middle? 

* « • 

Or is it burning Mexico at both ends? 

* * * 

Is it amateurishness or obliquity? 



The reported arrest by Carranza's people of 
two leading politicians of the Madero regime it 
another blow to the administration's theory of 
the Mexican situation. The great merit which 
Mr. Wilson and Mr. Bryan attached to the rebels' 
cause was that they were supposed to represent 
the democratic ideals of Madero. — Pittsburgh 
"Gazette-Times." 



Apparently, the State Department at Washing- 
ton recognizes the fact that the Huerta Admin- 
istration is the only responsible government in 
Mexico upon which formal demand may be made, 
and confesses the correlative fact that the Con- 
stitutionalist faction, which it would favor, is 
irresponsible and cannot be held to account foi 
its outlawry except by force of arms. — Philadel- 
I>hia "Bulletin." 



MLXl^U 



Salurdax, March 21, 1914 



A STARTLING INDICTMENT 

By CASSIUS E. GILLETTE, Former Major of Engineers, U. S. A. 



For almost ;i j-ear the world has won- 
dered what President Wilson's poHcy 
toward Mexico really was. 

At first, owing to the skillful press- 
agent work of Sherburn G. Hopkins, 
carried on almost under the shadow of 
the White House, the world assumed 
it w.is simply a high-minded resolve not 
to recognize a man who had achieved 
the presidency of a Latin-American re- 
public by assassinating his predecessor. 

Later when Europe generally recog- 
nized General Huerta. and the truth De- 
gan to permeate that he was neither a 
traitor, assassin nor usurper, directly or 
indirectly, and the awful aspects of what 
non-recognition by the L'nited States, 
under the Monroe doctrine extended, 
really meant to Mexico, being partially 
appreciated, people attributed adherence 
to his remarkable attitude to a some- 
what enlarged determination, or ob- 
stinacy. 

Non-recognition prevented Mexico 
from borrowing money, while savages 
like Villa, who do not need to borrow 
money, since they loot, rob and extort 
ransoms like other bandits the world 
over, gradually destroyed the country. 

Then the mysteries of real diplomacy 
and the natural desire of public men 
and editors to uphold the hands of the 
President together with the deference 
almost necessarj' in connection with 
still undistributed patronage gave an ap- 
parent public sanction to a policy still 
unknown. 

Then the newspaper men, at least, 
came to the conclusion he had no policy 
at all, and never had had one, his un- 
swerving determination to "oust Huer- 
ta" bein<j due merely to a desire to 
appear infallible and "save his face." 
But that theory is untenable. It does 
not fit the character of tlie man. No 
human being with believable instincts 
possibly could contemplate the suffer- 
ing and destruction of property with the 
determination with which President Wil- 
son has watched the results of his keep- 
ing the civilized faction from borrowing 
the m'-'uev absolutely necessary to pro- 
tect civilization from savagery, merely 
to "save his face." 

The President even has reversed him- 
self in Mexico. The recent recognition 
of Peru and Hayti are a complete re- 
versal of all his avowed reasons for re- 
fusing to recognize Mexico. So that 
will not account for his unyielding 
obstinacy in Mexico. 

Pre-Election Agreement. 

The following sequence of events may 
su.ggcst the true reason: 

When Mr. Bryan became con- 
vinced at Baltimore that he could 
not be nominated this time, he 
forced the nomination of Wilson, 
previously "tying his feet" with the 
provision committing the party to a 
single term. No President who has 
fought a war during his first term 
has ever been refused a second, ana 
if he were a peace lover like Mc- 
Kinlcy. it didn't take much of a 
war. There was nothing in sight 
that would give the necessary wave 
of popularity to overcome thisplank 
in the Baltimore platform, except 
to 1)0 "unwillingly" forced into in- 
tervention. 

To encourage the "patriots," while 
the good prc9<-agent work of Hop- 
kins, counsel for the Maderistas and 



the Waters-Pierce Oil Company, 
keeps the .American people in the 
preposterous belief that those ban- 
dits, essentiall}' Geronimo's Apache 
band over again, were patterned 
after our revolutionary sires; to nag 
Huerta until some overt act like the 
sinking of the Maine should inflame 
the American people so much that 
even a real lover of peace could not 
stop them, just as they overrode Mc- 
Kinley; these were natural methods. 
Then another quick, sharp war and 
an overwhelming election to a sec- 
ond term. 

The President Acts. 

The following is a list of the striking 
things Mr. Wilson has done to Mexico. 
Every one of them fits the above expla- 
nation and they fit no other: 

First — Prompt refusal to recognize 
Huerta. This occurred only three days 
after the inauguration. It had been de- 
termined upon. Mr. Wilson's closest ad- 
viser right along has been Mr. Cleve- 
land H. Dodge, the largest contributor 
'o his campaign fund, and a director in 
the National City Bank, a Standard Oil 
institution. Mr. Hopkins, counsel for 
H. Clay Pierce, wanted recognition re- 
fused. 

Every one who knows anything about 
Mexico realizes that had Huerta been 
recognized promptly and thereby been 
permitted to borrow money, all this car- 
nage, destruction and outrage would 
have been avoided. 

Incidentally. Huerta seems stronger 
today than before. American injustice 
has united the civilized elements with 
him. 

Second — President Wilson paid no at- 
tention to information and warnings on 
the subject. I myself wrote him the 
true situation, in March, and warned 
him that unless he recognized Huerta he 
would soon have to give up the Monroe 
Doctrine or start an unjust, expensive 
and bloody war. 

I repeated this in a long letter from 
Mexico, in August, giving him the facts, 
of my fresh observations. Doubtless 
hundreds of others did the same thing. 
He refused to discuss Mexico even with 
Congressmen of his own party, for 
which he must have had some secret 
personal reason. 

Recognition Refused. 

Third — He was really the State De- 
partment "when foreign affairs were 
concerned." Whatever Mr. Bryan did 
or refused to do was presumably in 
compliance with Mr. Wilson's wishes. 
In March I spent more than two hours 
with Mr. Bryan explaining to him that 
the real trouble in Mexico was due to 
the fact that the peons owned no land; 
that tliis was due wholly to the fact 
that only lands actually cultivated were 
taxed; that even Diaz had not felt able 
to tackle this problem, since the Con- 
gressmen were the land owners; that 
only an outside Power could correct 
this, and suggested that he here had an 
opportunity to do more for real demo- 
cracy than he ever had done or ever 
could do, by sending John Lind down 
there to proiuise recognition provided 
the leaders would promise to put a 
graduated tax on uncultivated land that 
in, say, ten years, would be large enough 
to force its cultivation or sale. His 
answer was we could not have "condi- 



tional recognition." Now we see John 
Lind down there peddling "conditional 
recognition" and offering assistance to 
get loans as a bonus, but under impos- 
sible conditions. The four Wilson re- 
quirements which John Lind demanded 
of Huerta were as preposterous as it 
he had asked him to jump over the 
moon. Yet to Americans, unfamiliar 
with the real conditions and misled by 
the oil press agent, they seemed quite 
reasonable and on the lines of true de- 
mocracy. 

John Lind could not be sent down 
there to lay the ground for a future 
democracy, but could be commissioned 
to nag Huerta into doing something to 
justify intervention. 

Goading Huerta. 

Fourth — The systematic efforts to ir- 
ritate General Huerta are remarkable. 

The secret sending of William Bayard 
Hale, formerly a clergyman, is a case in 
point. This man did many things to 
irritate Mexico, coming as a secret sort 
of an Ambassador, using the embassy 
code and officially intruding in many 
disagreeable ways. 

Then went John Lind bearing impos- 
sible requirements, a Scandinavian from 
the Far North, speaking no Spanish and 
W'ith a point of view as far as possible 
removed from that of the Latin races, 
and therefore slow to realize and sym- 
pathize with the difficulties of governing 
turbulent Mexico — a man too old to go 
to see the horrors of Durango, Torreon 
or Chihuahua, and at the rnercy of local 
.A.merican infiuei^ces in M(^xico 'Ci'ty. 
And there are many there, who for per- 
sonal reasons want intervention, while 
rumors and lies there are as thick as 
dust in a March wind. 

Although Mexico City is as safe as 
Philadelphia, and with a delightful 
climate the year round, he keeps John 
Lind sweltering in the discomforts of 
the hamlet of Vera Cruz under the guns 
of our warships, as though in fear of 
his life, irritating to Mexico and mis- 
leading to the rest of the world. 

In this work of "super irritation" the 
President is most ably assisted by Mr, 
Hopkins, the oil press agent, who by 
telegrams and misleading views given 
out by the "junta" from his office does 
everything possible to irritate General 
Huerta, especially by misleading the 
.\merican people. 

Pages of this could be given, but not 
one misleading statement from this 
source has been corrected by Mr. Wil- 
son, or his State Department, so far 
as I can find, and although Mr. Hop- 
kins' work is notorious and calculated 
above all things to bring on interven- 
tion, not once has he been rebuked or 
even mentioned. If the President did 
not really want intervention, would he 
not do something to inform the people 
about this? 

The Warning to Americans. 

Fifth — -Last August he ordered all 
.\mericans post haste out of Mexico — ■ 
furnishing them with cattle-boat pas- 
sage or a second-class ticket on the reg- 
ular lines. This precipitate action has 
never been explained. Is not the desire 
to make a lot of ruined Americans de- 
mand intervention the best reason in 
sight? 

.Sixth — He has made strenuous per- 
sonal efforts to prevent the established 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, March 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



A STARTLING INDICTMENT -Continued 



Government getting loans. He lifted the 
embargo on arms to be "fair to the Con- 
stitutionalists." Why did he not then 
be fair to the civilized side by stating 
that he would do nothing subsequently 
to interfere with the payment of loans 
made to the Mexican Government? The 
Constitutionalists do not borrow. They 
steal. To bolster up the weaker side 
and weaken the stronger paves the way 
to intervention. 

He personally directed the Postmaster 
General to press Mexico for a settle- 
ment of about $1,000,000 difference in 
the postal matters. To weaken the 
stronger side? 

Seventh — Henry Lane Wilson won the 
admiration of everybody by the mas- 
terly way he handled the. situation dur- 
ing the time Madero and Huerta were 
fighting Felix Diaz last February. Yet 
the President dismissed Mr. Wilson in 
disgrace because his recommendations 
were not in accord with "the policy" 
(sic) of the Administration. Had these 
recommendations been followed inter- 
vention would have been impossible. 
Was not that the real clash of policies? 

Eighth — Professing a horror of war, 
he has maintained near the border a 
large army only one-third of it used to 
maintain the embargo on arms. The 
remainder is at Texas City ready for 
emergencies. Does "watchful waiting" 
mean waiting for some one to "sink the 
Maine"? Does the maintenance of 14 
warships on the Mexican coast look like 
preparation for war? 

They were kept there under courtesy 
of Mexico until October 1. Now "wear- 
ing out their welcome" seems another 
intentional irritant — a chip on the 
shoulder. 

Ninth — For 48 hours after the cap- 
ture of Victoria, a city of 1.5.000 people, 
Mr. Wilson "viewed the situation with 
complacency." The facts have never 
come out, but beyond doubt the savages 
were allowed the regular 34 hours ot 
"liberty" immediately after the capture. 
This "liberty" means license to loot and 
rob, and there is no reasonable doubt 
that during those 48 hours of com- 
placency not less than 1000 young girls 
and women suflfered. The known pro- 
portions at Durango would make it more 
than this. Could any human being 
stand for this merely to "save his face"? 
No; it must be a profoundly important 
reason, like a second term of the "new 
Freedom." 

Suggestions Repelled. 

Tenth — Last August, about the time 
Carranza probably died, and his un- 
known brother was slipped into his place 
for press agent purposes, the junta in 
Washington was much discouraged and 
ready to quit. An American acting for 
them sent a letter to the President that 
if he would send John Lind to Car- 
ranza and ask him in the name of the 
I'nited States to lay down his arms, he 
would do so. All he wanted was to 
save his face. 

This letter was ignored totally, and 
some weeks later, when the writer of it 
informed the President in writing that 
he could suggest a feasible plan to 
promptly end all the bloodshed (it was 
by getting Porfirio Diaz to return), he 
was sent, by direction of the President, 
to see Secretary Bryan on the subject. 
Bryan grossly insulted him while his 
guest in the State Department carriage 
b«fore he had his plan half stated. The 
President, although promptly informed 
of the matter, did nothing to relieve 
himself of the charge of sending a gentle- 
man to be insulted by his Secretary of 



State. This was not merely to "save 
his face." 

Unjust Strictures on Huerta. 

Elevenlh — He deliberately has misled 
the American people in his official mes- 
sages. He has called Huerta a "usurp- 
er," which he is not, and President Wil- 
son must know he is not. He said in 
December, "there is no Government in 
Mexico" — carefully weighed words. Yet 
at that time all the functions of govern- 
ment were going on normally over two- 
thirds of the area and five-sixths of the 
population of Mexico. The courts were 
in session, the Congress was in session, 
every executive function was normal. In 
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Morelia, Pueb- 
la, Guanajuato, Oaxaca. San Luis Potosi, 
Tampico, Pachuca, Manzanillo and Me- 
rida, large and important cities, all was 
peace and quiet, and also in the rich and 
populous States in which they are lo- 
cated, barring a few stray bandits, les- 
ser lights than Mr. Zapata, who is fre- 
quently "storming the gates of Mexico 
City" in the Hopkins type of news, just 
as he has been storming them every 
few months, during Madero's regime and 
all, ever since Madero started him on 
the warpath. The storming consists in 
sneaking out of the surrounding moun- 
tains 35 to 40 miles from the city, mur- 
dering a few peons and robbing a few 
lienroosts and then sneaking back to his 
mountain hiding place. 

Mr. Wilson must know these things. 
Can any other reason be advanced for 
his bold statement that "there is no 
Government in Mexico" except to lay 
the foundation for a future unwilling in- 
tervention? 

Embargo on Arms. 

Twelfth — The embargo on arms was 
never- really effective, and General Bliss 
so stated in his annual report last July. 
It could with ease have been made per- 
fect. Why was it not done? 

Lifting it only made it easier for the 
bandits to get arms and made it pos- 
sible to get cannon, against which the 
embargo had been effective. 

The embargo prevented the 3000 Fed- 
erals cooped up in Ojinaga whence they 
had come from Chihuahua to save the 
women from Villa's "patriots." A na- 
tion cannot very well smuggle arms like 
"patriots" of the Villa stripe do. Had 
the embargo been lifted a little sooner 
they could have gotten plenty of am- 
munition and held their ground. Now 
we have an official boarding house for 
5000 of them, including the fugitive 
women and children. 

So long as arms were only smuggled 
no claim could be urged against the 
United States for damages done with 
those arms to Mexican citizens and 
others. Now the case is exactly parallel 
with the Alabama claims our people col- 
lected from England. Can we be con- 
sistent and not pay such claims? In 
international law the legality of Huerta's 
becoming President cuts no figure. Eng- 
land might have asserted Lincoln was 
not legally elected, as a great many ot 
the States did not vote, but such a pro- 
position was never even suggested. A 
pretty bill we will have to pay. Why 
was this cruel and expensive move made 
except to make intervention necessary? 

Tliirteenth — Charge d'.\ffaires O'Shaugh- 
nessy was required to hold President 
Huerta responsible for newspaper 
criticism of President Wilson. What 
does President Wilson do to stop 
the atrocious lying about President 
Huerta that the press agent works into 
our papers? But the action is c.ilculated 
to irritate Huerta. 



Inqtiiry Suggested. 

Fourteenth — -A congressional invest- 
igation into Mexican affairs on the 
ground would have cleared the matter 
up long ago. It has been proposed sev- 
eral times. Somebody smothers it. The 
President never has lifted a finger to 
further it. Why not, if he felt he was 
right? 

Fifteenth — He has worked tooth and 
nail to undermine Huerta by saying that 
he was "crumbling;" that the "end was 
coming;" that his real condition would 
"presently be revealed." This was last 
.'\ugust. The "revelation" has not ar- 
rived yet, but it has helped to prevent 
Mexico from borrowing money so that 
"intervention presently will be revealed." 

Sixteenth — Propositions for Pan- 
.•\merican good offices to settle the trou- 
ble have never been favored by Mr. Wil- 
son. They would be futile, in fact, but 
not if the situation were in line with 
his actions and speeches. Why has he 
not furthered it? 

The Benton Case. 

Seventeenth — He has done many 
things to keep England from interven- 
ing. There would be no glory in that 
for the New Freedom. Sir William Tyr- 
rel assented to his request to "let him 
handle it," but said England will look to 
the United States, not to Mexico, "for 
every dollar of damage and every Eng- 
lish life lost." 

That is what is bothering now in the 
Benton case. Hopkins, naturally, does 
not want the succession to go to Villa. 
He is impossible and his oil sentiments 
are unknown. Carranza (real or "ring- 
er") is more civilized, more possible and 
more tractable. Since he sent many 
Hopkins-like telegrams from Nogales 
when he actually was 600 miles from 
that point and 300 miles from a tele- 
.graph office, he easily sent the other 
day a message revealing a knowledge 
of diplomacy and international law pos- 
sessed only by specialists. It takes an 
unwonted time to get his as yet unre- 
ceived reply to Bryan's response — -prob- 
ably has to import it from Washington! 

Eighteenth — The Panama Canal was 
built large at enormous cost to develop 
our West and our East by reducing the 
freight rates between. To put a toll on 
our coastwise trade is precisely equal to 
the abandonment of a part of the canal, 
or a part of its value. Even self-stuli- 
fication cuts no figure. England must 
go into Mexico only through Presidenl 
Wilson. 

Debts and Claims. 

Nineteenth — The floundering for a 
reason for not recognizing Huerta has 
taken some curious sides. At first it 
was pure altruism; peaceful change of 
Governments. Two lives had been lost. 
Balance them with the thousands lost 
since, the hundreds of millions of 
bridges, public buildings and other prop- 
erty destroyed, and the real beauty ot 
this altruism appears. 

A few months later Senator Swanson. 
of Virginia, a member of the Senate 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, and close 
to the late chairman of that committee, 
about the only man with whom the 
President appears to have consulted with 
on Mexico, told me. "The reason we 
won't recognize Huerta is because he 
has incurred debts and recognition would 
put those debts ahead of our claims." 

Shades of dollar diplomacy! Can that 
be a real reason? Some reason was 
necessary, or intervention would not 
follow. 

Later, in tlie beautiful Mobile speech, 
(Continued on page ii) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 21, 1914 



MR. DOOLEY ON VILLA 



in New York "Times." 



"Our relations with Paiicho is most 
corjal an' just what ye'd want th' re- 
lations iv a gr-rcat civilized republic 
■with wan iv th' mosf notorious bur- 
glars now in public life to be. We 
give him th' gun, he shoots th' pris- 
oner, an' we apologize to th' powers. 
It's wan iv the pleasantest alliances 
this counthry has conthracted since it 
took in th' mickrobe iv inflooinzy. 
We're justly proud iv our little frind, 
an' he loves an' respicts us. P'raps lie 
holds us in too much awe an' vinera- 
tion, but that is no more thin nachral 
in a meek an' modest half breed who 
has gone into partnership with wan iv 
th' most pow'ful nations in th' worruld. 
"I hope th' administhration won't be 
too severe with him. I thought I see 
signs iv that in some recent remarks 
at Wash'nton, an' it wud be too bad if 
the alliance was weakened be autycratic 
methods. He shud be ruled be kindness 
an' love. There's no use in a big, 
sthrong man like Woodrow Wilson bul- 
lying this gentle soul. 

"F'r instance, what was th' good iv 
■iindin' this rough message last week: 
'King iv England wants to know if ye 
"iitind to kill anny more iv his subjicks. 
'^- know ye'er ixcillincy's tender heart 
too well to suggest that ye do, but if 
it isn't too much trouble I'd like an 
answer collect.' 

"To which Pancho made th' follow- 
in' almost obseekyus reply: 'None iv 
th' king's business or ye'ers ayether. 
But if ye have to know, yes. Sind on 
some more ammynitioii. an' be quick 
about it, or I'll go over an' take it away 
ir't; ye.' 

"Th' prisidint apparently lost his 
.emper an' set down an' wrote this 
?.ngry response: 

"'\fifictionate Ally an' Dear an' Res- 
picted Frind: I am shippin' ye this 
•^y 1. o. b. an' C. O. D. at El Paso two 
hundherd cases iv rifles an' ammynition, 
which I hope ye will use to good pur- 
pose against th' villyanous Hoorta. 
Plaze e.Kcuse th' delay. I thrust ye 
ar're well an' all th' little Villains an' 
Mrs. Pancho. Ye haven't sint me that 
phottygraft ye promised. Referrin' to 
me tillygram iv last week, it was naw- 
thin' important. On'y th' king iv Eng- 
land has been raisin' Ned about some 
alleged subjick iv his that was last seen 
Icavin' yc'er house in a hearse. He 
thinks th' man is dead. I pooh-poohed 
th' idee. But he said th' fair fame iv 
England was at stake, an' th' on'y way 
I cud wipe out th' foul blot on his 
honor was to let him use th' Pannyma 
canal free iv charge. Reely, Pank, ye 
must be more careful. I ralize yc'er 
playful dispositioji, but if th' powers iv 
Europe hears about this thing they'll be 



investin' hundherds iv their surplus citi- 
zens in Mexico an' I'll have to bee givin' 
away chunks iv territory to satisfy their 
injured honor, an' th' first thing ye 
know we'll be broke.' 

"Instead iv bein' nettled be this re- 
proof, Pancho replied in a concilyatory 
spirit. Th' Liberator received th' mes- 
sage while he was engaged in fryin' a 
hundherd thousan' dollars out iv a rich 
compathriot over a slow fire. Lavin' 
this important jooty iv state an' afther 
shootin' th' messanger an' takin' his 
horse, he set down, dipped his pen in 
a bucket iv blood, an wrote as follows: 
" 'Dear Dock, I don't know which 
English subjick ye refer to in ye'er im- 
pydint note. There has been a numoer 
iv casulties in th' foreign colony since 
I come here, an' next week there'll be 
more if I keep me health. If it's th' 
duck I think ye mean ye can give anny 
iv th' followin' raisons to th' king f'r his 
death: Wan — He isn't dead, but has 
eloped with th' wife iv a prom'nent 
I'usiness man iv San Antone. Two — He 
come to me office an' dhrew an ink 
eraser on me. Three — He insulted me 
an' was shot be wan iv me faithful 
lootinants. Four — He jumped out iv a 
window an' broke his neck. Five — He 
had on a pair iv new boots an' I needed 
lliim. Six — I mistook him f'r an "Ameri- 
can citizen. Siven — He was arristed f'r 
stealin' a horse an' was shot while at- 
timptin' to escape. Eight — He was 
thried as a spy be a coort martial an' 
sintinced to death. But, alas! too late. 
He had been dead f'r a week, or just 
afther comin' into me office to exposh- 
tylate with ine because I was wearin' a 
watch that he'd missed fr'm his house 
afther me last visit. Ye can take ye'er 
pick iv th' fates that overtook this on- 
happy man, to soot th' complexion iv 
til' British Govermint, an' sind what ye 
don't need back to me f'r use in cases 
that may arise in th' future ' if I have 
me way. But don't write me anny more 
letters. They give nie a headache. I 
must now close, as I left wan iv me 
assistants watchin' th' kitchen stove, 
where I am raisin' funds f'r me threeas- 
ury, an' I'm afraid th' careless fellow 
has gone to sleep. Give me regards to 
Billy Bryan an' tell him that it was 
with th' gun he give me that I dhrilled 
th' Englishman. It is a beautiful wepin' 
an' I call it "Th' Dove iv Peace" in 
his honor. 

" 'Ye'er affictionate frind an' pow'rful 
ally. P. VILLA. 

" 'Gineralissimo an' Prisjdint.' 
"But I don't know what's go'in' to 
happen to us, Hinnissy, if we go on 
followin' this here Monroe docthrine 
into ivry dark alley iv Latin .America 
whin it goes on wan iv its slummin' ex- 



peditions. We'll have to change our 
idees iv what kind iv a statesman is fit 
to associate with. Whin George Wash- 
'nton told us not to mix up with foreign- 
ers, but to stay on th' farm an' be at 
home nights, he little thought th' first 
foreign alliance we wud make wud be 
with Panclio Villa. Followin' his ad- 
vice, our fair Columbya sidestepped as 
dang'rous companyons Queen Victorya, 
th' Impror Looey Napolyon, four or 
five czars, th' McAdoo iv Japan, th' im- 
pror iv Chiny, an' th' King iv Prooshya, 
on'y to be landed in th' embraces iv a 
statesman that a few years ago was 
dodgin' a warrant f'r stealin' chickens. 

"I've got an idee in me head somehow 
that George Wash'nton an' Pancho Villa 
wudden't get on well together. I can't 
see thim havin' a tin-type taken an' 
George lendin' Pancho his own forty- 
five as a sooveneer iv their frindship. 
He was a proud an' particklar ol' la-ad, 
that father iv our counthry, an' he wud- 
den't undherstand our new ally. Th' 
chances ar-re th' haughty ol' gintleman 
wud give Pancho a lick over th' head 
with his sord belt an' tell Gin'ral La 
Fayette to lock him up in th' callyboose. 
"But," as Hogan says, "other times, 
other friendships. Th' counthry is no 
longer th' little two-be-four conthrap- 
tion that it was in Wash'nton's day, 
an' we've got to change our idee iv th' 
kind iv pardner it's proper to let our 
Columbya give her arm to. Th' young 
people iv America ought to know more 
about our dark frinds to th' south, an' 
I'm thinkin' iv getlin' out a Pan-Ameri- 
can Statesmen Series. 'Vol Wan. Pan- 
cho Villa.' — 

"It is difficult to compare our first 
foreign ally with anny American states- 
man that children have been allowed 
to read about. He was as difif'rent as 
ye can imagine fr'm Wash'nton an' Lin- 
coln, did not resimble ayether Benjamin 
Franklin or Thomas JeiTerson, an' 
wud've be turned over to th' town con- 
stable be Jawn .\dams or Ale.xandlier 
Hamilton. Iv all gr-reat Americans he 
p'haps most resimbled th' late Jesse 
James, although there was considherable 
likeness to Sitting Bull, Geronimo, an' 
th' Pachy Kid. 

"Little is known about th' hero's arly 
life, which was passed far fr'm th' cen- 
thers where th' Bertillon markings ar-re 
studied. His parents were poor an' so 
nigligent iv his idjacation that he was 
nearly six years iv age whin he saw his 
first bullfight. It is to be presoomed 
that lie was like other Mexican childlier 
iv his station, arly larnea tli' correct 
use iv th' knife, had his tame scorpion, 
an' so forth. 

"Whin he was 35 th' spirit iv onrest 
seized him an' foorced him to lave his 
comfortable home undher his hat along- 
side a fire near th' railroad depot an' 
go out into th' wurruld to engage in 
th' shruggle f'r his daily chilly con car- 
ncy. He had no difficulty in selictin' a 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, March 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



protessyon. Manny forms iv larceny 
was open to him, but he choose th' wan 
best sooted to his love iv manly ex- 
ercise an' an out iv dure life an' become 
a highway robber. In this pursoot he 
soon kilt off all compytition an' manny 
competitors an' was known in Mexican 
fi-nancial circles as wan iv th' largest 
an' most onprincipled bandits iv his 
section, a cjealer in horses, cattle, an' 
express packages, op'ratin' a plant fr 
th' mannyfacther iv currency out iv lead 
pipe, an' act in' as commission merchant 
fr th' principal undhertakin' establish- 
ments iv th' counthry. 

"An' so lie might have continued, th' 
typical cheery Mexican squire, sur^ 
rounded be th' trophies iv his career, 
beloved be his neighbors, goin' down on 
market day to inspict th' cattle dhriven 
in be his vaqueros or horse thieves, an' 
joinin' in th' rustic spoorts an' other 
stabbin' affrays iv th' peasanthry, if his 
country had not called this village 
Hampden to her rescue. 

"He was slow to enther th' conflict, 
contintin' himself at first with bookin' 
cav'Irj- rig'mints fr'm th' opposin' ar- 
rmies. But wan day while he was peace- 
fully engaged in changin' th' brand on 
a consignment iv steers that had just 
arrived, a message came to him that 
made ivry dhrop iv pathriotic blood in 
his veins bile with passyon. He heerd 
that th' hated government, th' oppris- 
rors iv his people, had just deposite3 
fifty thousan' dollars in a bank at Chi- 
hoohoo. This outrage stirred him as 
nawthin' else cud. Sthrappin' a jimmy, 
a brace an' bit, an' a pound iv dinny- 
mite to his belt, he put spurs to his 
horse an' jined th' rivylootion'ry 
foorces an' soon rose, through vacan- 
cies caused be death, to th' chief com- 
mand. 

"It was fr'm such humble beginnings, 
little wans, that Pancho Villa become 
th' thrusted ally iv our pow'rful gover- 
mint an' so continued onti! hanged be 
th' succeedin' administhration. Our next 
ally was Red Leary. 

"An' so it'll go ontil th' time will 
come whin th' schoolmasther won't 
have to larrup th' childher to make thim 
study American histhry, but it'll be as 
inthrestin' to thim as th' 'Life iv Lefty 
Looev.' " 



Plain Words from the Border 



Jy C. F. Z. Caracristi, Ph.D., C.E. 



MEXICAN RAILWAY SITUATION 

IMPROVES. 

E. N. Brown, president of the National 
Railways of Mexico, arrived in New York 
to confer with a group of international 
bankers regarding the road's impending 
obligations. Mr. Brown will make 
known also the condition of the Mexican 
railway system at this time. Officials 
of the road say that the situation has im- 
proved of recent weeks and that about 
sixty-five per cent, of mileage is being 
operated, against little more than fifty 
per cent, early in the year. 



There can be no accession to the fields 
of hutnan wisdom without firstly plac- 
ing our minds in a receptive mood, ready 
to receive proof and weigh it in the 
balance of impartial justice. In our 
colossal prejudice regarding Mexico we 
invoke fanatic ignorance mstead of 
reasoning intelligence. 

If President Wilson is really an honest 
'man, if Mr. Bryan could be gotten away 
from his self-centered egoism, and we 
could get their real sub-critical attention, 
they would probably acknowledge, what 
they must acknowledge to their own 
concience, that they have and are inflict- 
ing and perpetuating an outrage on the 
hmnan race in their Mexican policy. 

If the President could be made to see 
that, regardless of the press propaganda 
carried on by his Administration in its 
campaign of publicity, there are 60,000 
Americans who have interests in and 
know Mexico and that there people will 
brand the present national crime as an 
injustice to them and the Mexican peo- 
ple, he might change his policy to one 
of equity. 

Again, if the President and Secretary 
Bryan could be induced to lay aside 
their wild prejudice and attitude of in- 
fallibility and listen to reason and the ar- 
guments of intelligent, educated men of 
refined knowledge and experience their 
policy would change. 

What I hold to be morally wrong on 
the part of the Administration is its use 
of the press in its efforts to educate our 
people up to the belief that we are fol- 
lowing a just policy when these gentle- 
men know only too well that their 
claims are self-proved falsehoods. The 
American people are inclined to be in- 
different to foreign policies; they accept 
blindly what the press and the Govern- 
ment say. We are a hip-hip-hurrahl 
people when it comes to war. We do 
not think on foreign policies any more 
than we speculate on interstellar space. 
The President, though his party press 
tells us, "Mexico is a bad country, has 
a Iiad President," and we answer in 
loud chorus: "Sure, Mike," which goes 
to prove both our knowledge and democ- 
racy. Or he might tell us, "Mexico 
is a great and a good country and its 
President is a canonized saint of the first 
water." .\nd likewise we answer: "It's 
so and you are a wise guy to tell us; 
thanks!" 

This is not the first time that the Gov- 
ernment has used the press and its own 
prestige to perpetuate a fraudulent false- 
hood on the public. Roosevelt did this 
with Colombia when his Government 
connived with astute promoters to rob 
that country of Panama. What did Mr. 
Wilson say of ibis act in his Mobile 



■speech? Why, he condemned it and our 
Minister to Bogota has been authorized 
to draw a treaty with Colombia, if it 
is not already drawn, to pay some $35,- 
000,000 indemnity for this traitorous act. 
What is to prevent Mr. Wilson's suc- 
cessor from taking a similar stand on 
his treatment of Mexico? Are our peo- 
ple to be everlastingly paying indemnities 
and apologizing to foreign powers and 
ridiculed abroad just to satisfy the spleen, 
ignorance or ambitions of visionary 
theorists in the arts of political economy 
and diplomacy? 

While the Administration refuses to 
accept advice and evidence from the 
honorable multitude of Americans who 
own property in Mexico, in support of 
the present Government, and says it will 
not accept biased views, at the same 
time when our Department of State pro- 
tested against the Huerta Government 
granting certain concessions to the Pear- 
son interests the act was solely for the 
benefit of the American Oil interests. 
Why should the oil interests be pro- 
tected and other interests ignored? Of 
course, it is hardly reasonal)le lo expect 
a reply to this question or any other 
that might be asked that would throw 
truthful light on President Wilson's 
Mexican Bubble. 

There can be no doubt that if Mr. 
Wilson does not examine into the mirror 
of his own private conscience (there is 
no such thing as political conscience, 
except as a figure of speech), he will 
drift our country into a cruel and use- 
less war with a power that should be 
our friend. 

All of Mr. Wilson's acts point to the 
fact that he is preparing not only the 
Army but also the American public mind 
for a war of intervention. The danger 
to Mexico does not arise from the war 
itself, which will be of short duration, 
but to the fact that once the United 
States enters the country the interests 
will do all in their power to substitute 
annexation for intervention. 

We all know that Mr. Wilson has said 
that "we shall never again acquire ter- 
ritory by conquest," but Mr. Wilson has 
said a great many things about Mexico 
that we who know the country know 
to be untrue. Besides, President Wilson 
is not a permanant fixture in our national 
organization; even if he should be more 
honest in his statement regarding the 
acquisition of additional territory than 
of other things that he has said or in- 
spired others to say about Mexico. 

If the Mexican situation does njt de- 
velop into the greatest international 
scandal of the twentieth century I will 
feel '.hat I am no longer a good guesser 
in such affairs. 

(Continued on next page.) 



8 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 21, 1914 



PLAIN WORDS— (Continued) 

Throughout the turmoil and trying 
vicissitudes of the past year, and in the 
face of most delicate diplomatic adversi- 
ties and trials, there are two men who 
deserve admiration and applause — they 
are Mr. Algara and Mr. O'Shaughnessy, 
the two charge d'affaires in Washington 
and Mexico City. 

It would be of the greatest interest to 
learn the names of the Americans in- 
terested in Mexico in a responsible way 
who are against the Mexican Govern- 
ment. I do not believe that they would 
reach one per cent, of all Americans, in- 
cluding the laboring classes. 

Who are Mr. Bryan's and Mr. Wil- 
son's advisers? 

The ex-sky-pilol Dr. William Bayard 
Hale — don't forget the "William Bay- 
ard." A gentleman working with him in 
Mexico City stopped to shake hands 
with a Mexican army officer. When he 
caught up with William Bayard the ex- 
pilot was in the sulks and said: "Did 
you shake hands with that man?" "Yes," 
replied the .American, "he is my personal 
friend and a gentleman." "No, no," ex- 
citedly retorted W. B., "he is a murderer 
and I blush to know a countryman who 
would shake hands with such as he." 

Now, if it were not against public de- 
cency and libelous to complete Senator 
Penrose's speech in Congress about this 
"Reverend" Hale I would do so, but 
there are unfair things under the Queens- 
berry rules of discussion. 

It is a pity that Senator Penrose did 
not place his complete information in 
the Congressional Record, as a Senator 
is not amenable to the courts for state- 
ments made in the Hall of Congress. 

Besides this gentleman of ex-divine 
tendencies, Mr. Bryan retained a certain 
"Colonel" Robertson, of Monterrey, to 
crochet or embroider a few lines of 
thought and advice on the Mexican sft- 
uation. The "Colonel's" claim to poli- 
tical consideration is based upon the fact 
that he once inaugurated a hunting ex- 
pedition for the now grateful Secretary 
of State. He has not had a vote in the 
United States for thirty years; and is a 
personal friend, which is no crime, but 
makes him incompetent, of the Maderos 
and their gaunt followers. 

The United States Government has in 
Monterrey a great, honest and able 
Consul General and why should it also 
maintain an unofficial understudy who 
really formulates the opinions of our 
Department of State? 

."Xnd when we think of poor John Lind, 
another of Bryan's unofficial harlequins, 
who is the understudy and de facto su- 
perior to our able O'Shaughnessy, we 
are moved by a deep sense of the ridicul- 
ous. I guess that he is personally a 
good fellow; in fact, he must be to 
stand the abuse that is poured on him 
and still play Punch and Judy for 
months in a climate unfit for Swedes 
and Polar bears. 



BANDIT RULE 



Some typical examples of the treat- 
ment that Americans and other foreign- 
ers are subjected to in Mexico have just 
been told to the "Tribune" by George 
Richardson, a recent graduate of Yale 
University, who for the last three years 
has been employed in the laguna State 
of Durango by a cotton raising con- 
cern. Mr. Richardson was graduated 
from Vale in the class of '10, and has 
been in Mexico ever since, with the ex- 
ception of two or three brief trips to 
New Haven and New York City. 

How Villa, or his compatriot. Gen- 
eral Yuriar, sent horsemen to the ranch 
near Torreon where Richardson was in 
charge, with instructions to procure 
from Richardson $100,000 or to shoot 
him and to kill all the Spaniards on the 
ranch, is one of the incidents of the nar- 
rative. He had been warned of the rebel 
raid and made his escape that morn- 
ing. The rebels, however, made prison- 
ers of eight Spanish employes, who 
bought off their lives from the captain 
in command for a considerable sum of 
money. When the captain returned he 
was executed by his superiors for not 
shooting the Spaniards, who made their 



One of his closest advisers in Mexico 
has been Mr. Galbraith, the able man- 
ager of the Waters Pierce Oil Company, 
and his family — catch it? 

Let us look into the "neutrality" of 
the American Government on the border. 
So long as the Mexican Murder Syndi- 
cate held the frontier coast east of El Paso 
the Government instructed its consuls to 
issue consular invoices for cattle shipped 
out of the territory, knowing that a 
large percentage of these cattle were 
either stolen or, to use a milder word 
that means the same thing, confiscated. 
The agents of the U. S. Treasury De- 
partment were instructed to permit these 
illegitimate imp — tations through points 
never before recognized as ports either 
by Mexico or the United States, some 
within sixteen miles of ports held by 
the Federals when the U. S. Consuls 
issuing the invoices were duly accredited 
to the Mexican Government. This gave 
the outlaws not only money, but also 
arms and ammunition, and still we claim 
to be neutral. 

Through these ports cattle aggregat- 
ing $65,000,000 in value were imported 
during the past three years of war. But 
as soon as the border was taken over 
by the Federals the Secretary of the 
Treasury, who has nothing to do witVi 
the Bureau of Animal Industry, tele- 
graphed the collectors of the ports not 
to permit cattle to enter the United 
States because ,a disease called the 
"scab'" had been discovered by long dis- 
tance telescope from the naval observa- 
tory in Washington. Is this neutrality? 

The Mexican Government very justly 
retaliated by putting an export duty of 
$20 per head on cattle and now the 
cattle buyers want intervention. 



escape, but were hunted down on neigh- 
boring ranches, and shot, a boy of 12 
years being one of. the victims. 

The rebels are for the most part com- 
posed of marauding bands. They are not 
so strong as they were four months ago, 
and Huerta is the best man in Mexico 
in its present chaotic state. Every day 
Richardson and his companions would be 
"called on" by detachments of rebels, 
who demanded corn and money. When 
they were refused they did not hesitate 
to steal whatever they could lay their 
hands on. They "vamoosed" with prac- 
tically all the mule power the ranch 
owners possessed, 385 mules being draft- 
ed into the rebel army at one time, and 
on another they walked off with all the 
firearms that had been laid in stock by 
the Americans for protection, the where- 
abouts of the guns, under the flooring 
of the manager's house, being betrayed 
by the only Mexican servant who knew 
of their concealment. 

The first attempt that Richardson 
made to leave Torreon took him about 
two hundred miles by railway, when in 
the night he saw a red glare ahead of 
the engine, and a burning bridge stopped 
further progress. The train was backed 
away as fast as possible, accelerated by 
the bullets of the rebel troops, who shot 
at the engine and coaches when they 
approached the bridge. It backed all the 
way to Torreon, where five days were 
spent before another start was possible. 
The next attempt was on a freight train 
and more fruitless than the first, the 
train being stopped by a burned bridge 
within twenty miles of its starting point. 
After a further wait of two weeks in 
Torreon, railway connection with the 
outside world was finally established, and 
Richardson left the country. 

Returning from New Haven to Mexi- 
co in July, he was forced to make a de- 
tour of several hundred miles to reach 
Torreon and to travel by automobile and 
handcar. Part of the way he travelled 
in company with a Federal secret ser- 
vice officer disguised as a Mexican me- 
chanic, who had thirty or forty telegrams 
in a sealed tin tube deposited in the 
gasolene tank of the automobile. 

Nine men started for Torreon in two 
automobiles. Besides Richardson and 
the two supposed chauffeurs they in- 
cluded a doctor of the State Department, 
a representative of a foreign corpora- 
tion sent in to bring support to em- 
ployes of his company who were sup- 
posed to be in Torreon. an official of one 
of the Federal states and a Swiss mining 
man named Weiniger, who was later 
killed bv bandits and his fingers cut of? 
to secure the rings that decorated them. 

The party had a stretch of two hun- 
dred miles of desert to cover before its 
members could reach their destination. A 
short distance from Saltillo they met 
two Federal irregulars with dispatches 
who had been captured by the rebels, but 
had succeeded in making good their es- 
cape. The soldiers told them that the 
employes of the foreign corporation had 
left the country, so the representative 
sent ''■■) to aid them returned to Saltillo, 
leaving the others to continue their dan- 
gerous journey without him. 

The soldiers also told them that they 
would find rebels at a ranch in the neigh- 
borhood of La Rosa, and it was decided 
to run past, if possible, without making 
a halt to show credentials. So when the 
party reached the ranch they opened up 
their throttles and put on full speed 



Satiirdiiv. March 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North. South, East, West and All Angles 



"CASH" INTERVENTION AS BAD 

AS ARMED INTERVENTION. 

In a letter to tlic Christian Register 
Samuel A. Eliot says: "Finally there 
are tlic advocates of intervention 'in 
the interests of humanity,' who would 
have us believe that it is our duty to 
give to the Mexicans 'the benefit of real 
liberty and good government,' and that 
we ought to invade Mexico in order to 
execute justice, proclaim freedom and 
promote prosperity. These people have, 
as Senator Hoar used to say, 'forgotten 
the vocabulary of liberty." They talk 
about "giving good government," a 
phrase that is in itself an insult to any 
self-respecting people. There can be 
no good government imposed upon a 
people by an alien authority. Is it not 
the axiom of freedom that the only good 
government is self-government?" 

The policy of the .Vdministration has 
in fact been one of actual intervention. 
It has not licen content to withhold 
recognition only, which is its right, but 
it has likewise instituted a financial 
embargo. "You take my house when 
you do take the means whereby I live." 
Our theory of moral intervention is 
based on the arguments Mr. Eliot cites 
as the reasoning of the proponents of 
armed intervention. Gin failure to 
send troops into the country is re- 
vealed, therefore, as due in no wise out 
of regard for Mexico, but solely be- 
cause our Government dreads the bur- 
den of such an adventure. That may 
or may not be a cowardly policy, but 
it smacks of a selfishness at variance 
with our professions of altruism. 

We cannot liy fiat order good govern- 
ment in Mexico. It is apparent that 
the success of the Constitutionalists 
will promote bad government. Our 
"cash" intervention has enfeebled the 
only real government that exists, yet, 
despite this handicap it has maintained 
itself for months. It is obvious that 
with complete neutrality on our part 
the revolution would long since have 
become desultory instead of extensive 
brigandage. We have not maintained 
equality between the two contending 
factions, for we lifted the embargo on 
arms for Villa while maintainin.g the 
embargo on money against Huerta. 

The .Administration is insisting on a 
kind of government which the Latin- 
American mind cannot comprehend. It 
is demanding an impossibility. It is 
coercing an independent State. It has 
invaded the sovereignty nf Mexico in 
exercising a veto-power on its finan- 
ciering. Washington has erred because 
it has not understood Latin-.American 
thought. — Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



mind lis that intervention would cost 
husbands and sons and sweethearts; that 
it would entail immeasurable misery, suf- 
fering and sorrow ; that it would crystal- 
ize Latin-.\merican antagonism; that it 
would burden the nation with a colossal 
del)t and impoverish it with a new and 
never-ending pension roll. 

Nobody questions all this. But what 
does this nervous anxiety on the part ot 
the President's supporters mean? As 
one reviews the history and faces the 
facts of the situation, this dread lest the 
President be forced to intervene seems 
to indicate a concerted movement to re- 
lieve him from bearing the burden of 
responsibility for his own policy. They 
seek to make it appear that he alone 
has stood like a mighty bulwark against 
intervention. He is the good angel that 
lias stood with flaming sword on the 
Mexican border and said to the mad 
hosts of .\merican invaders. "Thus far 
shall thou come and no farther." And 
now the mighty arm is growing weary, 
and there is danger that this great hero 
will be compelled to yield to the wild 
clamor of the frenzied mob. Verily, these 
nervous supporters do protest too much. 
The cold truth is that the .\merican 
people have refused to become excited. 
There has been no clamor for interven- 
tion. .\ small section of the press and 
a few interested parties have perhaps 
advocated it. But the o.;e thing that 
has been clear in the midst of all the 
confusion is that the people of the United 
Slates do not want intervention. They 
have remained calm and cool. Their re- 
fusal to grow excited is the finest trib- 
ute to the good sense of the people dur- 
ing our national history. 

Tlie policy of the President Toward 
Mexico is his own policy. Those who 
differed from him have been anxious not 
to embarrass him. They are willing that 
he shall have the honor if his policy 
succeeds, but they are not willing to 
shoulder the blame if the policy fails. 

The real misgiving on the part of presj 
and people concerning the President's 
policy is due to tlie fear that this policy 
spells intervention. They do not desire 
intervention, but they are apprehensive 
lest intervention be the inevitable out- 
come of the President's policy. .And if 
intervention does come, it will n(H be 
because the press and people forced the 
President into it, but because the Presi- 
dent took a position that forced the coun- 
try into it. 

It is too late in the day for eager 
worshippers of the President to befog 
the issue. If we escape without inter- 
vention, then the President deserves the 
credit; if we drift into intervention, he 
cannot escape the responsibility. — Rufus 
P. lohnston in New York "Tribune." 



PRESIDENT'S RESPONSIBILITY. 



and an equally distinguishing characteris- 
tic of the Huerta administration in the 
rest of Mexico has been that these 
great lines of business and civiliza- 
tion have been promptly repaired, when 
l)roken, done !)>' some wandering band 
of Zapatistas or other bandits, and have 
been kept in continuous operation. Does 
any one think that everybody interested 
in the peace of Mexico is going to subinit 
to another year of this sort of riot and 
ruin? All that is needed is for our gov- 
ernment to cease intervening in Mexico 
on the side of disorder, and to let those 
natural Mexican forces that make for 
.order and peace have fair play. — Hart- 
ford "Courant" 



To Him Alone Will Belong the Blame 
for Intervention if It Comes. 
From various quarters in these latter 
days come hints and anxious suggestions 
that certain sinister forces are hamper- 
ing the President in his Mexican policy 
and are rendering ineffective his wise 
and humane endeavors. .\t one moment 
a section of the press is to blame; at 
another, mysterious references are made 
to .great interests which seek selfishly to 
plunge the country into war. Pathetic 
pictures are drawn by these nervous 
supporters of the President of the 
horrors and atrocities of war. They re- 



A CONTRAST. 

The re|)orts that five priests have been 
slain in Tamaulipas, that cathedrals and 
churches have been burned and looted 
by the so-called Constitutionalists would 
seem almost incredible had not other 
evidence to show the character of Villa 
and his associates been accumulating 
through the last few weeks. It is foi 
these men that our government raised 
the embar.go on arms and enabled them 
the more easily to carry out their cam- 
paign of pillage and slaughter. 

What a difference in the state of af- 
fairs in Mexico City, under the rulership 
of Huerta. In spite of the liostility of 
our administration, not an .'\nierican ap- 
pears to have been molested. The busi- 
ness of the city seems nearlj' undisturbed. 
Life goes on as usual. 

Contrast the equations of Mexico City 
and Juarez. Huerta and American hos- 
tility afford protection to Americans and 
all other foreigners. Villa and .\merican 
friendship spell anarchy under which 
the lives of Americans and other for- 
eigners are forfeit, if it be the whim of 
the blood-thirsty bandit in power. — Bos- 
ton "Herald." 



OFFICIAL COQUETRY. 

We have liad over a year of official 
coquetry with Villa and Carranza. We 
have had over a year of robbery, murder 
and outra.ged women in Northern Mex- 
ico, where Villa and Carranza have been 
in control. We have had over a year of 
tolerable order and private safety in 
Southern and Middle Mexico, where Gen- 
eral Huerta has maintained the de facto 
government of Mexico. A distinguishing 
characteristic of the rebel administration 
in Northern Mexico has been the destruc- 
tion of railway communications, by blow- 
ing up bridges and tearing away tracks; 



MEXICAN POLICY CONDEMNED., 



Foreign Diplomacy Has Administration 
"Beaten to a Frazzle." 

With reference to President Vv"ilson's 
so-called Mexican policy, is there to be 
no limit to his personal dogmatism? 
There are occasions when such stubborn 
tenacity to one's own personal opinion, 
that brooks no interference and obstinate- 
ly refuses to admit that there may pos- 
sibly be others who know at least a 
little and whose judgment is deserving 
of some slight consideration, is jiistifi- 
able; but such occasions are exceedingly 
rare. * * * 

Is it not true that this .'Administration 
is just "watching and waiting:" to try to 
make the public believe that it is is most 
censurable. Too proud to reverse itself, 
it is actively straining itself to the ut- 
most to have the personal opinion of 
the President, previously expressed, pre- 
vail at any cost. It is willing to let 
.American and all other foreign interests 
suffer, to allow our citizens to be out- 
raged, the Mexican people themselves to 
be brutalized and sacrificed, and the time- 
honored Monroe Doctrine to be made a 
laughing stock, rather than admit its 
evident error and thus allow the Presi- 
dent's pride to suffer. * ♦ ♦ 

The .Administration declares that all 
the great Powers are in accord with it; 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 21, 1914 



and yet all the great Powers have recog- 
nized Huerta! But if they are indeed 
in accord with it, it is most likely be- 
cause the Administration is steadily 
breaking down the Monroe Doctrine, 
which thing they have tried in vain to 
do for a century! 

Foreign diplomacy seems to have the 
Administration beaten to a frazzle. — 
Henry A. Bomberger, in Philadelphia 
"Public Ledger." 

OUR MEXICAN POLICY. 

It has become popular to describe the 
policy pursued towards Mexico by our 
Federal administration as weak and 
pusillanimous, yet there are not lacking 
some indications that, in so far as 
President Wilson is concerned, the at- 
titude assumed is anything but weak. 
The withdrawal of the embargo on the 
shipment of arms to Mexico was an open 
move in favor of the Constitutionalists, 
led by Carranza and the erstwhile ban- 
dit Villa. It was hoped that the rebels, 
with the aid of liberal purchases of arms 
and ammunition from the United States, 
would be able to drive the Federal 
forces before them and hurl Provisional 
President Huerta from power. 

According to some critics, the real 
motive behind the administration's pol- 
icy is the overthrow of Huerta and the 
triumph of the revolutionary cause, and 
in assuming that position it has become 
necessary to disagree with all the other 
powers that have recognized the Huerta 
regime. In order to overthrow the ex- 
isting government in the City of Mex- 
ico our administration has been willing 
to wink at the killing and maltreating of 
Americans and other foreigners in the 
northern part of Mexico, and it is this 
cowardly course that has misled so 
many into accepting the idea that the 
government's policy towards Mexico 
has been weak and pusillanimous. 

After the e.xhibitions of savagery 
which the Constitutionalists have given 
the world recently, it is difficult to un- 
derstand how President Wilson can 
wish for their ultimate success. Huerta 
is no doubt harsh and dictatorial, but he 
is infintely better qualified to rule in 
Mexico than Carranza or Villa. Think- 
ing people are rapidly reaching the con- 
clusion that our government has made a 
mistake when it declined to hold any 
relations with Huerta, even as the de 
facto executive of Mexico. Such recog- 
nition would not have committed the 
United States to an indorsement of his 
acts, but it would have put us in a 
much more favorable position for safe- 
guarding our citizens and their interests 
than we now occupy, and it would have 
saved us from the obloquy of having 
openly aided a set of revolutionists who 
have set aside all the accepted rules of 
civilized warfare and have resorted to 
rapine and pillage, as well as murder and 
summary execution ol prisoners. — New 
Orleans "Picayune." 



PUBLIC OPINION—Continued 

"FOOL BUSINESS." 

It was ■■fool businefs" not to recognize 
the de facto government, when every other civil- 
ized country did so on the advice of their rep- 
resentatives. 

It was ••fool business" to discredit our min- 
ister, Mr. H. L. Wilson, who knew at least as 
much of the Mexican situation as our Washing- 
ton government. 

It was "fool business" to recall him and at- 
tempt to deal with the situation through our 
charge, Mr. O'Shaughnessy, at the same time not 
allowing him to "recognize" Huerta. 

It was •■fool business" to sent" John Line to 
negotiate with a government that we did not 
■'recognize." 

It was "fool business" for Mr. Lind to at- 
tempt to interfere with the internal politics of 
a sister republic. Would we have done it if 
Mexico had been as large and powerful as the 
United States? 

It was "fool business" to offer to promote a 
bank loan to Mexico if Huerta would resign. It 
was most insulting and brought a merited and 
dignified rebuke. 

It was "fool business," if not worse, to send 
personal envoy Hale to treat with Carranza and 
his fellow bandits on the northern border. 

It was "fool business" to order our nationals 
out of Mexico, instead of guaranteeing them the 
protection that Italy and Spain extend to theirs. 
It has been "fool business" all along, feeding 
the newspaper men with promises that the ad- 
ministration would ■ show "results," that Huerta 
was on the verge of collapse, that he was with- 
out money or friends, and that the "watching and 
waiting" policy was winning approval at home 
and abroad. 

It was "fool business" beyond expression, to lift 
the embargo. 

That the American people are opposed to "in- 
tervention," or ••war," there is no doubt. We 
have no quarrel with the Mexican people or gov- 
ernment. All that was needed was a firm, dig- 
nified demand for protection for the lives and 
property of our citizens. 

President Wilson says that he has nothing but 
praise for his secretary of state.- He indorses 
his action or non-action in every particular. 

Consequently they must stand or fall together, 
and with them will be judged their party in Con- 
gress, who have shown the same willingness to 
accept dictation in this respect as they did in 
the matters of tariff and currency legislation. — 
Joseph D. Holmes in New York "Evening Mail." 



to the standards of Chautauqua and of the per- 
sonal representatives who are the laughing stock 
of Europe and have so appealed to the sense 
of humor of the Mexicans that a comic paper 
named after the gentleman who is watchfully 
waiting in Vera Cruz is now being published in 
Mexico City. Is it in. keeping with the tra- 
ditionally benevolent attitude of the United 
States toward the weaker nations of this hemi- 
sphere that the President of this great nation 
should deliberately undertake to ruin and bank- 
rupt our unfortunate southern neighbor? 

The wisdom of Mr. Wilson and his advisers 
may be such that they feel qualified to judge of 
an alien country and of matters beyond their 
ken, but there is a Spanish proverb which bears 
repeating in this connection : •'Mas sabe el loco 
en su casa que el cuerdo en la ajena," "A fool 
in his own is wiser than a wise man in the home 
of another." 

General Huerta has lost no ground since a 
year ago. It is not too late even now for Presi- 
dent Wilson to pocket his pride and to recognize 
the only Government in Mexico which has any 
chance of stability.— Reynaldo in New York 
"Sun." 



GENERAL HUERTA. 
To the Editor of "The Sun": 

Sir — The letter of "Junius" stated very clearly 
what seems to be the main reason for the extra- 
ordinary "policy" of the present Administration 
toward Mexico, namely, the personal pride of the 
President. It would seem, however, that there is 
still hope for a reversal when one considers the 
attitude of Mr. Wilson in the canal tolls question, 
which called for courage of an order at least as 
high as that needed to acknowledge that a mis- 
take was made in refusing to recognize General 
Huerta a year ago. 

While no one doubts that the President's course, 
mistaken though it may be, has been dictated by 
an honest desire to avoid plunging the United 
States into a war of which the resultant gains 
could be in no way commensurate with the ex- 
penditures of lives and money involved, it seemed 
obvious from the first to any one having any 
knowledge of Mexico that that country should 
have had a chance to work out its own salvation. 
This it could only do by means of recognition by 
the great Powers and the financial credit ensuing 
therefrom. This recognition, granted by others, 
has been withheld by the United States for what 
reason? Because General Huerta's rise to power, 
his mornls and his appetites did not measure up 



WOES OF CARRANZA. 

fBy Direct Wire — Exclusive Dispatch to Los 
Angeles "Times.") 
Agua Prieta, March 10. — Like other diplomats, 
General Carranza- and his Cabinet talk officially 
and unofficially. Officially there is nothing but 
harmony within the ranks of the Constitutionalists 
and their immediate success is predicted. Un- 
officially both Carranza and his official family 
interestingly discuss their cause — its present, past 
.-ind future. The past is certain, the present and 
the future doubtful. 

Carranza is dissatisfied with his six months* 
stay in Sonora. The people of Sonora and its 
army have failed to understand the true principles 
of the revolution ; they have even told the aged 
leader that he is rapidly becoming the laughing 
stock of the State as well as of the American 
nation. Sonora has backed up its opinion of ^he 
"First Chief" by refusing to supply an army to 
continue the trip into Chihuahua. Carranza asked 
for an army of 5,0<X) men from Sonora to accom- 
pany him into Chihuahua; an army of 7,000 was 
ordered mobilized in Agua Prieta. Without ex- 
planation the orders were countermanded. To- 
day less than 1.000 are available in Agua Prieta. 
Fewer than 700 of these will accompany the 
rebel leader into Chihuahua. In all probability 
Carranza will return to Eastern Mexico with the 
little bodyguard of 400 cavalry which accompanied 
him from Durango to Sonora and which have 
since foisted themselves on the State, much to 
the disgust of the Sonora officials, who have 
contributed to their financial support during the 
stay. 

Carranza is peeved and wants to leave. Sonora 
is pleased and wants him to leave. • Only one diffi- 
culty remains. Pancho Villa yet remains in Chi- 
huahua, deferring from day to day his threatened 
attack on Torreon. Carranza and his Cabinet do 
not care to be quartered in the same country as 
Villa ; he will delay his trip until assurances are 
received that Villa has "gone south." Carranza 
admits that he and "the half tiger, half brute" of 
the rebel army do not agree when brought face 
to face. "Embarassing situations arise which are 
difficult to explain," he says. 

The members of his Cabinet admit Carranza's 
waning popularity. The emotional half-Latin, half- 
Indian make-up of the Mexicans demands virile, 
instant action, is given as the cause. Carranza 
himself is in the hands of his .advisers. He is 
rapidly tiring of the role he is forced to play in 
the events of Mexico; he cannot trust his own 

(Continued on next page) 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



ilurdciv. Marcli 21, 1914 



MEXICO 



followers ; bis own advisers cause him to throw 
the cause of Constitutional government into dis- 
repute. They advised him to refuse to treat with 
the United States regarding the wanton murder of 
William S. Benton in Juarez. He did. Two days 
were necessary to show him the error of his ways. 
He is now confronted with the question of how to 
reinstate himself and the cause in the good 
graces of the United States, without openly ad- 
mitting the error. 

Sedition smolders in Sonora. Gen. Obregon, 
to whom he gave the commission to lead an army 
against Torreon, has refused to place himself 
under Carranza's or Villa's orders. Col. P. Elias 
Callcs, commanding the frontier, has likewise re- 
fused to accompany the aged leader. 

"Affairs at liome will demand our attention. We 
cannot afford to leave Sonora to be overrun by 
thieves and bandits," is the only reply Carranza 
can get for their refusal to accompany him. 

Both Obregon and Cailes openly flaunt his in- 
action in his face. "We will be in the City of 
Mexico when you are giving fiestas and dances 
close to the American line," they told their Jefe, 
who says he cannot treat with the American gov- 
ernment for the murder of Benton in Juarez. 

"Make the wager what you wish," said Obre- 
gon, when they parted ways in Nogales, "I, at 
the head of my forces, whom I know to be loyal, 
will be in Mexico City before you start." Car- 
ranza only smiled. "Affairs of war are very un- 
certain. It all depends on Villa. I don't know 
what he is going to do; they say he is still loyal. 
I am getting tired. The conflict has lasted over 
a year now, el Senor Dies sabe (God knows) how 
much longer. I do not. Don't forget me ; I 
need your support if Villa errs." 



A STARTLING INDICTMENT— 

(Continued from page 5) 

the reason had taken another plunge 
downward. It was concessions, and oil 
concession at that. Is there enough oil 
this side of the South Pole to justify the 
destruction of a nation that our oil kings 
may get it? 

But it served as an excuse for non- 
recognition. 

Benton and Vergara. 

Twentieth — The State Department has 
maintained a most remarkable silence on 
things Mexican. I believe they have 
records of about 135 Americans being 
killed since American money helped 
Madero to "break out" — all killed by 
bandits who are trying to destroy Mexi- 
co, not by Mexico. If those are "let 
out" suddenly, and attributed to "Mexi- 
co" after some Constitutionalists posing 
as "Federals" shall have "sunk the 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

■ QIC MUNSEY BUILDING |q|<; 
1310 WASHINGTON. D. C. '9'«> 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sugar legisla- 
tion. 



Maine," it would make intervention cer- 
tain, and a scholarly but unwilling "war 
hero" would be born and maybe re- 
elected. 

Note the difference between the energy 
of the Administration today in the Ben- 
ton and Vergara cases. "General" Vil- 
la, the leader Mr. Wilson is supporting, 
undoubtedly foully murdered this well- 
known, prominent Englishman. The 
-Administration has pifiEled over the mat- 
ter until decomposition has destroyed 
the evidence. "On the other hand, Clem- 
ente Vergara, good old Yankee name, an 
American citizen whose picture does 
not look like it, is alleged to have been 
decoyed across the river by some horse- 
thieves, who posed as Federals, and 
"maybe" killed him. General Huerta is 
1200 miles away and cannot exercise 
jurisdiction because we permitted a "re- 
volution" against his country by a man 
who said he got his money from Stan- 
dard Oil and because we are helping 
bandits to destroy his jurisdiction. Yet 
far more diplomatic energy has been 
spent to make General Huerta account 
for that farce than was put on Benton's 
real case right under our noses, while 
all the other Americans that Villa seems 
to have murdered in the last month are- 
almost in "innocuous desuetude." 

Have you not noticed that every time 
Villa does something unspeakable the 
press agent "coppers it" with something 
similar on Huerta? When Villa thought- 
lessly murdered every prisoner he cap- 
tured in Juarez, that just as soon as 
there was time to concoct the scheme, 
a written order was found in the same 
vicinity purporting to be an old order 
of Huerta to do the same thing? Gen- 
eral Huerta is a soldier and gentleman, 
trained at the West Point of Mexico, 
n he were brute enough to order such 
a thing, do you think he would be fool 
enough to put it in writing? Verily we 
are easily fooled. But do you think the 
President was fooled? With his sources 
of information he ought not to be, but 
such things help bring on intervention. 

After Huerta, What? 

Twenty-First — The very plans, or lack 
of plans, to answer the question, "After 
Huerta, What?" are illuminating. Presi- 
dent Wilson's only expressed plan is a 
"hope" — and a futile, queer hope at that. 
He said at Mobile some months ago, 
speaking of General Huerta: "By a little 
every day, his power and prestige are 
crumbling, and the collapse is not far 
away. We shall not, I believe, be 
obliged to alter our policy of watchful 
waiting, and then, when the time comes 
we shall hope to see constitutional order 
restored in distressed Mexico by the con- 
cert and energy of such of her leaders 
as prefer the liberty of their people to 
their own ambitions." 

This "crumbling," mind you, was to 
be done by the atrocious Villa. How 
many leaders of concert and energy, 
think you, would Villa leave to displace 



him in power? The only "concert" pos- 
sible would be the low bass rumble of 
revolvers fired into the stomachs of those 
energetic leaders, like poor Benton, but 
the only music aljout it would be to ears 
waiting to intervene, since armed force 
alone could then have any influence in 
that distracted land. 

Even today the President is "making 
it very plain" tliat drastic measures may 
soon be necessary. Has not enough ap- 
peared to justify the belief that if Huer- 
ta personally, instead of Villa, had shot 
into Benton's stomach, drastic measures 
would have been taken already? 

General Huerta is carefully guarding 
the American Club in Mexico City. He 
will not let fakers "sink the Maine" 
there. But the possibilities are poten- 
tial, and I earnestly entreat the Ameri- 
can people and our Representatives in 
Congress to take no action on anything 
that may be charged to the "Federals" 
in Mexico without the most calm and 
searching investigation. 

The Maine was blown up from the 
outside, but no sane person now believes 
Spain had anything to do with it. 



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MEXICO 



Saturday, March 31, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

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THE HOUSE OF CARDS. 

The House of Cards is toppling. 

A good builder looks first to the solid- 
ity of the foundation. 

The Administration in formulating its 
attitude toward Mexico may have sin- 
cerely believed that it was founded on 
the rock of righteousness. 

Either there was something innately 
deceitful about that supposed rock, or a 
severe frost may have temporarily hard- 
ened the sand into the semblance of solid 
granite — whatever the cause of the in- 
itial mistake in planning the foundation, 
the fact --.mains that since the super- 
structure was reared it has been buf- 
feted by cruel winds, it has rocked on its 
foundations, and only the most frantic 
propping has saved it from collapse. 
But each day the giant task of upholding 
the false structure is more hopeless and 
the end of that building is in sight. 



WHAT IS THE ANSWER? 

Many good-hearted but misinformed 
souls are supporting the Administration 
Mindly in its Mexican policy because 
they believe that the Administration is 
seeking only to avoid war and all its hor- 
rors. 

The Administration may not want war 
with Mexico but for any one with peace- 
ful tendencies and aspirations it has done 
more to make war more than a possibil- 
ity than all the loud-voiced jingoes put 
to.tether. 

What is the answer? 

The Army and Navy expect war, the 
foreign chancelleries expect war, the 
stock market observers are sure it is 
coming, the majority of Congressmen 
and Senators cannot see any other out- 
come if the Administration persists in 
its present course, every editor of every 



Ifciiding newspaper will tell you that un- 
der the circumstances war will be un- 
avoidable — but Bryan prays to God thai- 
lie may save the country from such a 
calamity, and the President talks feeling- 
ly of the brothers and sons and sweet- 
heart." whose lives would pay the terri- 
iiic cost. 

\Vh:it is the answer? 



THE FINAL OUTCOME. 

What is to be the final outcome in 
Mexico and what are to be the future 
relations between Mexico and the 
United States? 

If the Administration would remove its 
hand from around the throat of the only 
responsible Government in Mexico, the 
answers to these questions would be 
comparatively easy. 

However difficult this throat-grip 
luakes such answers, it is almost univer- 
sally agreed by intelligent Mexicans and 
Americans who know Mexico intimately 
that if the present Mexican Government 
is overthrown there will ensue a reign 
of anarchy more appalling and hopeless 
than anything Mexico or any modern 
nation has known. 

It is admitted by even President 
Huerta's enemies that in the face of 
obstacles that would have overwhelmed 
a less able man he has restored order 
and protected the life and property of 
natives and foreigners to an extent that 
seemed for a time impossible. 

tt is admitted that he has built up an 
organization of government remarkable 
for its efficiency and discipline, as the 
result of a year's steady effort, which it 
would mean chaos to destroy. 

It is agreed by even President Huerta's 
enemies that a government of such men 
as Villa, Carranza and Zapata would not 
and could not exist. Those men are de- 
stroyers, not builders. 

The power of the present Government, 
whatever its faults, consists in this — it is 
the only strong, effective barrier against 
anarchy, the only constructive force in 
Mexico making for law and order and 
the civilized processes of responsible 
government. 

If the hand of the United States were 
taken from the throat of this govern- 
ment there would be no doubt that 
peace and order would soon be restored 
and that Mexico could set about the 
work of reconstruction and necessary re- 
form, in which all with the welfarf of 
the nation at heart could take part. 

If the Administration wants to see this 
outcome in Mexico and wants to see 
cordial and mutually advantageous rela- 
tions between the United States and 
Mexico, then it most unclutch its fingers. 

If it does not, it will be personally re 
sponsible in the eyes of God and man 
for the ensuing anarchy, if the Govern- 
ment cannot survive its enmity, and for 
the war that will then be inevitable. 



At any rate the events of the last 
month or so have served to clear the 
air somewhat and put an end to the out- 
rageous glorification of banditry and law- 
lessness that was disgracing our press. 

mm* 

There can be little or nothing more 
of that, which is good, because it re- 
moves one more obstacle to the revela- 
tion of the truth. 

Law, civilization and organization are 
sure to prevail against the anarchy and 
crime that are the fruits by which you 
know the so-called constitutionalist. 

* * H: 

Had not the Administration allied it- 
self with the forces of anarchy, they 
would have been overcome months ago. 

* * * 

Does not, can not the Administration 
feel its responsibility for the lives and 
property that have been lost and de- 
stroyed as the result of the prolongation' 
of conditions that could not possibly 
lead to anything but downright savagery? 

You can't make silk out of a sow's 
ear. 

You can't make civilized government 
out of the elements the Administration 
is openly supporting. 

The Administration has made a col- 
lossal blunder in thinking so for a mo- 
merit, contrary to the advice and first- 
hand information that was readily avail- 
able and as readily scorned. 

If the blunder is persisted in, what 
are we to think? 

It will be an inevitable conclusion that 
it was not acting in good faith, and that 
it has committed the people of the coun- 
try in an ulterior way. 

* * • 

Which nobody wants to believe. 

* * « 

But which will be the verdict of hu- 
manity and history. 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 
ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
land of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his wanderings in Mexico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranching, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since thi 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres 
ent day and with existing conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eiglit full-page half-tone 
illustrations. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion ol Mexican Atlairs 



VOL. II— No. 



Error Ruas Swiftly Down tke Hill Wkile Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



The Shame! 




Uk^ 



The fight at Torreon is a fight between 
civilization and barbarism. It is a fight 
between responsible government and an- 
archy. 

Velasco is law. Villa is lawlessness. 
Velasco is order, organization. Villa 
is chaos, disorganization. 

In the end civilization, responsible 
government, law, order and organization 
are sure to conquer. 

To the shame of President Wilson and 
Secretary Bryan be it said, and history 
will say it more powerfully if not with 
more amazement, they are ranged on the 
side of barbarism, anarchy, lawlessness, 
chaos, disorganization. 

To the shame of a portion of the press 
it must be said it has willingly let itself 
be made a tool, a mouthpiece of these 
purely destructive elements. 

The Administration has with the most 
deliberate purpose, the most relentless 
drive, the most obvious animus sought to 
hamper, shackle and destroy the only 
power in Mexico that stands to protect 
the decent people of the country from 
murder, pillage and rape. 

The Administration has coldly, cal- 
■ulatingly sought to tear down the only 
force in Mexico that stands for law and 
order, while it coldly and calculatingly 
entered into an alliance with the forces 
of destruction. 

With whatever theories the Adminis- 
tration may offer to palliate its atro- 
cious acts, with whatever adroit mental 
distinctions and reservations it may de- 
ceive itself, with whatever idealistic im- 
pulses it may credit itself, the fact, the 
glaring, damnable fact will always stand 
out in sharp relief that it consciously, 
aggressively and obstinately made war 
on the civilized, peaceable people of 
Mexico and as consciously, aggressively 
and obstinately encouraged and assisted 



the barbarous and savage elements, even 
after their true character had been re- 
vealed beyond a shadow of a doubt. 

The greatest proof of this accusation 
would lie in the triumph of the allies of 
the Administration. 

The God who orders all things well 
will never let such a triumph be. But 
God and the Administration are not 
working together. 

Why, in Heaven's name, will not Pres- 
ident Wilson and Secretary Bryan see 
the situation in this, its true, human 
light? 

You are a decent, law-abiding Mex- 
ican, living in Monterrey, let us say, or 
any Northern Mexico city. You have a 
little business, or a trade, or a profes- 
sion, or a job. You have a family grow- 
ing up around you. Your life may be 
a success or a struggle, as the case may 
be, according to your industry, connec- 
tions or opportunities. You are doing 
the best possible with your materials 
and trying to live in harmony with those 
around you. Politics and government 
concern you little or not at all. You 
know that there are conscienceless, am- 
bitious men who make a business of pol- 
itics and agitation. You want merely to 
be let alone to work, to build, to take 
care of your family. 

One day you hear that an outlaw, a 
bandit, a cattle thief, a bad man, a fugi- 
tive from justice has gathered around 
him some followers of his own kind and 
is robbing and raping wherever he can 
elude the authorities. You hear that the 
central government is in difficulties and 
that all the bandits and criminals of this 
fellow's type are taking advantage of the 
weakness of the authorities. You hear 
that the outlaw's band is growing in 
fierceness and boldness. Word of its 
criminal atrocities in outlying villages 



and towns comes to you and you trem- 
ble with apprehension for the safety of 
yourself, your little property, your fam- 
ily. The local authorities are troubled, 
anxious. 

It is reported that the government is 
sending more troops to protect the city 
and its environs, but that it is embar- 
rassed for lack of money. Then you 
and your fellow citizens are startled and 
amazed to hear that the outlaws are get- 
ting recruits and arms and ammunition 
from the United States with the con- 
•nivance of the United States authorities. 
The newspapers astonish you with re- 
potts from Washington that the Presi- 
dent of the United States looks with 
favor on the marauding and lawlessness 
of those you have known as outlaws and 
criminals all your life. You learn that 
he is trying to overthrow the govern- 
ment of your country and prevent it from 
putting down the conditions that are 
spreading because of the profit in loot 
and blackmail which the leader shares 
with every ignorant or vicious fellow 
who will join his band. 

The bands are getting richer and are 
emboldened by the fact that the United 
States Government is back of them. 
Finally you learn that the United States 
Government has openly permitted the 
arming and supplying of these outlaws 
and the leaders are growing so rich at 
the expense of the country that there is 
no telling where they will stop. The 
authorities are doing all in their power 
to protect your city, but every day there 
are rumors of a coming attack and the 
government is lacking in money. 

One day the bandits do swoop down 

on the town. They come, a horde of 

drunken, vermin-infested half-savages. 

They have cut telegraph and telephone 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



THE SHAME! 
wires and torn up the railroad tracks. 
They have dynamited a bridge and 
burned scores of cars. They set fire to 
the outskirts of the town and shoot 
down any one who stands in their path. 
You and your family huddle in your 
barred home. If you were armed and 
attempted to resist them they would kill 
not only you but your entire family after 
they had ravished the women and girls. 
You hear shots as they make their way 
from doorway to doorway to the center 
of the town. They outnumber the piti- 
fully small garrison. Finally it is forced 
to surrender. 

The savages line up officers and men 
against a wall and shoot down all the 
prisoners who will not join them. Then 
they separate with a savage yell. 

The town is theirs to do with as they 
will. The wealth of the shops is theirs. 
What they do not take they destroy. 
They drink, they dance, they murder for 
the sheer joy of killing. 

The women and girls are theirs. They 
take where they will. 

They beat down the door of your 
house. They demand your money. They 
torture you till you give it to them. 
They rape your wife and your daughter 
in front of your eyes and they leave you 
a pitiful, broken man. When all that 
the town holds has been appropriated 
and destroyed, or word of an advancing 
column of soldiers is received, they go, 
looking for another defenseless town to 
attack. 

Your life is ruined. With your broken 
family and your broken life you man- 
age to get out of the country, a refugee. 
You come across the border to the 
United States. 

You hear here that the attack on your 
city was a "constitutionalist" victory, 
that the newspapers of the United States 
have joyfully reported it as another evi- 
dence that the Huerta Government is 
crumbling, that President Wilson and 
Secrelary Bryan are elated and that they 
are satisfied that their policy is correct 
and that they are succeeding in their ef- 
forts to bring peace to Mexcio. 

What would you think of President 
Wilson? 

What would you think of Secretary 
Bryan? 

You would think exactly what millions 
of human beings are thinking to-day. 

And history v/ill record what you 
would think as the truth. 



of Durango and Sinaloa, which would 
be immediately recognized by the United 
States, which would then permit Presi- 
dent Huerta to go his own sweet way as 
regards the South of Mexico. This new 
"republic," according to the Hearst 
sheet, would not for the present in- 
clude the "richest oil fields." How nice! 
Carranza, it said, was agreeable to the 
scheme, although the original intention 
of the Carranzistas was to sell all this 
territory to the United States for $30,- 
000,000. Of course this would come in 
time. 

Without entering into the subject, ex- 
cept en passant, we merely wish to re- 
mark that if the Mexicans and the peo- 
ple of all Latin-American countries d- 
trust Uncle Sam's smooth words of 
friendship, while he contemplates spolia- 
tion, they have mighty good reason for 
this feeling. 



PREMATURE. 
When, according to the dopesters of 
the press, it was all over at Torreon but 
the shouting, the New York "Evening 
Journal,'' in a burst of premature ela- 
tion, announced "on the highest author- 
ity" that the next step in the "pacifica- 
tion" of Mexico would be the formation 
of a Northern Republic, composed of 
"part" of Lower California, Sonora, Chi- 
huahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and part 




There is a bitter fight waging in Con- 
gress against the President's surrender 
to England in the matter of the Panama 
Canal tolls exemption. 

The attack is fierce and the attacking 
force is well supplied with ammunition. 

But the attack has been directed at the 
outposts of the enemy's position. 

It is weak because it has not concen- 
trated on the center! 

Which is the President's personal in- 
terference in Mexican internal affairs. 

Vv'hich, against the dictates of reason 
and experience, contrary to international 
law and American traditions, is respon- 
sible for the position in which the Ad- 
ministration finds itself helpless in hand- 
ling foreign relations. 

It is surrendering to England not to 
extricate itself, but to keep itself in this 
hole! 

Obstinately. 

England has used this obstinacy as a 
club. 

So will every other nation. 

There is the heart of the matter! 



DESTRUCTION! 

When all the smoke has cleared away 
it will be found that to "get Huerta" 
the Administration, with a promising 
first year of achievement: 

* * * 

Adopted the Big Business method of 
"financial starvation," one of the Trust 
tactics against which it had set its face 
in this country. 

* * « 
Encouraged armed revolution while 

professing to abhor violent methods of 

changing a government. 

* * * 

Entered into a virtual alliance with 

bandits like Villa, Urbina and Zapata, 
making itself resoonsible for their bar- 
baric outra°^es, while professing a policy 
of peace. 



Advocated the repeal of the Panama 
Canal tolls exemption to have a freer 
hand, despite the humiliation such ac- 
tion would bring to the people of the 
United States. 

Thereby caused a division in the 
Democratic party and placed it in a 
damaging position before the voters of 
the country. 

Supplied its opponents with ammuni- 
tion in the coming Congressional elec- 
tions. 

Imperilled its whole future success. 

Made war with Mexico the only al- 
ternative of action. 

Is it conceivable that the Administra- 
tion would do all these things to "get 
Huerta" unless obsessed by some strange 
necessity that has not seen the light of 
day? 

What is it? 

Certainly no one has shown how con- 
ditions in Mexico will be improved by 
the dictatorship of a Villa. 

No one has indicated that there would 
be anything but a dictatorship of the 
United States in Mexico if this country 
should intervene. 

Where is there any sign of a con- 
structive program as regards Mexico? 

The Administration should adopt as 
its motto the word the Anarchists of 
New York City flaunt on their black flag: 

Demolizione! 

Destruction! 



"WATCHFUL WAITING." 

To tlie Editor of the "Evening Mail": 

Sir — In your paper today you say 
President Wilson is in an untenable po- 
sition in regard to Mexico, but you do 
not say what he should do. 

Why not name definite things that he 
should do? So far as I can understand 
the situation, nothing that the United 
States or any other nation can do will 
settle their troubles inside of ten or 
twenty years. 

I am with j-ou on Progressive policies, 
but I do not understand 3'our position 
on tile Mexican question. Faithfuly, 
RICHARD T. WYCHE. 

President Wilson should have realized 
before he undertook to dominate Mexico 
hy "moral force" a year ago that "noth- 
ing that the United States or any other 
country can do will settle their troubles 
inside of ten or twenty' years." Every 
Government in the world except the 
United States promptly recognized 
Huerta. The charge that he permitted 
Madero to be killed did not justify our 
refusal. 

We are engaged in "watclifiil waiting" 
while thousands of men, women and 
children are butchered and their homes 
destroyed. A nation is being desolated 
wliile this great Government endeavors 
to thwart the only power in Mexico that 
has been a protector of life and property. 
-\c\v York "Evening Mail." 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



HUERTA TO GET $33,000,000 GOLD. 

MEXICO CITY, March 24.— Presi- 
dent Huerta's financial stress will be re- 
lieved by a plan adopted today which 
will bring into the Treasury 100,000,000 
pesos, approximately, at the present ex- 
change, which is practically three to one, 
$33,000,000 in gold. Fifty million pesos 
will be immediately available, the balance 
as required. 

The result will be the resumption on 
April 1 of the interest payments on the 
foreign debt, suspended on January 12, 
and the early revocation of the 50 per 
cent, advance in import duties recently 
imposed as a war measure, all of which 
will be set forth in a decree to be issued 
within a day or two. 

The plan involves the issuance of 
Treasury notes against the unsold bal- 
ance of bonds authorized in May, 1913, 
to the amount of $100,000,000, for a por- 
tion of which a Paris bank syndicate 
subscribed, but of which practically half 
remain unsold. These bonds are to be 
placed with the Mexican banks at 30 
per cent, of their face value, the banks 
to issue currency against them at the 
legal ratio of 3 to 1. The bonds are 
secured by the pledge of 16 per cent. 
of the customs. 

The bankers have agreed to take the 
bonds in question, and the plan awaits 
only the signature of President Huerta 
to become efifective. 

In return for the assistance rendered 
by the banks President Huerta promises 
definitely to abandon the scheme for a 
Federal Bank and likewise the proposed 
1 per cent, tax on the capital of cor- 
porations and individuals. 

The plan has been the subject of many 
conferences between the leading bankers 
and the Finance Minister, and before its 
final adoption was submitted to Jose de 
Limantour, the ex-Minister of Finance, 
who is now in Paris. He responded at 
great length, giving his approval of the 
project as a sound measure. 

Provision is made in the contract with 
the bankers subscribing that in the event 
that the Paris bankers determine to ex- 
ercise their option on the balance of 
the bonds the Mexican banks shall sur- 
render their holdings for cash. 

The London and Mexican Bank will 
subscribe $11 000,000, the National $4,000,- 
000, and the rest will be distributed 
among State banks. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



LEST WE FORGET 



There are certain newspapers which one 
day will run a picture of General Huer- 
ta, labelled "The Butcher," while the 
rugged old soldier is fighting against 
tremendous odds to bring peace and 
order to his distracted country. The 
next day the same papers will describe 
picturesquely and heroically the career 
and activities of Pancho Villa, a self- 
confessed bandit, a fugitive from justice, 
a notorious murderer. 

* * * 

It is true that the opinion of the think- 
ing people of the country is against this 
manifest wrong and unfairness, to quali- 
fy it gently, but it is amazing and de- 
pressing to know that the Administra- 
tion depends for approval from the 
other element. 

* * ♦ 

In the newspapers that carry on the 
campaign of lies and misrepresentations 
designed ultimately to force intervention 
on Mexico, Villa's followers are always 
referred to as the "Constitutionalists" and 
the Federal troops are always "Huerta's 
men" and "Huertistas." 

Every "Constitutionalist" band be- 
comes the famous something "brigade" 
and every bandit chief is a "general." 

And so the great fiction is kept alive — 
that there is a tremendous civil war 
raging in Mexico for popular rights and 
constitutional liberty. 

* * * 

Whereas the truth is that outlawry, 
brigandage, organized blackmail and an- 
archy have been glorified and made 
profitable by the Washington Adminis- 
tration and the interests this side of 
the border that want control of Mexico 
and who must keep the game going by 
hook or by crook till they get what they 
want. 

Well, they have lighted the dry forest. 
Let us see how they will put out the 
fire without a tremendous sacrifice of 
American lives and treasure. 

Who knows but that the forest fire 
may be fanned by a wind that will blow 
the embers of anarchy in this direction? 

* * * 

Encouraging anarchy is playing with 
dynamite. 

Where does, now. Carranza come in 
en all this hero business? Every column 
of dope advertising Villa is a death war- 
rant to the hopes of Carranza, the 
would-be Supreme Chief. 

* * * 

He is hanging on the outskirts of 
events. 



Carranza maneuvres around, hoping to 
take advantage of the military perform- 
ances of Pancho Villa. 

Villa and his followers use the reputed 
respectabiUty of Carranza as a cloak for 
their nefarious deeds. 

It's a fight for publicity and the favor 
of Washington. 

* * * 

The shrewd politicians in the Carran- 
za clique can't do without Villa. 

* * * 

It remains to be seen whether Villa 
needs them as much as they need him. 

* * * 

If he doesn't — overboard they go. 

* * * 

Poor Carranza! 

And it always comes back to this: 
The success of the Villas and Carranza 
will be the success of anarchy, the suc- 
cess of Huerta will be the success ot 
law and order. 

* * * 

If anarchy succeeds then the arms ot 
the United States will have to put it 
down. 

But the Administration does not want 
war, it says. 

Yet it is encouraging the conditions 
that will make war inevitable. 

And there you are! 



He cannot induce the people to be- 
lieve that Mr. Hyde Wilson obstinately 
refuses to reco.gnize Huerta and pushes 
us towards a war with Mexico, while 
Dr. Jekyll Wilson loves Huerta, loves 
Mexico, loves everybody, and shudders 
at the thought of war. The Press Club 
comedy was well acted, but it did not 
humbug the spectators. 

Major Gillette. U. S. A. retiree, has 
the couraffe of his opinions. No man- 
knows Mexico and understands the 
Mexican question better, and in the Phil- 
adelphia "Ledger" he charges directly, 
without mincing words, that Mr. Wilson- 
is workine towards an open war in order 
tr- Dose as a War President and thus 
i.nlHfv the one-term plank of the Balti- 
t.iiivc platform. This seems to explain 
Iifs constant nagging of Huerta in the 
bor>f of forcin.g some such incident as 
fhc hlowins up of the "Maine." "No- 
President who has fought a war during 
hip first term has ever been refused a- 
second term." says Major Gillette. There 
mav be something in this theory, but 
Mr Wilson is so closely masked that 
he and the Lord only know what are 
his schemes and nurooses — and I some- 
times believe that he does not know him- 
self — "Town Topics." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



THE COST 



The criticism of President Wilson's 
Mexican policy which is set down on 
this page should not be confused with 
that other kind of criticism of which 
the end and purpose is intervention or 
some sort of war with Mexico. This 
latter kind of criticism, which looks to 
intervention and hopes for it, is a very 
deplorable incident of current political 
discussion. It conies partly from men 
and factions and newspapers that think 
war would be popular; partly from others 
who represent property interests in 
Mexico which they think would be 
helped by intervention; partly from 
others overeager to criticize anything 
that flows from a Democratic Adminis- 
tration. But the fear of being confused 
with these critics should not prevent 
free expression of a more disinterested 
criticism of President Wilson's Mexican 
policy. This criticism is based precisely 
on the fear that our present Mexican 
policy will lead us ultimately into in- 
tervention. War with Mexico or some 
other active use of our American troops 
is the logical end of our present atti- 
tude. This should be prevented. It 
should be prevented, if necessary, even 
by a certain amount of "backdown" on 
the Administration's part. 

Of course, to say now what thought- 
ful observers generally acknowledge — 
that President Wilson's Mexican policy 
has been a mistake from the start — is 
a matter of hind-sight. President Wil- 
son, in adopting his Mexican policy, 
could have had the benefit of a wise 
statesman familiar with diplomacy and 
international law at the head of the 
State Department. He did not have this 
aid. It is only fair also to say that at 
the beginning of his Administration, at 
the time Wilson adopted his policy, men 
experienced in international law were 
shocked, and predicted the very muddle 
that has now come to pass. The Ad- 
ministration's foreign policy at the be- 
ginning could fairly be summed up in 
one sentence: "Huerta is an assassin, 
and I do not like assassins." Let us 
all admit that at the time most Ameri- 
cans praised this policy and were 
rather proud of it. 

Morals — Private and Public. 
Let us be fair to Wilson. He refused 
.ecognition to Huerta because he be- 
lieved Huerta was an assassin, and he 
wished to express his disapprobation of 
a government founded on assassination. 
To take this position was the highest 
kind of personal morals. But to act as 
if this were the whole of a foreign policy 
had drawbacks. It failed to take into 
account a multitude of considerations 
which trained diplomats would have re- 
membered. In addition, it failed to take 



ip.io account the special nation we are 
dealing with in this case, and the special 
moral standards of that nation — stand- 
ards very different from our own. All 
Mexican politics is a matter of factions 
and leaders. Some of the rebels in the 
north call themselves Constitutionalists. 
This is a joke. There are about as many 
leal Constitutionalists in Mexico as there 
are monarchists in the United States. 
Few persons in the United States, the 
Administration least of all, seem to real- 
i/A- ihe composition of Mexico. There 
are less than half a million whites, less 
tiian one in thirty. About a million and 
a half are of mixed breed; the remaining 
thirteen millions are Indians. What the 
United States most needs in Mexico is 
a government that will maintain order. 
The way to secure this would have been 
to give a guarded recognition to the man 
who had a government and an army and 
was maintaining order. That -Huerta 
has been able to do so well under the 
appalling handicap of our disapproval 
shows what he could have done if we 
Iiad recognized his as a government de 
facto. 

The Cost of It. 
It must be admitted that a year of 
Mr. Wilson's mistaken policy has cost 
some things that can never be recovered. 
Of course, if we should reverse it or 
modify it now we might be able to avoid 
the intervention which is the logical end 
of such a policy. But, even so, a certain 
number of .\mericans have lost their lives 
in Mexico who would have been living 
today if Wilson had adopted a better 
policy. For the Mexicans themselves, 
civilization has been measurably set back 
by the turbulence which would have 
been restrained if Wilson had dealt dif- 
ferently with the de facto government 
which he found there when he came into 
office. Most serious of all, we have for- 
feited the confidence of Latin America 
as far south as Cape Horn to such a 
degree that we shall not be able to win 
it back until another generation grows 
•>p. They have seen us adopt toward 
Mexico a policy of which the logical 
end, to persons who know the situation, 
is intervention. Can they be blamed for 
suspecting — what is in fact preposter- 
ously untrue — that the policy was adopt- 
ed in order to bring about intervention? 
—"Collier's Weekly." 



We never heard of a more perplexing situation. 
Great Britain has recognized Huerta, but can 
get no satisfaction in the Benton case except by 
approaching Carranza through diplomatic chan- 
nels, which would be a recognition of his gov- 
ernment. 

President Wilson refuses to recognize Huerta, 
and yet undertakes to hold him and his Govern- 
ment responsible for injuries to Americans, and 
is constantly dealing with that Government by 
way of the back door. 



A PATRIOTIC MEXICAN WRITES 

The actual conditions of this country 
are better, the situation has improved 
a great deal in the last three weeks. 

I have decided not to read any more 
American papers. Every time I read 
them, I am nauseated. They have noth- 
ing about Mexico, but a bunch of stu- 
pendous lies. Most of the American pub- 
lic seems to be inclined to believe that 
the only thing necessary for peace in 
Mexico is the downfall of General Huer- 
ta. There is not a more enormous mis- 
take. General Huerta is enthusiastically 
applauded wherever he goes; he is con- 
sidered a victim of the Wilson Adminis- 
tration. The full knowledge that every- 
body has here that the revolution has 
been financed by American big business 
and the enmity that your President, Mr. 
Wilson, has shown to our President, has 
led all the white classes in Mexico to 
blame Americans in general as the cause 
of our troubles. I personally think, and 
am absolutely convinced, knowing what 
our conditions were, and the different 
political changes we have had, that this 
revolution, which has the strongest dis- 
approval of public opinion here, would 
have never become what it has been un- 
less with the powerful help of American 
money. 

At the time when I was m Texas, 1 
saw the rebel chiefs traveling through 
the State of Te.xas without any trouble, 
while the Federal soldiers could not go 
across a bridge without being immedi- 
ately imprisoned. If you should have 
been in Mexico as I have, and would 
know that the Federal soldiers mean law 
and order, and that the rebels mean only 
the worst kind of brigandage, you would 
agree with me that it is a shame for the 
LInited States to do what it has been 
doing. You are standing before the eyes 
of the world as the supporters of liri- 
gandage and robbery. 

I have got papers of Paris (France), 
Germany and of England, saying that 
the attitude taken by the United States 
to Mexico is the biggest financial scandal 
and the most shameful act of modern 
times. 

The .American public reading every 
day about supposed crimes of General 
Huerta and atrocities committed by Fed- 
eral soldiers, perhaps think this is a 
slaughter house. There is nothing more 
untrue than that. In all the cities where 
the Government has control, life goes on 
as usual. Theatres, circus and all other 
amusements go on as usual, and things 
are as quiet and it is as safe as in any 
city in the United States, while any city 
under the hands of the Constitutional- 
ists (?) is in nothing else but anarch}'. 

Yesterday I was talking with a rich 
gentleman from Chihuahua. He told me 
that after the rebels have emptied all the 
banks and stores, having nothing else 
to steal there, they are taking all the 
furniture of the private homes in trains 
to Ciudad Juarez, to sell tTiem in tne 
States. His home has been so emptied. 
Of course his farms with all the cattle 
have been taken. He has nothing else 
but the lands, and when he thinks that 
these conditions have only been able to 
exist by the first underhand help of your 
Government, and afterwards open help, 
you will agree with me that it is a shame. 
Time is a good friend of Truth. Peace 
will soon be restored to Mexico, thanks 
to the iron character of General Huerta, 
and there is no doubt many Americans 
will come to Mexico to see this "bar- 
barous country." The day that these 
Americans come here to learn the truth 
and find out that Mexico has got its 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



cities full of civilized people, just as 
civilized as the best in the United States, 
and they will hear from these people 
what they think about Carranza and 
Villa and all that bunch and wliat they 
think about your Government, these 
Americans will feel ashamed of what has 
happened in the last year. 

There is no excuse today, as there was 
some time ago, for President Wilson be- 
ing ill-informed; he ought to know by 
now the situation; he ought to know that 
public opinion is unanimously with the 
Government and it is time to stop help- 
ing brigandage against order in the name 
of morals. The indignation there is all 
over Mexico against the United States 
is very great, and it is shown in the 
theatres, in the papers and everywhere. 
You hear nothing today but the strong- 
est criticism about the disastrous policy 
that is starving and ruining Mexico in 
the name of morality, and everybody 
despairs at not being able to show the 
American public in general the colossal 
blunder of your President's policy and of 
your opinion as to Mexico. The condi- 
tions have improved a great deal, despite 
the big obstacles with which General 
Huerta has been compelled to struggle. 
Thousands of soldiers are bemg sent to 
the North continually and I hope that 
success will follow. 



GETTING WARM! 



POOR TIMBER. 

And again I say the residents, the 
better classes, the educated and promi- 
nent people do not care in what way his 
rule was ended. They all say — Ameri- 
cans and Mexicans — the instant his 
name is mentioned: "Oh, Maderol He 
was crazy, absolutely crazy." 

These same people like Huerta and 
feel the pity of his not having had the 
support he needs to right these condi- 
tions. They say he may not be all that 
they would have, but that he is the best 
man of the hour, and can control all 
outlawry with the justified loan and 
moral support. 

Francisco Madero was a Portuguese 
Jew. The name was spelled Madeiro 
and means wood, timber. He and his 
wife were spiritualists. His wife — who 
was sent post haste to Washington to 
get and hold the ear of the United States 
President after Madero's death — was his 
medium. He took no important step 
without first consulting her, who then 
consulted her spiritual; occult adviser. 
Mrs. Madero, it is claimed here, is in- 
telligent, very clever, very foxy — artful. 
It would be quite within understanding 
that our President Wilson and Secre- 
tary of State Bryan consider her version, 
clothed as it is now, or was, in such sor- 
row, as authentic and to hand informa- 
tion. I say "or was" because the rumor 
is current here that the sorrowing widow 
is married again. Mrs. Madero could 
have bet a one-sided view, but we all 
know that our President puts the bar- 
rier up to his decisions being changed 
by more information when once his 
stand is taken. This is understood also. 
A scholar, a head of a great college who 
stands to instruct, takes an authority that 
he considers reliable, and establishes it 
as the viewpoint that cannot be muddled 
or swayed, or disputed. So with the to 



WASHINGTON, March 25.— in a bit- 
ter speech in the House late this after- 
noon, condemning President Wilson's 
Mexican policy in the severest possible 
language and denouncing Gen. Villa as a 
"blustering bully" and "hideous mon- 
ster," Representative W. D. B. Ainey of 
Pennsylvania, a Republican candidate for 
the United States Senate, blamed the 
Standard Oil Company for the Constitu- 
tionalist rebellion. 

Mr. .\iney told the House tliat "There 
are those who claim that Villa and Car- 
ranza have been capitalized to foment 
war, that S. G. Hopkins, representative 
of Carranza in the Hibbs Building, 
Washington, D. C, could, if summoned 
before Congress, tell a story of interna- 
tional intrigue by which the illiterate 
Villa is made the head of a revolutionary 
army and his words clothed in classic 
English, according to press despatches; 
his common murders garbed as heroic 
acts of chivalry, that the Standard Oil 
may advance its Mexican interests 
through him. 

"Inasmuch as the Administration pins 
its hope on the Constitutionalists, and 
Gen. Carranza without Villa is as use- 
less as a locomotive without wheels," 
said Mr. Ainey, "one asks who is Villa? 
Villa neither reads nor writes, except 
as in jail he learned to write his first 
name, Francisco. To those who knew 
him as a vulgar, ignorant, and brutal 
specimen of humanity, the high-sound- 
ing phrases contained in dispatches pur- 
porting to repeat his words carry their 
own refutation. 

"An effort to depict him as a hero, 
driven to the hills by great wrongs in- 
flicted upon him, has failed in the light 
of truth. The glory with which an in- 
spired press sought to clothe him has 
been stripped away by the Benton and 
other gory incidents of his career. 

"The country could no longer Iilind 
its eyes," continued Mr. Ainey. " to the 
fact that Mexican conditions are grow- 
ing worse, and that the policy of the 



POOR TIMBER 

hand Mrs. Madero version, from the 
habit of years President Wilson perhaps 
has not received willingly versions that 
would have assisted him much in his de- 
ductions. Another thing, too, is the 
fine press work that somehow the Villa- 
Carranza combination has for backing. 
Former friends of Carranza — Mexicans 
who were with him in Congress here 
only two years ago — are much surprised 
at his "rebellion" being against the Fed- 
eral government. Villa they do not 
count; only as bandit. — The Widow in 
Mexico City in "Town Topics." 



President consists of sound rather than 
substance." 

Alluding to the President's message for 
the repeal of the Panama Canal tolls 
exemption clause, he said: 

"The President asks members of Con- 
gress to reverse themselves without a 
fact being divulged or a reason pre- 
sented other than the vague and dis- 
quieting suggestion of international com- 
plications. So grave and important and 
of nearer consequence are these interna- 
tional matters that members of this 
House must no longer act or think for 
themselves, but are called upon to aban- 
don principles and positions because an 
extreme condition has arisen in interna- 
tional affairs requiring this surrender of 
brain and heart. The tolls speech of the 
President has not borne full fruitage, but 
the complications have arisen, possibly 
involving Mexico's relations with Ger- 
many and Japan, requiring us to have 
the moral support of England, in pay- 
ment for which the American people are 
asked to repeal the toll provision ex- 
empting American ships engaged in 
coastwise trade." 

Mr. Ainey alleged that President Wil- 
son committed an act of war when he 
said that "Huerta must go," and when 
he sent John Lind to Mexico City to 
deliver "this ultimatum and seek its ac- 
complishment." 

He said the sending of Lind on such 
a mission was an act of war, not of 
peace, and would have been treated as 
such "had it been directed against any 
of the great nations of the world suffi- 
cient in power to have resented it." 

".^t Durango. in spite of the protest 
of the .American consul, the city was 
given over by the Constitutiona'ist gen- 
eral to the unrestrained license of his 
soldiers for twenty-four hours, because 
it was said to be the only way of pay- 
ing them. Little girls scarcely ten years 
of age and women did not escape. 

"The cry of suffering coming up from 
Mexico uttered by American citizens, 
whose lives have been sacrificed, whose 
wives and daughters have been ravished, 
whose property has been confiscated, has 
not reached the sympathetic and re- 
spo.nsive ear of the Chief Executive. 

"The danger of war comes not from 
those who seek to know the truth, but 
from those who would conceal it. If 
war comes with Mexico: if Huerta, 
spurned by the Lfnited States, turns to 
Japan, and the price is Magdalena Bay; 
if the citizens of Germany are murdered 
in Mexico, and we are thereby involved 
the responsibility for the dire result rests 
upon a weak and obstinate policy, which 
has refused the pathway of safe and 
patriotic precedent." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



TRUTH CLIMBS SLOWLY 

By Managing Editor Splitstone in "Leslies Weekly." 



Two things here in Mexico City im- 
press the newlj' arrived American most 
forcibly. The first is that there are no 
outward indications of war in this city; 
the second that the American colony is 
not only favorable to President Huerta, 
but unanimously and aggressively so. 
The United States is blamed for the 
•continuance of the war. Well-informed 
American business men here nearly all 
saj' that had the present Government 
been recognized by the United States ten 
or eleven months ago, Mexico today 
would be pacified. The value of recog- 
nition lies in the fact that without it 
Gen. Huerta has been unable to borrow 
funds abroad, and consequently cannot 
prosecute a campaign against the rebels 
with vigor. So far as the immediate 
Tiecessities go tlie Government needs men 
and money. The former it gets as 
Mexico has alwaj's got recruits for its 
arm\- — b}' conscription. But money is 
not so easilj' to be had, and while it is 
-claimed with every appearance of truth 
that the financial situation is better now 
than it was a few months ago, the fact 
remains that the Governmeni is still ter- 
ribly handicapped for funds. 

This, of course, is exactly what Presi- 
dent Wilson planned. In doing so he 
accepted a very grave responsibility and 
the people of Mexico are not slow to 
put up to him the present imhappy con- 
dition of their country. 

Mexican politics, Mexican ideals and 
Mexican methods are not generally un- 
derstood in the United States. The two 
countries, though the closest of neigh- 
bors, have totally different civilizations. 
It is this that gives rise to the constant 
accusation that 'he press of the States 
does not print the tru'h about Mexico, 
and that the people are generally friendly 
to the rebels. 

"Only tell the truth abour things." is 
the constant cry from Mexicans and 
foreign residents alike, and generally 
speaking, this is not a plea to favor the 
Government. * * * 

The Government is General Huerta. 
While called President, he is really mili- 
tary dictator. His power is absolute, 
and even his enemies admit that he 
\-nows how to use it effectively. So well 
lias he enforced order and protected life 
and property in the region where he is 
supreme, that it is reasonable to sup- 
pose that if his actual control extended 
over all of Mexico, conditions would 
approach those of the times of the now 
greatly regretted Diaz. 

It is just a few days more than a year 
since the close of the bombardment — 
"the tragical ten days." as the English- 
speaking Mexicans love to term it. Out 
of that awful struggle General Huerta. 
then commander of the army, emerged 
as the strong man of the hour. And 
here it may be stated that he succeeded 
to the Presidency according to legal 
form. When Madero was forced to re- 
sign, the prime minister, Lascurain, be- 
came President according to the Consti- 
tution, and General Huerta succeeded 
Tiim when he resigned, after havin.g been 
President for only 3.5 minutes. Thus the 
letter of the Ia\X' was fulfilled, though 
General Huerta became President 
through the force of liis personality. 



The futile Madero administration had 
dissipated the national reserve of about 
$65,000,000, and had besides borrowed 
more than $100,000,000 abroad. And in 
addition to a bankrupt treasury he had a 
broken army, while rebellion was rife in 
many States. There is no question but 
when General Huerta assumed the Presi- 
dency he fully expected prompt recogni- 
tion by the powers, which would have 
made it possible to borrow money 
abroad. But when the United States re- 
fused him recognition the credit of his 
Government was destroyed and he found 
himself in the difficult position of hav- 
ing to carry on a war without funds. 
Most people thought he could not last 
more than a few weeks. * * * 

A year has passed. He is still the 
President. He indicates no intention of 
being starved out for want of funds. He 
has increased the army from less than 
20,000 men to something more than five 
times that number. The war department 
gives the official strength of the army at 
150,000 men, but it is highly improbable 
that there are that many effectives. Arms • 
and ammunition have been obtained 
abroad and ammunition factories estab- 
lished at home. Clothing and equipment 
are being made, and some attempts at 
the manufacture of small arms are un- 
der way. Life and property are reason- 
ably safe wherever the Government is 
in control and the rights of foreigners 
are protected. 

More than all this, General Huerta has 
demonstrated that he is a strong man. 
He has won the support of thousands 
who were hostile to him at the beginning 
of his Administration, and today he is 
considered by the most responsible men 
of the country as the only man in 
Mexico who is equal to the gigantic task 
of restoring peace. To the criticism 
that he has made no headway in crush- 
ing the rebels in the North his partisans 
reply that he has not had until recently 
the men or the means to prosecute an 
active campaign. But now it is claimed 
that he has an army large enough for 
the task and that the revenues of the 
Government will enable him to finance 
the campaign. 

The revenues are a little less tnan 
10,000,000 pesos a month, and today the 
peso is worth 35 cents gold. Various 
war taxes have been levied, the latest 
of which was an export duty on coffee 
becoming effective tomorrow. An addi- 
tional export duly of one cent per kilo- 
gram on sisal fibre brought 2,000,000 
pesos from Yucatan alone, and the sisal 
growers advanced the amount before it 
was due. A gambling concession in the 
larger cities has been sold, and a special 
tax on haciendas, or plantations, of .$5,000 
each, is reported as bein.g imminent. 
Tliese indicate only a few of the means 
employed to raise funds at home. 

Whether General Huerta will be able 
to crush his enemies without help from 
abroad is doubtful. Help of a financial 
nature is not to be expected unless the 
United States changes its attitude. .'\nrt 
that is the only kind of help Mexicans 
want. Intervention of any kind is hate- 
ful to the mo.'it of them. 

By most American residents interven- 
tion is heartily dreaded. They feel that 
it would mean loss of their properties 
and perhaps endanger their lives. The 



lower class Mexicans are not very fond 
of Americans anyway, and the Govern- 
ment has been obliged to be very firm 
in restraining anti-American demonstra- 
tions. If American troops were to land 
on Mexican soil many fear an uprising 
against our countrymen that would mean 
much bloodshed. 

On the whole it seems most unfortun- 
ate that President Wilson does not like 
the man whom the Mexicans want for 
their President. If he felt otherwise 
than he does the Mexican situation might 
be well on its way to a satisfactory solu- 
tion by now. * * * 

What Mexico needs is peace; the op- 
portunity to plant and reap, and work 
her mines and build up her shattered 
trade. Reforms can wait. Any man who 
can establish peace would be a benefac- 
tor to his country. And peace can be 
established only by force of arms; by 
stern military rule. It could be estab- 
lished, no doubt, by an army of inter- 
vention, but at a fearful price. It could 
be better done by Mexicans if there were 
any competent for the task. There are 
some intelligent observers here who 
think that General Huerta could still 
do it if he had funds, while others say 
the time has passed. No one believes 
that Carranza and Villa can ever take 
Mexico City. So there is every prospect 
of a long struggle; of warfare that is 
wrecking one of the richeK and most 
beautiful countries in the world. 



AN ENGLISH VIEW. 

This is the party which the United 
States Government has elected to assist 
covertly, in the hope that they may win 
out and overthrow the Huerta party, and 
so save President Wilson from admit- 
ting the blunder he has made. 

President Wilson. having tried 
threats and bluff in vain, has now re- 
sorted to what he is pleased to call 
financial starvation. He is using all the 
influence he can bring to bear on all 
foreign countries to prevent Mexico 
raising a foreign loan, so as to try to 
starve old Huerta into submission. 

It is not fair, because if Huerta does 
not pay his army they won't fight, and 
naturally desert to the rebels, who steal 
themselves, and allow their men to steal. 
The financial starvation scheme hits the 
general business of the country much 
harder than it. hits the Government." 

Old Huerta is not the man to starve 
financially or otherwise. The Govern- 
ment just puts on more taxes, hence 
everyone is being ruined. 

What He Should Do Now. 

There are two or three ways open to 
Mr. Wilson: (1) He can recognize 
Huerta and stop the exportation of arms 
and ammunition to the retels; (2) He 
need not recognize Huerta. but he can 
give the tip to the bankers in the States 
that the financial blockade is off, and 
that they can co-operate to provide funds 
to Mexico, putting in as a consideration 
for supplying the cash a financial con- 
trol board, composed of foreigners, to 
see that the money is properly spent. 
This would be cheaper than interven- 
tion. — London "Morning Post." 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



IN MEXICO. 

John Reed in April "Metropolitan." 
"What are you fighting for?" I asked. 
Juan Sanchez, the color-bearer, looked 
at me curiously. "Why, it is good, 
fighting. You don't have to work in the 
mines." * * * 

"We are fighting," said Isidro Amayo, 
"for Libertad." 

"What do you mean by Libertad?" 
"Libertad is when I can do what I 
want!" * * * 

Some time later— a good deal — we ah 
sat down to supper. There was Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Pablo Seanes, a frank, en- 
gaging youth of twenty-six, with five 
bullets in him to pay for the three years' 
fighting. His conversation was sprinkled 
with soldierly curses, and his pronun- 
ciation was a little indistinct — the re- 
sult of a bullet on the jawbone and a 
tongue almost cut in two with a sword. 
He was a demon in the fight, they said, 
and a killer (muy matador) after it. At 
the first taking of Torreon. Pal)lo and 
two other oflficers. Major Fierro and 
Captain Borunda, had executed alone 
eighty unarmed prisoners, each man 
shooting them down with his revolver 
until his hand got tired pulling the 
trigger. 



IN NEW YORK. 

Plenty of dangerous recruits are near 
at hand. The whole lawless element of 
gangsters and gunmen, thieves and 
thugs, will join the L W. W. under the 
banner marked "Demolitione". when 
there is a clear chance of loot. The 
time to stop these depredations is now. 
This mob of Saturday had no other rea- 
son for its demonstration than the bur- 
glar has for housebreaking and murder, 
the pickpocket and the hold-up man 
for the pursuance of their chosen jobs. 
"The wealth of the nation belongs to 
you," said Emma Goldman. So the thief 
always argues. That incendiary woman 
should be placed under lock and key and 
kept there. Fit companions for her in 
her captivity would be the shallow-pated 
scribblers the object of whose existence 
seems to be to stir up strife. They 
have found it very profitable, thus far, 
but their careers should be checked. 
"Free speech" is not involved. Emma 
Goldman has no opinion to express. The 
whole anarchistic movement means mis- 
chief, and it should be no longer tolerat- 
ed. There is no room for anarchy in 
this country. There is no excuse for 
its existence here. We urge the Mayor 
to take action in this matter without 
delay and Commissioner McKay to order 
the police to break up such meetings as 
that of Saturday and enforce the law 
against all unlicensed parades and street 
demonstrations. All the trouble can be 
stopped now by a few determined police- 
men with heavy clubs who know that 
the will of the people is behind them. 
If it is allowed to develop, infantry, cav- 
alry, and artillery may be needed. — New 
York "Times." 



OIL AGAIN! 



CLOSE VIEW OF THE MEXICAN 

SITUATION. 

By Cassius E. Gillette, Formerly Major 

United States Engineering Corps. 

The fundamental cause of these awful 
conditions lies primarily with Madero, a 
half-baked devotee of spiritualism, who 
possibly seriously put forth the old prop- 
aganda of "free land" and a general 
democracy, with which fake shibboleth 
at least a hundred rebellions have been 
started in Mexico between the overthrow 
of Spain, in 1821, and the ascendance of 
Diaz, in 1876. 

The testimony of Sherburne G. Hop- 
kins, given before the sub-committee of 
the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela- 
tions, under oath, suggests a possible, 
and even probable, financial backing of 
Madero, such as may ultimately prove 
that the poor fellow was a mere cat's 
paw, a pawn sacrified to the greed of big 
American oil mterests. 

Mr. Hopkins admitted under oath that 
he was the legal representative of Ma- 
dero from the start, that he now repre- 
sents the present constitutionalists, and 
that he has been such representative con- 
tinuously. He also admitted that he had 
been a legal representative during at 
least a part of the period since the Ma- 
dero outbreak, of Henry Clay Pierce, 
the head of the Waters-Pierce Oil Com- 
pany, presumed to be one of the ten- 
tacles of Standard Oil. 

Long Fight Over Oil. 

There certainly has been an intense 
fight in Mexico for years between the 
Waters-Pierce Company and the Eng- 
lish Pearson Company of Lord Cow- 
dray. Yet Standard Oil appears to own. 
through the Doheny interest, more oil 
and more capital invested than all the 
other interests in Mexico put together. 
The question then, is, Why is Standard 
Oil not engaged in this fight for the 
trade of Mexico, as are the Pierce in- 
terests and the Pearson interests? The 
only logical answer is that it owns either 
one or the other. 

Mr. Hopkins admitted on the stand 
that his services to Henry Clay Pierce 
were for the purpose of fighting Lord 
Cowdray in Mexico. Lord Cowdray had 
some astonishingly favorable conces- 
sions and contracts under President Diaz, 
and about the onh' way Standard Oil or 
Mr. Pierce could reach him was to over- 
throw Diaz, the natural way to do which 
would be to finance Madero. 

That they did this financing is asserted 
by sworn testimony printed in the same 
report. 

Mr. Converse, an intelligent young 
American who fought for Madero from 
the start, and was his intimate friend, 
when questioned under oath, said that 
Madero had personally told him sev- 
eral times that he got his money from 
Standard Oil, and that Standard Oil 
would back him to "the last ditch." the 
witness remarking that his memory was 
strengthened by Madero's use of the 
Americanism, "the last ditch." He swore 
that Madero told him this several times, 
as also did Madero's staunch supporter 
and intimate friend. Braulio Hernandez, 
and Madero's Governor of the State of 
Chihuahua. Abraham Gonzalez. 

There is much other testimony in the 
printed volume to the same eflfect, yet 
our State Department a few weeks a,go 
gave out that it had no information to 



connect Standard Oil with the financing 
of Madero. This report must certainly 
be on file there. 

On the same day the Standard Oil of- 
ficials stated that the company had not 
financed Madero. They did not deny 
that Standard Oil money, however, had 
been used for the purpose. 

There is a pretty strong rumor that 
Madero got his original funds for the 
purpose by mortgaging his Guayule rub- 
ber land to the Continental Rubber Com- 
pany, whose president is John D. Rocke- 
feller, Jr. . . ■ . 

A somewhat curious coincidence is 
that the largest contributor to President 
Wilson's campaign fund, and apparently 
one of his closest advisers, is Cleveland 
H. Dodge, a director, I believe, in the 
Standard Oil National City Bank and a 
trustee of the Carnegie Peace Founda- 
tion, while the officials of his company in 
Arizona some months ago were under 
indictment for smuggling arms and am- 
munition to the Constitutionalists. 

In any event, Mr. Hopkins is admitted- 
ly the leader of the Constitutionalist 
representatives in Washington, and he is 
undoubtedly one of the most skillful 
press agents in the country. At times 
from what appears to be his press agent 
work, he seems to have a remarkable 
knowledge of the inner workings 
of our State Department, and a most re- 
markable ability to get news telegrams 
started from out-of-the-way places in 
Mexico, a tremendous percentage of 
which "news" is afterward contradicted. 
Beyond Villa's Ken. 

For example. General Villa, as is well 
known, can neither read nor write, and 
yet immediately after his recent murder 
of Benton, he gave out a statement in- 
volving an intimate knowledge of points 
of international law. with .\merican and 
English precedents in the matter, a 
knowledge of such things entirely be- 
yond the ken not only of Villa, but of 
anybody within 100 miles of his head- 
quarters in Chihuahua, at the time he 
gave it out. 

The ingenious internation moves 
made recently by Carranza indicate a 
knowledge of matters of which Carranza 
himself has doubtless never thought, 
while they are plainly beyond anybody 
whose pictures he has so far published 
as composing his alleged "cabinet." 



AN OPPORTUNITY. 

Checkmate! The fiat refusal of Gen- 
eral Carranza, the Constitutionalist lead- 
er in Mexico, to comply with Secretary 
Bryan's reasonable request for detailed 
information concerning t\],e assassination 
of Mr. Benton, a British subject. afTorded 
President Wilson a fine opportunity for 
a decisive turn that would have relieved 
the Mexican tension at once. Carranza 
is under many obligations to our Gov- 
ernment. He has even sought its recog- 
nition, but the moment our complicatinn 
arose with Great Britain, he sought to 
make matters worse by refusing to co- 
operate with the State Department. If 
President Wilson, in the face of this in- 
sult, had promptly recognized Huerta as 
the de facto President of Mexico, as 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



other nations have recognized him, Car- 
lanza would have been at the end of his 
r.,pe and Huerta would have been placed 
under obligation to our Government. All 
our present difficulties, not only with 
Mexico, but with other foreign govern- 
ments on Mexico's accovmt, and much 
of the terrible losses of life and property 
during the past year would have been 
avoided if. Huerta had been promptly 
recognized by our Government. In other 
matters, the President has not hesitated 
to reverse himself. It is time for de- 
cisive action with Mexico. At this crit- 
ical juncture the resignation of the Hon. 
John Bassett Moore, the able and ex- 
peri.-.Ticed adviser and counselor of the 
State Department, is a matter of most 
serious portent. It would have been 
otherwise if the resignation had been 
that of Secretary Bryan. — Leslie's Week- 
ly." 



COURTING WAR 

While Breathing Words of Peace 



HUERTA'S VICTORY. 

Woodrow Wilson, the professor of 
peace, is not the only man who has been 
pursumg the policy of watchful waiting 
m regard to Mexico. Victoriano Huerta 
the post graduate in war, has been doing 
the same, only with this important dif- 
lerence. While Wilson has been wait- 
i-g supinely for (as soon as heaven 
^inks fit), something to turn up. Huerta 
l^as been watching like a hunter for an 
pportunitv to bring something down 

Now It begins to look as though the 
indomitable old Aztec fighter has found 
the opportunity for which he has been 
waitintr. The defeat of the rebels near 
Monterey, let us hope, is a start toward 
restoring that peace which miffht have 
t'een won nearly a vear ago had Presi- 
dent Wilson recognized Huerta instead 
of stimulating the partv of plunder in 
-Northern Mexico. 

Every .A.merican who desires to see 
peace re-established across our southern 
borders will pray that the Mexican Fed- 
erals mav be successful in putting down 
the rebellion and so ending the reign of 
anarchy and slaughter. Even those'' who 
do not approve of Huerta personally. 
1- or really the approval or disapproval 
of the moral standards of one man is 
not so important as the moral and ma- 
terial welfare of a whole nation. The 
piety of Lot could not save Sodom 
iior need the ruthlessness of Huerta 
damn Mexico. 

Exen if his methods for overthrowing 
the Maderistas were as reprehensible as 
his enemies have claimed them to be, 
since seizing the reins of power he has 
at least maintained law and order over 
the territory that he controls. He has 
not countenanced a program of robbery 
and Dillaee such as has been used to 
enrich Villa and his fellow-bandits in 
Northern Mexico. 

Wilson has affronted this only compe- 
tent man in Mexico in every possible 
way. Under this treatment the dignified 
attitude of Victoriano Huerta. his reso- 
lute and successful protection for Ameri- 
can citizens in Mexico City, his evident 
determination to make Mexico alone his 
business and to stick to that business, 
his resourcefulness in combating circum- 
stances that woufd have crushed a man 
less strong and capable, cannot but com- 
mand some respect from all fair-minded 
men and women. — Los Angeles "Times." 



That American intervention in Mexico 
is a matter of the future no one in Mexi- 
co City doubts — that is, if the United 
States intends to insist upon constitu- 
tional government and the preservation 
of peace and order in this neighboring 
country. Huerta's elimination is not 
likely to settle the Mexican problem. 
There is no man in Mexico to take his 
place with the ability and strength to 
overcome the habit of revolution which 
has been so assiduously cultivated since 
the retirement of Don Porfirio Diaz. In- 
deed, there is no rr^an in the world. 

The fault lies not with Mexico's lead- 
ers and best men, but with Mexico's 
ignorant, unfit Indians, led into rev- 
olution and brigandage by the self- 
seeking politicians, the most trouble- 
some of whom are often unholy com- 
binations of Indian, Spanish and possibly 
African blood. So, even if Huerta goes 
and another takes his place there is 
bound to be further revolution and tur- 
moil and bloodshed. The country can- 
not stand much more of this sort of 
thing; the powers of the world with huge 
sums invested here probably will not 
stand for it. 

There is ample proof that one revolu- 
tion breeds another and that elections 
are almost invariably followed by out- 
breaks. After Madero took office there 
■ were certain elections for Governors in 
various States. In half a dozen instances 
the defeated candidate took to the war- 
path without the slightest delay. It was 
the custom of the country and it was 
necessary for him to do so in order to 
demonstrate his true worth, his bravery 
and his superiority over the victorious 
candidate. There is one instance, said 
to be the only one in Mexican history, 
where a defeated candidate congratulated 
his victorious opponent. That man is 
politically dead in Mexico today. The 
people were completely incapable of un- 
derstanding his motives and considered 
his action only a show of weakness. 

That America's course of action does 
not meet with the approval of the Huer- 
tistas goes without saying. That it is 
disapproved by Americans who have 
made their residence here can be stated 
with emphatic emphasis. That portion 
of the American policy which directed 
Americans to leave Mexico has aroused 
an intensely bitter feeling among Ameri- 
cans. They feel themselves deserted by 
their own country. They consider their 
right to reside here and engage in busi- 
ness as inalienable as their right to tlie 
protection of their Government, and to 
be told, as they consider they were told, 
that if they remained in this country they 
would do so at their own risk, which 
becomes a tangible risk through the edict 



of recall, was a decided strain on their 
patriotism. 

Americans All in Doubt. 

There have been, and are, in Mexico, 
Americans of an undesirable class, 
trouble makers who arouse anti-Ameri- 
canism, but there are also men of the 
highest type of Americanism, mining en- 
gineers, merchants and farmers. Some 
of these have made their life work in 
Mexico. In this city there are many 
who have settled down, established what 
were flourishing businesses, bought their 
homes and have their families with them. 
To abandon their businesses is utterly 
impossible. 

Too old to establish themselves else- 
where they must remain here. Abandon- 
ment of Mexico means a ruined life to 
them and misery for their families. The 
Americans in Mexico City are better ofif 
than many elsewhere, particularly in 
those regions in the war zone, for here 
business continues after a fashion, while 
in other places it is utterly ruined. Also, 
there is little danger to American life 
and limb in Mexico City, save for acci- 
dents. 

One would little think here in Mexico 
City that the country is torn by strife. 
Externally everything is as peaceful as 
a May morn. Business goes on, although 
stumblingly; the shops are open, the 
cafes and restaurants seem to be doing 
a fair business and the many military 
bands give constant concerts in the pub- 
lic squares. The beauties of the city 
stand out in reassuring aspect. The broad 
asphalt streets are filled with carriages 
and automobiles. The people seem rather 
happy. Yesterday the fiesta of Mardi 
Gras was celebrated with more anima- 
tion than in recent years. The Avenida 
San Francisco was packed with motors, 
carriages and pedestrians. Some of the 
occupants of the carriages were in mask 
and costume. Confetti flew and the 
crowd laughed and jostled. — Philip H. 
Patchin, in New York "Tribune." 



The situation is the direct result of Presi- 
dent Wilson's attempt to interfere in the internal 
affairs of Mexico. His logical course was to 
recognize Huerta as President de facto — as he 
was — without inquiry as to how he got his power, 
which is none of our business. 

Our plain duty then would have been to pre- 
vent the use of our territory to in any way 
aid the cause of the rebels by supply of arras or 
otherwise. 

If, under such conditions, the Carranza outfit 
had succeeded in occupying a large part of Mex- 
ico and in maintaining therein an effective civil 
government adequate to the protection of life 
and property, it would have apparently been en- 
titled to recognition as a belligerent. 

The present situation is the consequence of 
poking our governmental nose into what is none 
of our business. — San Francisco "Chronicle." 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angle*. 



Villa might take Torreon and still be 
further from the capital than Lee's army 
ever was from Boston. Villa has merely 
been touching the outskirts of Federal 
territory. — Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



WHO IS MAKING THE OVER- 
TURES? 

There is considerable persistence in 
the rumors that Portillo y Rojas, Mexi- 
can Minister of Foreign Affairs, and 
Special Agent John Lind are negotiating 
for a settlement of the differences be- 
tween the .\merican .'Administration and 
the Huerta government, and the as- 
sumption in all t\}e dispatches is that it 
is Huerta who is asking terms from 
President Wilson. 

But granting that negotiations are 
actually in progress, why should there 
be such an assumption? The situation 
in Mexico City has not changed for a 
year. Huerta stands before the world 
just where he did when he first assumed 
office. If anything he is stronger than 
he was three months ago. 

Washington on the other hand has 
identified itself with Carranza and with 
Villa, two bandits w-hose misdeeds send 
a stench around the globe. It is being 
openly asserted in the national capital 
that the President and his Secretary of 
State have about given up hope of ex- 
pecting anything from the so-called 
constitutionalists and are at last begin- 
ning to swing around to the view of all 
the rest of the world, which is that 
Huerta should be recognized and given 
every possible assistance in pacifying 
Mexico. 

It is only a surmise, of course, but it 
these much heralded negotiations are in 
progress why is it unreasonable to sup- 
pose that perhaps the United States is 
trying to come to some accommodation 
with Huerta which the latter will be in- 
clined to accept? Whatever his faults, 
the Mexican President has shown him- 
self a man of vast self-restraint and 
generally willing to discuss any reason- 
able proposition with any person. — 
Detroit "Free Press," 



There is a steadily growing sentiment 
among the more conservative American 
people that our policy towards Mexico 
has been a grave mistake. Our govern- 
ment alone among the great powers has 
refused recognition of Huerta as Pro- 
visional President of Mexico, although 
he has now for more than a year con- 
trolled the central government and three- 
quarters of the entire territory of that 
country. As a result of this policy we 
have been utterly unable either to pro- 
tect our own citizens in Mexico or ex- 
ercise our duty under the Monroe Doc- 
trine to safeguard the subjects of Euro- 
pean powers. 

That there are indications that even 
President Wilson's confidence in the ap- 
propriateness of his course has been 
weakened, is not denied in official circles, 
hence the reopening of the negotiations 
with Huerta may mean a change in pol- 
icy that may have important results. 
That Mexico's Provisional President will 
agree to anything short of unqualified 
official recognition along the lines 
adopted by the European powers is un- 
likely. Such recognition, however, would 
be galling to the powers that be at Wash- 
ington and for that reason may be de- 
layed. — New Orleans "Picayune." 



OUR MEXICAN POLICY. 

According to the latest Washington 
advices. President Wilson is reopening 
unofficial negotiations with Provisional 
President Huerta through his agent in 
Mexico, ex-Governor Lind. Just what 
these negotiations will amount to or just 
what end it is desired to accomplish, has 
not been announced. It is evident, how- 
ever, that President Wilson is not satis- 
fied with the course of the rebels in 
northern Mexico, and there are not lack- 
ing hints that he would n'^t be adverse 
to some form ot recession from his 
hitherto inexorable insistence on the 
elimination of Huerta. 



O'SHAUGHNESSY'S REMOVAL 
WOULD BE A BLUNDER. 

Had the .Administration not piled 
blunder upon blunder in its treatment of 
the Mexican situation, the report that 
Mr. O'Shaughnessy is about to be re- 
tired would refute itself. The Admin- 
istration is on record as not changing 
the Consul at Juarez because the appoint- 
ment of a new one would require cre- 
dentials to some responsible Govern- 
ment, and we are not prepared to con- 
cede that any such Government exists. 
The appointment of Mr. Shanklin. there- 
fore, or any one to take Mr. O'Shaugh- 
nessy's place, would require that he be 
accredited to the Huerta Government, 
which would be recognition. Mr. Shank- 
lin. too. is a Republican, and the record 
of the State Department is not such as 
to warrant the belief that it would re- 
move a Republican and not utilize the 
vacancy to reward some Democratic 
politician. 

Mr. O'Shaughnessy received his de- 
gree at the L^niversity of Oxford for 
work in languages. He speaks French, 
German and Spanish fluently. He was 
stationed at Copenhagen. Berlin and Vi- 
enna from 1904 to 1911. when he was 
assigned to duty in Mexico. He is one 
of the few men remaining in the diplo- 
matic service who worked their way up 
and became skilled in diplomatic thought 
and duties. 

If there has been any creditable fea- 
ture of our diplomacy in Mexico it has 
been the tact and admirable conduct of 
Mr. O'Shaughnessy. In a position of 
extreme delicacy he has handled himself 
well and has reflected credit on the ser- 
vice. The public is aware of no fault 
that he has committed, and it is absurd 
to intimate that he may retire "under 
fire." If he retires at all it will probably 
he because his health has given way 
under the strain of work and domestic 
bereavement. The onh' other explana- 
tion of the report would be that the 
.-Vdministration has determined to recog- 
nize the Constitutionalists or take other 



aggressive action against ilie Huerta 
regime. The bloody trail of the Con- 
stitutionalists precludes all possibility, it 
may be hoped, of the former course. — 
Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



"MANIACAL." 

Republicans must not stand back and 
chuckle over the Administration troubles 
in Mexico. The Republicans began the 
troubles when the Rubber Ring in their 
State Department forced President Diaz, 
the only man who could govern Mexico, 
into exile. Their President Taft in- 
creased the troubles when he ordered 
our little army to the Mexican border, 
without the advice or consent of Con- 
gress or of the War Department, be- 
cause, as he has explained, "there was 
nobody in Washington at that time for 
me to consult." Having begun and in- 
creased the troubles, the Republicans 
cannot rejoice over "putting the Demo- 
crats in a hole." There is no political 
partisanship in international affairs; all 
parties must support the Government. 
When open war follows the secret war 
now being waged against Mexico the 
Republicans will have to go to the front, 
as well as the Democrats, and the blood 
of Republicans will be shed, as well as 
Democratic blood. It is, therefore, the 
duty of the Republican leaders to use 
their utmost efforts to assist sane Demo- 
crats in overcoming the almost maniacal 
prejudice of the President against Pro- 
visional President Huerta, and to com- 
pel him by every means in their power 
to jcin the rest of the world in recog- 
nizing Huerta and giving him every pos- 
sible assistance in restoring order in 
Mexico. That one man in the American 
Republic can be able to cause the con- 
tinuance of murders, robberies and out- 
rages upon women in a neighboring 
country seems inconceivable. A czar, 
an emperor, a dictator, a tyrant could do 
no more — and yet Mr. Wilson is doing 
it! There should be a patriotic union 
of both parties in Congress to curb this 
madness by a vote of censure so em- 
phatic that personal prejudice shall never 
again rule at the White House. — "Town 
Topics." 



UNTENABLE POSITION. 

Unfortunately for the President's case, he has 
not made known, even in an indirect way, the 
matters of more serious import which, he said, 
justified his plea for repeal, nor is it apparent 
that the present unfortunate plight of our for- 
eign relations would be materially relieved by 
this one act. We are at outs with the nations of 
the world for other reasons than the exercise of 
our undoubted right to exempt our own ships 
from tolls for the use ot an American-built 
canal. Bryan, the Chautauqua orator, constitutes 
in himself a reason far more substantial than the 
tolls controversy. The President himself, par- 
ticularly in his wholly untenable position in Mex- 
ican matters, is another reason for the isolated 
position in which this nation finds itself. 

Nowhere is there the slightest indication that 
the President's tolls repeal bill has relieved our 
international situation, or promises to do so. It 
is not surprising, therefore, that those who at 
first regarded it as a patriotic duty to stand with 
the President, as he said, without inquiring 
whether right or wrong, are now feeling that Mr. 
Wilson's plea was based on a state of mind rather 
than an actual condition. — New York "Evening 
Mail." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28. 1914 



"THE WIDOW" IN MEXICO. 

A staggering astonishment struck me 
in the fact that these people — Americans, 
who should understand the situation — 
seemed to think that just back of our 
steamer might be transports loaded with 
marines and soldiers of the United States 
Army en route for immediate interven- 
tion! Sometimes these impressions took 
form in statements from newspaper cor- 
respondents who are close to the throne 
— the throne being the Consulate where 
Governor Lind holds sway. When I 
would ejaculate at the preposterousness 
of any immediate intervention; that it 
seemed much farther away than a few 
months ago; that the United States as a 
people were awakening to the fact that 
an egregious blunder was made in not 
recognizing the Mexican Government 
and Huerta — or anybody else — as repre- 
senting it, then arguments would come 
thick and fast, which bears out the old 
maxim that people believe what they 
want to believe — there are those who 
want, personally, intervention and so 
they believe the Army en route, and they 
cannot, will not, deduce the situation in 
any other way. 

The "egregious blunder" is wide- open 
talk, with now "intervention being the 
only way out." There are others, how- 
ever, who say differently — Americans, 
too, who have lived in Mexico twenty- 
five or thirty years. I might say, inci- 
dentally, that people talk freely, more 
openly away from Mexico City, I judge, 
than they would where there is danger 
of being quoted. The policy is to keep 
absolute silence and let "Our Woodrow" 
• — as President Wilson is invariably 
called — work out his own problem. It 
would be most unfair for me to betray 
confidences and quote from these men 
who know their Mexico like a book. One 
man said, and he has lived in Mexico 
thirty years: "If 'Woodrow' expects 
Carranza to overthrow Huerta, and help 
out in this mistake he made in not recog- 
nizing him as Provisional President, he 
is making another mistake. Huerta can 
without doubt hold out for a long time. 
The better classes of Mexicans and 
Americans believe in him and respect 
him much more than they did Madero. 
He has a power that is wonderful. 
Everything has been done to cripple him 
in the demand that he vacate the posi- 
tion, but he has, in his dignified bearing 
and forbearance, grown stronger every 
hour. When Woodrow recognizes the 
'Constitutionalists' as people supporting 
the constitution of the country he shows 
more of the dense ignorance or of the 
great misunderstanding he has of not 
only Mexico, but all these countries 
where revolution is always on the qui 
vive. There are no 'Constitutionalists' 
excepting in times .of revolution. It is 
the peg they hang their rebellion on. 
This lack of knowledge made 'Woodrow' 
refuse recognition, and now he can't — 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

cannot possibly so humiliate himself. He 
is certainly in a fix. His waiting looks 
as if he hopes and prays for the success 
of Carranza's and Villa's murderous 
methods in the North or for something 
to happen which will provide a peg for 
him on which he can be relieved from 
the embarrassing and heartrending sit- 
uation." It was strong talk, but based 
on the recent recognition of Peru. — 
"Town Topics." 



EVERYTHING MISCHIEVOUS. 

The following graphic description of 
the situation in Mexico is sent by a 
correspondent of the London "Morning 
Post," which has exceptionally intelli- 
gent foreign correspondents. Winston 
Churchill, present Lord of the Admiral- 
ty, was, for instance, its chief war cor- 
respondent in the last war. The "Morn- 
ing Post" correspondent writes from the 
City of Mexico: 

"Everything that President Wilson has 
done in Mexico has been mischievous. 
Nothing has been helpful or wise or 
strong. If there had been no Govern- 
ment in Washington for a year past (so 
far as Mexico is concerned), the people 
of Me.xico would now be better off. 
Foreign bankers would have financed 
Huerta and he would have maintained 
better order. Mr. Wilson prevented that. 

"Commissioner Lind, whom Mr. Wil- 
son sent to Me.xico. speaks no Spanish 
and does not know the Mexicans. When 
his mission failed. President Wilson 
'threw his great bluff,' as the Americans 
say. He sent warships loaded with men 
and railroad material to Vera Cruz and 
advised all Americans to get out of 
Mexico City. The Americans bolted for 
Vera Cruz at once, and we who remained 
prepared to defend the British colony, 
because it was thought Huerta would 
retreat from Mexico City to the north, 
after cutting the railway line between 
here and Vera Cruz. 

"But old Huerta never turned a hair; 
he is not an easy one to bluff, and he 
plays better poker than either Wilson or 
Bryan. Every one waited breathlessly 
for Mr. Wilson's grand coup, but noth- 
ing came, and after four or five weeks 
the Americans began to drift back to 
Mexico City to look after their property. 

"I saw one prominent American, who 
had assured me before he went away that 
something was really to be done this 
time. I asked him what was going to 
happen. He said with bitterness: 'Noth- 
ing: I wish I was a Chinaman.'" 
A Policy of Weakness. 

People who wish to see law and order 
established won't buy land at any price 
from the banks, because it may be taken 
from them by the rebels. The whole 
situation is wrong, and the man who has 
done more to put it wrong than any one 
else is President Wilson. 

He may be a very good man for hand- 
ling the tariff and the currency, because 
his training has been that of a college 
professor. .A.s a man to direct foreign 
policy Mr. Wilson is. I think, a failure. 
He is a theorist, just as Madero was. 

If he had not attempted to dictate 
to Huerta his policy of non-interference 
would have been at least consistent and 
understandable. 

The Carranza party is really com- 
posed of bands of irreclaimable robbers, 
in the business for personal gain, .^nv- 
one who thinks the individual chiefs 



would obey the commands of Carranza 
is misinformed, just as much as anyone 
who thinks that, were Carranza elected 
President tomorrow, it would cause a 
cessation of fighting. There are not 2 
per cent, of the chiefs now fighting as 
Carrancistas who Would sink their per- 
sonal ambitions for the good of the 
country. 

When Carranza himself was asked 
lately by the United States Government 
if he would stop fighting if Huerta were 
induced to resign, and an impartial in- 
dividual were named President, he em- 
phatically refused. He said he person- 
ally would shoot any President so named, 
and would only recognize himself as 
President. 



A LETTER FROM MEXICO. 

I write you to suggest that the Ameri- 
can President as far as possible send 
representatives to Mexico as requested 
by President Huerta. to observe the true 
conditions. In doing so I would sug- 
gest that they travel over the country 
and meet all foreigners and factions, 
especially those who have no axes to 
grind. If this were done I am convinced 
our people would materially change their 
minds and be in a better position to 
assist in finding a solution that would 
meet the approval of the majority of 
Mexicans and all the foreign powers as 
well as the American people. 

After visiting all the principal towns 
from Port of Mexico to Salina Cruz and 
meeting many representative people from 
all parts of the republic, I have changed 
my mind on all important matters, hav- 
ing satisfied myself that we have been 
misled in the states from start to pres- 
ent of this trouble, which is very re- 
grettable for Mexico, and is leading our 
country into an awkward and dangerous 
position. 

It must be understood that Madero 
put himself into the President's chair, 
not so much through the force of arms 
as through use of money and false prom- 
ises, which never were or could be ful- 
filled. He never was elected, as sup- 
posed, by a fair election. As an ex- 
ample, I can give you the name of a 
ranch that had 380 voters or men of 
age. All were notified to appear on 
the day of election and cast their 
ballot on penalty of arrest for failure. 
Four of the 380 could sign their names 
to the ballots, which were all for Ma- 
dero, with no choice whatever. The re- 
mainder were forced to pay 25 cents 
each to the officer in charge for sign- 
ing their names. Yet Madero has been 
held up as the only constitutional Presi- 
dent Mexico ever had. The facts are 
Mexico has had none unless the recogni- 
tion of powers made them such. As 
for consent of the governed, it is im- 
possible for some years to come. 

It would be well to investigate the 
fall of Madero. as to what led up to 
it. How many thieves and murderers 
he punished, how many bandits he pro- 
moted over army officers, with whom 
he "stood in," how much property he 
and his friends bought up after raids 
and where and whom he wen*^ to see 
when he took the auto ride before his 
fall. All of these things will throw 

(Continued on next page.l 



SUBSCRIBE TO MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



MEXICO 



11 



light on President Huerta's popularity. 
Madero's decree that all railroad men 
must be able to read and write Spanish, 
his attempted confiscation of the Pear- 
sons properties will throw much light on 
the dark waves. It should not be forgot- 
ten that he liberated the murderers of a 
German family, the most brutal murder 
yet reported, yet he has been held up 
as a Christian and a model ruler, who 
lived 50 years ahead of his time. 1 find 
a few who regret his murder; many who 
say he got what was coming to him; 
none who are wearing crepe. 

It would also be well to investigate 
whether or not Carranza and his follow- 
ing were not preparing to revolt against 
Madero six months before his death. It 
should also be remembered Madero took 
office with $62,000,000 in the treasury, 
borrowed $40,000,000 more and had the 
recognition and good will of the United 
States and left the treasury empty. 

I came to this country to look after 
property I have here, was hurt on the 
boat coming over, so am spending my 
time visiting over the country to regain 
my health. There is good order wher- 
ever I have been. Some lines of busi- 
ness are adversely affected by exchange 
rates, while other lines are benefiting. 
Money seems plentiful, no distress in 
these parts. All are hoping that Wilson 
will either assist Huerta in establishing 
peace or take the job on his shoulders. 

While no one has accused President 
Huerta of having wings, he is by far 
the strongest political pow'er in Mexico. 

You are at liberty to use this letter 
as you see fit. The truth must come out 
somewhere in the wash. When I left 
home I was very much in sympathy with 
the rebels, but find they really represent 
the bandit class mainly, and a very small 
per cent, of foreigners or Mexicans. — 
Patrick Potosi, in "Houston Chronicle." 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: Isn't it strange that the respectable 
newspapers that decry and call a halt on the 
anarchical activities of Tannenbaura, Haywood, 
Emma Goldman, et al., are flaunting and ideal- 
izing the activities of armed I. W. W.'s and an- 
archists who are doing to Mexico exactly what 
their brothers in blood here plan to do to this 
country if they get half a chance. There are 
shallow-brained writers and agitators who are 
largely responsible for the anarchy in Northern 
Mexico. There are shallow-brained writers here 
who throw a glamour about the devil's work of 
a Villa, an Urbina, an Ortega and give the cue 
to a Tannenbaum and a "General" Kelly, out 




«9i3 WASHINGTON I9I4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

IQ.IC MUNSEY BUILDING ini/; 
laiO WASHINGTON, D. C. '^'O 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the su^ar legisla- 
tion. 



in California, who threatens a revolution to over- 
turn the national Government. Of course such 
a threat seems utterly silly, but that is no rea- 
son why we should not consider the future. It 
is much easier to light a forest fire than to put 
it out. We are, or rather Mr. Wilson is, for 
some peculiar reason, encouraging forces in Mex- 
ico which if he had to deal with in this country 
he would be the first, I think, to take measures 
to suppress. Why is he doing this? It cannot 
be from ignorance — because he has been fully 
informed as to the actual conditions in Mexico. 
Is he carried away with an opportunity to test 
the possibilities of anarchy as a theory of "gov- 
ernment," test it out in a neighboring suffering 
country? Heaven knows why he is encouraging 
and helping murderers and worse in Mexico. And 
he smiles happily, they say, when he hears that 
Villa is getting along. 

Yours very truly, 

PUZZLED. 



The Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: The civiHzed world has experienced 
a feeling of horror and indignation on account 
of the murder of the English subject, Mr. William 
S. Benton at the hands of Francisco Villa, the 
main leader of the revolutionists in the north of 
Mexico. 

All of the circumstances of this case substan- 
tiate the charges of cruelty and blood-thirstiness 
against these rebels who have in every way and 
at every opportunity shown themselves to be the 
most inhuman of savages. 

The only fault of Mr. Benton was to make a 
just protest against the depredations committed 
by the "constitutionalists" against his property, 
and perhaps these protests were too much for the 
irresponsible wild beast who rejoiced not only in 
the support of the Chief Magistrate of a great 
nation, but in the daily plaudits of a large por- 
tion of the American press, which commended 
him as an able leader in a righteous cause. Thus 
this spoiled child of the White House has been 
brought to such a state of exaltation that he 
feels at liberty to murder any foreign subjects 
at will. 

Recently Senator Fall presented proofs to his 
colleagues that Benton was "killed like a dog" at 
Villa's hands, and thus it was necessary for the 
hyena to revel in foreign blood in order that for- 
eigners might learn with whom they have to deal. 
Now it is known abroad, principally in England, 
just how much damage is being done by the 
"watchful waiting" policy of Mr. Wilson which 
he adopted instead of the logical course of recog- 
nizing the Mexican Government. The world at 
large may now be expected to take a more in- 
timate notice of the effects of this ruinous vul- 
ture-like policy than it did when Americans only 
were the victims of Wilson and his "constitu- 
tionalists." Everyone can now see that whatever 
might be the defects of origin of the Huerta gov- 
ernment, it is certainly a "de facto" government 
which has received its sanction by Mexican law 
and at the hands of a Congress elected under 
the overthrown regime. Mr. Woodrow Wilson 
chose to refuse recognition to Mexico, and while 
declaring against intervention, has used every 
other means in his power to accomplish the 
downfall of the only constituted government — the 
unequal enforcement of the neutrality laws, the 



financial blockade, the lifting of the embargo on 
arms, the support of the "constitutionalists" have 
all ended equally disastrously for the Adminis- 
tration, and seem to be bringing the recourse to 
arms a nearer menace every day. As everything 
else has been tried to avoid such an unhappy 
contingency, why not do the most obvious thing 
and try recognition? 

Foreign powers are becoming restive at the 
acts of "General" Villa, as the American press 
calls him, and are casting accusing glances at 
the White House where sits his patron and ac- 
complice ! ! 

The Wilson Administration, rather than admit 
that it has made a mistake in not recog- 
nizing the Mexican Government, prefers to 
charge the country and Congress with a mistake 
in dealing with England. England is a power- 
ful, Mexico is a smaller than the United States. 
Who said might makes right? Who said the 
Wilson Administration would bully Mexico, but 
show yellow to a Great Power? In desperation 
the Wilson Administration is trying to bribe 
England to its side — so the Administration may 
be free to destroy Mexico. 

Baltimore, Md. C. U. MESTA. 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 

ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
land of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his_ wanderings in Mexico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranching, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since the 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres- 
ent day and with e.xisting conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eight full-page half-tone 
illustrations. 



For Sale at a Bargain 

an Irrigated Farm of 1,500 
acres in the Lower Rio 
Grande Valley, with Irriga- 
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Terms and Particulars 
D. D. JONES 

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MEXICO 



Saturday, March 28, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

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ATTITUDE OF WILSON. 



What the President emphasizes in his infor- 
mal discussions of the Mexican situation is that 
he, as President of the United States, has never 
sought to approve or disappiove of individuals 
who may aspire to the Presidency of Mexico and 
that he has no list of men whom he holds under 
the so-called ban for alleged complicity in the 
assassination of Madero. His refusal to recog- 
nize Huerta, it may be stated on the highest au- 
thority, was not based on any personal antag- 
onism to Hureta, but on the ground that the 
"constitutionalists" would never be reconciled 
to the man who had overthrown Madero and 
Suarez, and that governments set up by arbi- 
trary force and not reflecting the popular will 
should not be dealt with by the United States. — 
Associated Press Despatch. 

It is extremely difficult for an honest 
mind to have patience with the clever 
casuistry that emanates from the "high- 
est authority" in explanation or at- 
tempted explanation of the Administra- 
tion's Mexican policy. The above is char- 
acteristic of the facile stringing of words 
that totally misrepresent but which "get 
over" with the average reader. "Why, of 
course," he will say, "it has not been any 
personality to which the Administration 
has objected in Mexico. Of course not. 
It just wants to see popular government 
and peace there and there can't be any 
such while the "constitutionalists" op- 
pose Huerta. Therefore Huerta must 
go." 

There cannot be popular government 
and peace in Sing Sing while the crim- 
inals confined there oppose their jailers, 
or in any asylum where the inmates are 
not reconciled to their keepers. There 
can be no popular government and peace 
in this country while the L W. W., the 
anarchists and their leaders are not re- 
conciled to what they call the brutal and 
arbitrary police rule of the capitalistic 
classes, in which'they include President 
Wilson, mind you. Therefore the jailers 
and keepers and police and President 
must go! 



If the "highest authority" vyho passes 
out the above kind of twaddle is honest 
he is ignorant of Mexico and Mexican 
conditions. If not, then he is monumen- 
tally dishonest. 

We don't hear so much about oil these 
days in connection with the Mexican 
situation. 

* * * 

Did the octopus get nervous? Did it 
stretch out one of its long tentacles and 
put a damper on the speculations of the 
press? 

Or did the octopus get a tip from 
somebody that the intrusion of the oil 
ogre as a burning question was getting 
mighty embarrassing. 

Strange that it doesn't occur to any 
member of Congress to inquire where 
Villa is getting the money to arm, equip 
and support the twelve thousand men 
that are claimed for him. 

Of course we know that he has sold 
stolen cattle, issued fiat money and "con- 
fiscated" right and left, but it is pretty 
well known that the proceeds of these 
bandit operations have been spUt fifty- 
fifty with his men, fifty to Villa and 
fifty to his followers, and that Villa has 
salted away his share in El Paso and 
New York banks. 

* * * 

And it costs some millions to supply 
cannon, machine guns, rifles, ammuni- 
tion for all, and feed and pay twelve 
thousand men. 

The money is not coming from Mex- 
ico. 

The President has been reported as 
telling the correspondents in Washing- 
ton that he had looked into the charges 
that the disorders in Mexico have been 
financed on this side of the border and 
that he was satisfied that such has not 
been the case. 

* * * 

Of course, nobody had the knowledge 
or gumption to inquire further as to the 
testimony before the Senate Investigat- 
ing Committee that proved the contrary 
or to ask how and through what agents 
the President had looked into the 

charges. 

i^ y^ ■^ 

Some of these days Congress may see 
fit to "look in" a little deeper. 

* * * 

Remember sometime last October Vil- 
la was going to eat his Christmas dinner 
in Mexico City! 

* * * 

Whatever the outcome of the Torreon 
attack Villa will never eat his dinner in 
Mexico City, it is sate to say, unless he 
means bread and water in Belem Prison. 

* * * 

The rebels occupied Torreon almost a 
year ago. 



From which point they advanced back- 
ward. 

* * * 
History has a way of repeating itself. 



Tampico has been captured by the 
rebels several times in the course of 
the last year — in the newspapers. 



To show the extent to which the news- 
papers will go to get a story: Several 
days during the past week they would 
lead off by saying that not a line had 
come over the wire from the scene of 
battle and then follow this statement 
by columns of the most detailed account 
of "constitutionalist" victories. 



Of course, simply "doped out" in 
Juarez and El Paso. 



LUCK. 



Most of the wise and disinterested persons of 
our acquaintance think that the President's rec- 
ord contains nothing finer than his Mexican pol- 
icy. A leader in the Progressive Party said to us 
the other day that in the Mexican matter Wilson 
had seemed to him positively inspired. Yet he, 
like every one else, admits that chance will in- 
evitably play a part in deciding whether this 
policy shall have the fortunate termination it de- 
serves. If we get out of it without a war with 
Mexico, immense credit will be given to the 
President. If some folly by the Mexicans, backed 
up with narrow-mindedness from certain Ameri- 
cans, shall ultimately bring on a war, the Presi- 
dent will have deserved credit just as clearly, but 
he will not get it. 

The above remarkable editorial is from 
"Harper's Weekly," of which one Nor- 
man Hapgood is editor. All that we 
dare say about it is that somebody said 
to us the other day that when Hapgood 
wrote it he was "positively inspired." 

We wonder whether the inspiration 
is of -the same nature in both cases? 



A new and particularly interesting 
feature of some of the excellent lectures 
on Mexico being given under the aus- 
pices of the New York City Board of 
Education and before various prominent 
club's and societies, in neighboring cities 
and towns by Mrs. Ada Brown Talbot, 
in the presence of Sr. Alfonso L. Jime- 
nez, Mexican Vice Consul, who, at her 
request, answers an^r questions that 
members of the audience may ask re- 
garding political and commercial condi- 
tions in tihe republic, growing out of the 
revolution. 

The Vice Consul's sources of informa- 
tion, being official and absolutely up- 
to-date, lend to his statements the weight 
of authority, and render them a most 
convincing and important adjunct to 
Mrs. Talbot's splendid work in present- 
ing the real Mexico in her beautifully 
illustrated lectures — "Journeying in 
Southern Mexico," and "Journeying' in 
Northern Mexico." His defence of Pro- 
visional President Huerta's administra- 
tion, and his denounciation of the bandits 
trying to destroy the country cannot 
fail fo materially strengthen the cause 
of Mexico wherever he is heard. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. 33. 



Errw Runs Swiftly D«wb tke Hill WhU* Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 
NEW YORK, SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



News Fakers 



It has been aptly said that the happiest 
nation is the one without a history, the 
word being used in the sense ol a chron- 
icling of wars, violent changes, revolu- 
tions and disasters. There is meagre 
food for the historian in the quiet, sober, 
matter-of-fact evolution of a people. 
History is the record of friction, con- 
flict, upheaval. In a certain sense the 
daily newspapers are the nervous re- 
corders of the world's conflict in its 
many phases. They thrive on violence, 
ca.astrophe, cataclysm. They are im- 
patient of prosaic peace and order, and 
non-contentious change. 

All of which may in a charitable mind 
suggest itself as a possible explanation 
of the extraordinary inventions and false- 
hoods that have been accepted or manu- 
factured by the newspapers in reference 
to the Torreon figliting during the last 
ten days, so long as those inventions 
and falsehoods would sustain the claims 
of the Mexican rebels. Mexico at peace 
under a strong government like that 
of President Huerta would offer few 
opportunities for these falsifying his- 
torians. Mexico torn and- destroyed by 
bandit chiefs of the Villa type — ah, 
there are all kinds of dynamic possibili- 
ties. There are "stories." 

It should not be thought for an instant 
that this predisposition of the news- 
paper instinct is the only reason for 
the press' false and distorted news of 
Mexican affairs. It is not so simple 
or impulsive as all that. There are 
several other explanations for the 
shameless coloring of Mexican news. 
They may be classified under the follow- 
ing heads: 

1. The attitude of the Wilson Admin- 
istration. 

2. Contamination at the sources of 
news. 

3. More or less honest ignorance. 



4. Deliberate misrepresentation by 
interested parties. 

Here it must be noted that within the 
last six months the editorial expressions 
in our newspapers have become more 
informed and fair, as the editorial in- 
telligence has vainly tried to reconcile 
its former preconception with the facts 
as they have been revealed. It is in the 
news columns that the spirit of American 
justice and fair play is woefully lacking. 

-\s to the explanations offered above: 

1. The attitude of the Wilson Admin- 
istration. 

By this time it is almost universally 
recognized that the Administration made 
an egregious blunder when it refused to 
join with all the other Powers in recog- 
nizing the de facto and de jure govern- 
ment of Mexico. It is realized with fore- 
bodings for the future that it took a 
tremendously consequential step when 
it assumed the right to overthrow that 
government and put another in its place. 
The public is convinced and amazed that 
the .Administration in raising the em- 
bargo on arms and giving moral en- 
couragement to the rebels virtually en- 
tered into an alliance with nuirdcring, 
ravishing barbarians. 

Now the question in the minds of the 
people, who do not want war with 
Mexico, is. how is President Wilson 
going to avoid it? It is admitted that 
he can avoid it by acknowledging his 
mistake and repairing it. He can at least 
withdraw his virulent opposition to the 
Mexican Government, which has led him 
to unworthy extremes and has simply 
prolonged in Mexico conditions that he 
professed to wish to end. But it is also 
felt that this acknowledgment would go 
against the grain of his personal pride. 
In view of the human, heartrending 
issues at stake it would seem that one 
man's personal pride should not be taken 



into consideration, but the President is 
master. To help him out the public will 
grasp at every straw. 

The agents of the rebels have so often 
promised that they would bring peace 
to Mexico if permitted to import arms 
from the United States that, as "a way 
out" for the .Administration, their "cause" 
has been most falsely glorified in the 
news despatches even following the 
brutal crime and the outrageous lies of 
the Benton case. 

The fact that the success of the rebels 
at Torreon would not weaken the posi- 
tion of the Me.xican Government, but 
rather would strengthen it with the 
great mass of the Me.xican people who 
want its protection against the further 
advance of Villa's barbarians, has not 
been taken into consideration. 

The fact that the people of Central 
and Southern Mexico would rise en 
masse to check his army of looters if 
they tried to advance south of Torreon 
has not been taken into consideration. 
The fact that the Mexican people as a 
whole would not tolerate the governinenl 
of a Villa or any one who came into 
power with his assistance — or American 
assistance, for that matter — has not been 
taken inio consideration. To the news- 
papers the military success of the rebels 
might seem a "way out" for President 
Wilson. If anarchy in Mexico is what 
he desires, yes! Otherwise, no. and 
every unbiased intelligent Mexican and 
every American who has any knowledge 
of Mexico and the Mexican people will 
emphatically confirm this statement. 

2. Contamination at the sources of 
news. 

Tliere are three principal sources of 
Mexican news: Mexico City, border 
towns, and Washington. 

In Mexico City the .Associated Press is 
represented by correspondents, also the 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April i, 1914 



NEWS FAKERS— Continued. 



United Press and the leading newspapers 
of New York and other large American 
cities. Recently on invitation from 
President Huerta, there have been in 
Mexico City special correspondents from 
some American papers and magazines. 
We assume in all these correspondents a 
spirit of fairness, a desire to tell the 
truth and at the same time a good appe- 
tite for a stirring "story." We have 
known some of them who have deliber- 
ately lied with malice aforethought, but 
they have not the respect of their decent 
fellows and their lies are in time shown 
up. 

As to the general run of news from 
Mexico City: As long as there is a 
controversy between the Wilson .\dmin- 
istration and the Mexican Government 
the correspondents show a keen recep- 
tion to information or facts tending 
to discredit that government and vice 
versa. Then again, Mexico City is a 
breeding place of irresponsible rumors, 
probably more fertile in this respect 
than any other city in the world. In the 
American Club, in barrooms, in the cafes. 
on the streets, the American correspon- 
dent is buttonholed by rumor-mongers 
who mysteriously hint at portentous de- 
velopments which have their only 
foundation in their author's idle imagina- 
tion or lying propensity. 

Usually the American correspondent 
does not speak Spanish, or is in no posi- 
tion to learn the truth. The city has 
been full of thrills and surprises from 
time inmemorial and one feels in the air 
that anything may happen, anything may 
be true, at any time. That is the atmos- 
phere which . is the fascination of the 
capital, but which plays hob with the 
correspondent's sense of proportion. He 
accepts rumors and surmises as facts and 
cables them tD his office, hungry for 
sensations. Assertions are always scare- 
headed; denials are always inconspicuous. 

Americans in Mexico City, almost as 
a unit, condemn the .Administration's 
policy, but it is the business of the 
American Embassy to support it. The 
correspondents take their cue largely 
from the Embassy anl the Embassy gets 
its cue from Washington. So much for 
Mexico City. 

In the border towns, especialb' El 
Paso and Nogaies. the rebels of the 
North have their juntas, their press 
agents, secret agents, friends and rela- 
tives. Revolution in Mexico is profitable 
to the border tows. El Paso merchants, 
for example, have sold thousands of 
dollars' worth of supplies to Villa. The 
trade in arms and ammunition is 
profitable to border .Americans. More 
than a million head of cattle have been 
stolen by the rebels from the ranches of 
Sonora and Chihuahua and sold to 
American cattle dealers at less than 
value. The .American money interests in 
the North of Mexico find it necessary to 
''stand in" witli 'lie rebels, n-id these big 



interests are influential with the border 
newspapers. Furthermore covetous eyes 
are cast on Mexican territory which 
through the contenance of disorder may 
some day become American! 

A newspaper man with Villa or Car- 
ranza must write the news as it is 
told him or he will get none at all — and 
his job depends on his getting "news." 
So he finds it to his advantage to write 
fiction in the absence of facts and glorify 
outlaws for whom as a self-respecting 
American he must have supreme con- 
tempt. The newspapers throughout the 
country know by experience that border 
news is frightfully colored, but they play 
it up, if only for its fiction thrills. The 
border newspaper men are simply press 
agents for whatever group of rebels may 
be in control and the medium through 
which they seek to deceive and bam- 
boozle the American people. 

In Washington the correspondents are 
governed b^- the wishes of the White 
House and the State Department in 
their speculation as to Mexican affairs, 
as well as by the pohcies of their respec- 
tive newspapers. The Hearst news- 
papers are hungry for anything that 
might bring about armed intervention. 
Ralph Pulitzer, an Administration cour- 
tier, directs the attitude of the "World's" 
Washington Bureau in support of Presi- 
dent Wilson, "right or wrong." and so 
on. The agents of the rebels in Wash- 
ington for months had free swing and 
any wild, fantastic yarn the}' concocted 
was good "copy," Their work became 
so obviously unscruplous and untruthful 
that they rode their horse to death and 
now their statements are taken with a 
hag of salt. The only person in Wash- 
ington who takes stock in them now 
is Secretary Bryan and he loves the 
gold brick with which they presented 
him. -As a matter of fact, the Washing- 
ton correspondents are personally sick 
nnd tired of the kind of Mexican "dope" 
iliey have been compelled against their 
own intelligence to foist on the public, 
and they would welcome a chance to 
tell what they really think. Meanwhile 
their hands are tied, 

Mo-f or less honest ignorance, 

Tliis is amazing and deplorable to all 
who know Mexico, but the excuse for 
It is less than formerly, because so much 
of truth about Mexico is available to 
those who are honestly desirous of learn- 
ing it. We are happy to hear from 
many enlightened quarters that "Mexico" 
has been largely instrumental in "pro- 
moting intelligent discussion of Mexican 
affairs," which from the beginning has 
been the announced purpose of this pub- 
lication, 

4, Deliberate misrepresentation ,by 
interested parties. 

This has been covered to a great ex- 
tent by what has been said above in 
reference to the contamination of news 
at its sources, but it refers particularly 



to the campaign of misrepresentation 
that has been waged for the last three 
years by certain American interests in 
conjunction with the Madero family, and 
under the management of the present 
Washington attorney of the "Constitu- 
tionalists." This campaign was deter- 
mined upon when Porhrio Diaz refused 
to do the bidding of grasping American 
oil and railroad interests. It was con- 
ducted with the purpose of forcing Diaz 
outj it wa's continued to maintain the 
Maderos in power, it has been relentless 
in seeking to oust Huerta, and it will 
continue until those interests either get 
their grasping way in Mexico or are 
called off by the voice of a people whom 
they would plunge into war vnth Mexico 
if necessary to their ptirposes. 



NEWS FAKERS AT IT AGAIN. 

The "Times" yesterday, as on the day 
before and all days previous, was the 
only newspaper in Los Angeles that pre- 
sented the straight news of the Mexican 
situation. The "Times" yesterday stated 
in its headlines and in the text of its 
dispatches from Chihuahua and Juarez 
that fighting was still in progress near 
Torreon and that Villa's advance had 
been checked. The two other morning 
papers in Los Angeles falsely reported in 
glaring type that Torreon had fallen and 
that the Federals had been routed. The 
"Times' " dispatches were verified by 
new developments of last evening. The 
mendacious reports of the fall of Tor- 
reon, Tuesday night, were offered to 
The "Times" by the rebel news fakers in 
El Paso, Chicago and New York, but 
The "Times" refused to print them. — 
Los .Angeles "Times," 



SUFFERING MEXICO. 

Napoleon. Sherman. Sheridan, Lee. 
Washington. Cornwallis and all the other 
war heroes of the past have been proven 
the veriest tyros in their profession of 
war and the palm passes to the wielder 
of the blue pencil, the copyreader on 
the daity newspaper who reads and as- 
sorts the dispatches from Mexico and 
then conceives the glaring, thrilling 
headlines for the front page. Since Ma- 
dero first pronounced his provisional 
presidency and the rule of Porfirio Diaz 
first wavered, Mexico has lost more sol- 
diers, both privates and officers, than 
ever were enrolled in the combined 
armies of Diaz, Madero. Huerta and 
Villa. Scarceh- a day has passed in the 
last eighteen months or two years but 
the headline writer has chronicled tra- 
gically the deaths of from 10 to 10.000 
Mexican troops. Federal or rebel. 

'Tis indeed a terrible war and unless 
the headiirie writers' attacks arc stopped 
soon Mexico will be an .Adamless — well. 
not Eden: rifles and swords and daggers 
will be discarded and the fiery senoras 
and senoritas will be pulling and claw- 
ing and scratching in their final effort to 
restore peace and goodwill in the shadow 
of Popocatapetl. — Denver Times. 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



MEXICO 



THEIR BOSOM FRIENDS. 

Lind and Bryan pin their faith, their 
sublime, external faith, on the Mexican 
rebels. With the assistance of Lind 
and Bryan, Villa will save Mexico! The 
gentle bandits are their dearly beloved 
proteges. Here is a sample of the man- 
ners and methods of these friends of 
the Constitution: 

Mexico City. March SO.^How nve members of 
a crew of a National Railway train were tortured 
and killed and three terribly injured by rebels 
was told to-day in a report in the hands of the 
railroad officials. The report was sent in by 
Daniel M. Mier, the only survivor of the train 
crew. 

"Our freight train was between El Oro and El 
Sobre," reported Mier. "Suddenly we heard fir- 
ing, and in a few minutes came right into a battle 
between rebels and Federals. The Federals were 
being whipped. They stopped the train, climbed 
aboard and made a sort of a fort of the cars. They 
fought until every one of the Federals on our 
train was either killed or wounded. Then the 
rebels surrounded us. We tried to get away, 
jumping off the train and running up a creek. 

"Pena, brakeman ; Ortis, a fireman, and I, as 
well as a passenger, ran along the bed of the 
creek until overtaken by two rebels. They took 
us up the bank, where there were many rebels. 
They had a Federal prisoner, and one of the 
rebels said to us : 

" 'Here's how we kill Federal officers.* 

"He shot twice at the Federal from a distance 
of eighteen feet and missed. Then he swore, 
walked up to him and shot him through the fore- 
head, killing him. He turned to us and said: 

" 'As for you fellows, I won't waste ammuni- 
tion on you.' With that he hit Pena with the 
butt of a rifle and Pena fell stunned and bleeding 
to the ground. When Pena fell the rebel jticked 
up a big rock and dropped it on Pcna's head. 
When he saw Pena was not dead he called for 
other rocks and his men brought him three more. 
He dropped these on Pena until his head was 
crushed flat." 

H one asked Lind about this he would 
say that probably the dear rebels were 
a little unbalanced by too close study of 
the Constitution, but that they meant 
well. Bryan would say, if questioned 
about it. that it is a beautiful world. 



LEST WE FORGET 



When the agents of Carranza in Wash- 
ington were urging the removal of the 
embargo on arms, they asserted, 
cocksurely, that the rebels would be in 
possession of Mexico City in sixty days 
and would have established peace in 
Mexico in ninety days. After more than 
sixty days. Villa is fighting for his life 
eight hundred miles from Mexico City 
and peace will not come until he and 
his kind are destroyed or driven into 
their bandit fastnesses, in the mountains 
of Northern Mexico. 

* * * 

The attitude of the Administration has 
simply made the task of the forces of 
law and order more difficult. 

• * • 

If that is any satisfaction to the Presi- 
dent and Secretary Bryan, they may 
enjoy it. 

But the price they are paying for this 
satisfaction is tremendous. 



Nine-tenths of the reports of the 
fighting at Torreon has been Juarez 
guess work, with the wish father of the 
thought. 

* * * 

The only truth is that Villa went 
down to Torreon, boasting that the city 
would be his in twenty-four hours — or 
was it minutes? — and that at the end of 
twelve days, as we go to press, he has 
not succeeded in capturing it. 

* * * 

And they said the Federals were con- 
script soldiers, who could not and would 
not fight. 

* * * 

Notice that thousands of woiinded reb- 
els are straggling back to Chihuahua. 

One of them said: "We wedked into 
hell!" 

It is a barbarous, brutal conflict, from 
any angle. 

* * * 

A disgrace to civilization that such a 
shambles should be made possible by 
the moral support of the United States, 
or rather, the Wilson Administration. 

What of the thousands of peaceable 
Mexicans, men, women and children, in 
Gomez Palacio, Lerdo and Torreon? 

You read little or nothing of them in 
the false and exaggerated accounts of 
the doings of that noble patriot, Pancho 
Villa. 

* * * 

They do not count. Hundreds, thous- 
ands of them, may have been killed — 
but Huerta must go, and the Administra- 
tion save its face. 

Messages for Bryan from American 
consuls in Mexico go through the hands 
of the rebel agents in Juarez. 

Carranza gets a peek before they are 
sent on to Washington. 

* * * 

It is said that hereafter they will be 
sent in code. 

* * • 

Why have they not been in code here- 
tofore? 

* * * 

The papers reported the death of 
Colonel Victor Huerta, son of the Presi- 
dent, at Torreon. 

* * • 

Victor Huerta is not a colonel and he 
is in Mexico City. 

But why bother enumerating all the 
lies in the news? 



Villa's fight is for new fields to loot. 

* ♦ ♦ 

He and his men have about exhausted 
the available resources of the State of 
Chihuahua. 

* * * 

Since they are destroyers and not 
builders, they must now go elsewhere 
or find no profit in fighting. 

That is why the capture of Torreon 
is so important to them. 

They have denuded the Chihuahua 
ranches of cattle. The mines have been 
closed down. The fields have not been 
sown. 

It is easy to see the desperate state 
in which the rebels will soon find them- 
selves unless they can reach the rich 
cities of Central Mexico. 
» * * 

And they would, if they could, de- 
vastate the rest of the country as they 
have the State of Chihuahua. 

* * * 

Their triumph would be the triumph 
of destruction and anarchy. 

* * * 

And that is what would seemingly 
please Washington. 

* * * 

Then the Administration might "get 
Huerta?" 

* * * 

Is it any wonder that the world is 
amazed by this cold-blooded attitude? 

* » * 

Not reckoning human life or a na- 
tion's destruction rather than change its 
mind. 

It will not be long before the people 
of this country wUl rise as one to pro- 
test against this monstrous injustice. 

* * * 

If the Administration would only point 
out how the situation would be improved 
by the elimination of Huerta! 

* * * 

It is simply a case of obstinate dicta- 
tion, based on ignorance and misrepre- 
sentation. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



AT CLOSE RANGE 

By F. J. Splitstone in "Leslie's Weekly." 



The Huertas lived very modestly in 
Mexico. They have a little house in the 
suburbs which the general laughingly 
called his country home, and which he 
still retains and uses. It is only since 
he became President that he has owned 
his city home, and it is a most modest 
one on a quiet street. Chepultepec Castle 
has been the residence of the rulers of 
Mexico since the days of the Aztecs, but 
so far the Huertas have not occupied it. 
Mrs- Huerta has given one tea there in 
the year that she has been the first lady 
of the land. 

As for President Huerta, he is -a tire- 
less worker. Sometimes he sleeps at the 
National Palace, where the executive 
offices are. Sometimes he goes out to 
his little "country home." He is much 
annoyed by people who want favors and 
otherwise impose upon his time', and to 
avoid them he spends much of his time 
in an automobile. The coche of el Presi- 
dente is well known in the capital, and 
wherever you see it you may be pretty 
certain that another follows, and in it 
are the President's secretary and tele- 
graph operator. The business of the na- 
tion is done from the. automobile. .Almost 
any fine morning the President can be 
seen in the vicinity of Chepultepec at 
about half-past seven, transacting busi- 
ness with his cabinet members and their 
subordinates. The President's automo- 
bile stands at the side of one of the mag- 
nificent drives in the Bosque de Chepul- 
tepec, and the vehicles of the others 
come and go. Ministers and secretaries 
enter the executive coach, make reports, 
receive instructions and go their way, 
while the President acknowledges the 
salu'es of the casual passers-by with a 
simple raising of the forefinger to the 
brim of his hat. 

The President is the most democratic 
of men. He goes about the city now 
just as he did when he was a soldier 
unknown to fame. He dines at the res- 
taurants, drops in at the soda fountain 
for drinks and attends the theatres, bull- 
fights and even the moving picture .shows 
when he can find the time. His brown 
suit and soft hat pulled well down over 
his eyes are familiar to all the residents 
of the city, and wherever he goes there 
rises a little murmur of "el Presidente," 
and perhaps a ripple of applause. 

There can be no doubt that the Presi- 
dent is growing steadily in popularity 
in his capital. For one thing he is ab- 
solutely fearless. He goes about un- 
guarded, though scarcely a day passes 
in which he does not receive letters 
threatening his life. Then, too, his un- 
pretentious way of living makes a favor- 
able impression. The people of Mexico 
are not used to democracy on the part 
of their rulers, but they seem to like it. 
But most of all, Huerta has grown in 
popularity because he has shown himself 
to be a strong man, a man of blood and 
iron, a man with a will that nothing 
can break or bend. He is a personality 
that would command respect anywhere. 

Mexico accepts calmly his autocratic 
rule. It denies vigorously that he is an 
assassin and that he was in any way 
connected v/ith the killing of Madero. 
The best informed American residents 
here say that there is not the slightest 
evidence to connect President Huerta 
with that unfortunate affair; and thev 
say, further, that had he thought it neces- 
sary to have Madero killed he would 



have had him publicly executed instead 
of assassinated. 

President Huerta is popular with the 
foreign residents here. Almost with one 
voice they speak well of hnn. Many 
Americans have talked to me of him in 
words of affection. His is not a simple 
nature. He has an Indian mind, active, 
full of surprises and unexpected kinks, 
but his tastes are simple and he is cap- 
able of deep and sustained friendships. 
He has been severely criticised from the 
moral standpoint, and his enemies have 
charged him with almost every crime in 
the calendar, but the only charge that 
can be substantiated is that he is fond 
of brandy. He drinks the best and he 
drinks much, but I have not tound one 
person among the hundreds with whom 
I have talked and who know him inti- 
mately who will admit to have ever seen 
him show any signs of being under the 
influence of liquor. The charge that 
"^oneral Huerta is a drunkard can h" 
dismissed as a malicious slander. 

As a matter of fact, he is a plain, 
blunt man, whose life has been spent in 
military duties, a man of shrewdness 
and common sense and to all apearances 
of honesty and patriotism. Everywhere 
he is affectionately alluded to as "the 
old man," and that means a great deal 
to those who know Mexico. 



The Cost of It. 
Is there any price too large for the 
Administration to pay that it may per- 
sist in its obduracy? 

Seemingly not. 

* * * 

It is the Panama Canal tolls exemption 
for American ships now. 

It will be something else three months 
from now. 

And the country pays the bills! 

And national honor pays. 

* * * 

And human lives and millions in treas- 
ure are sacrificed. 

* * * 

But the Administration must not ad- 
mit it made a mistake! 

* * * 

Frankly, we think Colonel Harvey's 
masterly appeal will fall on sterile soil. 

* * * 

That kind of mind does not yield to 
a human appeal. 

* * * 

But it will yield to a demand — a de- 
mand from its master, the American 
people. 

* * * 

And that demand will soon come. 



PERU FOR PERUVIANS. 

When General Huerta assumed control 
of the Mexican Government on February 
33, 1913, he telegraphed to President 
Taft: 

I have the honor to inform you that 
I have overthrown the Government. The 
forces are with me, and from now on 
peace and prosperity will reign. 

When Colonel Benavides assumed 
control of the Peruvian Government, 
eleven months later, Carlos Leguia tele- 
graphed to his brother, Robert Leguia, 
Vice-President of Peru, then in London, 
as follows. 

By the glorious action of the army 
we are free from Billinghurst, who is 
now in the penitentiary. 

The revolutions were oddly analogous. 
Like the Mexicans, the Peruvians are 
nearly sixty per cent. Indian, the re- 
mainder being approximately twenty-five 
per cent, mestizos, four per cent, negroes 
and Chinese, and less than fourteen per 
cent, whites. Like the Mexicans, too, 
they have a Constitution which provides 
for full, fair, and free elections, which 
are never held because, also as in Mexi- 
co, the smallest proportion imaginable 
can read or write. In 1912, there was 
no result whatever at the polls, for the 
simple reason that mobs burned the 
ballot-boxes; whereupon the Congress 
duly elected Guillermo Billinghurst 
President. He, like Madero, was a re- 
former and possessed the advantage of 
e.xceptional experience as soldier, diplo- 
mat, legislator, and administrator. That 
he tried earnestly to give his country 
an honest and efficient government is 
the common report. Indeed, the only 
accusation published against him is that 
he "ignored the better class of people 
and drew around him people without so- 
cial position who were ready to serve 
his will." Whereupon the "better," or 
ruling, class headed by the Legulas plot- 
ted to depose him. Colonel Benavides 
executed the plans formulated by Au- 
gusto Durand successfully, taking the 
capital by force of arms, putting the 
President in prison, and incidentally kill- 
ing the Minister of War. He thereupon 
declared himself Provisional President 
and sought recognition from the United 
States of his de facto government, pre- 
cisely as General Huerta had done. But 
there the parallel ends. Huerta was re- 
jected : Benavides is accepted. Tt would 
seem, therefore, that we have, not a 
foreign policy, but foreign policies of 
varying consistency. But is this the 
fact? 

The Administration's refusal to make 
explanation of any kind naturally has 
evoked much criticism from the Press, 
not of its action per se, with respect to 
Peru, but of its abrupt departure from 
the rule declared by the President to 
repudiate Governments "stained by 
blood or supported by anything but the 
consent of the .governed"; but for our- 
selves, we heartily applaud the Presi- 
dent's attitude toward Peru for the same 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, April 4, 1B14 



MEXICO 



reason that we deplored his contrary 
position toward Mexico, viz., that it is 
no part of our business to say who 
shall or shall not be President of any 
country. 

If it be maintained, as of course it 
may be with semblance of reason, that 
recognition of Benavides implies con- 
fession of error in refusing to recognize 
Huerta, then so much greater is the 
credit, and so much higher the honor, 
due the President for courageous and 
conscientious performance of distasteful 
duty. — "North American Review." 



LIND EGGING ON CARRANZA! 
And He Is Tolerated By the Mexican 

Government. 

(By Mexican Cable to the New York 

"Herald.") 

VERA CRUZ, Mexico, via Galveston, 
Texas. Saturday.— In the event General 
Villa takes Torreon Mr. Lind considers 
it highly important to discourage Mexi- 
can bankers from negotiating further 
loans to prop the tottering Huerta Gov- 
ernment through the sale of old Gov- 
ernment bonds, as done recently, for an 
aggregate of fifty-four millions pesos, at 
Huerta's urgent solicitation. 

To that end Mr. Lind has cabled the 
State Department, recommending that 
should Torreon fall the department 
should urge General Carranza immedi- 
ately to issue a general proclamation 
unequivocally repudiating all contracts 
entered into by the Huerta Government 
since the assumption of dictatorial pow- 
ers and the incarceration of Congres- 
sional Deputies, whether for the pur- 
chase or sale of any Government prop- 
erty, including bonds and other securi- 
ties, and warning all prospective or ac- 
tual purchasers that after the Constitu- 
tional Government is installed all such 
contracts will be held null and void. 

Carranza is already on record with a 
general declaration of repudiation to that 
effect, but Mr. Lind believes the insur- 
gent position would be greatly strength- 
ened internationally if the specific dec- 
laration be restricted to acts consum- 
mated since the assumption of dictatorial 
powers. 



LONDON OPTIMISTIC 

(Special Cable Dispatch to Tlie New 
York "Evening Post.") 
LONDON, March 28.— .\s regards 
Mexico, the strongly hopeful view which 
now exists is caused by the belief that 
Huerta is really gaining ground in his 
campaign to restore order in Mexico, 
and is also encouraged by the feeling 
that, if it were to be proved to Wilson 
that negotiations with the Huerta fac- 
tion present the real solution of the 
problem, your President is sufficiently 
strong to reverse his previous policy and 
acknowledge that it was a mistake. There 
i« a highly interesting unanimity, in 
financial circles here, of respectful recog- 
nition of Wilson's character, even in 
quarters where his particular policies are 
entirely opposed. 



"THE CASE OF MEXICO" 



By R. de Zayas Enriquez. 



The Wilson policy has been con- 
demned by the entire world. The 
Americans residing in Mexico, who are 
well qualified to speak of what is taking 
place there, what is to be feared or 
hoped for, have protested against it. 
Prominent members of the American 
colony called upon Mr. Wilson in a body 
for the purpose of conferring with him 
and supplying him with accurate in- 
formation; those men told me, however, 
that the President refused to receive 
them, on the plea that he was not soli- 
citing opinions regarding Mexico. Many 
newspapers of the United States have 
published very illuminating articles 
showing the mistake which President 
Wilson is making. 

All over Latin America, from Cuba to 
the Straits of Magellan, the problem 
has been discussed from every angle, and 
the conclusions reached have been uni- 
formly adverse to the Wilson policy. 

The majority of the English, French, 
German and Spanish papers have con- 
demned it; some have even gone so far 
as to prefer grave charges, which I con- 
sider unfounded, if not slanderous, 
against Mr. Wilson, accusing him, for 
instance, of venality, an absolutely in- 
admissible charge. 

The conservative papers of all those 
countries are unanimous in stating that, 
considering the anomalous conditions 
through which our country is passing. 
General Huerta is the indispensible man 
of the hour; the only man, perhaps, who 
has the necessary qualifications to re- 
establish order; the only one, in any 
case, who can protect fully the lives and 
interests of foreign residents. 

I admit that every man should be 
guided in the accomplishment of his task 
by idealistic motives; his feet, however, 
should remain on the ground. 

I also believe that a faith which is 
not constructive is a negation, a delu- 
"sion, or a form of hypocrisy. 

The future does not belong to those 
who would impose their ideas through 
violent gestures, violent epithets, or vio- 
lent deeds; but to those who can reorgan. 
ize society on a better basis, and unite 
men in order and harmony. 

I cannot believe that President Wil- 
son is planning to precipitate a war be- 
tween the United States and Mexico. If 
the Wilson policy has not as its sole 
aim an armed intervention and the con- 
quest of Mexico, or of a section of it, 
Mr. Wilson should direct all his energies 
towards the resumption of an harmoni- 
ous modus viviendi with Mexico; he 
should abandon his hostile attitude and 
avail himself of the best diplomatic as- 
sistance. 

When Mr. Wilson sent Mr. Lind as 



his confidential agent, or in whatever 
capacity it may have been, a thing which 
has never been definitely ascertained, to 
present to President Huerta the inad- 
missible requests I have previously men- 
tioned. President Huerta was tactful 
enough to oflEer a counter proposition 
which, if it had been accepted, would 
have solved the difficulty. 

The perfectly dignified suggestion 
made by the Mexican statesman covered 
two points: 

1. That the Mexican Ambassador to 
Washington be received. 

2. That the United States send a new 
ambassador to Mexico without any prior 
conditions. 

Those two points encompassed a vast 
program; to enter into relations and to 
discuss the situation through diplomatic 
channels, with due regard for good form. 

Mr. Wilson must be aware of the fact 
that in international negotiations good 
form is indispensible for the arrival at 
a perfect understanding. 

Sympathies and prejudices should be 
set aside for the sake of convenience, 
reason, and justice. 

In politics there is no worse adviser 
than self-conceit 

It is high time an end should be put 
to the present situation, which is ano- 
malous, dangerous, and inexcusable, and 
greatly prejudicial to both Mexico and 
the United States. 

Mr. Wilson must not be blind to the 
facts. He must realize that, notwith- 
standing his attitude of hostility to 
President Huerta, the latter has re- 
mained in power and has by this time 
completed his first year in the Presi- 
dential chair. He must realize that, not- 
withstanding the boycott directed 
against the provisional Government, it 
has succeeded in supplying itself with 
arms and ammunition, enlisting men and 
raising money; money has been con- 
tributed voluntarily in Mexico and 
abroad, for the patriotic endeavors of 
President Huerta are inspiring rnore 
confidence than the inexplicable doings 
of the American Government. He must 
realize that notwithstanding the direct 
assistance the rcl)els have found in the 
United States, and the moral help the 
.American Government has given them 
indirectly, they are less than ever likely 
iri triumph: a few victories won in the 
frontier States where the American in- 
fiience is the most effective, mean little 
or nothing. In the rest of the country 
the Government retains the upper hand, 
and Huerta has succeeded in limiting 
and localizing the insurrection. Mr. Wil- 
son must realize that the triumph of 
the rebels would prove disastrous for 
Mexico and would imperil its institu- 
tions, its social order, and legitimate in- 
terests of all foreign residents, not ex- 
cluding the American residents. 

The Honorable Mr. Wilson has only 
one alternative ; either order an armed 
intervention, a course which he pretends 
he does not contemplate and which I 
contend he has neither the right nor the 
power to resort to; or rely entirely upon 
,liplomat;c action. .'Vn attitude of watch- 
ful expectancy does not constitute a so- 
lution It constitutes a real danger; it 
is in the last analysis, inaction due to 
ignorance of whatever action should be 
taken. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



TO SENATOR FALL 

An Open Letter by Dr. Lara Pardo. 



Intervention — or conquest — is not jus- 
tified in Mexico. The armed invasion 
■of a country, in modern times, is only 
justified in these instances; 

When miperatively needed to secure 
additional territory for an overcrowded 
population. 

To destroy a direct and imminent 
menace to the sovereignty or integrity 
■of a countrv. 

It is obvious that the United States, 
•with her wonderful resources and 
■enormous strength, needs no land and 
■cannot fear an aggression from Mexico. 

As to obtaining redress from injuries 
to citizens, the international law gives 
ample means for a peaceful solution. 

Since the beginning of her relations 
with the United States, Mexico has never 
refused to give redress for injuries to 
American subjects. In fact, it is a mat- 
ter of record that not long ago an 
amount of money was returned to the 
Mexican Government, as a surplus left 
after paying all claims passed upon by 
an international committee. It is also 
a matter of record that in all the dif- 
ferent arbitration cases settled so far 
between Mexico and the United States, 
Mexico has accepted the decision of the 
arbiter, while the United States have 
refused to accept the only decision fav- 
orable to Mexico. This refers to the 
Chamizal case. 

There is an arbitration treat}' between 
Mexico and the United States covering 
.all claims for damages, and not before 
arbitration is tried in good faith would 
the United States have the right to use 
■force to obtain redress from injuries 
to her citizens. 

This is according to the text of the 
treaty. But there is something very im- 
portant, besides. It is universally known 
that the present revolution in Mexico 
"has been openly fomented in American 
territory. It is a fact that from the Ma- 
dero original proclamation, prepared and 
issued in San Antonio, Texas, to the 
last shipments of rapid fire guns received 
by Pancho Villa, the rebellion has been 
planned, managed, organized and con- 
•ducted in American territory' by Ameri- 
■can interests and their Mexican allies, 
-with the support of the American Gov- 
ernment. The Washington authorities 
have done everything in their power to 
overthrow Porfirio Diaz, first, and Vic- 
toriano Huerta now. The present sit- 
uation has been originated mainly by 
the firm decision of the President of the 
United States to plaee a man of his per- 
sonal choice in the Government of 
Mexico. 

President Wilson has done this in 
open violation of the universally ac- 



cepted principles of international law, 
and in spite of solemn pledges made by 
the United States. 

And now, if this situation, created by 
American interests, maintained and fo- 
mented by the Wilson Administration, 
is taken as a pretext for an armed in- 
vasion, the crime of such war would be 
unparalleled in the history of conquest, 
which is the history of international 
plunder and infamy. 

We Mexicans, however, should wel- 
come your stand in this matter. At least 
you come openly, you advocate military 
invasion which will bring American sup- 
remacy in Mexico, but at cost of Ameri- 
can money and lives. Your course, it 
not more just or fair, is at least more 
courageous and frank than arming 
brothers against brothers, using bandits 
and throwing them against peaceful vil- 
lages and ranches to sack, rob, kill and 
attack innocent women and children, and 
waiting- watchfully for the ruin of a for- 
merly prosperous country. At least you 
come openly as a foe. You do not, 
under the cover of MEXICO'S BIGGER 
BROTHER, conspire against her very 
existence. 

It is right for 3'ou to present the mat- 
ter squarely before the xAmerican peo- 
ple, provided that the Mexican side of 
the matter is also candidly stated. 

Your proposition means a foreign war 
in Mexico, grafted on the present do- 
mestic disturbances. Let the American 
people decide whether it is good for 
the honor, welfare and prestige of this 
country to foment disorder in Mexico, 
to impair her development, to create 
there an anarchic condition and then to 
invade her in a military conquest, cost- 
ing hundreds of millions of dollars and 
thousands of lives, for the benefit of a 
few politicians and speculators. 

I feel sure that the American nation, 
if correctly informed about the facts, 
would repudiate the odious and disas- 
trous policy adopted by the Wilson Ad- 
ministration. But should the American 
people approve it and support the mili- 
tary invasion of Mexico, then the re- 
sponsibility would squarely fall on the 
LTnited States, and at least Mexico would 
be placed face to face to her real foe. 
An international war would win for us 
the sympathy never denied to those who 
struggle in self-defense against a strong- 
er enemy. That would be a thousand 
times better than the present inglorious 
struggle Mexico is having against gun- 
men, armed and supplied by speculators 
and politicians who lack the courage to 
assume the responsibility and the risk 
of militarj' conquest. — Dr. Lara Pardo in 
an open letter to Senator Fall of New 
Mexico. 



NO CONFIDENCE IN REBEL 
ABILITY. 

Huerta's staying qualities are of more 
importance in this situation than any- 
thing else. His achievements in this 
direction thus far have been little short 
of marvellous, and the prospect is that 
he will hang on for some time to come. 
This is said even in the face of a pos- 
sible severe defeat at Torreon. Such 
defeat will make a diflference, but prob- 
ably not to the extent of his elimination. 
Again, Huerta may win at Torreon. His " 
troops are assuredly putting up a splen- 
did defence. 

Looking at the situation from another 
angle — supposing that the rebels win and 
Huerta is deposed — there is no confi- 
dence in the ability of the Constitution- 
alists to govern, even if they take office. 
There is nothing to indicate that Zapata, 
the bandit rebel of Morelos, whose fol- 
lowing is growing while Huerta is oc- 
cupied in the north, will succumb to the 
rule of Carranza or Villa, or whoever 
else may become President. Zapata has 
aspirations of his own. He yielded not 
to Porfirio Diaz, to de la Barra, to Ma- 
dero or to Huerta. He is probably the 
most consistent man in Mexico — always 
a rebel. 

In consequence of these conditions, 
and considering the probability of inter- 
nal squabbling and almost immediate 
counter revolutions if the present rebel- 
lion succeeds, the situation following 
rebel victory will be one of chaos, with 
no prospect of peace being restored to 
Mexico. Unfortunate conditions which 
now prevail will continue and there will 
be as much need for a strong hand then 
as there is now. — Philip H. Patchin in 
New York "Tribune." 



LEADING TO ANARCHY. 

Regarding the situation at Torreon as re- 
vealed by the press despatches, which are so 
contradictory, Mr. Bennett expressed the belief 
that the stories of success coming from General 
Villa's camp are greatly exaggerated. From his 
knowledge of the topography of Torreon and 
the surrounding country, he said it was appar- 
ent to him that the fall of that city will be 
delayed for some time. 

"I think President Wilson's watching and 
waiting policy is wrong," said Mr. Bennett. "Had 
President Huerta been recognized the situation in 
Mexico would not be as horrible as it is to-day. 
General Villa, although a forceful character, who 
has made himself a factor to be reckoned with, 
is nevertheless a bandit, and were he to win in 
this revolution he would deem himself a con- 
queror deserving of all the rights and privileges 
of the man in power. With such a nature as his, 
this would mean endless war, if not absolute an- 
archy. —Interview with H. W. Bennett in New 
York ^-Herald." 



THE COLONEL IN CHILE. 

The fact that it was President Roose- 
velt who "took Panama'" and boasted of 
his act doubtless accounts for much of 
the hostility manifested against him per- 
sona^3^ but it is a significant circum- 
stance that the many "Vivas Mexico" 
and "Vivas Huerta" plainly indicated bit- 
ter disapproval of our present attitude 
toward our stricken neighbor. Alto- 
gether the story makes most unpleasant 
reading. — "North American Review " 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



MEXICO 



a 



WE APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT" 

To Save Mexico, to Save His Party, to Save Himself." By Col. George Harvey in North American Reviev 



"The large thing to do is the only 
thing we can afford to do — a voluntary 
withdrawal from a position everywhere 
questioned and misunderstood. We 
ought to reverse our action without rais- 
ing the question whether we were right 
9r wrong, and so once more deserve 
our reputation for generosity and the 
redemption of every obligation without 
quibble or hesitation." 

Those words, Mr. President, spoken 
by you as the head of the nation to 
the Congress of the United States 
upon the first day of your second year 
in office were more than worthy, more 
than courageous; they were noble. 
They breathed the sense of national 
honor; they were shot through with 
patriotic feeling; they evinced the 
power of personal greatness to ac- 
knowledge and repair a fault. And they 
will serve the purpose for which they 
were uttered — never fear! 

Pending the accomplishment of that 
great triumph which is to be yours, 
may we not ask you to perform the 
more pressing duty of turning your eyes 
upon the stricken people of bleeding 
Mexico, and consider — consider in can- 
dor and with deep solicitude which we 
know you feel — whether you may not 
apply those words to them. Is not our 
attitude toward them also "everywhere 
questioned and misunderstood"? We 
think and presently shall try to convince 
your mind that it is. If we shall succeed 
in that endeavor, is not "the large thing 
to do the only thing we can afford to 
do" — a reversal of our action "without 
raising the question whether we were 
right or wrong, and so once more de- 
serve our reputation for generosity and 
the redemption of every ol)ligation with- 
out quibble or hesitation"? 

Four months have elapsed since we 
raised the questions — 

What legal or moral right has a Presi- 
dent of the United States to say who 
shall or shall not he President of Mex- 
ico? and 

Did not President Wilson imbed him- 
self in a practically inextricable position 
when he demanded the retirement ot 
Huerta? 

and the only answers forthcoming are 
to be found in a consensus of the 
world's opinion and in a hopelessly 
tangled diplomatic situation surcharged 
with peril. But nn! That is not strictly 
accurate. You answered the first ques- 
tion, Mr. President, when you recognize'^ 
the Huerta of Peru, and you answered 
the second when you urged so impres- 
sively uonn the Congress, as a primary 
reason for repudiating a pledge of j'our 
own party platform, the necessity of 
mollifying foreign powers. 

War Not Wanted. 

The partisan attacks in which you 
are now being increasingly subjected 
constitute, we suspect, the least of your 
anxieties. Senators and Representatives 
who demand "action" which would lead 
to armed intervention may reflect the 
opinion of their own restricted consti- 
tuencies, but they wholly misinterpret 
the wish of the country. Never was a 
war so unpopular, so hateful in the eyeS 
of the people, as would be a war now 
with distracted Mexico Whether 

avoidance thus far is fairly attributable 
to your sagacity and forbearance, or to 
mere good fortune, or to both, matters 
not at all: the country is grateful. .Sir. 



deeply grateful to you for sparing them 
the calamity which unhappily so many 
are coming to regard as inevitable. 

Nor does one whit of justice lie in 
the strident criticisms of your course 
as "inert" and "lifeless." You have done 
all that lay within your power to do 
in furtherance of the success of your 
programme. Never before to our knowl- 
edge, while their countries were at peace 
and resolved to continue in amicable 
relationship, has one President declared 
war upon another President. Yet that 
is what you did without a quiver ot 
hesitation. And you did not stop there. 
You certainly struck deep and hard in 
those days early in November when 
the following declaration was served 
upon Huerta as coming from the Presi- 
dent of the United States: 

First — That the First Magistrate is ot 
the opinion that the recent coup d'etat 
was a direct violation of the assurances 
which Huerta gave his Government. 

Second — That unless Huerta, volun- 
tarily and on his own initiative, retires 
at once from power and abandons every 
idea of controlling the organization of 
the Government and the conduct of ne- 
gotiations, the First Magistrate will find 
himself under the necessity of interven- 
ing by means of an ultimatum, and if 
this is not accepted he will be obliged 
to propose to the Congress of his coun- 
try the adoption of practical measures 
of a most serious nature. 

Third — That the Government of the 
First Magistrate sincerely desires to 
avoid extreme measures, as much for 
the sake of Mexico as for the sake of 
peace in America, and is of itself dis- 
posed to act reasonably in order not to 
wound Huerta's sense of dignity, and at 
the same time to give Huerta the per- 
sonal protection he might need. 

Fourth — That with this purpose in 
view it proposes the following: That 
there be selected some person, or small 
group of persons, which to the least pos- 
sible extent shall have been connected 
with the recent political disturbances, 
(for e-xaniple, men of mature age who 
have retired from the field of politics 
and who enjoy the confidence of the 
people), who shall form a constitutional 
Government and make whatever arrange- 
ments may be necessary for a general 
election. In these elections there shall 
be selected a new Congress and a new 
Chief Executive, to the end that the 
Government be established on a consti- 
tutional basis. 

Fifth — That such a course is absolutely 
necessary to the end that he (the Chief 
Executive) merit the approval of the 
First Magistrate for the reason that the 
Government of the Chief Magistrate 
has firmly and irrevocably decided, by 
one method or another, to eliminate 
completely all assistance that Huerta be- 
lieves he may receive from foreign 
sources, if he persists in his proposal to 
remain in power, it being a further fact 
that only for a few days longer "will he, 
Huerta. be free to select the course he 
chooses, to follow. His withdrawal, and 
consequent absolute liberty of action in 
the re-establishment of constitutional 
power, alone will be accepted by the 
Chief Magistrate. This Government 
cannot urge with too much insistence, 
now that the outcome is inevitable, that 
Huerta reach his decision wisely and at 
the same time giving full consideration 



to the terrible consequences which will 
follow his vacillation or refusal. 

Sixth — That the proposal to substitute 
Blanquet, or any other representative of 
the Government of Huerta, or any one 
connected with his coup d'etat, will con- 
duce to further irritation on the part of 
the First Magistrate, and inevitable and 
definite rupture. The same result will 
follow any effort to place in power the 
candidates chosen at the last election, be 
it for President or member of Congress. 

And when the old Indian coolly ig- 
nored this demand you did not shrink 
from inviting the criticism of your own 
countrymen by lifting the embargo upon 
guns which, like those in the Philippines, 
may at no distant day be turned upon 
our own soldiers. No, Mr. President, it 
is not from lack of energy or resolution 
that your attempt to apply political eu- 
genics to Mexico in a schoolmasterful 
way has failed. It is from the fatal de- 
fect within the policy itself — the futile 
threat which, as we declared in Novem- 
ber, "instead of eliminating Huerta from 
power, riveted him in his place, there to 
remain, in all probability, until he" shall 
be expelled by force of arms." This 
judgment, based upon certain logic, has 
now found general acceptance, and it 
is to that most important fact, Mr, Presi- 
dent, that we would direct j-our attention. 
What Papers Say. 

No writer has made it so clear as 
you that "the only force" that can con- 
trol a President in shaping his course 
with respect to large matters of public 
policy is "the force of public opinion." 
But public opinion is no less subject to 
change than individual judgment and, 
if it is to be accepted as a true guide, 
it must be examined and interpreted at 
frequent intervals. When, in November, 
we urged upon you mantui reversal of 
a policy which we then believed to be 
and which has since proved to have been 
untenable, we did not assume to reflect 
the common view. We could not but 
feel that much of the seeming approval 
was no more than natural and praise- 
worthy restraint: but there were few 
evidences to that effect, and you were 
quite justified in assuming that your at- 
titude had won general commendation. 
The newspaper press in particular was 
notably insistent and steadfast in sup- 
port of your determination to drive 
Huerta from his position of authority. 
But is it so now? Let us mark the in- 
dications afforded by our leading jour- 
nals. ( Here the writer quotes columns 
of editorial comment and public opinion, 
all concurring in stating that a mistake 
has been made in not recognizing Huer- 
ta.) 

A Policy Without Friends. 

The e.xtraordinary characteristic oi 
this gala.xy of editorial and individual 
pronouncements is its unanimity. There 
may have appeared somewhere a word 
of approval of "watchful waiting" since 
the embargo was lifted, but if so. despite 
our painstaking reading of many .Ameri- 
can newspapers, we have not seen it — 
not one word. Taking into further con- 
sideration the rapidly increasing disposi- 
tion of Senators and Representatives, 
who are most sensitive to the views of 
their constituents upon the eve of an 
election, what are we to infer? 

In your truly eloquent message to the 
Congress delivered in person on .-\ugust 
(^Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



"WE APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT" -Continued 



37 you attributed the Mexican Govern- 
ment's rejection of your proposals to 
your belief that "the authorities had been 
grossly misinformed and misled upon 
two points." First, they did not "realize 
the spirit" of "friendship" and "determ- 
ination" of the American people; and, 
secondly, "they did not believe that the 
present Administration spoke, through 
Mr. Lind, for the people of the United 
States." Consequently, you added in 
perfectly good faith, and we believe 
with full warrant as of the moment, "so 
long as the misunderstanding continues 
w^e can only await the time of their 
awakening to a realization of the actual 
facts." You concluded, if our memory 
is not at fault, with the comforting as- 
surance that "the steady pressure ol 
moral force will, before many days 
(after Aug. 27, 1913), break the barriers 
of pride and prejudice down and we shall 
triumph as Mexico's friends sooner than 
we could triumph as her enemies," etc. 
But that is beside the point. The 
question is, does the present Administra- 
tion now speak, through Mr. Lind or 
anybody else, for the people of the 
United States? In view of the indica- 
tions of the certain trend, if not indeed 
the definite formulation, of public 
opinion, is there not room for doubt — 
and occasion for very grave reflection? 
You spoke. Mr. President, in your 
latest message, of the difficulties which 
you are now experiencing in dealing with 
foreign Governments, especially with re- 
spect to "matters of even greater deli- 
cac}' and nearer consequence" than the 
canal-tolls dispute, and you pleaded with 
the Congress to empower you to adopt 
conciliatory measures. It is clear, there- 
fore, that you attach particular import- 
ance to foreign public opinion at this 
crucial time. What, then, is the con- 
sensus of that judgment upon your 
Mexican policy? 

The most consistent friends of Ameri- 
ca among the public journals of England 
are The London "Times" and The "Spec- 
tator." Both have deplored from the be- 
-"i'lnina- your refusal to recognize tlie de 
facto Government. While hoping for the 
best. The "Times" still cannot escape the 
conclusion that yon have "assumed re- 
sponsibilities that may well lead to 
armed intervention," * * -r 

The conservative "Morning Post" pro- 
nounces vour position "absolutely unin- 
telligible" and possessing "all the appear- 
ance of encouragement to anarchy, civil 
war. and murder of foreian residents in 
Mexico." * * * CFollow quotations 
from the European press,") 

Is it not now quite clear. Mr, Presi- 
dent, that vour attitude toward Mexico 
is "a position questioned and misunder- 
stood" in Europe? 

In your speech at Mob'lc you empha- 
•sized our friendliness for the South 
American republics. "We must prove 
ourselves," you declared, "their friends 
and champions, upon terms of equality 
and honor. We must show ourselves 
'heir friends bv comprehendina their 
interest, whether it squares with our 
interest or not." What has ,been the 
effect upon these republics of your Mexi- 
can policy? What sis-nified the "Vivas 
Huerta" with which Mr. Roosevelt was 
areeted in Chile? What says the press 
of South Amepca? * * * (Here fol- 
low excerpts from leadin.g South .\meri- 
can journals.^ 

Can there be anv doubt. Mr. Presi- 
dent, that vour course has served only 
to intensifv the distrust and dislike of 
the verv neoples whose a-ood-will yow 
courted and wh'^se "friend and cham- 
pion" you sincerelv wish to bpr.-imr>' Ts 



not here again, where least of all we 
desire it, questioning and misunderstand- 
ing? 

It is not necessary to point the direc- 
tion of the sympathies of Japan, with 
whom we would maintain amicable re- 
lations ; it is not necessary to record 
the unanimous judgment of all foreign 
I residents of Mexico nor to recount the 
prayers of our own countrymen who feel 
that they have been abandoned; these 
are only too unhappily familiar. 

What to do? Why, Mr. President, 
there is but one thing to do. There 
never has been but one thing to do. 
That is to put under your feet the solid 
precedent that was established by this 
nation at the beginning of its career and 
that has been heeded by all other powers 
in this particular mstance: Extend to 
the de facto Government of Mexico offi- 
cial recognition. We pass no criticism 
upon your refusal to take this logical 
and sensible action originally. You 
erred, of course, as all the world now 
concludes, and as you yourself confessed 
when you acknowledged the validity of 
the "usurping" Governments of Peru and 
Haiti; but it was an excusable, possibly 
even a justifiable, error because it sprang 
from the best of intentions. 

What we do ask is that you do not 
persist in a course which leads straight- 
way to the undoing of all your good 
works, through the certain defeat of your 
party and the execration that just as 
surely will be visited upon yourself if, 
as a consequence of sheer obduracy, this 
country shall be dragged into a hateful 
war. It may or may not be a correct 
assumption that Huerta. unhampered, 
could have pacified his country, but there 
is and can be absolutely no question 
that you deprived him of the means of 
effective striving. 

Confronted at the outset by a hostile 
Congress such as he well knew had 
achieved the downfall of Madero, sur- 
rounded by a Cabinet of intriguers, re- 
fused recognition by the United States, 
branded rightfully or wrongfully, but 
without adduced evidence, as an acces- 
sory to assassination, deprived of the 
opportunity to borrow moneys through 
the desire of foreign Governments to 
curry favor with the nation which is 
now more commonly than before re- 
ferred to throughout Latin America as 
"the big bully," cajoled, threatened, cut 
off from aid wherever possible, while 
simultaneously, the hordes of opposing 
bandits and desperadoes were being sup- 
plied, furtively at first and then openly, 
witli arms and ammunition, and now — ■ 
at the end of thirteen months — he is 
conceded to be more strongly intrenched 
than ever! It is an amazing personal 
record. Mr. President, worthy surely of 
admiration, and remarkable especially for 
the consistent dignity, courtesy, and con- 
sideration exhibited by the old Indian 
himself in his dealinas with an Admin- 
istration which has been — shall we 
frankly admit? — not invariably tactful 
and perhaps upon occasion slightly dic- 
tatorial. 

It is not too late. It is never too 
late to do the right thing-. Moreover, 
the change in conditions affords you full 
warrant for reversing your position. 
Wliile you had faith in the sincerity and 
high purpose of the rebel leaders, there 
appeared at least a semblance of reason 
for taking their part, but now that they 
have dropped the mask and stand re- 
vealed in their true light as murdering 
marauders, their last claim upon your 
consideration has disappeared. 

You .s^ave them their chance, at great 
risk to voiir own reputation, when vou 



opened the doors for the delivery of 
arms, and they have shown their appre- 
ciation by ignoring your wishes, flouting 
your authority, and making you appear 
before the world as a virtual ally of a 
dastardly bandit. While Huerta has 
been earning your respect. Villa has been 
abusing your confidence. Clearly, the 
withdrawal of aid from the rebels now 
would be regarded everywhere not only 
as fully justified, but as a fitting response 
to the demands of humanity and civiliza- 
tion. 

But what, you may ask, is to be gained 
by recognizing Huerta at this late day? 
And we answer, everything. He may 
not be able under any circumstances to 
pacify Mexico, but all there whose lives 
and properties are at stake agree that 
he is rightfully, or wrongfully, Mexico's 
only hope. He is ours too, and yours, 
because he has come to be the only 
force capable of maintaining order and 
so possibly of averting the dreaded in- 
tervention which continuance of the ex- 
isting chaos is certain in time to produce. 
Practicability, no less than theory and 
tradition, calls for upholding of the de 
facto Government. 

There are other reasons, Mr. Presi- 
dent, more personal to yourself. You 
have no base now from which to act; 
no avenue through which to commu- 
nicate; no way of meeting the just de- 
mands of foreign powers except, as in 
the case of England, by proffering spe- 
cial favors. And you are under sus- 
picion. The mere fact that your policy 
is "unintelligible" has given rise to a 
growing conviction, especially in South 
America, as evidenced above, that it is 
insincere and is deliberately designed to 
engender war and conquest. You tio 
longer have at your back the mighty 
■force of public opinion, as we have 
shown. 

Abroad, as you must realize, the com- 
mon attitude toward your watchful 
waiting is quite frankly contemptuous; 
at home it is one of grave dovibt and 
grave anxiety. To speak plainly. Mr. 
President, the feeling is growing strong- 
er daily that your persistence in a course 
which in common with everybodv else 
you must know to be wrong, is attribut- 
able to no kind of reasoning whatsoever, 
but to your own stubborn pride. For 
vour own sake. then, if for no other 
cause, it is of the utmost imoortance 
that, if there must be war. it shall come 
as an inevitable consequence, as demon- 
strablv impreventahle by any conceiv- 
able means and in strict conformity with 
♦'ip customs and precedents fixed by in- 
ternational usage. 

Ts it not clear Mr. President, that 
this condition can never be realized 
until the onlv Government, however dis- 
creditable, that does exist and the only 
really strong man, however disreputable, 
who has appeared, shall have Keen ac- 
corded the full opportunitv which so 
manv believe thev could utilize even now 
with ultimate eflfectiveness? It is the 
onlv way. Sir. the only wa^'' out. the 
onlv way to save Mexico, to save your 
party, and to save yourself. It is. too, 
"the large thing to do." the "only thing" 
vou "can afford to do" to escape from 
a position "everywhere questioned and 
misunderstood." 

'^^V implore you. Mr. President, to 
take to heart your own splendid words — ■ 
"Wf ouaht to reverse our action with- 
out raising the ouestton whether we were 
right or wrong" — and then do it "with- 
out quibble or hesitation" and win for 
your country just honor and for Tourself 
the fine renown which the world inva- 
riablv accords a noble act nobly done. 



Saturday. April 4, 19H 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angle*. 



THE AVERAGE MEXICAN. 

E. Alexander Powell, a well-known 
and responsible writer, contributed to 
last Sunday's Xew York "Times" an 
account of an interview he has had with 
Villa at Juarez. He begins his interest- 
ing story with these words: 

In the outskirts of Juarez, where the 
poorer classes exist in wretched hovels 
of sun-baked clay and where, after the 
fighting was over, the dead lay thickest, 
the streets are as silent and deserted 
as those of Pompeii. It gave me the 
feeling of riding through a deserted city, 
for in many blocks 1 did not see a 
human face or hear a human voice. 
Refuse of every kind littered the unpaved 
streets and smelled to heaven; a dead 
dog here, the decaying carcass of a 
mule around the corner, and over them 
swarms of buzzing flies. There is scarce- 
ly a house wall in the place that is not 
pitted with bullets; in some of them 
there are apertures the size of a grand 
piano, such is the dreadful havoc caused 
by fighting at close range. 

The residences of the more conspic- 
uous Huerta sympathizers have been 
seized and converted into military bu- 
reaus and barracks and hospitals by the 
rebels. It was in such a house that I 
found Villa — "Pancho" Villa, (pro- 
nounced, not as though you were start- 
ing to say "villain," but as though it 
wxre spelled "vee-yah,") less than a 
year ago a hunted outlaw with a price 
on his head, but now. if you please. 
Gen. Francisco Villa, Commander in 
Chief of all the Constitutionalist forces 
in the field. 

This was the picture at that time in- 
side Juarez. Last Sunday V. Carranza 
reached Juarez, and was lodged in a 
"confiscated" hou^e filled with "confis- 
cated" furniture — "confiscate" being the 
rebel jargon for plain theft. The dis- 
patch from Juarez which we printed 
yesterday described the look of things 
outside Juarez, where the crowd was 
waiting for Carranza, as follows: 

The contryside spoke graphically of 
the years of revolution. Everywhere 
there were roofless and unoccupied 
houses, which had been the homes of 
the wealthy ranchers in the days of 
peace. Beside the railroad track lay a 
derailed and partly wrecked box car. In 
the hamlet of Ruente Del India, where 
Carranza was received by General Chao. 
not a house was occupied. Not a win- 
dow remained in any of them, and all 
showed signs of previous battle. 

These bullet-marked bouses in Juarez 
and the roofless and empty houses just 
outside of Juarez tell no stories of the 
horrible household tragedies that cer- 
tainly took place in some of them. Their 
occupants were quiet people, but thrifty, 
and many of them prosperous in their 
small and simple fashion. None of these 
people were of any earthly consequence 
in the large affairs of the world. But 
they were human beings, and as such 
are entitled to pity. They fell in the 
way of this mongrel blast of cupidity 
and ferocity; they took their medicine 



as the saying is, although quite mnoceut, 
and although it is easy to conjecture 
how frightful the dose was; and they 
have disappeared, broken and broken 
down, but so obscure that no one cares 
how they manage to live, or indeed 
whether they live or not. Of course 
Juarez, and Chihuahua, and a good part 
of all North Mexico, have been plun- 
dered out. Even a Villa cannot extract 
booty from a roofless and empty house. 
But the same work is being carried in- 
to the unplundered regions, so far as 
this is possible by means of the fresh 
supply of munitions of plunder which 
these fellows are now freely permitted 
to buy in the United States. 

There are those who think that thir- 
teen months of this sort of thing are 
long enough for the thrifty Mexican, 
and long enough for the reputation of 
the United States. Colonel Harvey 
speaks out for this opinion in the April 
number of the "North American Re- 
view." He writes directly to President 
Wilson. He cites American opinion, 
European opinion. South .American opin- 
ion, to the effect that our course has 
been wrong from the beginning. 

It seems very easy, as Colonel Harvey 
urges, to correct this Mexican error, now 
that President Wilson has taken the 
ground that our error in construing the 
Haj'-Pauncefote tre'aty, in the matter 
of the Panama Canal tollS) must be cor- 
rected. It is quite as disgraceful to be 
concerned in rapine and murder, even at 
long range and without intention, and 
even in the case of wholly obscure and 
unimportant people, as it is not to keep 
one's given word. The little weekly 
paper called "Mexico" has good reason 
to say that it would be a "shame" it 
the Government of this humane country 
should continue to throw its influence 
on the side of those Mexicans who are 
hewing their way to plunder and political 
power through the ruin and worse of 
these simple and decent Mexican homes. 
— Hartford "Courant." 



WHOLESALE MURDER, WITH 
OUR AID, IN MEXICO. 

The annals of modern warfare contain 
few accounts of horrors as barbarous 
as those that have reduced the streets 
of Torreon to a reeking shambles in the 
demoniac fighting of the Constitutional- 
ists and Federals. * * * In the per- 
sonal character of Pancho Villa there 
has not j-et appeared a single trait — ex- 
cept that of bravery — which suggests a 
comparison \vith great military com- 
manders who have drawn their sword 
in defense of their own strong faith in 
a righteous cause. His own statement 
is that he is fighting to avenge the mur- 
der by Huerta of his friend Madero. 



To say nothing of the machine guns 
spitting forth bullets as rapidly as a 
cinematograph operated at top speed, 
the doctrine that all is fair in war has 
been fulfilled by poisoning the water 
supply of the besiegers, the use of dy- 
namite hand grenades, and fusillade of 
shells and bombs directed at buildings 
where women and children were cow-er- 
ing. It has been an indiscriminate, red- 
handed massacre, with no respect nor 
pity for aged or wounded, women or 
infants. Prisoners who have been un- 
fortunate enough to fall into Villa's 
hands have been shot down like dogs 
because it was trouble to care for 
them. ♦ ♦ * 

These are the fighting men to whom 
we are deliberately permitting huge con- 
signments of the munitions of war to be 
sent, while we still maintain the fiction 
of "watchful waiting." Hundreds of 
thousands of rounds of rifle ammunition 
since the raising of the embargo have 
been shipped across the border at E! 
Paso and elsewhere, and in machine guns 
a thriving trade is driven. Under a pre- 
tense of benevolent aloofness in the 
name of humanity we are providing these 
fiends incarnate with everything they 
need to kill each other. "Let tliem 
fight it out among themselves," we say, 
and then from the side lines we deliber- 
ately arm them with the means of pro- 
tracting the most sanguinary struggle 
that Mexico has known. It is hard to 
reconcile the course of the Administra- 
tion with sincerity in the profession of 
the desire to see peace restored and vin- 
dictive passion allayed. The war will 
not end as long as we send guns and 
bullets to continue it, nor will Europe 
believe that we mean what we say when 
we reiterate the hypocritical pretense ot 
"watchful waiting." — Philadelphia "Pub- 
lic Ledger." 



THE FIGHTING IN MEXICO. 

.\ccording to the advices from the 
scene of fighting in northern Mexico 
neither side has yet secured a decisive 
advantage. The revolutionists under 
Pancho Villa have invested Torreon, an 
important point on the direct railroad 
line to the City of Mexico, and severe 
fighting has occurred at Gomez, Palacio, 
the result of which has not yet been 
determined. It is known that large num- 
bers of rebel wounded have reached 
points in northern Mexico, and it is re- 
ported from rebel sources that at least 
seven hundred Federal soldiers have 
been killed. 

Torreon is an important strategic 
point on the direct road to Mexico City, 
but is still a long way from that objec- 
tive. It is strongly garrisoned by the 
Federals, who are apparently determined 
to make a firm stand there. If they can 
be dislod.ged and forced to fall back, the 
rebels will continue their advance on 
the Mexican capital, hut if the rebels 
are unable to capture Torreon they will 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



PUBLIC OPINION— Continued 



be in a bad way. Heretofore the revo- 
lutionists have been fighting in the nor- 
thern states of Mexico close to the 
American border; they have now pene- 
trated southward into Durango, and are, 
therefore, in a hostile country. 

The brief telegraphic accounts claim 
that the revolutionists have at least twice 
as many men attacking Torreon as the 
Federals have defending it. From a mili- 
tary standpoint this is no serious handicap, 
as it is generallly recognized that any 
army attacking a fortified position must 
bring to the assault at least three men 
for every one of the defenders. 

As Torreon is an important point, it 
is fair to assume that the Huerta govern- 
ment has provided a good garrison. 

While the fall of Torreon would add 
the State of Durango to the list owning 
rebel authority, the distance from the 
City of Mexico would still be great. 
It is only reasonable to suppose that the 
further south the invaders penetrate 
the stronger will be the resistance they 
will encounter. 

In the meantime our policy towards 
Mexico is being permitted to drift. 
Should the rebels under Villa take Tor- 
reon and be able to penetrate the coun- 
try south of that place the danger to 
Americans and other foreigners would 
be greatly increased. The final success 
of the revolution placing the destinies 
of the neighboring republic in the hands 
of such men as Carranza and Villa would 
be infinitely more damaging to interna- 
tional interests than the continuance 
of Huerta in power. 

The success of the revolutionists at 
Torreon would open up the possibility 
of their successful march on the Mexican 
capital. Such an eventuality would make 
American intervention more likely than 
ever, as control by a man like Villa in 
the Valley of Mexico could mean noth- 
ing else than anarchy. — New Orleans 
"Picayune." 

QUESTIONS ABOUT MEXICAN 
POLICY. 

Introducing myself as a man who has 
for ten years or more been deeply in- 
terested in our neighbors to the south, 
who has lived with them, traveled about 
in their country, mingled with high and 
low, and has learned much about them, 
but who has no financial interest in 
Mexico either directly or indirectly, 1 
want to congratulate you on your arti- 
cle in the December "Review," which 
I have only just now read. If more men 
of prominence, whose voices can Tje 
heard and whose writings cannot be 
ignored, had the courage of speaking 
out, no doubt public opinion, which 
means well, but is uninformed, would 
soon compel a change of policy. 

I have for some weeks had lying 
in ray desk a number of questions which 
I should like to propound to President 
Wilson, but, knowing from experience 
that letters from private, unknown citi- 
zens find no hearing or probably never 
reach their destination, I have refrained 
from sending them. They touch in part 
a phase which is not receiving much 
attention, and I take the liberty of in- 
trusting them to you to use or not use, 
as you elect. 

"Do you ever stop to think that the 
horrible butcheries which are now be- 
ing enacted in a neighbormg country 
are only made possible by the failure 
of our government to enforce the neu- 
trality laws?" 

"Do you ever consider that it is en- 
tirely by means of war material made 
in this country that hundreds of poor 
deluded men are being murdered?" 



"Do you really believe that in a coun- 
try where nine-tenths of the people 
cannot read a ballot a fair and free 
election by all the people is possible?" 

"Do you think it fair to call a man 
guilty without trial, as done in the case 
of President Huerta?" 

"Do you believe that the notions of a 
foreigner should decide who is to be 
at the head of a nation's government 
rather than the laws of that land?" 

"Do you not know that Huerta is tne 
legal President of the United States of 
Mexico according to the law of that land 
just as much as you are the legal Presi- 
dent here?" 

"Does your conscience absolve you 
from all responsibility in the untold 
misery brought about by your refusal to 
recognize the only government existing 
in Mexico?" 

"Are the bandits and highwaymen de- 
vastating the sparsely settled portions 
of Mexico entitled to the sympathy and 
help of a people standing for law and 
order?" 

G. H. HINRICHS in "North Ameri- 
can Review." 



AFTER TORREON. 

A victory by Huerta would strengthen him 
throughout the country. He already has pretty 
thorough control in the more populous districts, 
although he has been troubled by bandits and by 
the revolutionists under Zapata, particularly in 
the State of Morelos. It is noteworthy that 
few reports of attacks on foreigners and destruc- 
tion of foreign property come from districts con- 
trolled by the Federals. . 

Huerta protects the alien. He doubtless does 
so because he thinks it good policy, but the point 
is, at least to the foreigners, that he does give 
this protection. If he wins at Torreon, Huerta 
will be stronger than at any time since he as- 
sumed the Presidency. People now on the fence 
will flock to his side. His army will become 
more loyal and more dependable, and he will be 
rid of the ever-present danger of disintegration 
of his troops in the face of defeat. Victory will 
make it more than ever clear that Huerta is not 
crumbling in the rapid fashion the administra- 
tion in Washington has fondly hoped. His finan- 
cial resources doubtless will be augmented. 

There is good reason for saying that Villa will 
be unable to conduct a victorious campaign south- 
ward. After recuperating from Torreon, should 
he capture that place, ' and turning his attention 
to the south, he will be confronted by wholly 
different conditions from those with which he has 
had to contend during the last few months. He 
has been operating in Coahuila, Chihuahua and 
Durango. These are thinly populated states. In 
Coahuila there are only 2.19 persons to every 
square kilometre of territory ; in Chihuahua, only 
1.34, and in Durango, 3.98. So it is all through 
the northern tier of Mexican states, where the 
Constitutionalists have gained their greatest suc- 
cesses. 

From Torreon Villa must enter the states ot 
Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi. Here he will 
encounter more populous districts. Zacatecas has 
8.12 persons to the square kilometre, and San 
Luis Potosi 10.11. In the northern sections of 
these states Villa has sympathizers, but as he 
proceeds southward he will find the people more 
in sympathy with the government in Mexico City, 
and they are by no means reluctant to fight the 
rebel invaders for their homes. 

In a word, south of Torreon Villa will enter 
hostile country. The way south to Mexico City 
is further barred by the states of Guanajuato, 
Queretaro and Hidalgo. Guanajuato is thickly 
populated, there being 38.14 inhabitants to the 
square kilometre. The figures drops to 5 in 
Queretaro, but reaches 28.90 in Hidalgo. In 
these districts the populace will stand by Huerta 
as against Villa.— Philip H. Patchin, Special Cor- 
respondent, in New York "Tribune." 



SOMETHING LACKING. 

With Villa still hammering at Torreon days 
after it was to have been taken, and with the 
aged Carranza entering Juarez tottering from the 
fatigue of a useless horseback journey, the for- 
tunes of the Mexican revolution do not shine 
brilliantly at the moment. it still suffers con- 
spicuously from a lack of leadership strong 
enough physically and aggressive enough in 
spirit to be present continuously at the main 
seat of action. Gen. Carranza has proved him- 
self a tireless celebrator of victories, but what 
is more wanted in his place is a tireless inspirer 
of victories.— New York "World." 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: It is hard to understand why the 
newspapers make so much of every wild, fantastic 
claim of victory or heroism advanced by the 
border agents of Villa concerning the fighting 
at Torreon. For one whole week now we have 
been told that Torreon has been taken or that 
its capture was a matter of minutes. 

Notwithstanding the daily proof that such re- 
ports have, to say the least, been unwarranted by 
the facts, every irresponsible statement from in- 
terested sources at Juarez has been accepted 
without question, every misrepresentation head- 
lined as a fact. 

Notwithstanding the many revelations of the 
true character of Villa, the newspapers persist 
in their efforts to make him out a picturesque 
hero. The impression is given or intended to be 
conveyed that Villa's men are fighting for a 
great cause and whatever their faults are repre- 
sentative of deep popular movement. We have 
been told that the soldiers of the Federal Gov- 
ernment are merely conscripts and are fighting 
against their principles because they are forced 
to. But still 0,000 of them have held off a vastly 
superior force with a determination and energy 
that are born only of a consciousness of right. 
Soldiers do not fight that way against a popular 
movement. 

In time the truth will appear that the soldiers 
of Velasco have fought so valiantly because they 
are the ones who are fighting for a cause — that 
cause the preservation of their country from the 
control of its barbarous elements, and from the 
thinly disguised intervention of the United States. 
It is a notorious fact that American adven- 
turers are serving the big guns of the rebels, 
that Carothers, agent of our State Department, 
is as well an agent of Villa, that all the arms and 
ammunition of the rebels are supplied from the 
United States, that John Lind, received with 
every courtesy by the Mexican Government, is 
virtually a guest of the government at Vera 
Cruz, where he openly proposes measures against 
that government, that Carranza unfurled an 
American flag in Juarez to signify the perfect 
understanding between him and the Washington 
Administration. 

They are fighting, are these Federals, in a 
great cause, a noble cause, the saving of their 
country from the dictatorship of Woodrow Wil- 
son. 

And I, as an American, wish them good luck, 
for I believe that an American President who 
hires and arms gunmen to do his dirty work is 
not entitled to patriotic support. 

Yours very truly, 
PUZZLED. 

To the Editor of MEXICO. 

The recent desperate fighting around Torreon 
has shown up several matters which heretofore 
have not been quite clear to the American pub- 
lic. In the first place, the valor of the Federal 
troops is unquestionable and although greatly out- 
numbered they still hold their position. News 
despatches in the American press have repeatedly 
recounted how these Federal soldiers could not 
be counted upon because they were recruited by 
press gangs, etc., but be tliis as it may, at any 
rate, it is clear that they can fight and fight des- 
perately. 



Saturday, April 4 1914 



MEXICO 



The actual conflict is one between civilization 
and anarchy, and the final result must surely be 
a triumph of government over chaos. Even though 
the forces of loot and murder, headed by the 
atrocious Villa, should succeed in taking the 
city and pillaging and ravishing as is their cus- 
tom, it would not affect the final result. These 
bandits took Torreon a year ago, but they were 
driven out, as will happen should they succeed 
this time. 

The actual possession of this city would not 
aid the rebellion materially, as the distance from 
there to the capital is entirely through Federal 
territory, and every step southward would be of 
greater difficulty for these so-called "constitu- 
tionalists." 

I by no means think that Villa can take Tor- 
reon, or be able to hold it should by any chance 
General Velasco be overcome. The struggle be- 
tween these forces will "not permit the idea of 
surrender of the Federals because as their oppo- 
nents are not subject to the rules of civilized 
warfare proper soldiers have learned that sur- 
render means murder and torture, and thus pre 
fer lo fight to the last. 

In my opinion the Mexican government posi 
tion is much stronger every day, and the Ameri 
can public is not so enthusiastic over the cause 
of the savage barbarians who by an irony 
fate have managed to appropriate the name 
"constitutionalists." Perhaps now that events 
are being seen in their true light the American 
people will come to view the position of President 
Huerta with less prejudice and more justice, so 
that on sober second thought he will be accorded 
a 'fair deal and a better chance to restore the 
peace that he promised and that by outside han- 
dicaps he has been prevented from accomplishing. 
Baltimore, Md., April 1, 1914. M. CUESTA. 



BOOK REVIEW. 



■THE CASE OF MEXICO AND THE POL- 
ICY OF PRESIDENT WILSON." 
After ail the "news" and speculations about 
Mexico by men who know nothing about the 
people or the conditions, it is good to read a 
book by a man who has lived through the events 
of the present decade and has observed them with 
the unbiased eyes of an historian. The book, 
which has just come off the press of Albert and 
Charles IBoni, is "The Case of Mexico and the 
Policy of President Wilson," by Senator Rafael 
de Zayas Enriquez. De Zayas' first book of his- 
tory was "The Rise and Fall of Porfirio Diaz," 
which stamped him immediately as a man of keen 
discernment, of clear political convictions, and a 
lover of liberty. He is a student of affairs and 
a statesman. He writes dispassionately, -judic- 
ially, without heat. His book is not a case of 
special pleading; it. is an unimpassioned analysis 
of political conditions in Mexico. It gives, prac- 




1913 WASHINGTON I9i4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

iqie MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
laiO WASHINGTON. D. C. '^'0 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
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tically for the first time, the real facts about those 
conditions. It shows very clearly that American 
public opinion has been misled by misrepresenta- 
tion of facts — much of it inspired and intentional, 
and much of it the work of incompetent journal- 
ists, who lack a large perspective and are out of 
touch and sympathy with the peculiar Mexican 
character. 

De Zayas states his position thus : 
"In writing this book I have not been prompted 
by patriotic motives, however justifiable and rea- 
sonable such motives might appear, nor have I 
yielded to any partisan bias. My primary, per- 
haps my sole object, has been to acquaint the 
world with the real causes of the convulsion 
which is now shaking Mexico, my native country, 
its intensity and its significance, and with the 
actual principles which are at stake in this hour 
of agony. I also wish to show what a distorted 
conception the President of the United States 
has formed of the Mexican situation and what 
harmful consequences his attitude in the matter 
may have, not only for Mexico, but for the 
United States as well." 

De Zayas does not believe that President Wil- 
son is not acting in good faith but that he has 
been misled by the false reports of conditions in 
the newspapers and magazines. 

"I believe, therefore, that President Wilson 
has been and is moved by perfectly honest mo- 
tives : he has started, however, from erroneous 
premises and he has failed to foresee the conse- 
quences of the system he has endeavored to ap- 
ply; he has failed to fathom the abyss towards 
which he is leading, two neighboring countries 
which have nothing to gain from an interna- 
tional conflict. 

"A war between the two nations would be an 
utter disgrace, and its baneful effects, which 
would be felt all over the American continent, 
would alienate the sympathy of all the nations 
south of the Rio Grande from the United States." 
De Zayas then describes the events that have 
happened from the time of Madero to the pres- 
ent. He shows how erroneous are the ideas Amer- 
icans entertain of these events. Madero he 
shows to have been very much of a demagogue. 
He does not declare that Madero was cruel or a 
tyrant or a thief; but he does show that Ma- 
dero was surrounded by vicious and dishonest 
people, who blinded him to the true conditions 
of the people, and who robbed and pillaged to 
their heart's content. Madero knew nothing of 
what was going on, and secure in the legality of 
his position, refused to alleviate the truly hor- 
rible conditions of the lower classes. He followed 
the counsel of his clique, consisting of his 
brother and several friends known as the Ma- 
derists. It was notorious that his brother was 
one of the worst blackguards in history. This 
brother succeeded in emptying the treasury of 
seventy and some odd million pesos and in put- 
ting the country into debt for many millions 
more. 

"In the few months during which Madero re- 
mained at the head of the administration, that is, 
from July 1, 1912, to February, 1913, he squan- 
dered fbesidcs the current receipts and the 
seventy and some odd million pesos President 
Diaz had left in the treasury when he relin- 



quished the presidency), $35,000,000 more than 
the budget called for." 

This clique surrounding Madero made his over- 
throw inevitable. 

"The whole country began anew to manifest its 
unrest. Revolutionary groups sprang up in the 
Northern, in the Southern, and in the Central 
i^tates ; they lacked coherence and leaders of 
prestige; the same desire, however, animated them 
all. They were all bent on overthrowing Madero." 

A committee of the Senate called Huerta to 
the Presidency. He reluctantly consented. 

Mexico's destiny has become the football of 
bandits. Industry is paralyzed. The nation's 
troubles are so complex that they seem insoluble. 
Whatever action is taken by this country — inter- 
vention or recognition of Huerta, or continued 
"watchful waiting" — a crop of problems arises 
that calls for the highest statesmanship. In this 
state of affairs, understanding of the problems 
is the first necessity. It is for this reason that 
de Zayas' book is practically indispensable to 
those who want to learn the rights and wrongs 
of our attitude toward Mexico.. (Albert and 
Charies Boni, 96 Fifth Avenue, New York. Il- 
lustrated. $1.35 net. Postpaid, $1.45.) 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 

ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
land of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his wanderings in Mexico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranching, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since the 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres- 
ent day and with existing conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eight full-page half-tone 
illustrations. 



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UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE, 
15 Broad Street, New York City, 

Enclosed find $ for subicription 

to "MEXICO," to be sent to 

Beginning with 

number 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 4, 1914 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran. 

18 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the Year, M-00 

TO ADVERTISERS: 

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AN ENDLESS CHAIN. 

The fight in the House agains^t the 
repeal of the Panama Canal tolls ex- 
emption for American coastwise ships 
had all the earmarks of real, spontaneous 
opposition to a humiliating surrender to 
England and the Canadian railroads. It 
failed because it did not have the sin- 
cerity to center on the Mexican attitude 
of the Administration, which is at tihe 
bottom of the President's pressing neces- 
sities in'dealing with foreign affairs. 

It need not be contended that the Ad- 
ministration has made a pact with Eng- 
land, made the tolls exemption a quid 
pro quo for England's non-interference 
with the Administration's course in 
Mexico, which is destructive of British 
as well as all other foreign interests. 
The President says there is no sudh 
pact. Sir Edward Grey says there is no 
such pact. Therefore, there is no such 
pact. 

That does not alter the fact that the 
Mexican policy of the Administration 
has met with the outspoken condemna- 
tion of the European nations and aroused 
to a high pitch the suspicion and dis- 
trust of the countries of Central and 
South America. British interests in 
Mexico are more considerable than those 
of any other country, and it stands to 
reason that under ordinary circumstances 
Enttlpnd would not stand idly by and 
submit to the President's persistence in 
a policy that is universally condemned 
as destructive. But the repeal of the 
exemption of the Panama Canal tolls 
woull certainly not be an ordinary cir- 
cumstance. It remains to be seen wheth- 
er Germany, France and Japan may not 
press for some extraordinary circum- 
stance of a similar nature. That, of 
course, would make it good policy on 
this country's part to have already pla- 
cated England and" got her on our side. 
But why have they started on this end- 
less chain of placation' 



Because the President of the United 
States has made a tragic blunder in 
Mexico and has persisted in it, whatever 
the cost, and has allied himself with 
the forces of destruction, against which 
the foreign interests in Mexico must, in 
self protection, protest. The Benton 
case is only one of many others and 
there will be more as long as the Ad- 
ministration encourages the Carranzas, 
Villas and Zapatas. 

We are paying for the Administra- 
tion's mistake already in our relations 
with other nations. If it is persisted in 
further we shall pay for it in thousands 
of American lives and a war bill for 
which even the taking of Mexico from 
its people will not compensate. 

It is time to call a halt on this tre- 
mendously expensive personal prejudice 
and obduracy — right now. 



good on paper, and seems plausible in 
the study under a library lamp. 
That is all. 



TOO AMATEURISH. 

It is apparent that the suggestions that 
come out of Washington every now and 
then that the outcome of the Mexican 
situation will be the formation of an 
independent Republic of the Northern 
States of Mexico originated with those 
who want to grab Mexican territory and 
find they can not work up any popular 
sentiment that would countenance a war 
of grab. 

These suggestions are seized on by the 
friends of the Administration — who can 
see no ultimate triumph for the rebels, 
but only further disorder and disaster 
ahead for the Administration — in the hope 
that the establishment of an independent 
Republic which could be recognized 
would open a "way out" from an unten- 
able position. 

These suggestions are secretly encour- 
aged by the agents of the rebels to 
arouse the cupidity of their Washington 
friends and openly disclaimed because 
they are unpatriotic and would tum> even 
Villa's followers against him. .Carranza 
was certainly not well-advised when he 
unfurled the American flag beside the 
Mexican eniblem when he entered Juarez. 

As a matter of fact, we believe that the 
class of men who are responsible for the 
rebellion in Northern Mexico would bar- 
ter their country, divide their country 
and destroy their country for profit. 

President Huerta, in Mexico City, is 
not that kind of Mexican. Destiny has 
placed him in a position where, for good 
or ill, he is Mexico. He represents 
Mexican nationality, Mexican independ- 
ence, Mexican autonomy. If he had 
yielded to the absurd demands of the Ad- 
ministration there would be today no 
Mexican nation. Mexico would not be 
independent. It would be governed by 
a — let us say — benevolent despot in 
Washington. 

It is safe to prophecy that there will 
be no division of Mexican territory while 
a patriot is President, and there is a 
Mexican people to fight against it. It 
is a nice little amateur scheme, that looks 



Mexico is and always has been dyna- 
mite — to be handled with care. 

* * * 

The Administration has handled it with 
the recklessness of ignorance. 

* • • 

If the thousands that have been slain 
at Torreon could speak from the other 
shore they would have something to say 
about horrors which no Administration 
theory of "Constitutional Government" 
can ever justify. 

* * * 

Secretary Bryan's conscience is still 
clear. 

* * * 

It is understood he still sleeps soimdly 
o' nights. 

* * • 

Some poor sensitive souls might have 
their slumber distiu-bed by the cries of 
the dying and the ghosts of the dead. 
« « « 

Not so the genial Secretsury of State. 

* * * 

He simply hypnotizes himself into the 
belief that he is an Apostle of Peace. 

* * • 

And prays that Villa and his barbarians 
may kill every Federal in Mexico. 

* * * 

The cries of the wounded, the curses 
of the dying reach him not. 

* • * 

Like John Lind, he sees in a vision 
Villa transformed and transfigiured, the 
bandit a saint, his savage followers angels 
of Ught, and a bearded old man doling 
out Chautauquaisms in Mexico City. 

* * ♦ 

Lind has been treated with the utmost 
courtesy in Mexico. 

He is abusing the hospitality of the 
Mexican Government by working in the 
interests of Villa and Carranza. 

* * * 

In the history of international relations 
has there ever been anything so brazen 
and dishonorable? 

He and Wilson and Bryan have simply 
put themselves in a position quite sug- 
gestive of that of conspirators, plotters 
against the constituted Government in 

Mexico. 

* * * 

And plotting against a Government is 
dangerous business. 

* * ♦ 

It is playing writh dynamite. 

* ♦ * 

Sir Edward Grey agreeably announces 
that he has made no dicker with Wilson 
on the Panama Canal tolls. 

« * * 

How nice of him to say so. Of course 
he hasn't. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican AM aiyS^ '$'■ 

Err»r Rub» Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb "^J^ ^ 



VOL. II— No. 34. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 1914. 



-^^ 



THE PRICE PAID TO "GET 
HUERTA." 

Surrender to England. 

$26,000,000 and an apology to Colombia. 

The responsibility for Villa. 

The integrity of the Monroe Doctrine. 

Dissension in the Democratic party. 

Ammunition for its enemies. 

Loss of prestige in the eyes of the 
world. 

Universal questioning of our country's 
jnotives. 



MANHANDLING MEXICO. 

A college professor. 

The same old Bill. 

A Scandinavian dreamer whose idol is 
VUla. 

An ex-Ueverend biographer. 

Another D. D., yclept Tupper. 

A State Department agent who press- 
agents Villa. 

Put that combination at work on any 
real man's proposition and they would 
muddle it beyond repair. 

* * * 

The Administration lifted the embargo 
on arms to aid the rebels. 

* * * 

It maintains a strict financial blockade 
to hamper the Mexican Government. 

* * * 

It sent John Lind to Mexico to ask 
the Mexican Government to swallow it- 
self. 

* * * 

It has agents like Carothers to swallow 
everything from the rebels — lies and in- 
sults included. 

» * * 

Oh, yes, the Administration is neutral! 

* * « 

John Lind was finally a little bit too 
open-faced in his plotting against the 
Mexican Government. 

* * * 

John got the recall, but he should have 
got it months ago, if there was any self- 
respect in the State Department. 

* * * 

Carothers, a consular agent, draws 
money from the United States Treasury. 

* • * 

And his principal business is to act as 
press agent and white-washer-in-chief of 
the bandit. Villa. 



Builders 



The avalanche of what, for temporary 
lack of a better defining term, we must 
call "reports" of military operations 
around Torreon and Tampico, has buried 
out of the reader's view information re- 
garding most important measures taken 
by the Mexican Government to put Mexi- 
co's finances on an absolutely solid basis 
and tending to re-establish its credit 
abroad. 

From the beginning the Huerta Govern- 
ment found itself handicapped by an empty 
treasury left by the Madero Administra- 
tion. The loan of thirty million dollars 
obtained a year ago from French bankers 
served to pay various debts left by the 
preceding Government and practically ;!l'. 
the money remained abroad. Later, owing 
to the financial blockade effectively estab- 
lished by the Wilson Administration, with 
the acquiescence of the French Govern- 
ment, French bankers were forced to 
forego the option they held on fifty mil- 
lion more of the loan authorized by the 
Mexican Congress in May, 1913. 

Meanwhile the Mexican Government 
was compelled to make large expenditures, 
mainly to raise the army from a total of 
scarcely 20,000 men to 200,000. The usual 
revenues, which in spite of the revolution 
made a remarkable showing, thus demon- 
strating the great vitality of the country, 
were not sufficient to cover the expendi- 
tures and the Government was compelled 
in January last to declare a temporary sus- 
pension of payments of interest on the na- 
tional debt. 

During the absence of Finance Minister 
de 1.1 Lama, who had gone to Europe to 
confer with French bankers, various pro- 
jects were presented to alleviate the fi- 
nancial stringency and the one that found 
momentary favor with a few friends of 
the Administration was that of establish- 
ing a Government federal bank with the 
right of issuing currency. The mere an- 



nouncement that the establishment of such 
a bank was contemplated created great 
alarm among banking and commercial cir- 
cles. However, upon his return to Mexico 
at the end of February, Minister de la 
Lama proceeded to study several reforms 
and to negotiate with local bankers the 
placing of an interior loan. Negotiations 
were carried to a successful end, and a 
few days ago several decrees were is- 
sued which insure the stability of the 
Government finances. 

In the first place, the Department of 
Finance was authorized to issue Treas- 
ury notes against the bonds authorized 
by Congress in 1913. up to the comple- 
tion of the authorized issue of one hun- 
dred million dollars. 

The Department of Finance, by Presi- 
dential decree, was authorized to issue 
treasury notes bearing six per cent. in. 
tcrest against the fifty million dollars of 
the bonds authorized in 1913, but not 
taken by the French bankers. Mexican 
liankers agreed to take immediately one- 
half of the hundred million pesos issue 
of treasury notes (or fifty million gold 
at parity of exchange) and the other half 
as needed by the Government. 

-Another decree simultaneously promul- 
gated authorized the resumption of pay- 
ment of interest on the national debt. 
The usual amount of Custom House re- 
ceipts will be deposited in the National 
Bank of Mexico for the purpose. Owing 
to the high rate of exchange, however, 
the money will be kept in Mexico until 
such time as the exchange will have re- 
turned to normal rates. This in itself 
will have the effect of normalizing the rate 
of exchange, not only because there will 
be no immediate exportation of large 
sums in gold, but also because the Euro- 
pean bondholders will have a vital and 
direct interest in bringing to bear all 
possible influence in order that the ex- 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



BUILDERS— Continued. 

change may make possible their receiv- 
ing the interest money deposited in the 
-National Bank of Mexico. At the same 
time the fact that the money is set aside 
ior the payment of interest fully rehabili- 
tates the government of Mexico and 
tends to re-establish its good credit 
abroad. 

A third decree authorized the issue of 
treasury bonds up to thirty million pesos, 
with which all floating indebtedness on the 
local market will be paid. These bonds 
bear six per cent, interest and certain rev- 
enues will be set aside to insure the pay- 
ment of this interest. The decree which 
had established an additional fifty per 
cent, on import duties was repealed and as 
a consequence imports which had been 
somewhat reduced by the increased duty 
will take new impulse as shown by great 
number of orders which were immediate- 
ly sent abroad upon the publication of the 
new decree. Likewise, a decree published 
in February 12 putting an export duty on 
vanilla was repealed. 

By these sweeping measures the Gov- 
ernment was able at a stroke to obtain 
sufficient money for extraordinary war 
expenses for a long time ; without mpos- 
ing new taxes, it re-established its credit 
abroad, rehabilitated itself in the eyes of 
its creditors. It also paid its floating local 
debt and gave new stimulus to the some- 
what paralyzed import trade. The good 
effects of all this are already apparent and 
a somewhat confused financial situation 
has been settled with advantage to the 
Government and to the people. 

The most significant phase of the finan- 
cial readjustment has been undoubtedly the 
confidence shown by the bankers of Mexi- 
co in the Huerta Government. If strong 
confidence and faith in its ability to con- 
trol a difficult situation had not existed on 
the part of all the bankers they would 
not have taken a loan of one hundred 
million pesos. Bankers are not known to 
lend a hundred millions unless they feel 
absolutely sure that they will be repaid. 



ABOUT TORREON 



KELLY'S PRIDE. 

The reports of Villa's expulsion of the 
Spaniards, of the killing of prisoners "en 
route" and in Torreon, of confiscation of 
property and a few other patriotic ex- 
ploits added to the now fogotten Benton 
murder, must have made Mayor Kelly, of 
El Paso, hold still dearer the photograph 
in which he and Villa appear together in 
brotherly and significant proximity. The 
photograph of the two supermen of the 
Mexican-American border undoubtedly 
will be preserved with jealous care by 
. Kelly's proud posterity. 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN^WHATS WHAT 

BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Day after day for two weeks we were 
regaled by the press with columns of 
reports describing the fight around Tor- 
reon, the advance of the rebels, the 
• crushing defeat of the Federals under 
General Velasoo, and so on. Every 
night at the eleventh hour Juarez an- 
nounced that a message just received 
from Villa stated that he would have the 
whole city in a few minutes, that he 
held the greater part of it, and that the 
Federals — who had six thousand men at 
Torreon — had lost ten thousand in dead 
and wounded. The capture of Torreon 
was announced by some newspapers 
with no dearth of detail and eye-witness 
description as early as March 24. Final- 
ly, on April 2, at midnight, Juarez an- 
nounced that Villa had just taken Tor- 
reon by assault and that General Velasco 
had escaped with but a few men of his 
bodyguard, whatever that may be. 

Now the truth is slowly coming to the 
surface. Even from rebel sources it is 
admitted that the Federals held the 
whole of Torreon after having inflicted 
severe losses on the Villa forces up to 
the time they evacuated the city of Tor- 
reon proper. That the whole of the 
Federal forces sought a more advanta- 
geous position on the outside, moving in 
perfect order, taking away even their 
wounded, and their arms, ammunitions 
and supplies. With them went also a 
large number of citizens who preferred 
the hardships of moving with a military 
column rather than to remain to await 
the arrival of the men who, in the opin- 
ion of the Wilson Administration, are 
going to save the people of Mexico. It 
has now become evident that the move- 
ment of the Federals was made with 
strategic purposes and that much more 
will have to be written and published 
about the "victory of Villa." 

Newspaper correspondents with the 
Villa forces are now arriving at the bor- 
der and are beginning to tell different 
stories from those sent out from Juarez 
as authentic. They say that a strict 
censorship prevented them from sending 
true reports; that Villa was beaten three 
times before he was allowed to enter 
Torreon, and that there he found what 
may be called an empty shell. Also that 
Gen. Velasco has effected a successful 
junction with the other Federal forces 
and the rebels were beaten badly be- 
tween San Pedro and Sacramento, a 
railroad junction seventeen miles from 
Torreon. 

Another great victory like that of Tor- 
reon and Villa will be no more. Mean- 
while our readers must remember that 
it was not su..cient for the Federals to 
repulse Villa, even though inflicting 
severe losses as they did. To finish with 



Villa once for all, it is necessary to draw 
him away from his base af supplies and 
from territory where effective help from 
this side of the border can reach him. 

Tighter and tighter a net of responsi- 
bilities and complications is drawing 
around Wilson and Bryan as a conse- 
quence of their Mexican policy. 

The iron mesh, inexorable as fate, is 
beginning to sink into the flesh of the 
administration. That is it should begin 
to sink if the flesh were not covered by 
a corneous hide. Villa entered Torreon 
and, as he had done in Chihuahua, ex- 
pelled all Spaniards and confiscated their 
property. There is no longer doubt as 
to the confiscation, for carloads of cotton 
belonging to the Spaniards have already 
arrived at Ciudad Juarez. The cotton 
will be sent to Europe — in bond through 
this country — to avoid attachment by the 
despoiled owners. Eight hundred Span- 
iards, men, women, and children, have 
taken refuge in El Paso. Carranza, the 
supposed chief of the revolution, has sup- 
ported and approved Villa's actions. Car- 
ranza could not do otherwise. He has to 
approve all of Villa's actions because it 
would not make any difference to Villa 
if he did not. 

Because of the support given by the 
Adrninistration to Villa and because 
European Powers look to this country 
for the protection of their citizens in 
Mexico, Wilson-Bryan have the full re- 
sponsibility for the fate of those citizens. 
But the Spaniards failed to receive the 
protection they expected, and the acting 
Secretary of State in Washington went 
to the extent oi trying to justify Villa's 
actions, stating that the expulsion had 
been probably for the Spaniards' good, 
"as they are so hated by Mexicans that 
their lives might have been in dangr had 
they remained in Torreon.' In other 
words, the Acting Secretary of State 
merely repeated the reason given by Car- 
ranza for the Spaniards' expulsion. 

Spain will remonstrate and demand tha 
their citizens be protected, but it is too 
late — and what can Spain do? Undoubt- 
edly Mr. Bryan does not think Spain will 
either go to war with this country or 
send an army into Mexico to protect her 
citizens and restore to them the lost 
property. So Mr. Bryan will say — men- 
tally, "Well, Spain, what are you going 
to do about it?" 

Commenting on this latest phase of the 
Administration-Villa alliance, the New 
York "Times" of April 10th says edito- 
rially: 

The expulsion from Torreon by the triumphant 
Mexican Revolutionists of all the Spanish resi- 
dents is an incident likely to live long in history, 
as it may lead to serious complications. The ex- 
pulsion is incompatible with the laws of civilized 

(Continued on next page.) 



Salurdciy, April 11, 1914. 



MEXICO 



ABOUT TORREON 

warfare. The men among these Spaniards, many 
of whom were born in Mexico, have been non- 
com bai ants and are, therefore, entitled to protec- 
tion from the conquerors. Many Mexicans have 
professed to hale the S.janiards since the expul- 
sion of the Spanish rulers, and until comparatively 
recent years the phrase ''Death to the Spaniards" 
was retained in the Grito de Dolores, solemnly 
uttered by the President on the balcony of the 
National Palace every year on the night of Sept. 
15. But the Spaniards in Mexico in these days 
are a peaceful and provident part of the popula- 
tion, not numerous enough to exert any appreci- 
able political iniluence, and there is no excuse 
whatever for Villa's ill-treatment of them except 
his knowledge that they disapprove of him and 
his methods. In this they differ very little from 
most of the foreign residents of the country. Sup- 
pose Villa should banish the English, French, or 
German residents and confiscate their property? 
Of course Spain will make formal protest against 
this treatment of her people, and it is not likely 
that the United States Government can avoid tak- 
ing notice of the matter ofhcially. 

Meanwhile we are forced o provide shelter and 
the means of living to TtKf newcomers in Southern 
Texas, where we are already caring for some 
thousands of Mexican refugees. Although Car- 
ranza denies that his Provisional Government will 
confiscate the property of the evicted Spaniards, 
they have been compelled to leave behind them 
in the Laguna district large quantities of cotton 
and all their other property not easily carried. 
They have lost their homes and their occupations. 
There is plenty of room for such people in Soulh- 
ern Texas and Arizona, to be sure, if they will 
set to work to make the best of their lot and 
become citizens of the country that has given 
them refuge. 

We beg to differ with the "Times" in 
regard to opinions expressed in the last 
paragraphs. The thousands of Mexicans 
held at Fort Bliss are no; refugees at all. 
They are prisoners held there against 
their will and in spite of demands made 
by the Mexican Government and by 
themselves that they be released and sent 
to their own country. They are held 
there because most of them are soldiers 
who, upon returning to Mexico, would 
again be incorporated by the Federal 
army. And that would be to Villa's dis- 
advantage. Therefore they are held. 
They are prevented from joining the 
ranks oi those who a e fighting Villa, 
while other refugees from rebel ranks 
who had crossed the border when too 
hard pressed by Federal forces were re- 
leased at Nuevo Laredo and other points 
on orders from Washington. 

This has been another example of 
Americati fairness as interpreted in these 
days by the Washington administration. 

All that the "Times" has to offer to the 
Spaniards who have taken refuge in EI 
Paso as a compensation for their losses 
is a kind invitation to remain in Southern 
Texas (sic) and Arizona and become citi- 
zens of the country that has given them 
refuge. We are inclined to think that the 
Spaniards will not be enthusiastic about 
the generous invitation to become citi- 
zens of a country to the government of 
which they owe the loss of all their 
property. 



LEST WE FORGET 



The "World" has not yet called Villa 
"the Washington of Mexico," but give 
it time and this will come.— "Town 
Topics." 



The Administration has staked every- 
thing on the success of Villa and Car- 
ranza with its assistance. 

But their success would only spread 
over a larger area the anarchy of the 
North. 

Loot, destruction and death, "confisca- 
tion," murder and revenge! 

For WUson's special benefit they have 
cloaked the sordid truth in high-sound- 
ing words. 

For Bryan's benefit, they have con- 
jured a dream of peon government — and 
issued fiat money at sixteen to one — six- 
teen of plain theft to one of graft. 

And the Administration has bitten — 
more than it can chew. 

They say to Spain, England and the 
other nations: "Leave it to us!" 

It is left to them. Benton is foully 
murdered. England gets a mass of lies. 
Hundreds of Spaniards are robbed, 
ruined and expelled from Mexico. Spain 
gets Carranza's statement that it was all 
for the Spsmiards' good! 

* * * 

How long, think you, can this last? 

Somehow or other an item favorable 
to the military movements of the Fed- 
eral troops was quoted as coming from 
Admiral Fletcher. 

* * * 

The Washington correspondents im- 
mediately got a Presidential lecture on 
newspaper accuracy, and a correction of 
what Admiral Fletcher did wire, the cor- 
rection making it less favorable for the 
Mexican Government. 



There were no lectures on accuracy 
given during the two weeks in which the 
newspapers were describing daily in de- 
tail the fall of Torreon. 

* * * 

The Administration is prone to talk 
glibly of national honor. 

There is more national honor soiled 
by the Administration in handling the 
Mexican situation than could result even 
from a broken treaty. 

♦ * * 

There are two things that are likely to 
bring about war with Mexico: The spread 
of anarchy and continued provocation to 
the Mexican Government. 



The Administration is directly respon- 
sible for both. 

And yet the Administration protests 
that it wants to avoid war. 

* * * 

Carranza is not disposed to interfere 
with Villa's purpose to drive all the 
Spaniards out of Mexico. 

Which shows just where Carranza 
stands with Villa. 

They will go along in double harness 
just as long as Villa cares to tolerate 
Carranza. 

Which will be as long as there is 
no dispute about the division of the loot. 

The voters are going to ask some 
pertinent questions about Mexico this 
fall. 

* * * 

And they are going to be answered 
in a way that will prove mighty embar- 
la-^sing to the Administration. 

* « * 

The real dictator in this country — the 
voice of the people — will be heard. 

* * « 

Here are some of the questions that 
they will ask: 

* * * 

What right had President Wilson to 
say who should or who should not be 
President of Mexico? 

* * * 

Why did he send John Lind to make 
demands on the Mexican Government 
that were absurdly impossible of per- 
formance? ' 

Why has he let so much personal an- 
tagonism enter into the shaping of a 
foreign policy that may be responsible 
for an unnecessary and unjust war? 

* * * 

Why did he tell all Americans to get 
out of Mexico.? 

Why did he make it easy for the reb- 
els and bandits to get arms and am- 
munition that may be turned against 
our own soldiers? 

+ * * 

Why did he employ so many special 
agents without experience to gtunsho* 
aroimd and befuddle the whole situation, 
when not actively working for the Mex- 
ican rebels? 

* * • 

Why did he make an offer to th« 
Mexican Government of a loan from 
bankers if President Huerta would kindly 
eliminate himself? 

(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 11, 1914.. 



Why did he try to starve Mexico fi- 
nancially, despite the suffering such ac- 
tion brought to the mass of the Mex- 
ican people? 

Why did he take the side of notorious 
bandits and outlaws against the fifteen 
million of decent, peaceable Mexican 
people? 

* * * 

V/hy did he overlook their atrocities 
and go out of his way to hold the Mex- 
ican President up to the scorn of the 
world? 

Why did he find it so necessary to 
take England's side of the dispute as 
to the Panama Canal tolls exemption for 
American coastwise ships? 

And a few others — equally pertinent. 



ANOTHER PROFESSOR 



MONROEISM AND PAN-AMERI- 
CANISM. 

Ethnologists have described a wide- 
spread custom of curing the sick among 
primitive peoples. This consists in 
changing the name by which the patient 
has always been known, on the theory 
that the evil spirits which are ac- 
customed to enter into the sick man, 
having, so to speak, lost the proper 
post ofifice address, will cease to haunt 
him. Something of the same attitude is 
revealed in a number of the speeches 
dealing with our Latin-American policies 
which were delivered at the recent 
meeting of the Academy of Political 
Science at Philadelphia. Assuming that 
something was radically wrong with that 
vague thing known as the Monroe Doc- 
trine, learned speakers suggested that 
the cure might be found by substituting 
the phrase Pan-Americanism for Mon- 
roeism, or the words "concert of action" 
for the words Monroe Doctrine, or by 
speaking of Iberic-America instead oi 
Latin-America. 

If the problem were one entirely ot 
Latin-American susceptibilities, it might 
be settled by conjuring with names. But 
if we are to believe much that is said 
and written about the subject, there are 
Latin-American fears to be taken into 
account. The people of South America 
are not only incensed by our bad man- 
ners; they are afraid. At an acute point 
in the discussion, the "Yankee peril" 
emerges. It is plain vAiy it should be 
to the fore today. The reason is Mexico, 
of course. Washington's attitude to- 
wards Huerta has been received in some 
quarters as an act of attempted Yankee 
domination. There is every reason why 
South Americans should so characterize 
our policy in Mexico when there are so 
many ^people within the United States 
^viio fuiu in President 'Wilson's anti- 
Huerta policy an act of unwarranted in- 
terference in the internal affairs of an 
independent nation. From this point ot 
view it is the fashion to speak of the 
Monroe Doctrine as having been di- 
verted from its original purpose. From 
being^ a policy for the protection of the 
liberties of the Latin-American repub- 
lics, it is shaping into a policy looking 
towards their domination. It is only 
natural that nations like Argentina and 
Brazil, which have attained government- 
al stability and feel themselves in no 
danger of European aggression, should 
protest against a doctrine which is al- 
ways an irritant to national pride and 
may become a fiositive menace. — New 
York "Evening Post." 



Uninfluenced by the almost unanimous 
opinion of sane and responsible publi- 
cists that the Administration lias blun- 
dered in its attitude toward Mexico, 
Professor Albert Bushnell Hart, of Har- 
vard University, rises in vigorous de- 
fence of President Wilson's refusal to 
recognize President Huerta. His apolo- 
gy was published in last Sunday's New 
York "Times," in the nature of a reply 
to Colonel George Harvey's appeal to 
President Wilson to save himself, his 
party and the country by recognizing 
the Mexican President. 

Before pointing out the misstatements 
and misinformation about Mexico with 
which the Hart article fairly shrieks, on 
which lie bases the conclusion that Huer- 
ta is not entitled to recognition, it is 
pertinent to note that not a single argu- 
ment, statement or deduction that the 
Professor makes would, if true, in any 
measure justify the Administration's 
reprehensible conduct in trying to over- 
throw the Mexican Government and its 
open support of the Northern rebels. 
That is a matter entirely apart from 
recognition and is the cru.x of the whole 
Mexican situation. 

Heaven only knows where Professor 
Hart got his Mexican ideas. Certainly 
not from any familiarity with Mexican 
history or the Mexican people. He is 
described as a professor of government, 
but he makes it clear that he writes from 
the viewpoint of the "plain, uninstructed 
American public." This is a libel on the 
American public. His flippant manner 
of discussion would indicate that he 
wrote from the viewpoint of a "plain, 
uninstructed, irresponsible dabbler." No 
other could so airily dismiss the suffer- 
ings of Mexico, the pitiful butchery of 
the Mexican people, as he does in the 
following set terms: 



Thi! 



the 



I condition of Mexico which is 
likely to continue decades after Huerta is gathered 
to his victims. 

The plain uninstructed American public objects 
to the misconception on this point caused by 
the thirty years of apparent peace, order and 
good government under Diaz. 

Concerning old Porfirio Diaz he has 
this to say: 

Diaz understood that a quiet, thriving country 
was best for those who handled its finances. 
But what did he do to raise the conditions or 
standards of his people? Did he raise as many 
millions for public schools as went into his pri- 
vate fortune? Did he teach ideas of economy 
and saving? Did he attack the inhuman system 
of peonage? Did he gradually lead the Mexican 
people to share in their own government? Did 
he encourage able men to take responsibility in 
public affairs? 

What a terrible indictment of a man 
whose crime was to make his country 
quiet and thriving! Why, indeed, did 
not Porfirio Diaz in a generation work 
a metamorphosis of fifty-seven varieties 



of Indian tribes into nice, respectable 
Anglo-Saxon citizens with all the highly 
civilized qualities- that Professor Hart 
could conscientiously approve? 

As a matter of fact, Diaz did infinitely 
more to raise the conditions and stand- 
ards of his people than this country ever 
did for the Indians who once owned it. 
As to public schools. Professor Hart is 
again talking in the terms of his. own 
environment, thinking of Mexico in the 
rernis of Cambridge, Massachusetts. But 
Porfino Diaz did realize the necessity 
for educating a people indifferent to ed- 
ucation and did in every practicable way 
provide for education. Did he teach 
ideas of economy and saving? No, he 
did not try to change the Mexican char- 
acter overnight. Probably Professor 
Hart could do that, but it was too much 
for Diaz. Did he attack the inhuman 
system of peonage? How glibly the 
question can be asked, with all that it 
takes for granted! As well might we 
ask; "Did George Washington attack 
the inhuman system of negro slavery?" 
Did he gradually lead the Mexican peo- 
ple to share in their own Government? 
Not in the sense of Professor Hart, per- 
haps, but again, Mexico is not Cam- 
bridge, Mass., and democracy in that 
country will only come after long and 
patient evolution. Did he encourage 
able men to take responsibility in pub- 
lic affairs? He did, and he got and de- 
veloped many of the ablest men that 
Mexico or any other country has known 
in modern times. 

The Professor, searching for a reason 
for Wilson's recognizing President Huerta, 
asks : 

Recognize Huerta? What are the guarantees 
that if recognized Huerta will bear himself as a 
ruler? Has past experience prepared him? The 
uninstructed public beheves that Gen. Huerta 
is too little of a General and too much of a 
cutthroat. 

What has the "uninstructed American 
public" got to do with picking a Presi- 
dent of Mexico? What has it got ta 
say about the character or experience 
of a Mexican ruler? Ye gods! But any 
fair-minded American will admit that 
General Huerta has certainly born him- 
self- as a ruler. The patience and dig- 
nity with which he has met the nasty 
insults of Washington have certainly 
stamped him as not lacking in the qual- 
ities of a ruler. 

After lightly dismissing President 
Huerta's military history, Professor 
Hart says: 

The next mark of surpassing greatness was the 
. murder of his former friend and principal. 

He does not say that he believes this, 

that he has been led to understand this, 

or that it is even a general conception — 

he states it as a fact He makes a de-. 

(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



MEXICO 



ANOTHER PROFESSOR-Continued 



liberate charge of murderj without proof 
and entirely on biased hearsay. Ex-Am- 
bassador Wilson, who was in Mexico 
City at the time that Madero was killed, 
says he is convinced that General Huerta 
had nothing to do with the death of Ma- 
dero and did not even contemplate such 
a thing. But Professor Hart knows bet- 
ter 

Again the Professor in his irrespon- 
sible generalities: 

Somehow the uninstructed American public 
looks upon liuerta as a legitimate descendant of 
twenty previous dictators of Mexico — false to 
his friends, cruel to his enemies, and cowering 
before the fear that his countrymen might be 
aroused to depose him. 

Again, what has the "uninstructed 
American public" got to do with Mexico? 
In Mexico City President Huerta has 
the reputation of being more than loy- 
al to his friends, a frank foe of treachery 
in his enemies, and absolutely without 
fear. Huerta cowering? The history of 
the last year refutes the falsity of such 
a statement. 

Professor Hart says: 

The personal character of Huerta or of Villa 
is a factor in forming a judgment as to the 
realities of the Mexican situation, but ought not 
to be a determining reason for refusing to recog- 
nize one or the other. Our Government has 
never been over-solicitous about the private char- 
acter of the heads of other Governments. 

But virtually every argument he ad- 
vances against the recognition of Presi- 
dent Huerta is based on his gratuitous 
judgment of President Huerta's personal 
character. No, it is not inconsistency on 
the Professor's part. It is just shame- 
less tomfoolery. 

But then the Professor adds: 

The palpable and sufficient reason for not rec- 
ognizing Huerta as President of the Mexican 
Republic is that he has never given evidence 
of being President of the Mexican Republic, or 
that he is the choice of the Mexican nation 
for any office or dignity. Who declared him to 
be "provisional President" on 'Feb. 19, 1913? 
Gen. Victoriano Huerta. 

President Huerta became provisional 
ad interim President of Mexico in ac- 
cordance with the provisions of the Mex- 
ican Constitution, his succession was ap- 
proved by the Congress elected during 
the previous Administration, and by the 
Supreme Court of the republic. But 
nothing will convince Professor Hart 
that General H^terta is President of Mex- 
ico. He and Woodrow Wilson know 
better. 

.A.gain the Professor: 

He makes the plea that all he needs to secure 
his power is recognition by the United States ; 
what better proof could there be that his power 
is feeble, unstable, and temporary? 

He does not make any such plea. He 
does contend that he is entitled to recog- 
nition by the United States according to 
international law and all precedents. He 
does contend that in refusing recognition 
the Administration has encouraged re- 
bellion in his country. He does contend 
that the .Administration has openly en- 
couraged and assisted the enemies of the 
Mexican Government and that this is un- 
warranted, unjust, and destructive. 



Getting quite warmed up to his sub- 
ject, the Professor throws consideration 
of facts and truth to the winds and dashes 
off the following amazing generalization: 

Hence the only question of international law 
and practice which the Department of State has 
been called upon to decide is whether the man 
who calls himself President of Mexico is either 
dc jure or de facto the President of Mexico. 
Geographically he is plainly not the President of 
all Mexico, for at least a third of its area is 
outside of his authority. From a military point 
of view he is not the head of the Mexican Re- 
public, because his forces have been defeated by 
rebel armies in every pitched battle for many 
months. Constitutionally he is not President of 
Mexico, for he should be flanked by a Congress 
chosen in an open election. As the wielder of 
supreme authority for the time being he is not 
entitled to recognition, because he is visibly 
afraid to leave his capital even to defend his 
Government against armed enemies. 

Geographically a considerable portion 
of the United States was outside tlie au- 
thority of President Lincoln during the 
Civil War. Therefore he was not Presi- 
dent of the United States. From a mili- 
tary point of view he was not President 
of the United Sta'.es because the Union 
forces were beaten in every pitched bat- 
tle for many months. Because he did 
not lead the Union armies he was "vis- 
ibly afraid to leave his capital to defend 
his Government against armed enemies." 
How awfully absurd! 

As to being "flanked by a Congress," 
President Huerta is "flanked" by a Con- 
gress chosen as constitutionally as any 
has ever been chosen in Mexico, which, 
we repeat, is not Cambridge, Mass. 

Another "argument" of the Professor: 

The most frequent plea for the recognition of 
Huerta is that he is "the strong man," who, if 
recognized by the United States, will bring about 
order and good government. Of course, if he 
is not strong enough to recover the north it is 
hard to believe that he will long hold the south. 

Great Scott! We arm his foes, give 
them moral support, man their guns, let 
an .American consular agent act as their 
press agent, weaken him financially, ham- 
per him in every way possible, and then 
use any temporary weakness as an excuse 
for not recognizing him. Is that Ameri- 
can fair play? 

But when it comes to suggest doing 
something about it, the Professor is all 
at sea. He deprecates intervention and 
remarks naively: 

For, strange as it may seem, the Mexicans, 
who have never learned how to develop the re- 
sources of their country, or to give it dignity 
among nations, have an inveterate love of their 
own land, a furious hatred of those who attempt 
to diminish their territory, and a willingness to 
die in its defense which, among more highly 
organized nations, might be called patriotism. 

.How strange! How patronizing you 
are. Professor! 

Well, the Professor offers no solution 
of Mexico's woes, but says President 
Wilson was perfectly right in not recog- 
nizing Huerta. So there you are. 

If the Professors, incUiding the one in 
the White House, would stop their ama- 
teurish dabbling in a Mexico they do not 
know and never can understand, there 
might be a chance for Mexico. 



But that would involve recognition for 
Huerta. 

So Mexico must go to the dogs. 

So say the Professors. 

We shall see. 

By the way, how can a man be "profes- 
sor of government" at one of our great 
universities and write such arrant stuff 
and nonsense? 



THE CIENTIFICOS. 

We are still forced to wonder, by the 
weight of crushing evidence, whether it is 
absolutely indispensable to be an ass to 
write an editorial on Mexican affairs. 

One of the latest exhibits of the men- 
tioned crushing evidence was obtained in 
an editorial published by the N. Y. "Eve- 
nng Sun" a few days ago. 

With the usual glibness, the democratic 
writer (democratic because of his unmis- 
takable affinity to the braying quadruped 
symbolic of the Democratic Party) dis- 
coursed on some phases of the Mexican 
revolution and, taking his cue from the 
wily patriots, told us that the fight was 
still waged against the Cientificos. When 
they can't say anything else, the rebels say 
they are fighting the Cientificos. But 
everyone who knows anything about Mex- 
ican politicians knows that the Cientificos 
no longer exist as a political group. 

The Cientificos so-called were several 
men that cultivated close friendship with 
Limantour and supported him politically. 
They were limited in number and in the 
last few years of the Diaz regime practi- 
cally held the reins of power. But since 
the fall of Diaz the group has been broken 
up, many of the men forming it have died, 
others have been made poor by the revolu- 
tion, others have taken residence in 
Europe — new allignments have taken place 
in the Mexican political field and the Cien- 
tificos may be said to have disappeared 
forever. 

The first cry of the Madero rebellion 
was against the Cientificos and rebels of 
the present day have found it convenient 
for lack of better explanation to say that 
they are fighting the Cientificos. Their ap- 
plication of the terra, however, is vague 
and indefinite. If Cientificos are those 
who were friendy with Limantour, then 
Madero himself and his uncle Ernesto and 
his cousin Rafael Hernadez are Cientificos. 
Madero requested Limantour to remain at 
the head of the Department of Finance, 
which Limantour refused to do and both 
Rafael Hernandez and Ernesto Madero 
were closely identified with the then ex- 
isting Cientificos. 

But it has become the rebels habit to 
call all who oppose them Cientificos, for 
the name still awakens the old hatred. 
None of the men surrounding Huerta be- 
longed to the Cientifico group. 

The name as now applied by the rebels 
is tlie qualificative of any one in Mexico 
who happens to own a cent of property or 
who is not in favor of the rebels. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



Government by Headline 

By Major Cassius E. Gillette, in "Trend Magazine" for April. 



So it comes about that any wealthy 
individual or corporation can, by skillful 
press-agent work, mould public opinion 
on almost any subject without much re- 
gard to the true situation. This is es- 
pecially true if the matter concerns 
things with which few people are fa- 
miliar. Publicity for the facts and ar- 
guments in favor of any propaganda can 
be purchased as readily as groceries, and 
the skillful publicity agent can so dis- 
tribute the news that the unwary head- 
liner, who of necessity works in haste, 
will give undue prominence to almost 
any facts or ideas the press agent wishes. 
When the owners of the paper, or tnose 
who manage its "policy," wish to de- 
velop public opinion along a particular 
line the possibilities are even more re- 
markable. * * * 

Editors write glibly of the Huerta- 
Diaz conspiracy against Madero. Curi- 
ously enough there was a conspiracy 
fully justified, to arrest him by a coup 
d'etat, but neither Felix Diaz nor Gen- 
eral Huerta knew anything about it. 
Both were brought into the resulting 
fight later and on opposide sides. 

From the time Madero started out on 
his career of colossal blunder, or colos- 
sal crime, he and his clique have main- 
tained in the Hibbs Building, Washing- 
ton, a junta of Mexicans and a press- 
agency of great ability and unliniited 
imagination, which has wholly misled 
American sentiment. 

That this misleading of public senti- 
ment is at the behest of the Great 
American Oil Monopoly is strongly in- 
dicated. Whether the President was 
sub-consciously moved by this probabil- 
ity to skip with abnormal alacrity to 
the leadership must be left to the read- 
er's own conclusion. Unpopular, power- 
ful interests fought in public may some- 
times be secretly friendly to a public 
official who aids them "unconsciously" 
in matters treated altruistically. 

But the news of the day show the un- 
fortunate plight in which the Wilson Ad- 
ministration has placed itself by acting 
suddenly on misinformation when it re- 
fused recognition to the Huerta Govern- 
ment. This has driven the Administra- 
tion, into the astounding position of en- 
couraging, apparently with a view to 
recognition, the unspeakable Villa, whose 
recent statements and actions have satis- 
fied the American people that he, per- ■ 
sonally, foully murdered William S. 
Benton, a very prominent subject of 
Great Britain, by thrusting a revolver 
into the pit of his stomach and pulling 
the trigger, Benton being undoubtedly 
unarmed at the time. 

At the present time this headline prin- 
ciple is more than usually potent in na- 
tional affairs. While Secretary Bryan 
pushes his own ideas with vigor, albeit 
most of those ideas seem based on gal- 
lery play, President Wilson works on a 
totally different plan. What his personal 
convictions really are nobody knows. He 
has written profusely on almost every 
Icnown subject and a co-ordination ot 
what he has said at different times puts 
him not on two sides of every question, 
but generally on three or more, the net 
result being a sort of nebulous straddle 
"where it generally takes an analytical 
astronomical observer to distinguish the 
nebula from the halo of glittering gen- 
eralities that surrounds it. But a critical 
examination of his acts as an executive 
and the verbiage with which he accom- 



panies them will show that he never 
pushes his own ideas at all, but waits 
till he finds out what he thinks will "go" 
and then backs it to the limit, throwing 
consistency to the winds if necessary to 
land the proposition on which he has 
embarked. Even if he mistakes public 
opinion, he never reverses the lever. 
These ideas explain all his palpably in- 
consistent actions, and no other expla- 
nation will cover them. 

A striking example of almost unbe- 
lievable press-agenting, which started 
the Presidency marching with set visage 
in the wrong direction, is the present 
awful struggle in Mexico. 

Mexico has about 3,000,000 highly 
civilized people, a high grade Latin race, 
and something like 12,000,000 uncouth 
savages of about the grade and with no 
more political capacity than our reserva- 
tion Apaches, and not so much as our 
Southern plantation negroes. These 
savages are at heart but little more civi- 
lized than they were when Cortez con- 
quered the country. Their highest ideal 
is to ride a horse, carry a gun and live 
on corn and beans, earned by the "swear 
of their squaws," and preferring looting 
and raping to other amusements. They 
are generally ignorant and superstitious, 
and when not under restraint are cruel 
and blood-thirsty. Millions of them 
have no home but a blanket. I have 
seen thousands of their habitations, 
never one with a chimney — the smoke 
gets out as best it can. Left to them- 
selves, or put in control of the country, 
they would revert to banditism and sav- 
agery in a short time. They own no 
land, and a bad land system fastened 
upon the country by the early Spaniards 
has obstructed whatever little tendency 
they may ever have had to develop into 
something better than savages. From 
1831 down to Diaz's time m 1876, the 
country was always in a state of semi- 
anarchy, rebellion, and destruction; any 
renegade man of wealth could start an 
uprising by simply promising free land 
to the peons, which would give the 
squaws a better chance to work. Hun- 
dreds of such rebellions were started on 
this same pretext, which was never car- 
ried out. The mentally unbalanced Ma- 
dero lacked even the virtue of originality 
when he worked the time-honored 
scheme, and he made only one feeble 
effort to carry it out. This was made 
through his brother Gustav, who boug'ht 
a large hacienda down in Morelos at $13 
an hectara and sold it to his brother's 
Government at $36 for issue to the 
peons. The old fake had worked be- 
cause in the long period of peace which 
Diaz started before Madero was born, 
people had forgotten the former history 
and Madero's revival of it fired a few 
minds beyond the peons. 

Madero made no effective step to stop 
the conflagration he had begun. Every 
bandit he started on the warpath, and 
that means 90 per cent, of his followers, 
stayed right on in "rebellion" against 
Madero and on down to the present mo- 
ment. 

That General Huerta is an honest old 
soldier, and not an assassin, traitor, ban- 
dit, or usurper in any sense of those 
words, is easily demonstrated. I have 
challenged all comers to a public debate 
on that subject and I can get no takers. 

A schedule of the Hopkins (Hibbs 
Building) type of news reports from 
Mexico with the explanation of the real 



facts would be very illuminating. The 
New York "Herald" some months ago 
published a map of the country "con- 
trolled" by the rebels in black and that 
by the Federals in white. All North 
Mexico was jet blaclc with little white 
squares about the large cities; they 
omitted to explain that the white squares 
covered nine-tenths of the population 
and were protected by Federal garri- 
sons; while the black rebel area was the 
semi-desert and mountain regions over- 
run by bandits, who have since more 
or less coalesced into a mob, called an 
army, under the atrocious Villa. 

The rebels have never captured a sea- 
port except in the Hopkins type of news. 
There we have seen Mazatlan captured 
at least a dozen times. The press-agent 
banks heavily on our small knowledge 
of Mexican geography and Mexican dis- 
tances. A large picture showing troops 
"Guarding the Usurper in His Palace" 
turned out, on close examination, to be 
a part of a parade waiting in front ot 
the Mutual Life Insurance Building 
about a mile from the Palace. 

Mrs. Huerta gives a reception at 
Chapultepec, the President's summer 
home, their town house being too small. 
It is heralded, Hopkins-wise, as "Usurp- 
er Hides at Chapultepec." 

All through, everything that can in- 
jure Huerta is published as a fact, 
though close reading generally shows it 
as a rumor. 

Huerta's financial condition in the 
press is one of astonishing ups and 
downs ; in fact, he seems to stay up, but 
in the news despatches he is constantly 
falling down; he has also stated posi- 
tively several times that he will die be- 
fore resigning. 

The New York "World" has for its 
guiding principle "accuracy and terse- 
ness." The following are some excerpts 
from its headlines and editorials. Allow- 
ing for its extra attempts at accuracy, 
headlines of the less careful papers can 
be readily imagined. I take the "World" 
as an example because of its aim -for 
accuracy; at the same time it does not 
indicate any strong antipathy to Presi- 
dent Wilson and his policies. So it is 
not an exaggerating example of "Gov- 
ernment by Headlines." 

September 1st: "General Agramonte, 
Mr. Henry Diffenbach, C. A. Hamilton 
and Others Appear to Have Been 
Charged with Poisoning the Mind of W. 
B. Hale Against Huerta." On October 
11th, the same people with others were 
charged in the "World" with being Bene- 
dict Arnolds working for Huerta against 
their own country. 

September 13th: "Report That Huerta 
Will Resign Soon." 

September 30th: "Huerta on Wednes- 
day Arrived at a Detern.ination to Elim- 
inate Himself." 

September 24th: "Serftir Espinoza 
Said That Huerta's Overthrow Might Be 
Expected at Any Time." 

October 20th: "Huerta Hid Plot to 
Sell Mexico by Arrest of Deputies." 

This is worthy of reproducing in full: 

"Leak in private code messages re- 
veals fact that dictator has offered the 
Presidency to the highest bidder and 
tried to kill Minister Reyes when the 
latter faced him with disclosures." 

"Root said to be backing Calero with 
$3,000,000." 

"Report says that Senator is repre- 
senting American oil and railroad in- 
terests." 

"Senator Call accused of aiding Car- 
ranza to form Northern Republic." 

"English interests, it is asserted, of- 
fered millions for aid of Gamboa." 

"Laredo, Texas, Oct. 19. — Advices re- 
ceived here by agents of the Constitu- 



Saturday, April IX, 1914. 



MEXICO 



tionalists and made piublic today through 
a leak in the transmission despatches to 
New York and Washington — Rodolpho 
Reyes told Huerta that Diaz would ac- 
complish his overthrow within ten days, 
whereupon Huerta in a frenzy attacked 
Reyes and tried to kill him. He was 
prevented, but the same night had the 
Minister of Justice thrown into prison 
where he remains." 

It would be interesting to know what 
comment Senator Root would make on 
the above assertion. It is also interest- 
ing to note that Rodolpho Reyes re- 
signed as Minister of Justice and re- 
turned to his seat in Congress. Some 
weeks later, he, with many others, was 
imprisoned by President Huerta, but 
certainly the Minister of Justice was not 
thrown into prison. 

October 20th: "Huerta and Blanquet 
Will Be Declared Victors at the Presi- 
dential Election on Sunda)'." 

October 24th: Despatch from Wash- 
ington: "General Huerta Has Directed 
His Followers to Make Sure of His Elec- 
tion Next Sunday." 

October 29th: "Reported Huerta Will 
Quit Office." 

November 1st: "Huerta Reported in 
Need of Money." 

November 4th: "Wilson Demands 
That Huerta Quit Oflfice at Once. Final 
Ultimatum." 

November 7th. "Huerta May Shift 
Power to Diplomatic Henchmen." 

November 9th: "Huerta May Quit on 
November 15." 

November 10th: "U. S. to Strike 
Huerta in 48 Hours." 

November 11th: "President Gets Word 
That Dictator Will 'Save His Face' by 
Voluntarily Quitting." 

November 12th: "President Believes 
Mexican Dictator Must Fall Within 30 
Days." 

November 15th: "President Huerta's 
Last Prop Fell Today." 

November 15th: "It Is Understood 
That if Huerta Will Withdraw in a Be- 
lated Effort to Clear the Situation, the 
U. S. Will Approve of the Provisional 
Presidency of Pedro Lascurain." 

November 18th: "President Wilson 
Believes Dictator's Funds Will Last 
Only .^bout Two Weeks." 

November ISth: "Rumors That Huer- 
ta Plans to Destroy Railroad Between 
Mexico City and Vera Cruz." 

As this would have been committing 
military suicide, the ink used to print 
it might well have been saved. 

November 19th: "Huerta Out Soon Is 
General Belief." 

November 23rd- "Huerta Is Near End 
of Rope Financially." 

November 24th: "Calderon for Presi- 
dency Is Wilson Plan." 

November 24th: "Huerta Treasury Is 
Nearly Empty." 

November 2nth: "Financial Panic In- 
dicates Crisis of Huerta Rule." 

November 30th: 'Huerta Will Quit if 
Price Is Right. Declare Reports." 

December 1st: "Huerta Has Lost the 
Support of All Classes of Mexicans." 

December 4th: The "World" pub- 
lished a picture of stacked arms labeled, 
"Huerta's Soldiers -Abandon .\rms in 
Mexico Because Thev Have Not Been 
Paid or Fed." This is certainly a most 
remarkalile way of abandoning arms. 1 
have seen a large part of the army of 
the U. S. abandon its arms the same 
way; in fact, it is a military custom so 
universal that it is astonishing to think 
that the "World" should take its label 
serinusly. The arms in the picture are 
regularly stacked and a sentinel walks 
in front of them, as is probably done 
every dav by everv company of infantry 
in the U. S. ' 



Scientists Assail Wilson 

At Meeting of the Academy of Political and Social Science in Philadelphia, 



PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 3.— 
Violent attacks on President Wilson's 
Mexican policy by Henry Lane Wilson, 
former Ambassador to Mexico, and Rep- 
resentative Frank W. Mondell of Wy- 
oming aroused prolonged applause at the 
meeting of the Academy of Political and 
Social Science held here tonight. 

Mr. Mondell charged that President 
Wilson had shown a personal prejudice 
and individual ill-wiU toward Huerta 
such as had never been equaled in the 
world's history. He prophesied that if 
the American Government persisted in 
weakening the Mexican Government in 
this way the point would be reached 
when we must use the strong arm to 
restore order. 

Ex-.\mbassador Wilson contended that 
recognition of Huerta was the only feas- 
ible solution of the problem. If this 
was done, peace would be restored with- 
in ninety days, he said. He continued: 

"Intervention might be tried, but the 
people are rightly opposed to this. We 
might also advocate and assist in the 
creation of a new republic in the trouble- 
some district of North Mexico, but this 
will not relieve the situation permanent- 
ly. Huerta is as much 'President' among 
the Mexican people as Woodrow Wilson 
is possessor of the American title." 

Expressing his belief that the Presi- 
dent was actuated only by the best of 
motives, Mr. Wilson added: 

"He thinks he is right, but I know 
he is wrong. The Government expects 
to overthrow Huerta by means of Villa, 
a bandit whom I had arrested, tried, and 
sent to prison for one year on charges 
of pillaging the homes cf American resi- 
dents. 

"Gen. Carranza is a man who turns his 
back while things are being done. These 
are the men with whom idealism must 
walk hand in hand to get Constitution- 
alism in Mexico. Such a success will re- 
sult only in failure; the Government 
under Villa would stand just as long as 
we stay back of it, and when we de- 
cide to let Mexico assume her own Gov- 
ernment we would have the task to do 
over again. 

"In refusing to recognize the provi- 
sional Government of Gen. Huerta and 
by withholding moral assistance enab- 
ling it to restore peace and order in 
Mexico this Government contributed to 
the discredit of a Government which was 
endeavoring to restore peace and order 
to Mexico, and which had the support 
of 98 per cent, of Mexican public opinion 
and .of American and all other foreign 
colonies as well as of European Govern- 
ments. 

"Other errors of the Washington Ad- 
ministration," he said, "were the dis- 



patch of the Lind mission- the attempt 
to discredit European nations accredited 
in Mexico, and to misrepresent their 
attitude with reference to recognition; 
attempting to destroy the financial credit 
and standing in Mexico; lifting the em- 
bcirgo on the importation of arms and 
ammunition into Mexico, and in the as- 
sumption that Constitutional elections 
could be held in Mexico." 

President Wilson's announcement of 
the new doctrine that Governments ow- 
ing their origin to violence would not 
be recognized by this Government, he 
said, was also an error for the following 
reasons: 

(a) It was announced before the 
President had access to the records of 
the Department of State and the history 
of our foreign relations, which should 
have served as his guidance. 

(b) It was purely an expression of 
the President's personal views, being 
contrary to the traditions and precedents 
of this Government since its existence. 

(c) It was uttered without foresight 
and without that comprehensive view of 
its effect in our foreign relations which 
should have obtained. This is made evi- 
dent by the inconsistent attitude of the 
.Administration in refusing to recognize 
the Administration of Huerta, and sub- 
sequently recognizing the new Govern- 
ment of Peru, where the President had 
been deposed by violence and was in 
jail, and the Minister of War had been 
assassinated, and by the recognition of 
the Government of Haiti. These incon- 
sistencies subject the Administration to 
the charge of insincerity. 

Regarding the murder of Madero, of 
which President Huerta has been ac- 
cused, the ex-Ambassador said: 

"The most that may be said of Huerta 
in connection with this crime, so re- 
pugnant to civilization, was that he did 
not take sufficient precautions to guard 
agrainst it. Madero was killed in pre- 
cisely the way it was related, namely, 
by his guards after an attack had been 
made upon the automobile, and it may 
be mentioned here that Madero was be- 
ing transferred from the guard house 
in the palace to the penitentiary at the 
request of the American Embassy, which 
acted in the matter in response to Mrs. 
Madero's prayers that more comfortable 
quarters should be assigned to the ex- 
President 

"It is believed by a great many honest 
people that Huerta slew Madero for 
the purpose of succeeding him in the 
Presidency. This is a chronological er- 
ror. Madero had resigned and Huerta 
had succeeded to the provisional Presi- 
dency before Madero was killed. Thus, 
while Madero was violently overthrown. 



MEXICO 



Saturday. April 11, 1»14. 



SCIENTISTS ASSAIL WILSON-Continued 



his death did net occur until after his 
successor had been chosen." 

Major Gillette's vigorous description 
of the inadequacy of any Government 
under bandits like Carranza and Villa 
was loudly applauded. He said: 

"If Villa were to be elected tomorrow, 
as President Wilson thinks he should 
be, he would have exactly the same 
problem on his hands that Huerta now 
has. We are the only nation in the 
world that permits the organization of 
armed forces within its borders to be 
used in warfare against a foreign nation. 
The great trouble in Mexico rests in 
the savagery of the rebels, their inability 
to handle the ballot and the fact that 
the rich lands are owned by a few peo- 
ple, while the peons starve. The rebel- 
lion is financed by capitalists seeking to 
destroy Mexican civilization, regardless 
of the effect this will have on our com- 
merce from that country. The only so- 
lution is in a graduated tax on all lands 
and giving the peons an opportunity to 
purchase a few hectares." 

Dr. Leo S. Rowe, Professor of Political 
Science at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, discussed what he termed the 
"idealism" of President Wilson. The 
President's policies, however, are inspir- 
ing, but untenable, and no solution of 
the Mexican problem can be expected so 
long as the President of Mexico is held 
up to the scorn and condemnation of the 
civilized world, Doctor Rowe thought. 
He added that he would not undertake 
making any psychological analysis of the 
President's motives and believed them 
to be of the utmost purity. 

"President Wilson's constitutional 
standards mean either a prolonging of 
the state of anarchy in Mexico, the out- 
come of which must be the complete 
disappearance of every vestige of civi- 
lization, or armed intervention by the 
United States," said the educator. "The 
real solution is the elimination of de- 
mands for a Constitutional election, and 
this does not, of necessity, mean the 
formal recognition of President Huerta." 
Believes War Is Inevitable. 
That war with Mexico is inevitable is 
the belief of Louis Livington Seaman, 
U. S. A., retired, who scored the Presi- 
dent for lifting the embargo on arms. 
"It was the first step toward co-operation 
with vicious characters like Villa," he 
said. "President Wilson's attitude is not 
consistent. He refuses to recognize a 
Mexican dictator, yet he jumps across 
the border and dictates to the Mexican 
people what sort of Government it must 
have." 

Economic and social aspects of the 
Mexican rebellion were discussed by Dr. 
Simon N. Patten, of the University of 
Pennsylvania, and Dr. Leslie C. Wells, of 
Clark College, Worcester, Mass. Both 
agreed that the United States had no 
right to interfere in the question, and 



suggested that America had plenty of 
work to do within its own borders, with- 
out fomenting trouble among 12,000,000 
of Mexican savages. 

"Freedom isn't worth anything to a 
starving man like the Mexican peon," 
commented Doctor Patten. "The eco- 
nomic principles of Mexico are the ones 
that need attention, rather than the de- 
velopment of a Constitutional Govern- 
ment." 

He added that possibly United States 
capital had been instrumental in dislo- 
cating Mexican industry, and thus was 
responsible for the prevailing disorder. 
"At any rate, we are told that the fight- 
ing today is being carried on by Ameri- 
can money," he added. 



MEXICO'S VITALITY 
INCREASE IN FOREIGN TRADE. 



Washington, April 5. — Greatly in- 
creased exports of crude mineral oil, 
somewhat increased exports of cattle 
and coffee, and diminished exports of 
rubber and metallic mii erals from Mex- 
ico during the last year are conspicuous 
features of reports on the declared ex- 
ports from that republic, transmitted by 
American consular officers to the bureau 
of foreign and domestic commerce. De- 
partment of Commerce. 

These reports are corroborated, in a 
general way, by the official statistics of 
that bureau, which indicate greatly in- 
creased arrivals of oil, coffee, sisal, and 
cattle, and smaller receipts of pig cop- 
per, lead ore, gold, and silver from 
Mexico. 

Mexico's foreign trade in the fiscal 
year 1913, the latest year for which com- 
plete official data are at hand, amounted 
to $248,000,000, $150,000,000 of which rep- 
resented exports and $98,000,000 imports. 
The United States took in that year 77 
per cent, of the exports and supplied 50 
per cent, of the imports. 

Comparing the figure^ of the calendar 
year 1913, with those of the preceding 
year, increased exports to Mexico from 
the United States occurred in cotton, bi- 
tuminous coal, structural iron and steel, 
and pipes and fittings; while decreased 
exports are noted in boots and shoes, 
farming tools and machinery, railway 
equipment, automobiles, sewing machines, 
wire, lumber, talking machines, corn, 
wheat and lard. Raw cotton amounted 
to 22,500,000 pounds, or treble the fig- 
ures of 1912; structural iron and steel 
increased from 3,250 tons in 1912 to 11,250 
tons in 1913; and pipes and fittings from 
61,000,000 to 90,000,000 pounds; while 
steel rails decreased from 32,000 to 14,- 
000 tons; passenger and freight cars, 
from $840,000 to $559,000 value; agricul- 
tural implements, from $767,000 to $369,- 
000; wire, from 26,250,000 to 14,375,000 
pounds; and boots and shoes, from 885,- 
009 to 737,706 pairs. 



Mineral Oil Imports Advance. 
Imports of crude mineral oil from 
Mexico scored a remarkable advance, 
from 273,000,000 gallons, valued at $4,- 
000,000, in 1912, to 683,000,000 gallons, 
valued at $10,000,000, last year. Most of 
this oil is refined at Bayonne, N J.; par- 
tial refining operations are also carried 
on at Baltimore and in Texas. A large 
increase also occurred in imports of 
Mexican cattle, from $4,125,000 worth in 
1912, to nearly $8,000,000 in 1913. Coffee 
rose from $5,000,000 to $6,000,000 and 
sisal from $5,250,000 to $17,000,000; but 
pig copper decreased from $18,000,000 to 
$14,000,000; lead in ore, from $3,500,000 
to $2,500,000, and crude rubber, from 
$1,375,000 to $1,000,000. A slight falling 
off occurred in cattle hides. Other im- 
portant articles imported from Mexico 
include goat skins, copper ore and ma- 
hogany, the figures in each case being 
slightly above those of 1912. 

An interesting survey of Mexico's trade 
is obtained by analyzing consular re- 
ports on the value of exports declared 
for the United States during 1913, from 
leading points in that republic. Large 
increases in exports of oil are reported 
from Tampico and Tuxpam, on the low- 
er gulf coast; the former from $3,500,000 
to $7,000,000, and the latter from less 
than $1,000,000 to nearly $5,000,000 in 
the period from 1912 to 1913. Exports 
from Nuevo Laredo amounted to $3,250,- 
000, or six times as much as in 1912, 
cattle, sheep, goats, corn and pecans con- 
tributing to the growth. 

Monterey Loses Export Trade. 

Cananea a little more than held its 
own in exports of copper, gold, and 
silver, the total of these and other less 
important articles being $17,750,000, or 
$500,000 more than in the preceding year. 
Monterey, located i the heart of Mexico, 
sustained a considerable loss, $6,500,000, 
argentiferous lead and in export trade — 
from $11,750,000 to fine silver being the 
chief factors in the decline in shipments 
to the United States. 

Calamine, rubber and istle also de- 
creased, while cattle and cattle products, 
in common with the movements at most 
other districts, increased. Chihuahua 
and Juarez held their own, the former 
doubling its exports of gold-silver-lead 
bullion, slightly increasing those of cop- 
per-gold-silver bullion, decreasing by 
about 70 per cent, its exports of gold- 
silver bullion, and practically suspending 
shipments of copper bullion. At Juarez 
the notable feature was the large increase 
in exports of cattle and hides. Increased 
shipments of hides at that point and at 
Mazatlan are explained as being inci- 
dental to the large number of cattle 
slaughtered for army use. At San Luis 
Potosi base bullion and rubber were con- 
tributory factors in a loss of $700,000 
compared with the preceding year, and 
rubber was a diminishing factor in ex- 
ports from Saltillo. Nogales fell off 
about 50 per cent., chiefly in silver ore. 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



HUERTA AND RECOGNITION BY 
UNITED STATES. 

Huer'.a was President of Mexico be- 
fore Madero was killed. He was elected 
unanimouslj- according to the most rigid 
requirements of the Constitution. The 
Government itself did not lapse, but re- 
tained its continuity. .^.11 departments 
acquiesced in the change. The respon- 
sible elemenis of the population, nine- 
tenths of those capable of comprehend- 
ing what was going on, were m agree- 
ment. In fact, a week after the coup 
d'etat the Huerta Government was more 
generally recognized throughout the 
length and breadth oi Mexico than the 
Madero Government had been. Poten- 
tial revolutionists in Chihuahua and the 
North were vociferous, but hesitant in 
action. Recognition of Huerta then 
would have discouraged any formidable 
armed revolt. 

Tlie so-called Constitutionalist cause 
has now passed into the hands of ban- 
dits. Recrui.ing has been easy in a 
territory where brigandage is the prin- 
cipal means of livelihood. While Huerta 
has been harassed by all sorts of de- 
mands on our part, and especially by 
a financial blockade, these men, irre- 
sponsible and lawless, were able to make 
some progress. They only became real- 
ly formidable when our diplomacy 
opened to them an inexhaustible supply 
of war material. 

Whatever news has come from Tor- 
reon lias come over the wires controlled 
by Constitutionalists, yet even the cen- 
sored reports show that Federal resist- 
ance was valorous and determined, not 
the kind of resistance usually offered by 
soldiers who have to be driven to battle 
by the swords of their officers. Every 
town between Torreon and the capital 
is a Federal stronghold that will be de- 
fended heroically. It is improbable, 
therefore, that Villa will do no more 
than strive to capture Tampico. The 
resources of the Xorth will be sufficient 
to satisfy him for a time. This means 
an interminable conflict. 

.Assuming, however, that Villa should 
reach the capital, there are a dozen ban- 
dit movements that do not recognize 
him. Zapata is for Zapata and General 
O. is for General O. Nor is it possible 
that this nation could recognize a Villa 
as President. 

We have cried hands off to Europe. 
Torreon has been looted. From one to 
two billions of dollars in foreign invest- 
ments are endangered. Our attitude 
practically guarantees to these foreigners 
redress, which means that a debt of mil- 
lions of dollars is beiu.g loaded, by our 
"watchful waiting" on the Mexican peo- 
ple, present and future, as the price of 
the rapine and murder in which the com- 
batants indulge. 

If there is no Government in Mexico 
shall that condition continue indefinite- 
ly? Shall neither the de facto Govern- 
ment nor the chief revolutionary cause 
be held responsible for outrages? 

Huerta stands for law and order as 
Diaz tau.ght both. He is the representa- 
tive of Mexican civilization. Whether 
he lives or dies, is recognized or not 
recognized, the elements behind him are 
the elements which must eventually di- 
rect pacification of the coimtry. Without 
them Mexico will become a number of 
Balkan States, with less than Balkan 



civilization, and chaos there will be per- 
manent instead of transitory. 

Why then is Huerta not recognized? 
The main reason, says the Springfield 
"Republican" (.answered elsewhere in 
this issue by Mr. Wilson), "is the evi- 
dence that our Ambassador, Henry Lane 
Wilson, in effect conspired with Huerta 
and Feli.x D.az for the overthrow of 
President Madero, recognized by our 
Government only two or three days be- 
fore his downfall as the Constitutional 
executive of Mexico, a friendly nation." 

The fact is that on February IS, Gen- 
eral Huerta reported to the diplomatic 
corps that he had arrested the Presi- 
dent in the interest of humanity ana 
wished the corps to arrange an inter- 
view with Diaz. This was four days 
after Che Senate had requested Madero' 
to resign. Diaz agreed to meet Huerta 
in the American Embassy only. There 
he did meet him in the presence of the 
.\merican and German .Ambassadors, 
and after several hours of negotiation 
an agreement for the restoration ot 
peace was made. It is not true, there- 
fore, that "Ambassador Wilson pro- 
moted a treasonable plot against the 
head of a friendly Government," as .he 
logic and chronology of events shows. 
But if he had done so, should the error 
of our Ambassador be made by us the 
reason for a second and even graver in- 
justice to a neig'hborine people.' 

It may be that the military success ot 
Villa justifies lifting the embargo on 
arms, but is there any good reason why 
the financial blockade of the Huerta 
Government should not also be lifted? 
It is true that Huerta has survived a 
year of our baneful blundering and 
maintained order in the territnry in his 
control. Nothing better could happen 
for Mexico than our recognition of his 
Government even at this late date, and 
nothing would be so likely to assure 
permanent avoidance of intervention by 
us. 

Professor .Albert Bushnell Hart's an- 
swer to Colonel George Harvey's force- 
ful argument in favor of recognition is 
published elsewhere in this issue of the 
"Public Ledger." Prof. Hart's conclusion 
is that the Mexican character is so un- 
stable that it makes good government 
impossible, that Mexicans are worthless 
people anyhow, and the proper thing to 
do is to watch the common slaughter 
from afar, although our Government 
must be sure not to allow any other 
Government to interfere. The whole 
situation, however, as a matter of fact, 
is much more serious and is entitled to 
more serious consideration than Profes- 
sor Hart gives it. Unless active meas- 
ures to prevent intervention take the 
place of passive "watchful waiting" the 
tragedy of it will be the loss of hundreds 
of thouusands of lives of .American boys 
and the waste of millions of our public 
treasure, with no conceivable good but 
a perfect Pandora's bo.x of calamitous 
ills. — Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



praised for his noble actions in blockad- 
ing Mexican ports, holding thousands of 
Federal soldiers as prisoners in Texas 
and supplying Villa with arms and am- 
munition, but Villa was described and 
depicted as the grand hero, leaping his 
horse over battered buildings, brushing 
away cannon-balls as if they were mos- 
quitoes, and lighting his cigarettes from 
the fuses of bursting bombs. His su- 
periority to Napoleon as a stategist — for 
Napoleon never smoked cigarettes — and 
to Grant as a military mastiff — for Villa 
had continued his attack for thirteen 
days — were pointed out in detail. Every- 
body knew that all this stuff had been 
written up in advance; that there was no 
way of getting it from Mexico by tele- 
graph, cable or wireless. But the edi- 
tors thought that it might possibly be 
correct, and, anyhow, it would please 
the folks at Washington. Then they 
turned round and read the plain truth 
in the real telegrams in the "Herald" of 
Sunday. Torreon had not been stormed; 
for days Villa had been firing upon an 
empty town, evacuated by General Ve- 
lasco because his ammunition was bad, 
and because he desired to put his army 
in a better strategical position. Since 
then Villa has not been playing with 
cannon-balls and lighting cigarettes by 
bomb explosions. He is resting — with a 
rope around his neck, for the Mexican 
and the British Governments will hang 
'.his murderer and utter scoundrel where- 
ever he is caught. Meantime his news- 
paper eulog^ists cannot take back what 
they have said, but are inclined to be- 
lieve that on the whole piffling Bryan is 
more of a hero than Villa, has a stronger 
imagination and works it harder. Besides, 
though Bryan has thousands of unneces- 
sary Mexican murders upon his tough- 
ened conscience, he is in no danger ot 
being hanged, except in effigy, while he 
crouches behind a seat in the Cabinet. — 
"Town Topics." 



ALLEGED NEWS. 

Within an hour after the arrival in 
New York of the alleged news that 
Bryan, Villa & Co. had stormed and 
captured Torreon, some of our daily pa- 
pers, published columns of description of 
the titanic conflict and the unprecedent- 
ed victory. Bryan, the peace piffler, was 



THE OPENING GUNS. 

_ The presiding officer at Maine's Repub- 
lican State Convention was Congress- 
man John A. Peters, who made an at- 
tack on President Wilson's Mexican and 
Panama Canal tolls policies. "I have 
great admiration and respect for Presi- 
dent Wilson," said Mr. Peters. "But no 
one but the blindest partisan or one who 
has given the matter no thought can 
have the slightest respect for the for- 
eign policy of his Administration, espe- 
cially in Mexico. Indeed, it cannot prop- 
erly be called a policy at all, because it 
is unintelligible and aimless." He de- 
clared that by refusing to recognize 
Huerta, the President "lost his greatest 
opportunity to establish some kind of 
order in Mexico and save thousands of 
lives and countless treasure. During this 
watchful waiting process of the .Adminis- 
tration," Mr. Peters continued, "lives and 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



property of our own and other citizens 
are being destroyed. England and other 
countries have acted with extraordinary 
forbearance, but the limit must be 
reached some time. The Mexican policy 
of the Administration has excited the 
surprise and con.empt of European coun- 
tries. It lool<s in Washington as if Eng- 
land had our Administration in a hole. 
Apparently she has taken advantage of 
the situation and said to the President: 
'Kindly have your Congress reverse its 
action in giving your coastwise vessels 
a right to go through tne Panama Canal 
free, and we will keep out of Mexico.' 
To repeal the free tolls law under the 
present circumstances admits that we 
had not the right to pass it. It changes 
the whole result of the stupendous work, 
smashes the Monroe Doctrine and will 
change the hisiory of this country." — 
Boston "Transcript." 



MR. LIND'S "VACATION." 

It may be mere coincidence, but the 
announcement of Mr. Lind's return to 
the United States, coming as it does on 
the heels of his remarkable recommenda- 
tion to_ Carranza to repudiate all loans 
negotiated by the Huerta Government, 
arouses suspicion that there is connec- 
tion between the two events. 

Having made such a recommendation, 
Mr. Lind could hardly remain persona 
grata wih General Huerta. Nor could 
such a recommendation be overlooked 
by European Governments that have 
duly recognized the Huerta Government, 
with which their financiers, on 'the basis 
of such recognition, have negotiated 
loans. — New York "Herald." 



ATTACKS FOREIGN POLICY. 

"President Wilson's foreign policy, in 
each of its exposed phases, is one which 
few heartily approve, many openly op- 
pose and many more distrust, a sitviation 
is already produced that worries the 
country and is hardly to be solved by 
the reflection of any single mind. 

For example, we do not escape our re- 
sponsibility for the fearful conditions in 
Mexico by a shrug of the shoulders and 
the remark, 'Am I my brother's keeper'? 

"We do not escape it by charging that 
a dagger and not a vote was the certifi- 
cate of 'Huerta's title.' We do not es- 
cape it when every other nation has rec- 
ognized Huerta, by claiming that we are 
holier than they, and, therefore, can pay 
no respect to their opinion. Huerta has 
stood up for a year and a half against 
our refusal to recognize his title, and al- 
though things now look difficult for him, 
who doubts that thousands of live would 
have been saved, including those of at least 
200 Americans, and millions of property 
would have been preserved, millions also 
of our own, if Woodrow Wilson had said 
to Huerta, as England, France, Germany, 
Japan and the states of South America, 
all said: 'You seem to be de facto Presi- 
dent. As such you may have arms and 
ammunition from our markets, and we 
will not aid or abet the rebels who con- 
tend against ytiu.' " — From Chicago 
speech of Dist. Attorney Whitman of N. Y 



PUBLIC OPINION- -Continued 

VILLA MORALLY GUILTY. 

Far from exonerating General Fran- 
cisco Villa, the report of the Carranza 
commission that William S. Benton was 
shot on a train between Juarez and Chi- 
huahua by Major Rodolfo Fierro puts 
General Villa on the defensive again. At 
the time of the tragedy Fierro, a favor- 
ite of Villa, was acting as superintend- 
ent of railways on the strength of having 
formerly been a brakeman on the Mex- 
ican National. The two men were inti- 
mate and were often seen together in 
public. There should be an explanation 
of how Benton came to his death while 
in the personal custody of Fierro with 
orders to take the Englishman to the 
Chihuahua penitentiary on the charge of 
threatening and abusing General Villa at 
his headquarters. 

The ley de fuga is usually associated 
with the fiction of a prisoner's attempt 
to escape from his captors in the open. 
They deliberately murder him after telling 
the victim to make a run for his life; 
sometimes he is shot in the back without 
warning, which is the more merciful way 
of despatching him. It is Fierro's de- 
fence that William S. Benton tried to 
escape from the train on which they 
were proceeding to Chihuahua and was 
shot down. The story is made out ot 
the whole cloth ; as an example of the 
ley de fuga it is a sorry invention. 

Benton knew his Mexican guard too 
well, a notorious ruffian, to take any 
chances with him. The Englishman must 
have been killed like a dog, and Fierro 
was rendering a service to his leader 
and friend by ridding him of an enemy, 
dead men telling no tales. It may not 
be the fact that General Villa gave his 
lieutenant a sign to kill Benton, but why 
was the prisoner confided to a man killer 
like Fierro when an honest and trust- 
worthy agent could have been selected? 
Francisco Villa is not exonerated by 
the report; on the contrary, he is shown 
to be morally responsible for the mur- 
der of William S. Benton. The infam- 
ous deceit practised upon the State De- 
. partment by General Villa, first by pub- 
lishing the forged court-martial rescript 
and then by promising to let a commis- 
sion examine the body, proves the case 
against him. At this late day exhuma- 
tion would be futile. General Villa and 
Governor Carranza have triumphed over 
the United States Government. It ought 
to be a lesson in misplaced confidence 
to President Wilson and Secretary Bryan. 
— New York "Evening Sun." 



MEXICAN OUTRAGES. 

Our Own Government Held Responsible by 
Foreigners. 

The London "Times" declines to believe that 
the Washington Government will accept Villa's 
"explanation" of the murder and expect Great 
Britain to be satisfied with it. The "Graphic" de- 
clares that President Wilson must be held re- 
sponsible. All the influential papers express sub- 
stantially the same sentiment. 

In France, the expression is even more out- 



spoken. "Le Temps," understood to clearly re- 
flect Government opinion, says : 

"President Wilson's compass is erratic. In the 
midst of th«- turmoil in Southern and Central 
American countries he stands, a majestic peda- 
gogue, upholding puritanical and idealistic views^ 
although he varies them, as shown by his recog- 
nition of the new Peruvian Government. We do- 
not think his policy is likely to bring the goldert 
age in Latin-America. His different adaptations 
of the Monroe doctrine are involving him in. 
endless difficulties and still the revolution con- 
tinues. — San Francisco "Chronicle." 



Our complications with Mexico have made it 
necessary to have the support of the foreign 
powers. We have requested them to acquiesce 
ill our policy of "waiting and watching." If this 
were done, we pledged ourselves to protect the 
lives and property of foreign residents in Mex- 
ico. When we offered, this pledge Great Britain 
charged us with a violation of the Hay-Pauncefote 
Treaty, in the matter of the exemption of our 
coastwise vessels from the payment of tolls at 
the Panama Canal. Confronted by this chal- 
lenge, nothing was left for President Wilson to 
do but to reverse himself and his party. It was 
not so much a question of courage as of ex- 
pediency. — "Leslie's Weekly." 



"I AM INDIAN." 

Without any moral support, with every resource 
for borrowing money crippled — because the 
United States blocked the way — Huerta has gone 
on without making unreasonable demands from 
the resources of the government. During this 
time General Huerta has several times refused 
money from capitalists. This money stands ready 
for him to-day for the asking — which would not 
be the fact if the capitalists had not faith that 
President Huerta can fake care of the present 
situation, and of the future, also. 

All of these stories about the characteristics 
and habits of General Huerta are attacks of the 
enemy. General Huerta says: "I am Indian." I 
don't suppose for one minute that this President 
Huerta is a saint. No saint could work the gov- 
ernment of Mexico. This country needs the In- 
dian, the nerve, the decision, the acts of some- 
thing way beyond the understanding of either saints 
or old-school orthodoxy. But with the unneces- 
sary need of the saint and old schools there 
must be the judgment that works to the minute, 
hour, day, week and month, and the never letting 
down of iron rule. No one understands this bet- 
ter than General Huerta. Could a man who was 
himself controlled by intoxicants hold these peo- 
ple in subjection? These days of "disappearing," 
these days of "dissipation" that the enemy, the 
sensationalist, continually heralds would upset the 
whole regime of government here. The facts 
refute the libel. Men who have known Huerta 
intimately and long say they have never seeft 
him intoxicated. They speak of him as a wonder- 
ful man, a wonderful general, and whether or not 
the recognition of Huerta as President and Mex- 
ico as government would settle for all time these 
revolutions, they all say for the present the recog- 
nition should come. Whether it comes or not, the 
government here will continue and General Huerta 
must stand to protect it. There could be no 
greater disaster than his resignation. 

And right here is where the flippant laugh and 
comic opera suggestion get in their work. For 
President Huerta to resign because President Wil- 
son does not like him would be a treachery to 
duty exactly the same as if the request were re- 
versed ; that President Wilson be asked to resign 
because the outlaws, anarchists and rioters in 
our country were trying to overthrow law and 
order. — "The Widow" in "Town Topics." 



TO-MORROW AND TO-MORROW AND 
TO-MORROW. 

"In the event of any disturbance at Tampico,"' 
Spanish subjects there will be protected . by the 
commander of the British cruiser in that port. 
Spain is a country of enduring patience, but even 



Saturday, Afril 11, 1914. 



MEXICO 



she has grown weary of depending upon the 
United States for protection of her subjects in 
Mexico. Those subjects have been treated more 
severely and cruelly than those of any other 
Power. Many Spanish lives have been taken ; 
many Spaniards have been deported ; the Spanish 
loss by blackmail and conliscation has been great. 

It doesn't appear that the United States has 
been of any aid or that it has given any pro- 
tection. In northern Mexico it has "humbly and 
futilely interceded with Carranza in behalf of 
Spanish subjects. From the shadowy and im- 
potent "protection" of the United States Spain 
turns where she can, as at Tampico, to Great 
Britain. She is tired of watching and waiting 
ior the reality behind the high purposes and fine 
«entiments of the Administration at Washington; 
for the fact, the certainty and the power not 
discernible in the long welter of a timid and 
irresolute opportunism that never finds an oppor- 
tunity. 

The interminable Wilson-Bryan "manana" has 
worn out at last even the waiting capacities of 
Spain.— New York "Sun." 



"DO NOT INVADE MEXICO." 

The question of intervention with the Republic 
of Mexico is a greater and more serious question 
than is generally supposed. It, of course, as 
•wc all know, would mean war, and a war that 
would be a great crime, committed by us, the 
most boasted civilized nation in the world, upon 
an innocent and helpless nation of people who 
court our friendship and good will — a people who 
are not to blame for the destruction of life and 
property committed by bands of robbers and out- 
laws in their midSt any more than our people 
should be held accountable for crimes committed 
throughout our country by the same class of law- 
breakers. 

But above all other reasons that may be brought 
against our making war upon Mexico is this (and 
I want to emphasize this statement and ask any- 
one who doubts the ground upon which I make 
it to look back over the files of our different daily 
papers for the last three and one-half years to 
satisfy themselves that this statement is based 
upon a good and sound foundation and one that 
would hold good in any civilized court in the 
world) : Of all the crimes committed in Mexico 
on account o£ the so-called revolution, the United 
States is equally guilty with those who committed 
them. 

Because the crimes — murder and destruction of 
property — were committed by the lawbreakers of 
Mexico, but with guns and ammunition furnished 
them by the lawbreakers of our country, for these 
arms were sold to them not only in violation of 
the laws of our country but against all inter na- 
tional laws^as well as our treaty laws with Mex- 
ico in force during that time. 

A French paper, published in Mexico City, in 
answer to an item in an American journal, say- 




1913 WASHINGTON I9I4 
SUGAR BUREAU 

iqie MUNSEY BUILDING iqic 
laiO WASHINGTON. D. C. '^'O 

Invites correspondence from 
all who are professionally in- 
terested in the sujar legisla- 
tion. 



ing "if Mexico did not soon set her house in 
order some other country would do it for her," 
tersely replied that "If the United States would keep 
her own house in oider by preventing her law- 
breakers -from unlawfully supplying the Mexican 
lawbreakers with arms and ammunition, Mexico 
would soon have her house in order also and 
would keep it so." 

I wish to say right here that I, as well as 
thousands of other Americans who have left our 
homes and farms in Mexico, know that interven- 
tion would be a great calamity to all of us in- 
stead of the blessing that many suppose, and we 
therefore hope and pray that President Wilson 
will stand firm upon his policy of non-intervention, 
as he has been doing, for we feel certain that an 
invasion of the country would cause a general up- 
rising of the whole people of that nation, and the 
destruction of thousands of Americans' homes 
there, besides other properties worth millions of 
dollars. 

The only Americans I ever met In Mexico who 
wanted intervention I found in hotel lobbies of 
the cities; their only interests in Mexico usually 
were in undeveloped and unpaying oil or mining 
companies with large stock issues, but unsaleable. 
They calculate that, in case of war, they could 
claim they were driven out of the country and 
lUe claim for indemnity and in that manner get 
pay for property (hat has little, if any, real value. 

I wish to state that it was the continual fear 
of intervention more than any other thing that 
caused so many of us to leave our homes there 
during the past year. 

I have made my home for the last seven years 
on my farm in Mexico with my family, and I 
wish to say emphatically that I never resided in 
a more peaceful and friendly community. I found 
the Mexican people with whom I had dealings to 
be always pleasant and agreeable — both the mer- 
chants and business class as well as the lower, or 
Indian class, whom 1 employed on my farm, and 
a great part of this time I have had as many 
as 150 Mexican men working for me, many with 
their families, and have never had any trouble of 
any kind whatever. I would therefore consider 
it a great crime and a disgrace for our powerful 
nation to make war upon a people who should not 
be held responsible or suffer for crimes committed 
by outlaws over whom they have no control. — P. 
W, WARNER, in Houston "Chronicle." 



A BLIND ALLEY. 
To the Editor of the New York "World": 

In company with several hundred thousand 
others of your readers I was greatly interested 
in your editorial entitled "Vindicating the Wilson 
Policy." 

Your statement that Gen. Villa is "not alone 
a military chieftain of higb capacity," but also 
"discloses qualities of statesmanship," is an es- 
pecially engrossing discovery, and if you will per- 
mit I should like to place a question or two 
before you. 

What will you do if Gen. Villa's "military 
capacity" and "statesmanship" are rewarded by 
conferring upon him the Presidency of Mexico? 

As the Washington Government has announced 
its refusal to recognize a Mexican Government 
"founded on blood," and as "The World" has in- 
dorsed this exalted ethical censorship, where do 



you expect to discover a gentleman in Mexico 
sufficiently eligible and free from bloodstains to 
merit your approbation? 

What divine mission has the Washington Ad- 
ministration and "The World" performed that has 
enabled them to pose as ethical arbiters of na- 
tions more remote from the Almighty than we 



What government in all the world's history 
was ever established on anythinjf else save "blood" 

In placing our refusal to recognize Huerta on 
the basis that he is a "traitor," are we not casting 
sad discredit upon Gen. Washington, who was 
also a "traitor" and upon whose head England 
placed a price for many years? 

When both "The World" and President Wilson 
discover that they are walking up a blind alley, 
will they retrace their steps, or will they go on 
to the wall and jeopardize the world's peace rather 
than admit their hasty acceptance of an untenable 
and preposterous doctrine? 

Are you sufficiently generous and liberal minded 
to answer these serious and candid queries from 
a friend who believes "The World" is usually on 
the side of right and consistency? — JAMES AR- 
THUR NORLE, in New York "Worid." 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 
ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
land of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his wanderings in Mexico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranching, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since the 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres- 
ent day and with existing conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eight full-page half-tone 
illustrations. 



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Begrinning with 

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MEXICO 



Saturday, April 11, 1914. 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran. 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the Year, $2.00 

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WITH THE AID OF A GUNMAN. 

Again we repeat that those Senators 
and Congressmen who are opposed to 
the President's proposed repeal of the 
Canal tolls exemption have not struck 
with sufficient vigor at the very center 
and the weakest point of the President's 
position. 

All their efforts to find out why the 
President demands surrender to Great 
Britain's contention have revealed noth- 
ing except that the President wants to 
give to the world a distinct evidence of 
our fairness and generosity so that he 
will not be handicapped in dealing with 
foreign matters of near import. 

This is very vague and it is not at all 
informing. 

It is more than possible that the Sen- 
ate and House would somehow get more 
information from the White House if 
either adopted a resolution asking the 
President directly whether he had urged 
the repeal of the tolls exemption so as 
to hold off England while he works 
through a notorious gunman toward the 
destruction of Mexico? 



WHAT IS PRESIDENT WILSON 
GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? 

"The police brutality shown yesterday in 
Union Square was equal to that shown in Rus- 
sia. The police and Mayor Mitchel, working 
through fakirs who represented themselves as 
representatives of labor organizations, gathered 
a crowd for yesterday's meeting. When the 
police saw there was no riot or bloodshed they 
created riot and caused bloodshed themselves. 
They rode into the throng on horseback, tramp- 
ling down women and children. 

"But if the police think they can stop this 
movement by splitting our heads, they have an- 
other thought coming to them. The movement 
will go on until there are no more parasites — 
no more capitalists. They can kill, bang, jail, 
or club us, but can't kill our spirits, and the 
harder they fight the harder we'll fight back. 

"If the Americair- police think they can silence 
us by beating, then we will have to carry on our 
propaganda in secret, as is done in Russia. Con- 
ditions here are becoming as bad as in Russia, 



and the same measures to remedy them as are 
in vogue in Russia will have to be adopted, for 
where free speech is not allowed, other modes 
of expression must be resorted to." — Statement by 
Reba Edelson, I. W. W. leader, in New York 
•■Times." 

Is the President going to see that 
those who talk and act this way are 
well supplied with arms and ammuni- 
tion? Is he going to interfere in their 
favor with the difficult task of the New 
York authorities in maintaining order? 
It is interesting to read what the New 
York "World," champion of Villa, has 
to say about these violent members of 
the I. W. W., who are infinitely more 
intelli.gent than that bandit's followers 
and certainly, if mistakenly, inspired 
with some ideas, rather than a barbaric 
instinct to loot and destroy: 

Because of the encouragement they have re- 
ceived, leaders of the I. W. W. for several days 
have openly been preaching disorder and urging 
their followers to defy all city authority. 

At one meeting, O'Carroll, an agitator who has 
been in this country only a few months and for 
whose arrest last Saturday Magistrate Freschi 
scored the police, told an east side audience : 
"We are the predatory powers. We intend to get 
the goods — the plunder, if you want to call it 
that." Another speaker, Alexander Berkman, the 
Anarchist, said : "I believe in resistance. * * * 
I claim the right to preach riot if I want to." 

There has been a good deal of this kind of 
talk the last few days. Behind it is the deliberate 
purpose to provoke trouble with the police to- 
morrow. Certain muddled sentimantalists have 
treated he I. W. W. and their fellow-workers, the 
Anarchists, as persons having rights superior to 
those of ordinary citizens. They are largely re- 
sponsible for the O'Carrols and Berkmans. — 
New York "World." 

FALL GUYS. 

It is common knowledge in Washing- 
ton that Bryan has been the easiest kind 
of a "fall guy," the victim of the "con- 
stitutionalist" con men, operating under 
the clever direction of their oily Wash- 
ington attorney. They have sized up 
his character and limitations better than 
he knows himself and have fed him with 
the kind of "dope" for which he has an 
amiable failing. Certainly they must 
have very little respect for his brains 
a I'd judgment. Imagine a child in arms 
who could be fooled by the following 
obvious play on Bryan's well-known pro- 
hibition leanings: 

It is rather interesting that the ground upon 
which the Constitutionalists place Villa's enmity 
to the Spaniards is his strong temperance inclina- 
tion. Villa, they say, has an almost fanatical 
opposition to alcoholic liquors, and these Span- 
iards are engaged chiefly in the liquor traffic. 
A statement given out by the Constitutionalists 
here emphasizes the steps which Villa has taken 
to prevent the sale of alcoholic liquor to his sol- 
diers. On April 2, say Villa's press representa- 
tives here, he ordered the destruction of every 
receptacle for liquor in Torreon, which caused 
the Spaniards heavy losses. 

The Constitutionalist statement says : 
"These Spaniards are the keepers of saloons, 
low dance halls, pawnshops and disreputable re- 
sorts in Torreon. As Gen. Villa is almost fan- 
atically opposed to the use or sale of liquors in 
any form, he entertains a particular enmity to- 
wards those who engage in this traffic. — Press 
despatch from Washington. 

These "constitutional" liars are clever, 
there is no question. They have learned 



that the leaders of the Administration 
will swallow anything, no matter how 
ridiculous, that will seem to bolster up 
their position. But it is certainly humil- 
iating to Americans to know that a bunch 
of unprincipled Mexicans can make fools 
of those who guide the destinies of our 
country. 



THE REAL INSPIRATION. 

El Paso, Texas, April 3.— The effect of the 
rebel victory at Torreon was felt here in a stif- 
fening of the market for Constitutionalist nioney, 
and the beginning of a movement to organize 
foreigners owning property in Mexico to appeal 
to Washington to recognize the Carranza Gov- 
ernment. 

"The fall of Torreon puts the dollar mark on 
Villa and Monclova money," said J. S. Curtis, 
of this city. "The value of paper money lies in 
the promise to pay, and the fall of Torreon has 
marked the culmination of a long series of events 
which promise to establish and make good Villa's 
and Carranza's written guarantee, which is signed 
at the bottom of all paper money they have 
issued. 

"To date the Mexican Constitutionalist Govern- 
ment for their joint account have issued $60- 
000.000 of paper fiat currency and for eight 
months the merchants along the United States 
border and Northern Mexico have gambled on the 
promises of Villa and Carranza to pay." 

The Constitution or the $60,000,000? 
Which do you think they are fighting 
for? No wonder the rebels have "sym- 
pathizers" on the border. Scratch the 
sympathizers and you'll find a holder 
of fiat money. 



THE CLOAK OF CONSTITUTION- 
ALISM. 
Any one who pricks the bubble of 
millenium-promising adventurers is a 
Bourbon. 

Who picks the latest slogan — "Consti- 
tutionalism," "uplift," or what not — gets 
the crowd. 

At least in the old U. S. A. 

Revolution in Mexico is siipply a mat- 
ter of money and organization. 

* * * 

Money to hire mercenaries and equip 
them, organization to draw up and ad- 
vertise a high-sounding program. 

* * * 

Porfirio Diaz gave Mexico a quarter 
of a century of peace and material prog- 
ress. 

* * * 

Madero has given Mexico more than 
three years of ruination. 

* * * 

All the fine-sounding programs in the 
world will not change that fact. 

* * * 

There is nothing for which the rebel 
agents profess they are fighting that is 
not contemplated by the Mexican Gov- 
ernment or already put in practice. 

* * * 

Then what are they fighting for? 

* * * 

For loot and power and offices. [ 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion ol Mexican Affairs 

Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



VOL. II— No. 35. 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



WAR? 



As we go to press ominous black 
clouds are gathering on the national ho- 
rizon. One of the most powerful fleets 
ever assembled by any nation has been 
ordered to Mexican ports, to ports which 
have no sufficient means of defense 
against the attack of one battleship, 
much less against a formidable array of 
twenty modern dreadnoughts. 

It was not necessary to be a political 
meteorologist to have prognosticated the 
coming of these storm clouds. When 
President Wilson in December told Con- 
gress that no clouds appeared on our 
horizon but that a dark one hung over 
Mexico he evidently forgot that clouds 
move. 

If we are to judge the first impulse 
of the people by newspaper opinions, 
what is considered as the first move to- 
ward an inevitable war has aroused the 
enthusiasm of young blood, always ready 
for a "scrap," regardless of its cost or its 
justice. And at the risk of ours being 
the only dissenting voice at the moment, 
but firm in our conviction that the sanest 
elements in this country will presently 
concur in our opinion if, indeed, they do 
not already do so, we shall raise a voice 
of protest. 

Let no one mistake our protest for 
lack of patriotism. We yield in this to 
no one but we feel that real patriotism 
must be founded on fairness, justice and 
truth. If the flag of the United States 
has been insulted, repair for the insult 
must be forthcoming, whatever the cost 
may be to us or to Mexico. 

But we have failed so far to dis- 
cover any evidence that the inadvertent 
arrest of several bluejackets in Tampico 
constituted an insult to the flag of the 
United States. No authentic statement 
regarding the incident at Tampico has 
been made. The Administration has 



kept absolutely silent and this strange 
silence has been interpreted as indicating 
lack of justification for the demand made 
by Admiral Mayo. Inspired Washing- 
ton dispatches have harped on the "ne- 
cessity of defending the national honor," 
but before the people arrive at the con- 
clusion that the national honor has been 
attacked a thorough investigation should 
be made and the full facts given to the 
public. If they reveal that no insult was 
either intended or offered to the flag 
and that the arrest of the sailors who 
landed within established firing lines was 
due to the unintentional error of a sub- 
ordinate Mexican officer, or was justified 
by international law, the prompt apology 
offered by the Federal commander and 
by President Huerta himself should be 
sufficient redress. 

It may be true that, according to pre- 
vailing ideas, the Administration must 
support the admiral's demand, even 
though unjust, at the cost of war. in 
order to uphold its prestige, but in this 
case President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan are acting contrary to their oft- 
repeated profession of peaceful faith. 

No man can know other men's secret 
thoughts, but for well-nigh eight months 
we have been pointing out to our readers 
the fact that, whether intentionally or 
not, the Administration was courting 
war. We do not know whether the black 
clouds now gathering will dissolve them- 
selves into a harmless drizzle or whether 
they are the forerunners of a storm — 
but we do know that war with Mexico 
is dangerously near. 

We say dangerously advisedly. Not a 
dangerous war, as far as the success of 
American arms is concerned, but danger- 
ous because of its incalculable conse- 
quences ; dangerous to the cause of 
humanity and justice, and dangerous to 



our reputation as a nation of good faith. 
Whatever the merits of the Tampico 
incident, the events of the past year 
will clearly demonstrate that if war en- 
sues from this late phase of our rela- 
tions with Mexico, the full responsibility 
will rest with the Administration. 

Whatever the efforts made by a biased 
press, history will record that the Huer- 
ta Government has conducted itself with 
equanimity and has not only respected 
the rights of this country, but has of- 
fered, wherever it has been in control, 
full protection to Americans and other 
foreigners. Both the American Charge 
d'Affaires and the Consul in Mexico City 
will bear testimony to the fact that their 
demands have always been promptly met 
by the Huerta Government, that in fact 
President Huerta himself has often done 
more than he had been asked to do, in 
order to show his good will and respect 
toward the people of this country. 

To say that Huerta has refused to 
comply with the demands of this coun- 
try is to misrepresent the facts wilfully. 
The only demands to which President 
Huerta refused to accede were those of 
Lind, which concerned political matters 
in his own country. .No fair-minded 
man, no court of arbitration, could ever 
find a justification for such demands made 
by the Administration upon the Govern- 
ment of another sovereign State, even 
though it had not recognized that Gov- 
ernment. 

Representative Mondell told Congress 
only a few days ago that the Govern- 
ment of the United States would never 
have made the same unwarranted de- 
mands upon a stronger nation than 
Mexico. 

As far back as October 18 we pub- 
lished an article showing how the peace- 
(Continued on next page.) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April IS, 1914. 



professing Administration was courting 
war. Exactly six months have elapsed 
since then and never so much as at the 
present moment have our arguments 
been so supported by the evidence of 
facts. 

We reproduce that article here, but we 
are compelled to preface it with the 
statement that our belief has been modi- 
fied and that if six months ago we were 
convinced that the Administration was 
courting war, now we are convinced 
that the Administration has been pro- 
voking war. 

Strengthening this conviction is a re- 
port made to us by one of our corres- 
pondents, who has just returned trom 
Mexico. He has assured us that the 
opinion prevailed both in Mexico City 
and in Vera Cruz that the American 
Government was seeking to provoke war 
and that it would seize the first pretext 
to bring about a conflict. 

Mexicans and foreigners, he said, can- 
not interpret but as a desire to provoke 
a conflict the impossible demands fre- 
quently made on the Huerta Govern- 
ment and the pernicious activities of 
John Lind, who while in Vera Cruz cor- 
responded with rebel leaders and advised 
the Washington Administration to take 
measures which would tend to discredit 
the Huerta Government. 

John Lind, the gaunt, sinister figure 
of the Mexican imbroglio, whose rancor 
and animosity against Huerta knows no 
bounds, because Huerta refused to ac- 
cept him as an all-powerful adviser, re- 
fused to kow-tow before his august pres- 
ence and to commit hara-kari at his be- 
hest. 

John Lind, "the Swede," who despises 
Mexicans because they are Catholics and 
has injected into the Mexican question 
a fanaticism of hatred against the Catho- 
lie Church, suggesting as a remedy the 
invasion of Mexico by an army of mis- 
sionaries. John Lind, upon whose re- 
turn from Mexico the entire Atlantic 
fleet was ordered to Mexican ports! 

We have but to review the incidents 
of the past year to understand why in 
Mexico there prevails the opinion that 
the Wilson Administration has been 
seeking to provoke a conflict. We have 
but to analyze public opinion in this 
country to become convinced that the 
opinion prevailing in Mexico is well 
founded. For we know, and everyone 
knows that no sentiment exists in this 
country favorable to intervention in poor 
beset Mexico and that if the Government 
had declared war with no other excuse 
than that of restoring order or estab- 
lishing a "Government by the people" 
in Mexico there would have been no 
response trom the people here. For the 
people would have known, whatever the 
excuse, that war was declared merely to 
satisfy the animosity of one man against 
another man. 

But if the Administration can convince 



WAR— Continued 

the people that war is necessary to up- 
hold the national honor, attacked by 
the MEXICANS themselves, then the 
Administration is sure of all the support 
it needs, of all the men it wants. 

The logic of events and the logic of 
actions cannot be destroyed by any 
statement to the contrary. 



ARTICLE FROM "MEXICO" OF 

OCTOBER 18, 1913 — UNITED 

STATES COURTING WAR. 



Viewed in the light of past historical 
events the present status of relations be- 
tween the United States and Mexico must 
be regarded as foreshadowing war. 

Ever since the first appearance of 
MEXICO we have been showing that 
the situation as created by the policy of 
our Administration was fraught with 
great dangers. That non-recognition of 
the Huerta Government, meddling in the 
politics of Mexico with the consequent 
encouragement to the lawless elements 
of that Republic, were bringing about 
such conditions as would draw this coun- 
try into a war which the people do not 
want and which could not be justified 
in the eyes of the world. 

Before us and with us hundreds of men 
familiar with Mexican affairs have voiced 
these views. 

We have now arrived at the breaking- 
point and responsibilities must be fixed. 
It is with gravest concern that the people 
of this country are viewing the present 
situation, because there exists a profound 
conviction that the danger could have 
been honorably and justly avoided. 

The truth is that the Administration 
has been courting war while professing 
a policy of peace. 

That this has been done unintentional- 
ly and in good faith is generally believed, 
but it must be admitted that the Admin- 
istration has refused to take into con- 
sideration any evidence which would 
have proved its course wrong and has 
rejected the advice of men who knew. 

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of 
Americans who have lived in Mexico 
and know its people and conditions have 
either personally or in writing made 
representations to the State Department 
advising recognition of the Huerta Gov- 
ernment as the only step that could as- 
sist in the re-establishment of peace in 
Mexico and eventually make possible the 
elections of new magistrates representing 
the popular will as much as popular will 
can be expressed in Mexico. 

Not one of those men received a satis- 
factory hearing. They were considered 
unscrupulous persons who had no 
thought for high moral principles, but 
only for their own selfish interests. 

Demands were made upon the Huerta 
Government which no Government in the 
world, bad or good, could have accepted. 
They constituted the most flagrant inter- 
ference in the internal affairs of another 



country and an unwarranted affront to 
the man who was at the head of the 
Government of that country. 

The newspapers supporting the Ad- 
ministration have emptied their vocabu- 
lary of insults on the Mexican Govern- 
ment and have encouraged the forces of 
rebellion and brigandage. 

Neither tact nor consideration for the 
feelings of Mexicans nor again even the 
most elementary proprieties which are 
usually observed by civilized peoples in 
dealing vyith other nations, have been ob- 
served even by high officials of the Ad- 
ministration. 

Whatever the opinion of the Admin- 
istration in regard to the legality of the 
Huerta Government this has been ac- 
knowledged as the Constitutional Pro- 
visional Government of Mexico by the 
great majority of Mexicans. Therefore 
the affronts piled on that Government 
have been resented by those who have 
supported it. There has been hardly a 
foreigner in Mexico who has not as- 
serted of late that if the Huerta Govern- 
ment had been recognized peace would 
now reign in Mexico. There is not one 
foreigner in Mexico, whether in sympathy 
or not with the Government, who will not 
admit that no revolutions would long ex- 
ist in Mexico if it were not for the moral 
and material help which they receive 
from the American side of the Rio 
Grande. 

Moral and material help has been 
openly given to rebels and bandits and 
their cause has been espoused even by 
members of the United States Senate. 

Is it not natural that in view of all 
this Mexicans are becoming convinced 
that this country has sinister designs up- 
on their independent life and territory? 
They — and with them all foreigners who 
know Mexico — cannot believe that such 
support is given to rebels and bandits be- 
cause of a desire on the part of this 
country to encourage democracy in 
Mexico. Rebel leaders of today were 
the Government officials of yesterday 
and as such they gave ample proof of 
their self-seeking ambitions and of their 
ability to make a travesty of democracy. 

General Huerta had set upon his Gov- 
ernment the task of restoring peace in 
Meixico. Had hoped to receive at least 
the moral support of this country in 
doing so. 

Every step that the Administration has 
taken in regard to Mexico has been one 
to goad President Huerta into doing 
what he had not intended to do. A sit- 
uation has been brought about that has 
compelled him to take the reins into his 
own hands or let Mexico perish in the 
throes of anarchy. 

Secretary Bryan in a recent article on 
peace published in the "Independent" 
says that history will show us that trivial 
causes have been responsible for some of 
our bitterest wars. 

(■Continued on next page.) 



Saliirday, April IS, 1914. 



MEXICO 



WAR— Continued 

How can he be blind to the dangers 
lurking in the present situation brought 
about by his own policy? 

Ignorance of Mexican conditions and 
Mexican character is the most charitable 
interpretation which can be put on the 
Administration's attitude toward Mexico. 

But it was just such ignorance that 
finally determined the war of 1848. Lock- 
hardt Rives, in his admirable book just 
published, "The United States and Mex- 
ico," interprets the policy of the Polk Ad- 
ministration as due to ignorance. Re- 
ferring to the demands made upon the 
Mexican Government shortly before the 
war broke out and just after the Oregon 
question had been settled with England, 
he says : 

"That this display of force provoked 
the Mexicans, and induced them to fight 
rather than to bargain, proves nothing as 
to the intentions of the American cabinet. 
It shows, perhaps, nothing more than 
their ignorance of Mexican nature. John 
Bull might be looked straight in the eye, 
and spoken to firmly and boldly to some 
advantage; but John Bull had a good deal 
to lose, while Mexico had nothing except 
her dignity. But she valued dignity 
above money or land. 'The Mexican,* 
said Henry Addington, who was Under- 
Secretary in the British Foreign Office, 
and knew the Spanish character well, 'the 
Mexican is like a mule — if you spur him 
too much he will back off the precipice 
with you'; and Polk and his advisers had 
yet a good deal to learn both of mules 
and men." 

These words fit the present situation 
perfectly. 

It must be remarked, however, that 
President Polk's policy was frankly and 
avowedly one of expansion to the Pacific 
Coast. That it was probably his inten- 
tion of acquiring the Western territory 
by purchase and not by a war of con- 
quest. That viewed in the light of prac- 
tical events some justification may per- 
haps be found for the war of 1848 in 
the fact that the territory then acquired 
was occupied by a far larger number of 
Americans than Mexicans. 

But President Wilson and Secretary 
Bryan have declared themselves in favor 
of peace; have made it clear that the 
United States is not seeking acquisition 
of new territory and have protested their 
great friendship for the Mexican people. 
Secretary Bryan has gone to, the extent 
of saying at the banquet of the Pan- 
American Society a few months ago that 
there will not be war during the Wilson 
Administration. However, we repeat, he 
has been courting war. Only a man 
completely blind to the real situation 
could deny this. And Secretary Bryan 
at least could not even plead ignorance 
of the Latin-American characteristics, for 
he has traveled extensively in all Latin- 
America and he has come into personal 
contact with many Latin-Americans. 

Friends of the Administration state 



LEST WE FORGET 



The Administration's conception of 
national honor: Surrender to a big and 
powerful nation, dictation to a smaller 
one. 

* * * 

That is not the American people's 
brand of national honor. 

* * • 

England expresses her displeasure at 
the exemption of American coastwise 
ships from payment of Canal tolls. 
« • • 

The Administration says: "Why, of 
course, John, anything you say, old top." 
And orders Congress to reverse itself. 
And splinters a plank of the sacrosanct 
Baltimore platform. 

Mexico's Government refuses to be the 
plaything of the personal prejudices and 
theories of Wilson, Bryan, Hale, Lind, 
Tupper, et al. 

What does the brave Administration 
do? 



Cuts off all foreign aid from the Mex- 
ican Government, brings ruination to 
thousands of Americans in Mexico, en- 
courages rebellion costing thousands of 
lives, forms an alliance with the most 
villainous of the Mexican bandits, harries 
and goads the Mexican President — and 
hasn't finished yet. 

They used to call Roosevelt a bully. 

If he were, he would bully the whole 
world if necessary. 

But as a real American he wouldn't 
pick on a little fellow. 

He believed in a square deal. 

And never nagged, old-ladylike. 

* • * 

Villa and Carranza could flout, de- 
ceive and lie — break their promises — 
commit damnable outrages against all 
laws of civilization. 

^Continued on next page.) 



that it is justified in the course it has 
taken because it does not consider that 
the Huerta Government has the support 
of the people. Here is where the most 
dangerous mistake is made. As another 
mistake is made when it is asserted that 
the majority of Mexicans would welcome 
American intervention. 

It is sufficient to look back only a few 
years in Mexican history to the time 
of the French intervention in Mexico to 
understand the import of these mistakes. 

The support enjoyed by Benito Juarez 
at that time was limited to a few Liberals 
and the masses were, in fact, against him 
because he had against him the Catholic 
Party, then the most numerous. 

Before and during the period of in- 
tervention the French authorities issued 
numerous proclamations declaring that 
their presence in Mexico was solely for 
the purpose of helping the establishment 
of a strong Government acceptable to 
the people. Also that they were not seek- 
ing territorial aggrandizement and would 
withdraw as soon as the Government was 
established. 

Benito Juarez headed the armed resist- 
ance against the French and the people 
flocked to his ranks. 

In this connection, the "Imparcial" of 
Mexico City said editorially some time 
ago: 

"The truth is that President Wilson 
has shown himself to be as weak polit- 
ically as he is psychologically in dealing 
with national sentiments. 

"Facing a foreign demand, any people 
will rally to the support of their Govern- 
ment. This is in the heart of every peo- 



ple of the earth, and explains why a 
Government or party becomes converted 
into a national cause when menaced by 
destruction or overthrow from beyond 
the boundaries of the homeland. The 
banner of Juarez spread until it covered 
the whole territory when a European 
monarch attempted to pull down the 
hands that sustained it, and from that 
moment it ceased to be the banner of a 
party, becoming, instead, that of a na» 
tion. 

"But the President of the United States 
is not familiar with these solidarities of 
peoples, he has no precise knowledge of 
international relations, and is not aware 
that he cannot touch the highest per- 
sonality of a State without touching also 
each unit of which that State is com- 
posed. The distinction which he makes 
between the Mexican Government and 
Mexicans is humiliating. That is the rea- 
son why acceptance was impossible. Be- 
fore the menace of a violation of our 
sovereignty, the Government of Mexico 
is Mexico; we are all Mexicans. 

"How could this sentiment have es- 
caped the men at Washington? Why is 
it that they did not understand that the 
greatest support they could have given 
this Government, which they would not 
recognize, was to turn to its assistance 
those who. heretofore, have been its most 
vehement and active opponents, but who, 
nevertheless, have not lost the desire to 
pass for good Mexicans?" 

We do not want war with Mexico. But 
to him with eyes to see it is more than 
a possibility that we shall be forced into 
one by a peace-loving Administration. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April IS, 19l4.- 



LEST WE FORGET— Continued 

They were helped — they were the dear 
friends of the Administration. 

But a technical mistake made by one 
subordinate officer of the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, involving no loss of life, no 
loss of property, for which the Mexican 
Government freely gave a frank and full 
apology, is suificient to cause the send- 
ing of the entire Atlantic fleet to force 
a national humiliation from Huerta. 

Of course every American will back 
up his country, right or wrong, but even 
now there is the last alternative to war, 
the swift recognition by the American 
public of the Administration's shameful 
unfairness, and the solution of the un- 
fortunate situation by peaceable methods. 

* * * 

The Administration's course has been 
so untenable all along that every in- 
evitable complication is seized upon as 
ammimition by the enemies of the Ad- 
ministration, for partisan, political and 
personal purposes. 

But the fault is all the Administration's 
own. 

:(= * * 

It has set its personal prejudices and 
theories up against the unbiased opinion 
of the whole world. 

* * * 

By provoking crises and meeting them 
pusillanimously it stirs up the jingoes 
who would force this country into war. 

It gives them opportunities and argu- 
ments for their clamor. 

* * * 

Its actions are so opposed to its pro- 
fessions that it arouses the distrust of 
all Latin-American countries, who can 
see nothing but cheap hypocrisy trying 
to cover base motives. 

* * * 

In Mexico it has taken an isolated 
position among the nations, and by im- 
plication impugned the judgment and 
honesty of all countries that have recog- 
nized the Mexican Government. 

* * * 

When its political opponents urge ac- 
tion, it cries that they are trying to 
drive it into war. 

* * * 

When they point out that it is pro- 
voking war, by creating intolerable con- 
ditions in Mexico and encouraging an. 
archy, it says: "Huerta must go!" 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 

AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDB. 



A PRETEXT— WHY? 



The flurry of excitement caused by 
the announcement that the whole Atlan- 
tic fleet had been ordered to Tampico 
has not entirely subsided, when already 
from many quarters comes the question: 
"Why this warlike movement at this 
time?" 

The question is prompted by suspicion. 
A suspicion that the move is a pretext 
either to provoke war with Mexico in 
'order to save the Wilson Democrats 
from a downfall, or to weaken the power 
of the Huerta Government. 

A well-founded suspicion if various re- 
cent incidents are considered in their 
true light. 

The inadvertent arrest of some blue- 
jackets by a Mexican officer in Tampico 
does not constitute sufficient reason for 
exacting a national salute to the flag un- 
less an affront was offered to the flag. 
Scarcely a line has been printed as to the 
actual facts involved in the Tampico in- 
cident. The Navy Department must have 
a full report, but nothing has been given 
out. Why? If the flag had been in- 
sulted, what better opportunity was af- 
forded to the Administration than that 
of publishing the full details and thus 
receive the unanimous support of the 
people in its warlike movement? 

On the other hand, if the movement 
merely signifies the abandonment of the 
"watchful waiting" policy, why did not 
the Administration abandon such policy 
when offered ample reasons by the re- 
fusal of rebel leaders to accede to its 
just demands? 

Why did it not stop to wait watchfully 
when Villa knowingl> /nade an abso- 
lutely false report of the Benton murder, 
thus putting the Washington Adminis- 
tration in a ridiculous position before the 
whole world? Why did not the Admin- 
istration abandon its watchful waiting 
when Villa and Carranza deliberately re- 
fused to comply with the request that 
Spaniards and other foreigners which 
this country had undertaken to protect 
be properly safeguarded in their human 
rights? 

Why did not the Administration give 
up waiting when in spite of the fact that 
it maintained a representative near Villa 
to advise and guide him, the bandit wil- 
fully and wantonly killed two Spaniards, 
the Gonzales brothers, in Chihuahua? 

Why did not the Administration 
change its policy when American citi- 
zens, men and women, were killed, 
robbed and outraged by the rebels? 

Why wait watchfully until there oc- 
curs an incident the details of which are 
purposely kept shrouded in mystery, but 
which from all meagre accounts appears 
to have been due entirely to an error of 
judgment on the part of a subordinate 
Federal officer? 



Why make a movement directed 
against the Huerta Government, giving 
to understand that the national dignity 
must be upheld, when the Administra- 
tion had been repeatedly flouted by the 
rebels? 

Is it because the Huerta Government 
has shown wonderful endurance and 
power in the face of all the obstacles 
put in its way by the Administration, or 
is it because the tottering Wilson Demo- 
crats had to make a desperate move to 
maintain themselves in power, even 
though Mexico and the people of this 
country have to pay the price? 

Presently we shall have the answer. 
Meanwhile, whichever the reason, it 
must be evident to all thinking persons 
that the fairness of which the American 
people have always been so justly proud 
has not guided the Administration in its- 
dealings with Mexico. 

While on one hand the rebels have 
destroyed American lives and property 
and have flouted in every possible way 
a Government to which, however, they 
owe their strength, on the other the 
Mexican Government has afforded ample- 
protection to the citizens of a country 
the government of which has been its 
avowed enemy. 

Is it a wonder that from all quarters 
comes the question: Why this warlike 
move against the Huerta Government at 
this time? 



THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE 
MEXICAN IMBROGLIO. 

Not the least interesting phase of the 
present tense situation is the rush of the 
Wilson Democrats to wave the American 
flag as the only salvation of a party po- 
litically doomed. 

Their destructive pounding and nag- 
ging of the business interests, on whose 
success in the last analysis depends the 
prosperity of the country; the wide- 
spread depression of industry; the army 
of unemployed ■ the unpopular surren- 
der to England, the inefficiency of many 
of the Cabinet officers; the shameless 
extravagance of a Democratic Congress 
that had promised economy; the awful 
muddle in which the Administration has 
brought our foreign relations^all in un- 
answerable combination have pointed to 
inevitable defeat of the party at the polls 
in November. The contemplation of the 
mess they have made of things has 
caused a panic among the leaders of the 
party, and they see the rugged figure 
of Roosevelt looming out of the jungle 
seeking whom he may devour. 

The Wilson Democrats are doomed — 
in fact, they are already lost — they have 
read the handwriting on the wall. 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, April 18, 1914. 



MEXICO 



The black night of self-conceit in 
which they have dwelt has been pierced 
by ominous flashes. They hear the ap- 
proaching thunder of popular disap- 
proval. 

What are they to do? Ah, they can 
stir up a storm of their own. It may out- 
roar this storm that is threatening them. 
"Rule or ruin" is their motto. 

Mark the following from the Wash- 
ington correspondence of the New York 
"Herald," the day following the ordering 
of the Atlantic fleet to Tampico: 



Another phase which makes strong appeal to 
the Democratic leaders is the complete answei 
the President's action furnishes to the charge of 
bis Democratic opponents that in the tolls ques- 
tion he has failed to demonstrate a true American- 
ism. In the light of the effect his sending the 
Atlantic fleet to Mexico will have upon the pub- 
lic, the cry that he has "surrendered** on the 
tolls question can have no other, result than to 
bring down upon those who raise- it a storm of 
ridicule. 



That shows how deep is the American- 
ism of the Wilson type of Democrat. Is 
it American to bully a weaker nation? 
Not in a thousand years. 

The following from the pen of William 
R. Hearst, in the New York "American," 
is also significant. He says: 



Map Showing the Distribution of the Population of Mexico 




nn 



2 to 6 6 to 10 10 to 20 

Inhabitants Per Square Kilometer. 



20 to 30 and more 



Last week, after the New Jersey election, on« 
of President \Vilson*s most intimate friends and 
advisors told me that he and others had warnea 
the President that his policy of the repeal of free 
tolls for American coastwise traffic through the 
Panama Canal was regarded as unpatriotic. 

My informant said that the President was un 
willing to abandon his Canal policy, but had 
decided to make a notable patriotic move in 
some other direction. In this way the President 
hoped to regain his prestige and at the same time 
to carry through his free tolls repeal bill. This 
demonstration at Tampico is probably the move 
which the President has decided to make. 



Mexico, then, is to pay the price for 
the Administration's blunders. Mexico 
may pay the price, but the Wilson Dem- 
ocrats who are now waving the Ameri- 
can flag to distract the wrath of the peo- 
ple will also pay the price. 

It will be remembered that in the be- 
ginning of the Me-xican imbroglio the 
Republicans were shouting for interven- 
tion, because they wanted to embarrass 
the .Administration and hold up the tar- 
iff and currency reforms. Now it is the 
Wilson Democrats who want interven- 
tion, because they hope to stay the ava- 
lanche of opposition to the Administra- 
tion which has started rolling and prom- 
ises to sweep them out of power. 

Since intervention in Mexico means 
war — and a brutal, unjust and unneces- 
sary war — it is appalling to what ex- 
tremes politicians will go to hold their 
jobs. 

And they will not be the ones who will 
be the food for guns. Oh, no, it will be 
the flower of the young men of the 
country. 



Federal District 

State of Mexico 

Tlaxcala 

Morelos 

Guanajuato 

Puebla 

Hidalgo 

Oueretaro 



KEY: 

Vera Cruz 

Colima 

Oaxaca 

Jalisco 

San Luis Poto 

Guerrero 

Zacatecas 

Chiapas 

Leon 



10, Michoacan 2<V Taba 

The above drawing offers the most 
striking evidence of the fact that the 
rebellion in Mexico is not supported by 
the bulk of the Mexican people, as has 
been contended by the rebel agents. 

The above drawing shows the density 
of population in the various Mexican 



Tepic 

Durango 

Sinaloa 

Yucatan 

Tamaulipas 

Coahuila 

Campeche 

Chihuahua 

Sonora 

Lower California 



loa and Tamaulipas — marked respectively 
with the numbers 29, 28, 26, 22, 23 and 25. 
Exceptions are the States of Yucatan 
and the Territory of Lower California, 
held by the Federals although with 
sparse population, and part of the State 
of Tamaulipas, which is controlled by 



States, closely ruled parts representing- the Federals. 



those in which the population is densest. 
These States are precisely those con- 
trolled by the Federal Governinent. and 
contain a population of more than four- 
teen million inhabitants, while the States 
held or partly held by the rebels contain 
a little more than a million. These are So- 
nora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sina- 



It will be thus seen at a glance that 
the rebels, after more than one year of 
fighting and despite the tremendous sup- 
port received from this side of the Rio 
Grande, have succeeded in gaining con- 
trol only of those States where the popu- 
lation is widely scattered and the means 
of communication few and difficult. 



NAILING THEM 



Washington's protest against the ex- 
pulsion of the Spaniards from Torreon 
by General Villa is another illustration 
of locking the stable door after the 
equine has been removed therefrom. 
General Villa gave ample notice of what 
he intended to do in this respect before 
the city of Torreon was taken, and if 
Washington intended to make any pro- 
test against such action it should have 
been done at that time, and not when 
these people were virtually across the 
border. — El Paso "Times." 



The success of General Villa's rebel forces in 
acquiring control of northern Mexico and con- 
fiscating millions of dollars' worth of live stock 
has thrown a condition of uncertainty over the 
annual spring movement of cattle from the south 
through the Denver gateway to the feeding 
grounds which threatens to upset all calculations 
as to prices and the extent of the movement.— 
Denver "Times.** 

Millions of dollars' worth of stolen 
livestock — and they call them Consti- 
tutionalists! .A.nd there are some Ameri- 
cans who do not mind buying stolen 
goods — at a profitable discount! 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 18, 1914. 




As I lived in Mexico 11 years, knew 
Gen. Don Porfirio Diaz and many of 
his political advisers personally and in- 
terviewed them often on matters of na- 
tional importance; traveled repeatedly 
from the Rio Grande to the Central 
American border; had business dealings 
■with natives of all classes and feel a 
lively interest in and sympathy for the 
future of the distracted country, I may, 
perhaps, in a small way add to the facts 
■which Col. Harvey has so brilliantly, so 
judiciously and with such gentle but con- 
■vincing irony brought to the dulled 
senses of our statesmen at Washington. 

It should be significant to these men 
that all and sundry who know Mexico 
intimately and refuse to be influenced 
3by hysterical screechers and surface in- 
dications (always misleading in Spanish 
countries), think just as Col. Harvey 
does and entertain very cogent reasons 
for the recognition of the de facto Gov- 
ernment. * * * 

The strongest reason why Victoriano 
Huerta deserves recognition is that he 
is making almost superhuman efforts to 
restore peace and progress to Mexico. 
He is fig'hting in defence of law and or- 
der, and for the safeguarding of human 
lives against anarchy and savagery. His 
«nemies to a man are out for murder, 
loot and rapine. For a full year Huerta 
has kept the bloodthirsty Emiliano Za- 
pata and his murderous hordes out of 
Mexico City, protected southern Mexico 
against the north, and mamtainea a 
■workable semblance of that fine Govern- 
ment which Porfirio Diaz established. 

Patriotism must be his ruling passion, 
for since Madero and his greedy minions 
sacked the treasury and left it empty, 'he 
surely can have no views in this direc- 
tion. The complexity and responsibility 
of his self-appointed task are enough to 
craze a man of lesser steadfastness, yei 
out of pity for his country ne pursues 
his herculean labors in the full knowl- 
edge that when his work is done he will 
fie accorded the same measure of grati- 
tude meted out to Gen. Diaz after he 
had devoted his life and energies to the 
conversion of a retrogressive synonym 
for assassinations and revolution.? into a 
peaceful, respected and progressive land. 

The traditional selfishness of nations 
pales into insignificance before the heart- 
iessness shown by Spanish Americans to 
their patriots, yet Huerta — who has been 
aptly^ described by one who knows as 
a plain soldier of the U. S. Grant type^ 
pursues the tenor of his way, risks his 
life daily in doing his duty, receives 
philosophically the unmerited execra- 
tions of the prejudiced and misinformed 
and works steadily at one of the most 
hopeless tasks that ever confronted sol- 
dier or layman. His arch enemy in the 
open, Francisco Villa, is a loathsome 
scoundrel -who would throttle society to- 
morrow if it were in his power to do it. 
He knows about as much about piloting 
the unsteady Mexican ship of state as 
Mr. Breezy Bryan would know about 
governing Cambodia— provided that he 
could not find a nice, tongue-tied, one- 
armed Swedish gentleman to do it for 
him. Villa's overlord, the contemptu- 
ous Venustiano Carranza (at whose door 
must be placed many of the crimes com- 
mitted _ against Mexico during the last 
year), is fighting, not for love of country, 
but to avenge his friend Madero, once 



a citizen of the State where Carranza 
governed. His chatter about patriotism 
nauseates those who know him well. It 
he or Villa rose to power, neither could 
restrain the horde of bandits which Ma- 
dero's conceited utopianism Uberated on 
the country, and Mexico inevitably would 
go from bad to worse. Their henchmen 
don't want democracy or Constitution- 
alism; they want loot and to dabble in 
blood. If I mistake not, Carranza will 
soon taste the wormwood in his cup ot 
momentary victory, for just as soon as 
the unlettered brute Villa gains a little 
more power we shall have the edifying 
spectacle of two thieves disproving the 
ancient dictum about there being hono 
among them. 

The attainment of the supreme powei 
by either of these blackguards would 
not settle the Mexican trouble, for 
neither would be allowed to retain it. 
Riglit now almost every half-breed in 
the republic wants to be presidente, and 
stands ready to knife any dissenter from 
that view. As fast as one so-called gen- 
eral gains supremacy, others will rise 
to defame or despoil him. After they 
had thrown off the Spanish yoke in 1831, 
the Mexicans fought among themselves 
almost continuously till Porfirio Diaz 
took a hand in the struggle in 1870. And 
unless some strong hand holds the Mex- 
icans in place, history is going to repeat 
itself with meticulous consistency. Huer- 
ta seems to be able to do it, and why 
not give him a chance? Are we so pure 
that we can criticise his moral code? 
Shall history record that we crushed 
Mexico to the dust, and crippled her in 
her march toward civilization because 
one schoolmaster thought Huerta did not 
attain his position in a lady-like way? 
And, after all. would the superintendent 
of a young ladies' seminary be a fit Presi- 
dent for Mexico, when it is a proven 
fact that pedagogues don't make good 
Presidents anywhere? Our contention 
that Huerta is not the head of the na- 
tion by the will of the people (some- 
thing that has not yet come to pass mi 
Mexico) and, therefore, is undeserving 
of recognition, is a nice point in punc- 
tiliousness, but is it world politics? And 
is it consistent with some of our recent 
actions? Haven't we chosen a very un- 
propitious occasion for teaching Mexico 
a lesson in morality. Madero's fathom- 
less conceit started the Mexican revolu- 
tion; shall ours prolong it? Is it not 
calamitous that our misguided efforts to 
make men of Spanish birth conform to 
American ways of thinking has only re- 
sulted in the death of scores of Ameri- 
cans, of thousands of Mexicans, and v- 
the loss of $500,000,000 worth o'f Ameri- 
can property — three times the cost ot 
our war with Mexico? Is it not to our 
eternal shame that all of this needless 
less can be traced directly to our de- 
structive meddlesomeness? If the spec- 
tres of those Americans m.artyred at the 
south of the Rio Bravo do not stand at 
a certain speechifier's elbow while he 
delivers his wearisome lectures — hearken- 
ing with one ear to the "empty plaudits 
of the crowd," and with the other to the 
clicking of the cash register announcing 
gate receipts — then retributive justice has 
departed from this world, and the law 
of compensation has ceased to operate! 

The two greatest Presidents Mexico 
ever had, Benito Juarez and Porfirio 
Diaz, were of Indian blood, like Vic- 



toriano Huerta. Like Diaz, Huerta is 
a military commander, and every per- 
son who knows Mexico knows that it 
must be ruled by the sword. Whosoever 
holds the illusion that, the people are 
ripe for democracy or Constitutionalism 
fools a careless thinker. Mexico needs 
"the iron hand in the velvet glove." It 
is happier thus, and more progressive. 
History shows that in the life of the 
nation, with the sole exception of Benito 
Juarez, no civilian executive ever suc- 
ceeded inf maintaining his hold on the 
supreme power. One also deducts that 
had not Juarez died suddenly in 1872 
he must inevitably have been ousted, for 
a formidable revolution headed by the 
invincible Porfirio Diaz was in motion 
at the time. To have ruled the country 
so admirably for 30 years Diaz must 
have known its people. Despite the fact 
that his was the wisest old head that 
ever studied the Spanish-Mexican-Indian- 
polyglot-half-breed problem from within, 
Washington in its supreme conceit seems 
strangely deaf to his last prophetic words 
when he embarked for Europe at Vera 
Cruz — -"Mexico .can be ruled only by the 
military!" 

Talk as one may about the Diaz Ad- 
ministration it was the only real Gov- 
ernment the country ever had and the 
only one under which the people pros- 
pered. Diaz tried the Constitution mod- 
eled after that of the United States and 
so flamboyantly adopted in 1857, but he 
found it utterly unfitted to Mexico's 
needs, so he quietly shelved it and sub- 
stituted a mild despotism. Can any one 
'familiar with the history of Mexico truth- 
fully gainsay his action? By the con- 
struction of 20,000 miles of railways, 
the opening of scores of mines and oil 
wells, the establishment of hundreds ot 
schools of all kinds from parochial to 
polytechnical, the introduction of 50,000 
foreigners and two thousand million gold 
dollars from Europe and America, he 
raised the status of the people higher 
than it ever had been. The daily wape 
of the much discussed peon increased 
gradually from 12 cents to a peso and 
a half a day, and the peon had the chance 
of graduating from the slavery in which 
his own habits had placed him, but he 
spurned the offer. 

He is of a class which refuses to be 
uplifted. With 300 years of trainins; 
back of him. his regeneration is pain- 
fully slow. But Diaz was none the less 
slowly and patiently elevating him when 
destiny wrenched his hand from the 
wheel. The leavening crowd of foreign- 
ers in Mexico, by their very presence, 
were teaching the peon an object lesson 
in thrift and duty and enterprise which 
was benefitting him more than anything 
else could do. The strong hand of Diaz 
repressed his inherited murderous in- 
stinct so relentlessly that in time he 
grew to be like a seething volcano, and 
when the thoughtless Madero gave him 
the opportunity of expression he arrasped 
it in such a whirlwind way that the 
world stands sickened and appalled at 
the carnage of blood and lust and pil- 
lage. 

It is nothing short of heatrending to 
think of our siding with these people in 
their frantic efforts to ruin Mexico and 
overturn its organized Government. It 
we continue our blind course our present 
frayed prestige will be entirely shattered ; 
our_ well-earned reputation for human- 
itarianism will be nullified wherever we 
are known; the friendly nations at the 
south will forever be alienated, and the 
deplorable result vnll be a tangle which 
will take something- stronger than aca- 
demic rhetoric or diluted grai>e juice to 
straighten out. — T. Philip Terry, in Bos- 
ton "Herald." 



Saturday, April 18, 1914. 



MEXICO 



NONE SO BLIND 



Senator Boies Penrose, of Pennsyl- 
vania, speaking before a Philadelphia 
church congregation, said: 

"President Wilson wrote in one of 
his books that constitutional government 
was not a thing which could be given to 
a people. A very great part of the diffi- 
culties of our present situation with Mex- 
ico is due to his attempts to give con- 
stitutional government, not even to a 
people, but to a collection of Indian 
tribes whose racial characteristics are 
still painfully in evidence. 

"When the homes of American citi- 
zens are raided by bandits, and Ameri- 
can men bound to trees in the good old 
Indian way of binding the victim to the 
stake, and the daughters of the house are 
assaulted, it is hard to restrain our 
human instincts as men and brothers, 
and subordinate them to the political ex- 
pediency which is demanded to uphold 
a course avowedly based on the highest 
principles of political morality. 

Long Score of Barbarities. 

"This is no composite picture, no ex- 
aggeration, of merely disagreeable inci- 
dents. I have referred to an actual case 
in the terms in which it actually occurred, 
and in which it is actually on record 
with the Government at Washington. 
There is a long score of barbarities of 
this and other kinds, some of which can- 
not be even mentioned in this presence 
— most of them fully recorded in re- 
ports in Washington; and it seems to 
me that not only the expediency, but 
also the morality which it has been an- 
nounced is to be the basis of our policy 
toward our neighbors to the south, has 
not only failed to demonstrate its ex- 
pediency, but what the ordinary citizen 
understands as morality, both of object 
and of procedure, has been more dis- 
torted than one sliould expect from such 
high professions. A policy which re- 
quires constant suppression of fact in 
order to retain even the possibility of 
public support is not conducive to the 
spread of ideas of public morality. 

"An incidental feature of our Govern- 
ment's policy, which finds it necessary 
to furnish weapons and ammunition to a 
bandit chieftain who has been clever 
enough to label himself a 'Constitution- 
alist,' is the loss and personal peril in- 
curred by the faithful missionaries who 
have been laboring in the field of Mex- 
ico. 

"It is a curious commentary on the 
morality of our policy that it has been 
vigorously protested against by these 
very missionaries and ministers of the 
gospel as contrary to humanity and sub- 
Torsive of order and civilization. 

"These men. wrho have lived in that 
country, know that the pretensions of 
bandits and the political spoilsmen mas- 



querading together as prophets of a new 
freedom for the down-trodden« Mexican, 
by which the President has been misled, 
are nothing but the veriest farce. 
Exhibitions of Curming. 
"In the recent campaign the outward 
manifestation of these habits has been 
largely checked by the constant admoni- 
tions of the authorized representatives 
of this Government who have accom- 
panied the leaders of the Constitutional- 
ists in their campaign about Torreon. 
Constant reiteration of 'Don't do this,' 
'Don't do that,' 'Washington will not ap- 
prove of this,' 'Washington will not stand 
for that,' has produced a modification of 
the outward usual demonstrations of na- 
tive instinct. With the cunning which 
we have also come to know is a racial 
characteristic the lesson has been easily 
learned that professions of love and de- 
votion to the principles of justice, mo- 
rality and freedom are absolutlely neces- 
sary to retain the support of the great 
neighbor to the north. 

"Promises to reform and be good are 
the payment for rifles and ammunition 
with which to be brutal. It seems to me 
that our heroes of the Indian wars — 
Crook, Miles and others — could furnish 
us with some parallels from the history 
of their own Indian campaigns. There 
is something that would be humorous, if 
the whole situation were not so fraught 
with danger, in the picture of the head 
of this nation, who has possibly never 
seen an Indian except on full-dress ex- 
hibition, lecturing a nation which has 
ruled some 14.000.000 of them with at 
least sufficient success to keep them alive 
and most of them doing some little use- 
ful agricultural work. 

"As a matter of fact, it is not seemly 
for us to give many instructions to the 
Mexicans on the theory and practice ot 
handling Indians, unless it be considered 
of greater morality to exterminate them 
than it is to subjugate them and mold 
them into some participation, however 
imperfect, in the machinery of social and 
industrial life. 

Most Pressing Problem. 
"I have referred to the danger of the 
situation. I am not referring to the suf- 
fering or loss of American citizens in 
Mexico, nor to the danger of incidental 
complications on our southern frontier. 
I have in mind the fact that Mexico is 
not the only troublesome question in our 
foreign relations. There is a serious 
question confronting us on the Pacific 
Ocean. There are other questions con- 
fronting us on the south, though none 
so pressing as those of Mexico. 

"It is a maxim of ordinary common 
sense that if a man or a nation has a 
difficult and delicate problem to handle 
with a neighbor he can give it more in- 



telligent attention and secure better re- 
sults in his negotiations if he is free 
to devote his attention to the matter in 
hand. If he is embarrassed at the same 
time by complications in other direc- 
tions, he is not in as good a position. 
If complications can be tangled up with 
the first question, so that he is encom- 
passed on all sides with difficulties, the 
prospect of a satisfactory result are con- 
siderably diminished. 

"If we were to be forced into interven- 
tion in Mexico, it is perfectly clear that 
other countries who had any questions 
at issue with us, whether in Europe or 
Asia, would find it an opportune time to 
press their claims. It is only a step 
further to the conclusion that some one 
of these countries might undertake to 
assist Providence to modify the course 
of events to such an extent that we 
would be driven into intervention, not- 
withstanding our reluctance. 

"It is because we want to eliminate 
this danger and alter a course which is 
so likely to drag us into a costly inter- 
vention and possible war that the real 
facts about Mexican problems should 
have the greatest publicity. True con- 
structive statesmanship will seek for a 
way to restore order in a country in 
which its own mistaken policy has fos- 
tered anarchy and bloodshed. 

"The imposition of inapplicable stan- 
dards of government to a people who 
have not even the word 'government' in 
the language of a large number of them 
is so preposterous an error that com- 
mon intellectual honesty demands its ac- 
knowledgment and retraction. 

"The theory that the chiefs of the 
Constitutionalists are a saving remnant 
in Israel to lead their people out of the 
wilderness of oppression and barbarism 
and that Villa is the prophet, is about 
as true as that the gunmen of the East 
Side of New York are the bulwarks of 
law and order. 

"There has been much land allotted to 
the Indian and sold for a mess of pot- 
tage. And the land problem in Mexico 
does exist. But if all the great estates 
were wiped out today, and the land di- 
vided at the rate of three acres and a 
mule to every patriot who has fought in 
the Constitutionalists' army, the problem 
would be no nearer solution by that act 
than it is today. On the contrary, it 
would be setting back progress for half 
a generation, for the land, inside of five 
or ten years, would all be in the hands 
of a new group of harpies and specula- 
tors, and in the meantime such organiza- 
tion of the forces of production as there 
is in the country w-ould have utterly dis- 
appeared. 

"This is no place nor time to enter 
into a discussion of the extremely diffi- 
cult and complex problem presented by 
land tenures in Mexico. But the vit«l 
and pressing feature of the situation to- 
day is the restoration of order and the 
re-establishment of a condition which 
(Continued on next page'^ 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 18, 1914. 



will permit these problems to be dealt 
with with some intelligence, instead ot 
great passion. 

"An assertion frequently made by the 
President is that the clamor for inter- 
vention comes from the 'interests' which 
have large investments in Mexico. This 
is wholly untrue. The large corporations 
would prefer to deal with a less highly 
organized Government than that of the 
United States and with one also that dis- 
plays a livelier appreciation of efforts for 
the development of an enormously rich 
and industrially backward country. 

"The Administration involves itself in 
a contradiction on this point. In one 
breath it charges that the Governments 
of these countries to the south of us are 
weak and unsophisticated in their deal- 
ings with the wily representatives of 
large foreign investors, and it alleges 
that these foreign interests make large 
and improper profits out of this condi- 
tion. Then when a clamor arises at the 
ineffective and badly conceived policy 
of the Administration in Mexico, and 
many calls are heard for interven- 
tion, the Administration promptly ac- 
cuses the interests just referred to of 
being responsible for this agitation. 

"Both charges cannot be true, although 
they are both as true and as consistent 
as most of the positions taken by the 
Administration about Mexico. If it is 
true that the Mexican Government is 
granting improper favors to capitalists, 
certainly the capitalists who are profiting 
by them are not clamoring for interven- 
tion to put an end to this satisfactory 
condition. On the other hand, if this 
charge is not true, the alternative is that 
the Mexicans are intelligently administer- 
ing their own affairs and our dictation 
to them and interference with them is 
an unwarranted piece of intrusion in the 
affairs of a neighbor. 

Call for Intervention. 

"Where the call for intervention real- 
ly comes irotn, when it comes at all, is 
from the individual American citizen 
whose little all is at stake. 
• "If the big interests suffer in Mexico 
they can recoup in South Africa or other 
mining countries, or in Canada on power 
plants, as is actually happening to two 
of the principal so-called 'interests' in 
Mexico. But take the specific cases ot 
one or two American citizens that have 
come to my knowledge. 

"One was a dentist, a man of perhaps 
45, who had lived in Mexico long enough 
to build up an excellent practice. Severe 
illness and expensive surgical treatment 
had encroached heavily on his savings. 
On his recovery, just as he was about 
to get back his losses from his practice, 
this Administration warned all Ameri- 
cans to leave Mexico and emphasized it 
by sending Government transportation 
for them. This man left in obedience 
to the orders of his Government. When 
he went he left his all. You cannot car- 



NONE SO BLIND-Continued 

ry a professional practice with you from 
one country to another. It is hard to 
have to start in at middle life to build 
up a new practice in a community from 
which one f;as been absent for many 
years. This would be hard under any 
circumstances, even were the cause the 
act of God. It is doubly hard when the 
cause is the weakness and lack of wis- 
dom of high officials of one's own Gov- 
ernment. 

"I cite this case because it is typical. 
There are hundreds of Americans who 
have lost their all in the same way, doc- 
tors, professional men, planters, farmers, 
electricians with small repair shops, min- 
ers with promising and paying little 
mines, tie contractors, engineers, me- 
chanics — these are the great body of 
Americans in Mexico. 

"Many of these have been ruined at 
one blow by the action of their own 
'home government. Who will pay them 
indemnity? Not Mexico. She has no 
responsibility. She did not turn them 
out. Does this Administration expect 
to reimburse all these Americans that 
it has ordered out of Mexico? 

"Take the case of a small planter in 
the State of Vera Cruz. After working 
for other people as employe and man- 
ager for some years, he got hold of a 
piece of land. It was not clear of debt, 
but he got enough out of his first crop 
on it to increase his area under cultiva- 
tion, and this present crop would have 
put him fairly out of debt on 'his land. 
The attitude of this Administration has 
forced him to abandon his place, and 
unless he can make some apparently im- 
possible arrangement he loses all he had 
put in. 

Plain Citizens Ruined. 

"These are the people who are suffer- 
ing by the policy of this Administration 
— not the interests. For every American 
hurt who is working for the big financial 
corporations in Mexico there are scores 
of plain citizens who have been almost 
quite ruined. This condition breeds re- 
sentment. 

"This resentment extends to foreign 
Powers. Great Britain may remain quiet 
during one Benton affair. Will she 
during four or five? And the result of 
the present policy of the Administra- 
tion is to foster conditions which tend 
daily more and more to increase the 
danger and the probability of more Ben- 
ton affairs. 

"And there will be German Bentons 
and French Bentons. The Spaniards are 
being treated more tenderly. They are 
sent out of the country. 

"This condition is what makes forced 
intervention loom up as a probable re- 
sult. The only way to insure its not 
happening is to change the conditions. 

"Anything that can be done to hasten 
this change is a patriotic step, as it 
removes by just so much the danger of 
costly and maybe bloody intervention. 



"An unprejudiced review of the sit- 
uation warrants the conclusion that there 
would today be no organized revolution, 
at least outside the Pacific States of 
Sonora and Sinaloa in the extreme 
northwestern corner of Mexico, across 
the mountains, had Huerta been recog. 
nized. 

"There are sound reasons for this 
opinion. Consider what Huerta did in 
four months of last year, after taking 
possession. Starting with half the States 
of the country in the hands of hostile 
Governors and Administrations, he had 
established order in more than half of 
those and put his military provisional 
governments in nearly all the rest. His 
Generals had marched straight through 
the middle of North Mexico and rolled 
the revolutionary forces back against 
the Chihuahua Mountains in the west, 
and scattered them entirely in the east. 

"Had it not been for the moral support 
given the revolutionists by this Admin- 
istration and the hope of material sup- 
port in arms and munitions (which they 
a'fterward actually got), is there any rea- 
son to suppose they could have kept up 
an important organized military force? 
Huerta's Task. 

"Is it not a reasonable conclusion 
that there would have been a fair meas- 
ure of peace and order in the country 
if Huerta had been given the support 
which was given to Mr. Villa, inasmuch 
as Huerta has been able to maintain 
himself for over a year, not only vnth- 
out such support, but actually in the 
face of, just the moral disapproval of 
our Administration,- then the active and 
successful financial boycott, which has 
prevented it from raising any money 
abroad; and lastly, an open source of 
supply of arms and ammunition for his 
enemies. 

"The mistake was made doubtless 
from high motives. But it is fairly ob- 
vious now, even to a partisan supporter, 
that the man most likely to secure peace 
in Mexico was the one who was rejected. 

"And it also seems clear that the price 
we are forcing Mexico to pay in blood- 
shed, rapine, pillage and anarchy is not 
warranted by the reasonable expectation 
of the establishment of social justice and 
free government through the instrumen- 
tality of the man who has lied brazenly 
and officially to the Government of the 
United States in the matter of the Ben- 
ton murder, flouting not only our Gov- 
ernment, but ordinary human honesty, 
and illustrates his sense of economic 
justice by the wholesale deportation of 
hundreds of residents of Mexico with- 
out a fair hearing or any trial, even a 
farce, simply because they are members 
of a given race." 



Subscribe to MEXICO 



Saturday, Afril IS, 1914. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and AU Angles. 



CAN THEY READ? 

May it be permitted to an ardent lover 
of peace, to a man grown gray in the 
service of his country, once more to beg 
our President to abandon his Mexican 
policy, to recognize Huerta before it 
is too late? 

His recent treatment at the hands of 
Carranza, Villa and Company affords 
him ample grounds for any action that 
he may take in abandoning his chosen 
allies in favor of a man of whom he 
may disapprove but who has scrupulous- 
ly safeguarded the lives and property ot 
all foreigners since his accession to 
power. 

Should long suffering Spain now take 
the course that a self-respecting Power 
would naturally pursue she will have the 
sympathy, more or less active, of every 
Power in Europe, ^d alas! that it should 
be so, of every right thinking man in 
the United States. 

For who has committed this monu- 
mental, this insane, this in modern times 
unheard of outrage on international 
rights? Why, our allies. Carranza, 
Villa and Company, the active agent of 
which combination Villa is, and is by 
Mr. Wilson known to be, an ex-convict, 
a wholesale dishonorer of women, a 
butcher of prisoners, a vulgar thief. 
These are our allies. 

Are we going to cleave to them? Are 
we going to be forced into a war through 
their actions, on their account, their 
filthy account? Or will the President 
acknowledge his error before it is too 
late, thereby saving his face, his Admin- 
istration and his party? 

The President has reversed himself 
and is seeking to reverse his party, his 
platform, his constituency, the nation, 
in the matter of the Panama Canal. Let 
him reverse himself in this case also. 
It would be wise to do so. 

There is handwriting on the wall. It 
would be gravely unpleasant for this Ad- 
ministration should the American people 
begin to cry aloud what they are now 
whispering to one another: "We will 
not have a war in order to vindicate the 
policy of one man, be his intentions 
never so good." — Junius,' in New York 
"Sun." 



the murder of Benton and Villa's point- 
blank refusal to hand over the body 
for autopsy. The incident is surely less 
of an offence than Carranza's and Villa's 
utter disregard of our efforts in behalf 
of the Spaniards, exiled in spite of the 
promise to treat all foreigners alike. — 
Boston "Herald." 



THE TAMPICO INCIDENT. 
While the President's course is thus 
thoroughly admirable, it is significant 
that the initiative was taken at the front, 
and not in Washington. It is incidental- 
ly regrettable that the affair arises over 
one of the least serious affronts of the 
entire Mexican situation. The arrest of 
marines by an officer of low rank, 
promptly followed by the explanation 
from headquarters that it was all a mis- 
take, is surely less of an offence than 



GLORIFICATION OF INCOM- 
PETENCE. 

One of the strange phenomena of the 
day is the unusual strength of the prev- 
alent tendency to be content with im- 
pressionistic conclusions and to turn 
away with contempt and distrust from 
any one possessing exact knowledge or 
practical ideas. Ignorance and emo- 
tionalism have always been prone to fol- 
low the demagogue rather than the 
statesman, but the ease with \yhich the 
four-flusher gathers in his victims in 
these days indicates that the public is 
just now suffering from an acute mad- 
ness. The trouble was probably begun 
bV the rtnickraker, who laid down the 
(licUim that all responsible men of af- 
fairs are per se crooks, and he in turn 
was ably seconded, particularly in the 
business world, by that strange creature 
the "efficiency expert," who in his full 
flower is often everything except what 
his name indicates. 

The impulse to grab up anything that 
sounds well or that is labeled "reform" 
is evident in every activity of life. It 
has even invaded philosophy, but no- 
where is it more obtrusive than in gov- 
ernmental matters. In dealing with the 
Mexican and Philippine questions the 
.Administration has been particularly its 
victim. It has almost uniformly turned 
a deaf ear to .\merican men familiar 
with the countries affected and with their 
peoples — sometimes it seems for no 
other reason than that they are reliable 
authorities on the subjects in hand — and 
it has preferred to listen to novices, to 
irresponsibles or to those who are ob- 
viously prejudiced and partisan. 

Because he was a Republican and be- 
cause he stood for what he believed 
right. Henry Lane Wilson was thrown 
out of the diplomatic service in favor 
of John Lind. an ignoramus in diploma- 
cy, w'ho went to Mexico with his verdict 
already mapped out for him. .Americans 
in Mexico who knew the situation in 
that country and were in position where 
they could speak authoritatively were 
passed over, presumably for that very 
reason, their advice was discounted be- 
cause they had "dirty dollars" at stake, 
and men like William Bayard Hale and 
wholly untrustworthy and prejudiced 
witnesses like Mrs. Madero were re- 
ceived gladly in Washington, w'hile rep- 
utable citizens of the LTnited States, who 
had only the general good at heart, 
cooled their heels on the White House 
steps. They were under suspicion be- 
cause they were "interested" in bring- 
ing order out of chaos, cared nothing 
about theories and political axes and 
had no pet theories to put forward. * * ♦ 
The same tendency to discount and 
despise the words of knowledge is in 
evidence practically every time there is 
a congressional hearing in Washington. 
Matters have reached such a pass that 
business men are loath to go to the na- 
tional capital and submit to gross insult 
because they are honest enoug'h to an- 



swer questions according to their best 
knowledge. They are wearied of being 
accused of trickery because they know 
their subjects, and tell the truth rather 
than that which is pleasant to their 
interrogators. It is only the blind parti- 
san, or the wild-eyed idealist, or the ig- 
norant dreamer, who is really welcomed 
in Washington today. The wisdom and 
probity of genuine experts are almost in- 
variably questioned because they are ex- 
perts, and perhaps personally interested 
in the subject in hand. To be a fully 
competent advisor in national affairs one 
must be badly informed, a sycophant 
and a pauper. The man of knowledge 
and affairs is ipso facto a crook. — Detroit 
"Free Press." 



MEXICAN REVOLT FOSTERED BY 
UNITED STATES. 



How an American Business Man in the 
Troubled Republic Views the De- 
position of Madero and the 
Policy of Wilson. 
To the Editor of the "Public Ledger:" 

Sir — Notwithstanding the beliefs of the 
American Governments, past and pres- 
ent, foreigners in Mexico believed that 
Madero was a failure, and his personal 
ideas not practicable with Mexicans, and 
that his Government came to be rotten 
to the core; and they could see nothing 
but ill results to come out of it. 

We had been living under a constant 
fear of intervention; we had been warned 
to leave the country by President Taft. 
There was constant turmoil throughout 
the country. The inevitable thing hap- 
pened and the Federals turned against 
Madero. Almost all of his former lieu- 
tenants when he himself was in the field 
against Diaz had been turned against 
him for some time, and thej' now united 
with the Federals. Was it not proof 
enough that the country at large was 
tired of revolution, and a feeling gen- 
erally existent that they should all pull 
together when every revolutionary chief 
that had ever acquired a name — except 
Zapata, the irrepressible — came in and 
joined with the Federals' But when the 
American Government began its policy 
of opposition to Huerta and so embar- 
rassed the new Government, a new crop 
of rebels sprang up like weeds, and this 
time they were pure bandits, except the 
secessionists of Sonora and Coahuila. 

That secessionist movement up north 
has been fostered by .Americans, to our 
personal knowledge, for years. We lived 
in Chihuahua three years, and in northern 
Sonora three years, and we know that 
the Americans in general that live along 
the border and that live in the belt of 
northern States have looked forward to 
and have talked and urged the secession 
of those four or five States. _ It really 
is the only "foreign policy" that we 
know of having been consistently fol- 
lowed by any part of the American peo- 
ple. 

.At first everybody thought that the 
moral effect would cause Huerta to step 
down and out; that he ought to for the 
good of his country; then, when he did 
not do so, he lost sympathy for quite a 
while: but when he stuck on. chased the 
whole Diaz crowd out of the country 
and maintained himself in spite of the 
efforts of the .American Government to 
oust him. and has continued to do so in 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April IS, 1914. 



spite of oft-repeated declarations ot 
President Wilson that he has good rea- 
sons to believe that Huerta will soon 
get out, most foreigners have been com- 
pelled to admire his nerve, his strength, 
and to concede to him the possession ot 
most of the faculties necessary to' gov- 
ern this illogical Mexican people. 

We all have had the feeling that it 
Americans had given Huerta recognition 
without question at the start, the United 
States would have had the best chance 
it will ever have to get a closer, friend- 
lier feeling from Mexicans. We have 
been trying for years to overcome the 
antipathy the Mexicans have for us, and 
that was the chance of a lifetime to get 
it. We have lost it now, and a lifetime 
will not suffice in which to win it. Mex- 
icans favorable to Huerta now have a 
contempt for us that will not die out 
during their lives, and considerable 
hatred goes with it. Me-xicans living in 
Federal territory, but not favorable to 
Huerta nor to the Northern rebels, 
detest us for having presumed to med- 
dle in their sovereign affairs. Rebels up 
north — like Villa, saying that Ije loves 
the Americans now that they have raised 
the embargo on arms — detest the Ameri- 
can body and soul. And President Wil- 
son might just as well go around the 
corner and beat on a tin can as to try 
to convince one solitary Mexican that 
the American Government meant well 
b'y Mexico by trying to exercise a voice 
in her internal affairs. — Phila. "Ledger." 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

tionalists of Mexico. Spain's attitude 
is not regarded as of so much import- 
ance as that of England, but it is felt 
that Spain has a good case against the 
Constitutionalists and could enlist the 
sympathy and support of other European 
countries. — Washington correspondence. 
New York "Tribune." 



THE MUDDLE. 

There is no question that the situation 
is at the moment more serious than at 
any time in recent months. Not only 
has the Tampico incident served to bring 
the whole problem sha ply to the front, 
but the persistent refusal of the Con- 
stitutionalists in the north to meet 
American demands concerning the treat- 
ment of Spaniards and other foreigners 
has emphasized the 'hopelessness of the 
United States relying on that faction to 
adjust matters. 

The Administration's hopes of finding 
a solution of the Mexican problem in 
rebel victory have been practically 
blasted. 

The Administration is beginning to 
see that the rebels are not likely to 
establish a satisfactory Government, 
even should General Villa take his forces 
down to Mexico City, which most people 
consider highly improbable. 

There is the added complication that 
even should Genreal Villa take his forces 
southward on a triumphant campaign, 
ending with the complete overthrow of 
Huerta, any Government which is es- 
tablished will not meet with the satis- 
faction of Europe so long as Villa is 
connected with it. It is certain that 
England will not approve a Govern- 
ment in which Villa, who is held per- 
sonally responsible for the death of the 
Englishman Benton, takes a prominent 
part. 

The impossibility of General Carran- 
za or any other revolutionary leader 
putting up a Government in V7hich Villa 
will not demand and" take a leading part 
is recognized. It is equally certain that 
Spain will never recognize the Constitu- 



HAS HE NO HEART? 

"Woodrow Wilson is morally respon- 
sible for every drop of blood that is 
being shed and every dollar that is be- 
ing lost today in looted and devastated 
Mexico." 

A little, gray-haired, bearded man, 
sitting in a downtown office Saturday, 
spoke in firm and deliberate tones, born 
of suffering in the revolutionary country. 
After 25 years of peace and prosperity 
in the central part of Mexico, he is in 
Detroit, robbed of nearly $250,000 and 
without a home — the victim of the rav- 
ages of war and, he believes, of the dila- 
tory policy of the American Government. 

"If my name will not appear I will 
tell what I can. 

"When I say that Woodrow Wilson 
is morally responsible for the loss of 
life in Mexico and for the pillage, I mean 
not only that which affects American 
property, but all of the country. Had 
Huerta been recognized bv the United 
States, we should be peacefully running 
our ranches, and the country would be 
prosperous. 

"Carranza. friend of Madero, did not 
move until he saw that the United 
States was not going to recognize Huer- 
ta. Then he decided to dabble in the 
pie and try for the plum. The result 
has been more bloodshed and a condi- 
tion in the country that bids fair to 
ruin not only the American citizens who 
have spent their lives and money in try- 
ing to develop the country and bring 
commerce to their native land, but also 
the lives of thousands of natives. 

Mexico Cropless This Year. 

"It is doubtful whether conditions will 
permit the people of Mexico to plant 
crops this spring. Their seeds and their 
money have been taken by the Consti- 
tutionalists and they have little resources. 
No crops in Mexico will mean starva-- 
tion to the masses. It will mean that 
a famine comparable to those of India 
and Egypt wiU sweep over tlie country, 
and that men, women and children will 
die like fliies. For every one of these 
deaths, the school teacher President is 
responsible. You can not feed a nation 
on grape juice and ultimatums. 

"I went to Mexico 25 years ago and 
I own a big ranch down there, as well 
as a lot of other property. The Ameri- 
can Government says to me that I ought 
to lose my property because I risked 
my money in an unsettled and revolu- 
tionary land, yet I lived there for 22 
years without trouble and in prosperous 
times. 

"The argument that in-vestment in 
Mexico by Americans is a big gamble 
is faulty, because as long as Diaz was 
in power, and it is the fault of the 
United States that his follower Huerta 
is not in complete rule, Mexico was 
quiet. I had built up a good business 
and was realizing on the years of hard 
work I put in to get my ranch going. 
Then came the revolution. 

"Two years ago I spent six weeks in 
a barricaded schoolhouse along with 40 
other Americans, while the rebels plun- 
dered our ranches. Last spring my son 
went throug'h the same experience, only 



he was in the home of the .\merican 
Consul. What happened? 

"Villa and his gang of cut-throats ■ 
burned the town and riddled the Con- 
sul's home with bullets, sending shot 
after shot through the American flag 
that hung above the house. Then they 
dynamited the doors and robbed the 
Americans, who had taken refuge there. 
Two people were wounded in this affair 
— and not an American shot was fired. 
Denied Money; Bandits Shoot. 

"The foreman of my own ranch was 
murdered by a party of Constitutional- 
ists who demanded money from him. 
They robbed the ranch of its cattle and 
horses and they wanted $500. My man 
sent 20 miles for $200 and gave it to the 
bandits. Three hours later, they came 
back for more and when he told them 
that he did not have it, they shot him 
down. — Detroit "Free Press." 



THE LITTLE "GLOBE." 

Editor of "The Globe," Sir — In your 
editorial o'f April 4 you wrote by way 
of assailing the character and utterances 
of Henry L. Wilson as follows: "For- 
mer Ambassador Wilson, whose mis- 
takes aggravated, if they did not cause, 
Mexico's troubles, again has the impu- 
dence to assail the Administration's re- 
fusal to recognize Huerta. Mr, Wilson 
totally lacks sympathy with democratic 
ideals." Further: "The success of the 
Constitutionalist campaign against Tor- 
reon destroys the possibility of getting 
peace through Huerta or any one of his 
kind. Though we recognized Huerta 
the contest would go on. Without 
money or soldiers or organization a 
year ago, the Constitutionalists now hold 
a third of the republic. If Huerta has 
not been able to suppress the revolt 
in the past he is not likely to suppress 
it in the future." 

Will you kindly explain what you 
mean by former Ambassador Wilson's 
mistakes? What were they and how did 
they aggravate Mexico's troubles? Does 
not an American ambassador act under 
orders from the State Department? And 
were not H. L. Wilson's actions during 
February, 1913. commended by the then 
President Taft and Secretary of State 
Kno.x? If so, why not lay the blame 
of Mexico's troubles at the door of W. 
H. Taft and Philander Knox? 

About a week ago there appeared in 
"The Globe" an editorial in which the 
"Bandits of Mexico" were exalted and 
placed on a pedestal by the versatile pen 
of one of "The Globe" editors. 

In view of the fact that "the full story 
o'f Torreon has not been written" do 
you not think "the success of the Con- 
stitutionalists' campaign against Tor- 
reon" is somewhat previous? 

But presuming the successful cam- 
paign . against Torreon, how does that 
destroy the possibility of .getting peace 
through HuQrta or any one of his kind? 

"The Globe" seems to entertain pro- 
phetic pretensions when remarking that 
though we recognized Huerta the con- 
test would go on. It is a verv safe 
remark to make, as the recognition ot 
Huerta at the present time could hardly 
be done without sacrificing the national 
dignity. Could we imagine our magnan- 
imous President to confess having 
withheld recognition owing to a misun- 
derstanding? 

Without knowing the facts it does 
seem wonderful that "the Constitution- 
alists who a year ago had neither money, 
soldiers, nor organization should now 
hold a third of the republic." Have you 
ever stopped to consider how the Con- 
stitutionalists raise money and enlist 



Saturday, April 18, 1914. 



MEXICO 



troops? The troops are enlisted, through 
promises of privilege to loot. It is on 
this basis the "army" is maintained. You 
cannot promise your Mexican soldiers 
anything as intangible or little alluring 
as democracy, free elections, or honest 
government. Whatever other money is 
needed for maintaining the Constitution, 
al organization is raised by <;onfiscating 
the property of wealthy Mexicans, forc- 
ing bribes from foreign residents and 
mine owners, and receiving help from 
sympathizers on the American side ol 
the border, who are willing to take a 
chance on the ultimate success of the 
Constitutionalists that they might reai. 
future benefits. There are also a num- 
ber of Americans fighting with the Con- 
stitutionalist forces. Why? 

"The Globe" takes for granted that 
because Huerta has not been able to 
suppress the revolt in the past he is not 
likely to suppress it in the future. The 
wonder is that he has been able to hold 
his place as long as he has. You must 
remember that Huerta has been fighting 
against overwhelming odds. The United 
States Government has opposed him 
from the very beginning and every ob- 
stacle has been laid in his path. He 
was doomed to crumble by last June 
or July. It is now April. The Ameri- 
can press has taken sides with the Ad- 
ministration at Washington in favor of 
the Constitutionalists without knowing, 
or wilfullj' withholding, all the facts. It 
seems as if the American press, like 
many members of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, fear to oppose any measure 
taken by the Chief Executive and Secre- 
tary of State; and the Congressmen for 
fear of withheld patronage and party 
politics, but why the press? If the press 
has been unwittingly deceived, should it 
then in turn unwittingly deceive the 
people, and persistingly do so' There 
should be such a thing as "press ethics," 
the golden rule of which should be to 
present the reading public the conten- 
tions of any two opposing sides. — Einar 
R. Stolpe. in New York "Globe." 



YET TO BE FOUND. 

To the American it seems that Diaz moved 
slowly in the improvement of his people, but I 
personally am not sufficiently familiar with con- 
ditions when he first became President to criti- 
cise. These people do not move rapidly at best. 
To induce the people to accept these changes and 
to accomplish what Diaz did, all without revolt, 
must have ref|uired marvellous executive ability. 

The trouble with Prof. Hart is that he brings 
no solution. He admits the loss of American 




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lives and property, and he appears to be willing 
that this should continue indefinitely. Only three 
weeks ago an engineer who had lived in Mexico 
for years told in Boston the story of the loss o£ 
all his property, of his appeal to the department 
of state, and the reply that it would be years 
before he could hope to recover anything He 
could find no work and was actually suffering for 
food. Meartwhile a German neighbor who lost 
his property at the same time had entered claim 
through the German consul and had been paid. 
I have yet to meet the man who has lived in 
Mexico and is familiar with Mexican conditions 
who does not believe a great mistake was made 
in the failure to recognize Huerta. — GEO. A. 
PACKARD in Boston "Herald." 



HEROES IN MEXICO. 

To the Editor of the "Evening Sun":— Sir: 

To a letter published April 7 in your columns 
signed by F. C. Locke you give the title "His 
Hero." He has a mighty poor one in Villa, 
bandit, horse thief and a creature of unspeakable 
horror, "who during the time of the Diaz gov- 
ernment had a price upon his head. 

He describes in one long, pathetic sentence the 
bravery of Villa's followers, those human derelicts 
who love excitement and the chance of a little 
plunder; a sombrero, a pair of shoes and a suit 
of overalls is their ambition. 

Villa no doubt is a master of men, but any 
one who has had experience handling Mexican 
workmen will admit that by nature they are the 
most polite and meek of men, but rouse them, give 
them a leader with a flag and they become the 
most ferocious and depraved beings on earth. 
Villa promises each of his army an acre of land 
— maybe it is five — I am not quite sure — a cow* 
and a little money. The bait is dangling in front 
of them and they are there to get it, providing, ol 
course, Villa keeps his word. 

If we had not a professor President, a grape 
juice loving Secretary of State, things might 
he different. The Mexican President is good 
enough for the great Powers of Europe, why 
then is he not good enough for the American 
people? There are over $1,500,000,000 of foreign 
capital invested in Mexico today and at the 
present time hardly any return. Its credit is 
now gone and in a few months Mexico will be in 
financial chaos. 

Huerta while under Madero was successful in 
dealing with the Zapatista bandits and would have 
annihilated them but for Madero*s mysterious in- 
tervention. A despatch told of Zapata holding a 
bishop for $25,000 and if not forthcoming by Good 
Friday he was to be crucified. Imagine in the 
twentieth century a next door neighbor being 
crucified while a big man who sits in Washington 
watches and waits. — JAMES T. FORD in New 
York "Evening Sun." 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 
Editor of MEXICO. 

Dear Sir: If the American flag was outraged 
by the Mexicans who arrested our marines at 
Tampico, it is certainly in order for President 
Huerta to comply with Admiral Mayo's demand 
for a salute to that flag, no matter how humiliat- 
ing this action may be. Of course the incident 



should first be thoroughly investigated to estab- 
lish the facts of the matter, especially whether 
there really was any outrage to our flag. A 
Mexican officer's arrest of marines who had with- 
out notification entered within definitely estab- 
lished military lines, innocent though their pur- 
poses may have been, should not in itself be 
the basis of a demand for a national humiliation. 
The prompt and full apology of President Huerta 
for the over-zealousness of the Tampico officials 
would seem to be sufficient redress. If under 
tliese circumstances a demand for a flag salute 
is persisted in it will be taken to indicate one 
of two things, either that the Administration in 
its enmity for Huerta is still determined to go 
to extremes to embarrass him while daily swallow- 
ing insults and defiances from its bandit allies, 
which is unfair, unAmerican, or that it is trying 
deliberately to provoke war with Mexico, which 
the people of this country do not want. It will 
indicate, besides, that the Administration is pre- 
pared to act the bully toward a smaller nation 
while disposed to yield with amazing "generosity" 
to the representatives of a powerful nation. 
Great Britain, for instance. 

Yours very truly, 
Richmond Hill, L. I. OLIVER H. THOMAS. 



CARSON'S MEXICO REVISED AND 
ENLARGED. 

Mexico as it was and Mexico as it is 
is ably pictured in the new edition of 
W. E. Carson's Mexico: The Wonder- 
land of the South, which is published 
this week. To his previous narrative 
of his wanderings in Mexico, to his de- 
scriptions of the Mexican capital and 
other old cities, of the great haciendas, 
of the gold and silver mines, of the 
quaint health resorts and of his experi- 
ences in mountain climbing, tarpon fish- 
ing and ranching, the author now adds 
chapters dealing with events since the 
retirement of General Diaz to the pres- 
ent day and with existing conditions. 
The volume is handsomely bound and 
contains forty-eight full-page half-tone 
illustrations. 



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Saturday, April 18, 1914. 



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APOLOGIZING ALREADY. 

The New York "World" apologist-in- 
chief for the Administration's mistakes, 
inspired by past experience and a trou- 
bled conscience, begins its apologies even' 
before the action of the Administration 
is challenged, as follows: 

The Administration's real reasons for ordering 
the Atlantic fleet to Mexico have not been offi- 
cially made public. 

They never will be! 

In the light of the President's policy, record 
and character, it may be taken for granted that 
he is not seeking to force intervention or to bully 
Mexico into war. It may be taken for granted, 
likewise, that a display of all the naval strength 
of the United States is not necessary to convince 
Huerta that this Nation is able to enforce 
its demands. 

The President's policy, record and 
character show that he would arm the 
Villa gunmen to "get Huerta." 

It is fair to assume that the whole Atlantic 
fleet has not been sent to Tampico to compel a 
recalcitrant Mexican commander to iire a salute 
of twenty-one guns to the American flag. There 
are already enough warships in those waters to 
blow Tampico off the map. 

But it has been sent. 

Like everybody else, "The World" is in the 
dark, but it assumes that the President has 
important information as to conditions in the City 
of Mexico and that he is taking intelligent pre- 
cautions. What is going on in the Mexican 
capital the world at large does not know. The 
censorship, which was established by Huerta 
April 11, is strict and no news is leaking out. 

The "World" is not as much in the 
dark as it proft;sses to be, and it knows 
beyond the shadow of a doubt that con- 
ditions in the capital are perfectly nor- 
mal. 

But this much is certain: With the whole 
American fleet in Mexican waters, the United 
States could send 10,000 marines and sailors 
instantly to the City of Mexico if they should 
be needed to protect the lives and property of 
foreigners and the foreign legations. The fleet 
is the best possible insurance against anarchy in 
the Mexican capital, no matter what may happen 
there. It is the best-possible assurance to other 
nations that the United States is master of the 
situation. 

The schoolmaster of the situation. 



There has never been the suspicion of jingoism 
in President Wilson's political writings or record. 
He is not the kind of President who is likely to 
be careless about firearms. It is inconceivable 
that he is playing politics with so momentous an 
issue, or that he is making a demonstration in 
force to silence our vociferous jingoes. There- 
fore, the weight of evidence is all on the side of 
the theory that in ordering the fleet to Tampico 
the President has sent it on an errand of civiliza- 
tion, not on an errand of bluff and aggression. 

The weight of evidence is just the 
other way, and that is why the "World" 
tries to discount it. 



MORE EXPLANATIONS. 

The New York "Tribune's" Washing- 
ton correspondent enumerates certain 
well-defined elements which have served 
to bring about action by the Adminis- 
tration. They are: 

1. The growing intolerability of the whole 
Mexican situation, including the prospect that 
neither Huerta nor the Constitutionalists can 
completely triumph. 

Any fair-minded observer will admit 
that this "growing intolerability" had its 
inception in the Administration's dicta- 
torial meddling in Mexico's affairs and 
its encouragement of anarchy to "get 
Huerta." '- 

2. The unsatisfactory attitude of the Consti- 
tutionalists regarding the deportation of Span- 
iards after the battle of Torreon and in the face 
of American protests, indicating that the rebels 
of the North are not inclined to meet America's 
demands, which fact has led to a disbelief in 
their ability to establish a satisfactory govern- 
ment in the event of their victory. 

This which should be a reason for ad- 
mitting a mistake in supporting the so- 
called "constitutionalists" is used as an 
excuse for attacking Huerta. 

3. The fact that Huerta has recently obtained 
from local bankers a loan of $45,000,000 Mexi- 
can, to be paid in five instalments of $9,000,000 
Mexican every twenty days. 

All the more reason why he should 
be supported, if this money, procured 
despite the unwarranted financial block- 
ade, should enable Huerta to pacify 
Mexico! 

4. News received to-day of an impending rebel 
victory on the outskirts of Torreon, which would 
open an easy road to the capture of Saltillo and 
Monterey, where the Spanish subjects would suf- 
fer just as at Torreon. 

But the action of the Administration, 
then, is directed at Huerta for the 
crimes of the rebels! 

.5. Huerta's refusal to fire the salute which 
Rear-Admiral Mayo demanded. 

Was the demand justified? Is the re- 
fusal warranted in international law? 
Those points should be determined be- 
fore committing this country to warlike 
measures — over a possibly petty inci- 
dent. 

6. The belief that Huerta has reached the 
conclusion that in its every threat the United 
States is merely "bluffing" and the necessity of 
convincing the Mexican President that President 
Wilson is in deadly earnest regarding his elim- 
ination. 

By what right does President Wilson 
demand the elimination of President 
Huerta? How, as a Mexican President, 
could Huerta yield to such a demand 
without surrendering the independence 
of Mexico as a nation? 



7. John Lind's counsel for action. 

John Lind is not a sworn official of 
the American people. In Mexico they 
consider him a spy. Here he is known 
simply as a nice old gentleinan. 

8. The prospect of increasing European irri- 
tation over the contintiation of conditions, par- 
ticularly the resentment aroused in Europe by 
the maltreatment of Spaniards. 

Again, this is due to conditions which 
the Administration has directly fos- 
tered. 

S. Reports from Mr. O'Shaughnessy that an- 
archy would reign in Mexico City if the Con- 
stitutionalists approached the capital. 

Therefore Huerta, a bulwark against 
anarchy, must go! 

9. The growing conviction that action is ul- 
timately inevitable, and that intervention, if neces- 
sary, would be far more difficult during the 
rainy season, which begins soon, than now. 

Simply silly. 

10. The fact that the Tampico incident af- 
fords an opportunity for action. The President 
can now go before the country and give justifi- 
cation for action. A month ago, before the 
battle of Torreon and on top of a long period of 
"watchful waiting," such action as has now 
been taken would have been gratuitous on its 
face. 

It may be gratuitous, but it must not 
be gratuitous on its face. 



An Interesting Parallel from "The United 
States and Mexico," by George 

Lockhardt Rives, j 

"The order directing Taylor to ad- 
vance to the Rio Grande was not then 
known to the American public, but at 
a later day Polk and his Administration 
were bitterly blamed for giving it. Their 
purpose, it was said, was to bring about 
a collision, to try to bring on a war, 
and the Administration was accused of 
wishing to provoke the Mexicans to at- 
tack the American forces, so that it 
might appear to the world — and es- 
pecially to so much of it as sat in Con- 
gress — that the war, if war ensued — was 
one of defense aiid not aggression. No 
direct contemporaneous evidence was 
then produced in support of this asser- 
tion, and none seems to be now avail- 
able. All the public utterances of the 
party in power were in favor of peace; 
and to the inquiry whether the executive 
officers of the United States were se- 
cretly trying to bring about a war, no 
positive answer can be given. Conclu- 
sions more or less plausible may be 
reached from a consideration of the gen-, 
eral situation in the winter of 1846-1847, 
and of the character and the wishes and 
policy, at that time, of Polk and his 
Cabinet. 

"The President himself was a man 
without wide culture or knowledge, 
wholly devoid of imagination, untrav- 
elled, unacquainted with either the Span- 
ish or the Mexican character and with 
little experience in the conduct of for- 
eign affairs. To a strong intelligence 
he added a dogged strength of will, such 
as few of his contemporaries possessed; 
and with all the obstinacy and persist- 
ence of his nature he desired to acquire 
California." 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. 36. 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.-— Oriental Proverb 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 




Commenting upon the sending of the 
entire Atlantic fleet to Mexico — the first 
war move made by our peace-loving Ad- 
ministration — we said in our last num- 
ber: 

And at the risk of ours being the 
only dissenting voice at the moment, 
but firm in our conviction that the 
sanest elements in this country will 
presently concur in our opinion if, 
indeed, they do not already do so, 
we shall raise a voice of protest. 
Little MEXICO had no sooner left 
the printing-press than the mighty roar 
of surging public opinion, condemning 
the Administration, could be heard roll- 
ing on from all sides and drowning the 
piping voices of puny adherents that 
tried to work on their readers the old 
cant: "We shall stand by the Presi- 
dent." 

Not all opinions reach the same con- 
clusions, it is true, but invariably all 
are against the Mexican policy of the 
President. We must except, however, 
those expressed by Bryan, Marshall and 
Daniels. Were we to reproduce here 
all editorials published in the last ten 
days sustaining the contentions we have 
emphasized for well-nigh nine months, we 
should have to publish a five-hundred- 
page volume. Public sentiment as forc- 
ibly and unmistakably expressed since 
the obvious, although disclaimed, war- 
like attitude of the Administration may 
be analyzed thus: 

1. Unanimous opposition to a war 
with Mexico. 

2. If there MUST be armed action as 
a consequence of the blundering policy 
of the Administration, it must be based 
on justifiable grounds — those of human- 
ity — and action must be directed against 
all factions in Mexico, but in the interest 
of all Mexico. The American people 
will never consent to send their soldiers 



.u Le kii.ed in order thac tne p;t iriends 
o. ill y an, the Northern rete.s, may be 
Oiced upon the Mexican people. The 
American people will never consent to 
send the flower of its youth to be killed 
■.r. Me.iico to satisfy the personal anim- 
osity, the relentless hatred of President 
W.lson, Lind and Hale, directed against 
one man: Huerta. 

President Wilson left no doubt in any 
one's mind as to the inner motive of his 
actions when he declared before Con- 
gress that the war was directed against 
one man, and he confirmed thus a'l that 
we have been repeating for months. 

That President Wilson has been sadly 
misinformed is now gexierally accepted 
and we shall produce more evidence of 
this further on, when reference will be 
made to the pernicious activities of Hale 
and Lind in Mexico and to their attitude 
toward the Mexican situation. 

There can be little extenuation, how- 
ever, for President Wilson in the fact 
that he has been sorrily and wilfully mis- 
informed, since it is well known that 
information which would tend to dis- 
prove the Wilson-Bryan theories was 
steadily and persistently refused by Wil- 
son, Lind, Bryan and Hale. 

We do not need to review in detail 
the events of the past fourteen months 
that have led to the present situation 
They are known to most of our readers 
We must refer again, however, to the 
circumstances which precipitated the 
landing of American forces on Mexican 
soil. 

Although the praiseworthy efforts of 
Senators Root and Lodge to justify be- 
fore the world an aggressive move by 
the United States on broad grounds of 
humanity failed because opposed by a 
narrow, partisan majority in the Senate, 
the people have raised their voice pro- 
testing in shame against a policy that 



;..a^es tnem the aliies o. Mexicans who, 
in the name of liberty, have committed 
tiie most norrible crimes that human- 
kind has registered in many a day. 

Let Us try in this period of passion, 
to brush away the thin shroud clumsily 
hung around the disastrous Mexican 
policy by the Bryan crowd and let us 
look at the naked, miserable truth. 

It is now apparent to every one thai 
the Tampico incident was but a pretext 
lacking even solid basis to be a plausible 
one. 

What were the hidden motives? 

Simply that upon information furnished 
by Lind, the Administration became con- 
vinced that Huerta, IN SPITE OF ALL, 
was more hrmly planted in his place 
than he had been at any previous time 
since his ascent to power. That only 
the armed intervention of the United 
States could dislodge him. That the 
Huerta Goverrmient, in the face of a 
financial blockade, had been able to re- 
adjust its finances on a solid basis, 
through obtaining a loan of one hundred 
million pesos and resuming the payment 
of interest on the national debt. That 
the loss of Torreon was not as signifi- 
cant as it might have been and would 
in no way make possible the final over- 
throw of the Huerta Government by 
\'i'la. whose Pyrrhic victories had cost 
him enormous losses in men and 
munitions of war and weakened him 
mo'-e than the Federal-;. That the moral 
efF-'-: rroduced by the fa'lure of the Fed- 
"""^1=; to r-ain a dec'^i'-e victory around 
Torreon h-'d been to the detriment of 
the Huerta Government undoubtedly, but 
not Eufficientlv so to <^h-'l"' '* to its 
roots. Finally, that the enormous ad- 
vantage pained by the rebels in obtain- 
inp- ):>rFe ruantities of arms and am- 
-1 r-.>:o-i from thi<! «^=d» of the Rio 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 25, 1914, 



Grande would soon have been offset by 
the receipt on the part of the Huerta 
Government of a large shipment of more 
than two hundred cannons and fifteen 
million rounds of ammunition from Eu- 
rope. 

On the strength of all this and the 
evident fact that the rebels could not 
forge their way south through hostile 
territory, once out of the Northern 
States, it was clear that all of Lind's 
efforts had come to nought and that if 
Huerta was to be overthrown it had to 
be done by American guns. 

The Tampico incident was seized upon 
by the cunning Lind, who convinced 
President Wilson that the shipment of 
arms had to be stopped at all costs and 
the financial power of Huerta broken 
down by a seizure of Mexican Custom 
Houses. 

Lind assured the President that this 
■could be done without any loss of life 
and Bryan assured him that the taking 
of Vera Cruz would not constitute an 
act of war. So the President, by tele- 
phone, said: "Tell Fletcher to take Vera 
Cruz." That's all. 

The taking of Vera Cruz cost seven- 
teen American lives and seventy-seven 
men were wounded, mainly by Mexican 
citizens who resisted the invasion. 

More than one hundred and fifty Mex- 
icans were kil'ed by the American forces 
and a larger number wovnded. Presi- 
dent Wikon said he was terribly sorry 
and' that we were the friends of the 
Mexican people. Secretary Daniels said 
the taking of Vera Cruz was not an act 
of war, but that the defence of their 
homes by the Mexicans WAS therefore, 
Mexico had practically declared war on 
the United States! 

Then he sent messages of condolence 
to the families of the dead bluejackets 
and quoted Lincoln's words to the effect 
that they had died to save the Republic! 
To Lind we shall presently devote 
special attention. Lind is a man who 
should be thoroughly known to the peo- 
ple of this country, to the families of the 
men who have sacrificed and who will 
sacrifice their lives because of Lind's 
prejudices, of Lind's hatreds and of 
Lind's counsel. 

Meanwhile, let us continue to examine 
the policy of the Administration, viewed 
in the light of actual and pretended mo- 
tives and point out a'so the unavoidable 
results, considering Mexican conditions 
and Mexican character. 

Wherefrom has Huerta derived the re- 
markable power which President Wilson 
for many months has -endeavored to bat- 
ter down, first with indirect means and 
now with the use of American arms and 
forfe'ture of American lives? 

Could Huerta have made the wonder- 
ful show of enrlurance in the face of our 
Administration's iTostility, Combined with 
armed rebelbon, were he the tyrant that 
he has been called or were the Northern 



ONE MAN-Continued 

rebellion "a fight for constitutional gov- 
ernment by the people of Mexico," as 
the egregious Mr. Daniels has stated in 
behalf of the still more egregious Mr. 
Bryan? We, and with us all those who 
really know Mexico, shall answer an em- 
phatic No! Huerta's power has been 
derived mainly from two sources: First, 
the people's fear of the rebel leaders and 
what they truly represent; second, the 
hostility of the United States against 
Huerta. 

Although Huerta may not be a Wil- 
son type of man and some of his traits 
are to be condemned, he represents, at 
least in the eyes of Mexicans and for- 
eigners in Mexico, organized govern- 
ment, order and Mexican national integ- 
rity as against disorder, rapine, loot and 
wanton murder. It is not a question for 
Mexicans of selecting between "very 
good" and "very bad," but a question of 
selecting an infinitely lesser evil of the 
two with which they have been con- 
fronted. 

When we say Mexicans we refer to 
those who can make any selection at 
all, to the middle class, unfortunately 
in a minority. The middle class in which 
are included workingmen, clerks, pro- 
fessionals and merchants. The middle 
class which, in the final analysis, will 
have to solve Mexico's problem. 

We exclude most of those belonging 
to the upper class, which, as in every 
other country, but to a greater degree 
in Mexico, enjoys special privilege. Also 
the overwhelming masses of passive, ig- 
norant peons and Indians who patiently 
bear all burdens, who have been the vic- 
tims of Governments, but infinitely more 
so of revolutions. The rich landowner, 
the capitalist, is against Huerta almost 
as much as he is against Villa and he 
will be against any Government that 
will deprive him of the privileges which 
he has considered rightfully his from 
time immemorial. 

An extra tax legally imposed by the 
Government is as distasteful to him as 
a contribution forced by a bandit chief 
at the muzzle of a gun. 

But the class of landowners or capi- 
talists will have to reconcile itself to the 
loss of special privilege forever, no mat- 
ter what the Government may be. It is 
absurd to say that Huerta has been sup- 
ported by reactionary elements of Mex- 
ico, or by the Cientificos, the name now 
applied by the rebels to all property 
owners. 

Huerta has been supported by the 
middle class, desirous, it is true, that 
the government should have at least the 
appearance of a republican government 
but more desirous for the present to 
work in peace and not become the vic- 
tim of brigands and rebels, desirous to 
save their women from dishonor and 
their children from starvation, desirous 
to save themselves and their homes from 



destruction, rape, loot and wanton mur- 
der. 

Huerta could not have resisted so 
long against the combined attack of 
rebel arms and tremendous American 
pressure if he had not received support 
from the middle class of nine -tenths of 
the population. Support given not so 
much because of love for Huerta, per- 
haps, as because of dread of Villa and 
all he represents. But President Wilson 
has declared that Huerta must go and 
because he could not make him go, 
either by closing all avenues of finan- 
cial support or by arming the rebels, he 
has employed the armed force of th« 
United States to make him go. 

From the moment that President 
Wilson appointed himself the arbiter of 
Mexican politics, from the moment he 
espoused the cause of one against the 
other in Mexican internecine strife, 
President Wilson committed himself to 
war. If not war. President Wilson com- 
mitted Mexico to prolonged distress, to 
continued tragedy. For the reason that 
the rebel leaders have lost and will lose 
political strength in proportion to the 
military strength they have acquired and 
will acquire as a result of the indirect 
and direct assistance given to them by 
President Wilson. 

Witness, if you doubt this, Carranza's 
haste in making public a demand upon 
the Administration that American 
forces be withdrawn from Vera Cruz. 
Villa's personal, savage hatred for Huer- 
ta, coupled with the yet unexplained 
but soon to be revealed influence of 
Carothers, Bryan's agent, have blinded 
him to the results of Wilson's armed in- 
tervention. But the more cultured Car- 
ranza has realized fully that from the 
moment that national territory has been 
invaded by American forces and that 
Mexican blood has been spilled by 
Americans sent there to help his cause, 
this cause was lost. And he has made 
frantic efforts to demonstrate to Mexi- 
cans that he considered the movement 
as much against himself as against 
Huerta — but too late. 

Personal ambition, lust for power and 
revenge, are prompting some of Car- 
ranza's advisers to disclaim the action of 
their leader. Carranza, however, is 
wisest. President Wilson and the never 
properly qualified Bryan may or may 
not succeed in their plan of forcibly 
overthrowing Huerta to hoist the rebel 
leaders to power on the point of Ameri- 
can bayonets. Carranza and Villa will 
remain there just as long as Amer- 
ican bayonets hold them up and no long- 
er. 

Even supposing that they represented 
the aspiration of a majority of the Mexi- 
can people — which they did not — from 
now on they represent a power imposed 
by the hated forces of the United States 
at the cost of Mexican lives. 

(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



Is it possible that this should not be 
as clear as the light of day to President 
Wilson? Can President Wilson be so 
ignorant of Mexican history, of Mexican 
character, of Mexican conditions as not 
to perceive clearly the result of the poli- 
cy on which he has embarked at the be- 
hest of Lind? 

We can well understand how the be- 
fogged brains of Bryan and the limp 
logic of Lind could have feiiled to sense 
and guage the elements with which they 
were dealing — but President Wilson — ? 
And, mind you, in considering the 
bound-to-fail project of the Administra- 
tion we have assumed that the character 
of the revolution is what the Adminis- 
tration has professed to believe it is. 
But here again we ask: Is it possible 
that President Wilson could be so 
thoroughly deceived as to believe that 
"the bulk of rebels are fighting for the 
re-establishment of constitutional govern- 
ment," as solemnly stated by Daniels? 

Has President Wilson, or Bryan or 
Lind or Hale made a study of past and 
present Mexican revolutions? Have 
they investigated or aaused to be in- 
vestigated the political and personal 
career of the men who are leading the 
various factions against the Huerta Gov- 
ernment? 

Has President Wilson full knowledge 
of the motives animating some of the 
leaders and of all the horrors perpe- 
trated by their followers? 

Extenuation for the crimes committed 
has been sought by the Administration 
in the belief that they are inherent to 
all revolutions, that they find their jus- 
tification in a supposed struggle for con- 
stitutional government. But this only 
goes to show the ignorance existing or 
that appears to exist in Administration 
circles as to the true character and sig- 
nificance of the Mexican revoKtion. 

Read the articles of Polly Pry written 
for the "Denver Times" and reproduced 
in other columns of this publication 
and you will have a clearer conception 
of this revolution. Constitutional gov- 
ernment! There is not one rebel out 
of a thousand who knows what consti- 
tutional government is. 

If it were said on the other hand that 
the rebels are fighting to gain better 
economical conditions, including division 
of lands, that would hit a lit'le nrarer 
the mark. But then that would show 
the futility of the revolution, because all 
factions, all parties in Mexico have ac- 
knowledged the necessity of economical 
reforms and the Huerta Government has 
asked only a fair chance to bring about 
such reforms.' It would further show 
grounds for doubting the good faith of 
certain rebel leaders who are large land- 
owners, as Madero was and the Madero 
family, backing the revolution, is now. 
Neither the Maderos nor the present 
apparent leaders have divided or en- 
couraged the division of land On the 



ONE MAN—Continued 

other hand, the Huerta Government has 
already done more to solve the agrarian 
problem than Madero did during his 
longer and much more propitious term 
of office. 

One more phase must be considered, 
at bottom the most important of all, 
because it comprises the determinant 
cause — although not frankly acknowl- 
edged — of President Wilson's attitude 
toward General Huerta. 

We refer to the murders of which 
che Huerta Government has been ac- 
cused. 

Assassination can never find justifica- 
tion in the eyes of a civilized community. 
Viewed, however, in the light of Mexi- 
can standards, Mexican customs and 
Mexican moral sense, one is forced to 
acknowledge that there exists if not 
justification at least an enormous dif- 
ference between political murders com- 
:.iitted because of what is thought to be 
political necessity and the murders for 
which there is no political reason but 
that are committed with the object of 
robbing or merely satisfying a savage 
lust for blood. 

We repeat, no civilized community 
can find justification for assassination, • 
even though political. But consider, on 
the other hand, the existence in Mexico 
of a struggle to the death and the fact 
that on the rebel side not only political 
assassinations have been committed, but 
wanton murders of inoffensive men, wo- 
men and children. 

If President Wilson justly condemned 
-cported barbaric deeds of a govern- 
ment, how can he espouse the cause of 
savage rebels who have killed their po- 
litical enemies, their prisoners and wan- 
tonly murdered and tortured at random 
on an appalling scale? 

Can President Wilson, or Bryan, or 
Lind, or Hale find any justification for 
the unleashed savagery and unspeakable 
bloody deeds of the men they are trying 
by all means to force upon the people 
of Mexico? 

One may vmderstand the reluctance of 
President Wilson to lend his moral sup- 
port to the Huerta Government if one 
considers that from President Wilson's 
point of view and standards that Govern- 
ment has been guilty of evil deeds. But 
can any one understand how President 
Wilson could have become the ally of 
the savage brigand-rebels to the extent 
of sacrificing American lives to strength- 
en their hands? 

Here again, we can hear the Hon. 
Daniels discourse on constitutional gov- 
ernment, but can President Wilson or 
any one of his advisers, if hey have ever 
given any thought to actual Mexican 
conditions, believe for one moment that 
constitutional government, as they and 
we understand it here, can be established 
in Mexico and that this can be accom- 
plished by Villa and his men? 

In considering all this and much more 



that lack of space prevents, wc fail to 
find a justification for the policy of the 
Administration. Again we are forced 
to conclude that the national crime of 
plunging the country into war is being 
committed because of the animosity of 
President Wilson, of Lind, of Bryan 
and Hale against one man: Huerta. 

By diplomatic pressure and powerful 
weapons "short of war," President Wil- 
son may finally succeed in forcing Huer- 
ta out. We doubt it. But with Huerta 
out, this country makes itself responsi- 
ble for the anarchy and rebellion that 
will ensue, as sure as night follows day, 
more widespread than ever. That re- 
sponsibility will necessarily lead to 
armed intervention and armed interven- 
tion is war. So we always come back 
to the inescapable fact which we have 
maintained, that the failure to recog- 
nize Huerta and the fanning of the 
flames of anarchy would inevitably lead 
to war with Mexico. 



LIND AND HALE 



In conclusion we must perform the 
unpleasant duty of referring again to the 
men upon whom the American pubhc is 
placing the responsibility of plunging the 
country into a war with Mexico, if war 
should come: William Bayard Hale and 
John Lind. 

The belief generally prevails at this 
date that President Wilson has been 
grossly and wilfully misinformed by his 
two emissaries. Hale and Lind, having 
closed his ears and mind to all other 
sources of information. We concur in 
the prevailing belief, more strongly now 
than ever after having obtained first- 
hand evidence. 

About two months ago one of our 
staff left New York for Mexico City. 
Before leaving he had occasion to hear 
vague reports as to Lind's attitude 
toward Mexico's problems. These re- 
ports were more or less to the effect 
that John Lind disagreed with the Ad- 
ministration policy of "Watchful Wait- 
ing" and believed that it should either 
recognize Huerta or intervene Upon 
reaching Havana, our representative met 
an old friend who had recently left 
Mexico. The conversation turned on 
Lind. Here is what the friend related: 

"A short time before my departure 
from Mexico I was talking about the 
situation with an American consul whom 
I have known for many years. Suddenly 
the consul suggested that I go to see 

Lind. "X "he said, looking rather 

worried, "you know Villa and what he 
is — won't you tell Lind?" I was some- 
what surprised at the request, but after 
thinking that, being neither a Mexican 
nor an American, although educated in 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



LIND AND HALE— Continued 



the United States, Lind might not con- 
sider me a biassed party, I agreed, 
agreed. 

"The Consul's request had naturally 
led me to believe that Lind favored 
Villa. I went to see him and before long 
I became convinced that Lind did not 
wish to hear what I had to say about 
Villa and moreover that he thought the 
latter was the only salvation for Mexico! 
I have lived in Mexico twenty years, as 
you know. I asked Lind if he had 
talked to honest, neutral Mexicans, to 
representative men who did not take 
part in the struggle and had no political 
ambition. Lind answered that he had. 
I inquired specifically, mentioning more 
than fifteen names, and in each case 
he answered, "No, not that one." I 
soon perceived that he had not talked 
to the men whose opinions and views 
were really worth while. 

"Then I made him an offer to put at 
his disposal my own house so that he 
could see the men whose names I had 
mentioned, without the fact becoming 
known to any one and I told him I 
would see personally these men and ar- 
range for them to meet him. 'Thank 
you,'— said Lind very indifferently,— 
'sometime, perhaps, you may do that.' 
I left Lind convinced that his mind on 
the subject had been made up before 
he had gone to Mexico and that no one 
could change it and I said to myself, 
'Poor Mexico!' " 

Our representative made the journey 
from Vera Cruz to Mexico City accom- 
panied by a Mexican newspaper man, 
correspondent for American newspapers 
and news agencies, a man who speaks 
English and Spanish with equal facility, 
thoroughly reliable and honest. Our 
representative asked him about Lind, 
and related the conflicting reports he 
had heard in New York and in Havana. 
The Mexican replied: "Lind has the 
reputation of never expressing his opin- 
ion. It is true he talks little for publica- 
tion, but I see him every day and have 
heard him express plenty of opinions. 
I am afraid your friend in Havana was 
much nearer the truth than the New 
York men. Lind hates Huerta. There 
is much of personal grudge, I think, in 
his attitude on account of Huerta's re- 
fusal to accede to his demands. I know 
that Lind has done everything in his 
power to hamper Huerta at every turn. 

"The newspaper men in Vera Cruz are 
convinced that Lind has given instruc- 
tions to the Consuls to give useful in- 
formation to the rebels whenever they 
can do so without raising too much 
suspicion. We all beUeve that Lind is 
seeking a pretext to bring about a con- 
flict between the United States and 
Huerta. 

"The trouble is fit won't listen to 
anything that is in favor of Huerta and 
against the rebels. His mind is abso- 
lutely closed on the subject." 



In Mexico City our representative pur- 
sued his investigation as to Lind's atti- 
tude and Lind's doings. An American 
newspaper man related to him a disa- 
greeable incident which had taken place 
in the presence of the American Charge 
d' Affairs O'Shaughnessy, after which he 
had deemed it his duty to send to his 
New York office a statement that he 
could not vouch for the accuracy of any- 
thing Lind might say for publication. 

Everywhere our correspondent heard 
the same opinion expressed: 

"Lind has listened to no one but 
Maderists. 

"Lind is doing all he can to bring 
about a conflict and provoke Huerta." 

In the light of recent events we are 
forced to the conclusion that the opinions 
heard by our representative while in 
Mexico must have been well founded. 

Our representative endeavered to as- 
certain also the methods pursued by 
William Bayard Hale in gathering the 
information which he transmitted to 
President Wilson and which had so 
much influence on the latter's attitude 
toward Mexico. 

He fovmd that Hale, like his successor, 
Lind, had arrived in Mexico with pre- 
conceived opinions and with an absolute- 
ly closed mind. One instance will suf- 
fice to demonstrate this. An American 
newspaper man, who had been in Mexi- 
co for several years and had been 
through the Morelos campaign and re- 
ported the ten days' fight in Mexico 
City and subsequent events, went to in- 
terview Hale. The ex-reverend would 
not talk for publication, but expressed 
himself freely in regard to his estimation 
of General Huerta and other leaders in 
the events which led to his ascension to 
power. Hale proceeded to relate with 
abundance of details supposed happen- 
ings concerning the assassination of 
Madero and the responsibility of Gen- 
eral Huerta. The newspaper man, who 
had previously endeavored by all means 
at his disposal to ascertain on the spot 
the truth in regard to Madero's death 
and had failed despite his knowledge of 
the language and of men, was amazed 
at the cocksureness with which Hale 
was proceeding in his narrative. When 
Hale finished the newspaper man in- 
quired: "Will you tell me where you 
obtained your information and how you 
know all about Madero's death?" 

"Why," replied Hale, with a tone of 
finality, "the Maderos themselves have 
told me!" 

The newspaper man did not trust him- 
self to say anything more and left. 

These incidents concerning the visits 
of Hale and Lind to Mexico, small as 
they may be in themselves, are most 
significant because of the light they 
thow upon the attitude of mind adopted 
by the men who are responsible tor the 
disastrous policy of our Administration. 



Bryan, Lind, Hale! Verily the ways 
of Providence in choosing its agents 
are queer and inscrutable! 



VILLA AS POLLY PRY SEES HIM. 

His head is extraordinary. It is not 
exactly deformed, but it gives you an 
impression of something more mishap- 
pen than it really is, due perhaps to the 
fact that his huge jaw, broad face and 
high forehead, recedes into a queer 
domelike crown and flat back head, 
which even his crisp, curling thatch of 
jetty hair cannot round out to normal 
proportions. His cheek bones are high, 
his wide mouth, coarse and sensual, is 
filled with strong yellow teeth, which 
his short upper lip leaves perpetually 
bared. His nose is ' thick, short, a bit 
tip-tilted and pugnacious to a degree, 
but it is his eyes that are truly remarka- 
ble. They are large and well shaped, 
dark and luminous, eyes which should 
be beautiful if they were not so terrible. 
Once I saw a coiled adder in the desert, 
its head reared to spring. I remembered 
it as our eyes met and clashed, and 
some way I felt a little cold, as if a drop 
of ice water had fallen on my naked 
heart. — "Denver Times." 



AND BRYAN BELIEVES IN HIM. 

Later, when I asked him if it were 
true that he was to be financed by the 
oil companies in case he took San Pedro, 
Saltillo and Monterey, his face flushed 
and his eyes almost popped from his 
head in rage as he thundered: 

"You Americans are crazy to meddle 
in things which do not concern you — " 
Then simply, not as a boast, but as the 
statement of a fact, "The day may yet 
come when I shall have to fight all for- 
eigners!" — Polly Pry in "Denver Times." 



THE BLAND ONE. 

Secretary Daniels blandly stated that 
the landing of American forces at Vera 
Cruz and the seizure of the city was not 
an act of war. He added that the Mexi- 
cans, had committed an act of war by 
firing upon the invading forces. We 
wish merely to ask the learned Secre- 
tary: 

If an overwhelming European force 
should seize New York would he con- 
sider that an act of war? And if the 
citizens of New York should open fire 
upon the landing European forces would 
he say that the United States had been 
the one to commit an act of war? 



Read "MEXICO" 

ONCE A WEEK 
AND LEARN WHAT'S WHAT 
BELOW THE RIO GRANDE. 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



WILSON'S BARBARIAN ANGELS 



By Polly Pry, in Denver "Times." 



Less than four years ago the traveler 
who entered Mexico from Juarez found 
a train service that equaled any in the 
United States; he saw at the border a 
prosperous little city that might have 
been picked up anywhere in our own 
American-Mexican country, and from his 
luxurious car window he saw running 
away toward the South the shifting 
deserts that lie opal-tinted and forbid- 
ding for sixty miles between the long 
lines of jagged mountains that stand like 
sentinels on either side of the wide val- 
leys; and then he began to catch 
glimpses of low mud houses hidden be- 
hind tall cottonwoods and to see dotted 
across the rich plain-i thousands and 
thousands of cattle; little villages flashed 
into view, with naked children and gay- 
clad women squatted in serene content 
about the low doors, picturesque va- 
queros in wide hats and flapping trousers 
rode up out of the distant haze and 
swinging their serapes above their heads 
in gay salute to the train, disappeared, 
leaving a mental picture as alluring as 
it was foreign and unusual. 

Vast haciendas reared their cream-col- 
ored walls afar off and herds of 
burros disputed the land with the 
ever-increasing thousands of cattle. On 
every hand was an air of prosperity, of 
growth, of power and plenty. Miles of 
alfalfa fields lay like emerald carpets on 
the gray landscape. Everything was on 
a gigantic scale. There were no small 
places; everything loomed like the moun- 
tains, vast and overgrown. 

At Chihuahua, 210 miles from the bor- 
der, the cracked old bell in the 240-year- 
old cathedral still called the faithful to 
worship in the old, old way, but a con- 
stantly decreasing few responded. There 
was no time; the spirit of labor had be- 
gun to smile above the quaint old town 
and the people were too busy in the 
huge factories, breweries, smelters, 
stores, warehouses and shops to pay heed 
to the padre's gentle calls. 

A modern city, full of modern beauties, 
palatial homes, great buildings and all 
the evidence of taste and culture had 
come to replace the sleepy old town that 
had slumbered in the shadow of the 
mountains for more than three hundred 
years. There was work for every pair of 
hands, at unheard of wages. There was 
luxury even in the sun-baked huts of the 
poorest. There were schools in every 
quarter of the city, and there was big 
talk of compulsory education — every one 
must learn to read and write — and, most 
amazing change of all, it was no longer 
allowed that people should walk naked 
in the streets of the cities! Clothes had 
become a necessity; decency was com- 
manded. 

And what was true of Chihuahua was 
true of all the other towns and states of 
northern Mexico; of Coahuila, where the 
rich laguna country produces $40,000,000 
worth of cotton each year, and where the 
greatest grape vineyards of the new 
world are just beginning to bear a fruit 
of surpassing excellence ; of Durango, 
the granary of Mexico, where the corn 
and beans that form the staple food of 
the people is grown by the hundreds of 
thousands of bushels. 



Men Without Fear and Full of Evil 
Spread Deadly Blight Over Fair Land. 

All this was yesterday. To-day you 
cross the Rio Grande between armed 
guards, you walk between lines of sullen 
soldiers, you approach an official across 
the intervening barrel of a rifle, you only 
move with a military pass in your hand, 
you ride, if you are permitted to ride at 
all, over a hastily constructed railway 
which has taken the place of the costly 
road which was ruthlessly destroyed 
three years ago during the Madero revo- 
lution, a road that is minus culverts and 
bridges, that shooflies its trains into and 
out of deep gullies and dry creeks, and 
which gives you no guarantee that you 
will ever reach your destination. You 
travel at your own risk, by jerks and 
starts, long pauses and reckless runs, in 
vile military trains made up principally 
of freight and flat cars, through a coun- 
try which in this past three years has 
slipped back into a medieval barbarism 
that astounds. 

The soft-voiced pacifico is swept aside, 
and out of the northern mountains has 
come the Salazars, the Gomezes, the 
Carranzas. the Urbinas and the Villas, 
copper-colored Indians and their blood 
brothers, the half-breeds, men without 
fear and filled with evil, wolves lusting 
for prey. From El Paso to Torreon 
they have swept their victorious way, 
and where they have passed a deadly 
blight has fallen on the land. 
Civilization Helpless in the Grip of an 
Ex-Convict, Slayer and Thief. 
The plow lies idle in the field, the 
irrigation ditches are choked with sand, 
the fertile' fields have slipped back to 
join the weed-grown desert, factories are 
closed, business suspended, schools shut 
up, food has climbed to prohibitive 
prices, the men of affairs who controlled 
the government, the finances and the 
business of ;he country have been driven 
out of the land, and desolation and ruin 
confront you at every step. 

The money of the country has fallen 
to 10 per cent, of its face value, and the 
counterfeiter is working overtime. 

Civilization lies helpless and bound be- 
neath the upward rush of this un- 
dreamed-of ferocity, above which towers 
the threatening figure of Gen. Francisco 
Villa, ex-convict, murderer and thief. A 
Geronimo of cruelty, a soldier of parts, 
a leader of men, a man to fear, who in 
three short years has by sheer brute 
courage and audacity stepped from the 
position of a hunted outlaw, a bandit 
chief, with a following of two dozen 
men, into the supreme command of more 
than 20,000 soldiers and the complete 
control of a full third of his country. 

"Pancho" Villa, illiterate, ignorant, ar- 
rogant, blodthirsty and cruel, but a man 
who laughs at death, who knows no fear, 
who meets you with narrowed eyes of 
hatred and wide smile of friendliness, 
and who must be reckoned with before 
peace is even thought of in this stricken 
land. 

Agony and Death of a Patriot is But a 

Joke to General Villa. 

It was the day after the evacuation of 

Torreon by General Velasco and his 

command that 1 first saw General Villa. 



It was at Gomez Palacio, where the 
streets were rank with dead horses and 
putrid with vile odors. The roar of the 
last cannon had died away across the 
wide white plain upon which a dazzlmg • 
sunlight beat in shimmering waves of 
light. For some reason that long rever- 
berating roar had been succeeded by a 
strange, quivering quiet, a silence that 
seem freighted with an appalling signifi- 
cance. I stood near the open door of 
the house in which I had passed the 
night, wondering what it meant, when 
suddenly, quite near me, I heard a cry 
of agony, a scream, agonized and hide- 
ous, and turned in time to see a dog 
bound away from what I had thought 
a heap of vile refuse and rags, above 
which a million flies buzzed indignantly, 
as a ghastly figure rose from under a 
dirt-colored blanket, disclosing a face 
upon which the reaper had set his gray 
seal. A cloud of insects clung to a 
great jagged wound above ,the right 
temple, he held out his hand, where 
the hungry dog had torn the flesh from 
the bone and looked at it with a curious 
intentness, as though wondering to 
whom it belonged. When I spoke to 
him he raised a pair of such wide and 
luminous eyes in which lay a horror so 
profound and terrible that I ran scream- 
ing for aid. Vv'hen I came back I saw 
General Villa. He was laughing, a loud 
and raucous laugh, his arm across the 
shoulders of an officer, who with several 
others walked with him past the dying 
soldier, who still held out his stump of 
a hand with a curious, grotesque ges- 
ture, as though protesting against its 
mutilation. Villa's eyes fell upon him, 
narrowed quickly and were withdrawn, 
as still laughing loudly he passed on. 
Then the arm fell, the figure swayed, the 
eyes rolled upward, and without a sound 
the soldier fell back upon his heap of 
refuse— dead. .And all at once I felt my 
first and last qualm of fear and stood 
shaking as with a chill. A tumult rose 
in every direction. There were shouts 
and cries and running feet, and far across 
the sandy plain I saw a bunch of cavalry 
detach itself from the dry river bed and 
come galloping toward us, and without 
words 1 knew that the end that had been 
proclaimed for twenty-four hours had 
at last come— Torreon had fallen. The 
end for which the soldier had fought 
and died— it had come too late for him 
to know. 

Ten Thousand Lured by Fool's Tales to 
Feed Wheeling Carrion Birds. 
The men who had run with me to the 
aid of the dying man had already disap- 
peared in the direction of the coming 
soldiers as with a throb of P'ty I 
reached down and drew the dreadful 
blanket up over the dead face, and when* 
I turned away the dog was peering about 
a near-by corner and a cloud of flies 
were buzzing above the still warm body. 
I had seen a patriot die! 
I had watched a soul take flight! 
I had seen the man who is responsi- 
ble for 10,000 deaths go by with a shout 
of laughter and I no longer wondered 
at the fearful panorama which had un- 
rolled itself between Jimenez and Gomez 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April S5, 1914. 



Wilson's Barbarian Angels— Continued 



Palacio, where the vultures gorge them- 
selves upon the unburied and forgotten 
dead, and a stench that pollutes high 
heaven hurtles through the filthy trains, 
where curious, staring eyes and high, 
shrill voices keep tab on the slinking 
coyotes and slow, wheeling carrion birds 
that hover over the pitiful heaps of rags 
and bones that alone remain of the men 
who have gone forth to die for — they 
know not what, stirred by the fools' tales 
of lands without price, gold without 
work. 

In Torreon I saw 600 Spanish citizens 
who had been taken under the protec- 
tion of our vice-consul, I. M. Ulmer, and 
an assistant vice-consul, A. Perelli Min- 
ette, an Italian-American, and placed in 
the basement of a bank building, where, 
without conveniences or decencies, they 
were detained for six days under the flag 
of our country, guarded by our repre- 
sentatives, daily subjected to vile insults 
and threats, their lives only saved by the 
gallant attitude of the men who guarded 
them, and eventually, like slaves, they 
were led from their foul prison to a 
train and banished, under guard, from 
the country where a great majority oi 
them were born, and where all they pos^ 
sessed on earth was confiscated by Gen. 
Francisco Villa. 

Nor is it a false promise. When the 
bat'les are over the doors to hitherto 
forbidden luxuries are flung wide and 
Villa redeems his word. The banks, the 
money, belong to the cause, but the 
palaces, the women and girls, the rich 
stores, the gorgeous flubdubbery with 
which the color-loving southrons 1 1-f 
to surround themselves — that is public 
property, to be grabbed by the firs' pair 
of hands. -Villa himself being first to 
shout: "Come, my children, help your- 
selves — you've earned it!" 

Nor does he stop there. He loots 
the warehouse, but he takes care to see 
that every officer gets his share, that 
every man has a look-in — and his army 
grows apace. 

One year ago he stood in El Paso, a 
revolver in his belt, penniless, an ex- 
convict, a bandit with a nrice on his 
head, and looked across at the land of 
his birth — outcast and alone. 

With an army of this character, thus 
held together, a free hand throughout 
the north and $50,000,000 in gold. Gen. 
Francisco Villa would have only to rid 
himself of his timid chief, Gen. Venus- 
tiano Carranza, declare himself presi- 
dent and move on to certain victory. 

But who is so foolish as to believe 
that the platitudinous Carranza, with 
his itching palm and craven heart, is 
ever going to share in that vast gift of 
gold — which means so much to Villa and 
so much more to the men who put it up? 
No, intervention would not be better 
for these big interests. With the Con- 
stitutionalists friendly — and they are; 
with Villa dragging their chariot, headed 
for Mexico City, and victory in sight; 
with the rich landowners permanently 
banished and the prospects of a new deal 
all around — what, after all, is $50,000,000? 
It would be no more than the price of 
a breakfast in Torreon compared with 
what they would stand to make. 

The people who are clamorous for in- 
tervention are the cientificos, the ban- 
ished millionaires, the deported Span- 
iards, the unprotected foreigners, the 
s«nall miners and lumber dealers, plant- 
ers and manufacturers, and the humili- 
ated and outraged Americans, who look 
toward home for the support that is 
their due. 



But no thoughtful person who has seen 
the conditions that prevail and realized 
the forces at work in Mexico, could view 
the pi"ospect of in.ervention with any- 
thing except the most profound concern. 

There are gigantic forces at work 
down there on the border, forces that 
will stop at nothing so only they attain 
their ends, and the solution must rest 
with men in Washington, who are con- 
versant with ihese facts and conditions 
although the public is not, and who are 
in intimate touch with the international 
complications ihat play so big a part in 
this imbroglio. 

This much I realized before I left the 
Paso del Norte hotel. 



HOW VILLA TREATS HIS 
PRISONERS. 

I visited the hospitals and saw the 
fifty-five Federal wounded, all that sur- 
vived out of the 118 who were found, 
after General Velasco's retreat, in the 
handsome Camara Nacional de Commer- 
co, opposite the Plaza, in a condition the 
mere reci'.al of which turned me sick 
with horror. It was significant that the 
fifty-five survivors were all Federals, not 
a single volunteer, or "red flagger," nor 
an officer had been taken to the Camara 
Nacional de Commerce. 

After General Villa's demand upon 
General VelasCo for the surrender of 
Torreon, when it was made clear that 
the "red flaggers" could expect no 
mercy, all the wounded of that branch 
of the service who could be moved were 
sent with the advance retreat out 
through the Canon de Huarache, but 
there are believed to have been many 
others who were left behind and who 
met the fate that had been promised 
them. 

In the confusion that followed the oc- 
cupation of the city and the clearing 
away of the street barricades and barbed 
wire entanglements, which were every- 
where on the outskirts of the town, the 
rebels made a house to house tour, and 
rumor was rife over the summary dis- 
position of the helpless volunteers 
wherever found, as well as of those who 
protected them. 

What were a few more bodies added 
to the enormous funeral pyres, which 
illumined the city in every direction, or 
flung into the' shallow trenches to be 
found in every arroyo? 

Among the prisoners, of whom I saw 
three different squads, aggregating 218 
men, on their way to the trains for 
transportation to Chihuahua and Juarez, 
there were also no signs of the volun- 
teers. I was talking of this to an Amer- 
ican who has a large business in Tor- 
reon, when he suddenly gave me a queer 
look and said: 

"Do you mind taking a little ride with 
me?" 

"Delighted!" I answered, and in a few 
minutes we were rattling along behind 
two starved and emaciated horses with 
huge, raw sores on their backs, into 
which the human brute who drove them 



flicked his whip every few seconds, un- 
til, unable to endure it, I insisted on 
walking, and with a reassuring pat on 
the arm and shake of the head the Amer- 
ican listened to my indignant protest to 
the grinning driver who drove away, still 
beating his half dead animals, while we 
walked out past the electric light and 
power plant, to where the land slopes 
towards the great dry river, and my 
companion said: 

Still Breathing Bodies Heaved Into 

Graves and Earth Stamped 

Over Them. 

"I had some business that took me to 
that house," pointing to a low abode 
building, "a little after 5 in the morning, 
three days ago. I was in that corner 
room talking with the man I came to 
see when we heard a noise and looked 
out of that side window. Down below, 
where you see that ridge, there was a 
shallow trench, and standing on the other 
side of it was a group of soldiers, some 
thirty or forty, an officer and a bugler, 
with a lot of yellow tassels hanging 
from his sleeve. Directly a column of 
men came into view beyond the end of 
that wall," pointing to a long mud wall 
just beyond us. "The men in the centre 
had their hands tied behind them and 
stumbled as they walked, and were 
proddled by the rifles of those on the 
outside. They stopped by that wall and 
groups of twelve of the bound men 
were taken down there, some fell down 
and had to be lifted up, and were kicked 
and beaten. Then the officer waved his 
hand, the bugle sounded, there was a 
crashing volley; before the smoke rolled 
away, another, and another line was 
thrust into position with ferocious bru- 
tality; then we saw the armed soldiers 
heave the still breathing bodies into the 
trench and shovel the sand in on them, 
stamping it down with their, sandaled 
feet and pounding it with the butts of 
their rifles — laughing and talking." 

I looked at him, his tanned face was 
pale and his gray eyes had the glint of 
steel when the sun strikes it. "Yes," 
he answered in response to my unasked 
question, "they were volunteers, all 
right. No, I haven't 'been telling it 
promiscuously. You see, my life 
wouldn't be worth that," snapping his 
fingers, "if they knew that I had seen 
it, but I'm telling you because you 
seemed so cock-sure that all the rumors 
you had heard were exaggerations. I 
tell you, madam, you couldn't exaggerate 
anything that has been done here." 

"How many? About thirty-six, as 
near as we could count. I have heard," 
he added, "that they privately boast 
that they have 'put away' more than 
three hundred, just like that." 

I went on down to the edg« of that 
road and looked at the narrow ridge, 
which heaved and worked and moved 
under the crawling army of mon>strous 
red ants. 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



AS OTHERS SEE US 

By Count Ernst Reventlow. 

(Famous German authority on mili- 
tary subjects and acknowledged expert 
on political problems of world interest.) 



BERLIN, April 18. — In responding to 
the kind invitation of the New York 
"American" to present my view of the 
Mexican situation I do so with a cer- 
tain hesitation. For I can see things 
only from a German standpoint, while 
the United States of America can judge 
them only from the standpoint of their 
own interest, especially as those inter- 
ests are extraordinarily large. Nor can 
I judge the American interest except 
with German eyes. 

The chief German interest in Mexico 
concerns commerce. In Germany the 
wish is to see peace and order reign in 
Mexico; conditions which assure the 
Germans in Mexico safety and pros- 
perity and will give to German trade a 
free open market, to which all nations 
are alike entitled. 

The more peace and order reign in 
Mexico, the more able will its inhabitants 
be to buy goods, and therefore the more 
favorable will conditions be, not only for 
Germany, but for all countries. 

In the more recent history of Mexico, 
the time in which Porfirio Diaz ruled, 
was most favorable to the desired ends 
just named. It is a fact that peace and 
order then reigned more than either be- 
fore or since. 

We knew in Germany that even in 
Porfirio Diaz's time conditions in Mex- 
ico were not paradisical, and we knew 
also that the Government of that period 
often resorted to measures not usually 
employed in civilized States. 

Madero, who led the revolution that 
overthrew Diaz, received aid from the 
United States. We in Germany under- 
stood that your Government disliked 
Diaz. 

Perhaps the cause was the budding re- 
lationship between the Mexico of Diaz 
and Japan; a weighty and permanent 
factor in the foreign policy of the United 
States. It exists today as then, and 
it will endure. 

Supported by the United States. 

After Porfirio Diaz. Francesco Madero 
rose to power. He was the man of the 
United States of America, set up by them 
and supported as a pretender aea'nst 
Diaz. Madero was and remained the 
tool of the United States and proved 
personally incapable of fulfilling his task 
as President of Mexico. He was weak 
and unable to assure peace and order. 

Under him corruption spread, while 
his relations sucked the country dry. 
American financial groups began to con- 
quer Mexico commercially. Thus, from 
the Mexican point of view, conditions 
had changed greatly for the worse. They 
had not been good under Diaz. But 
the policy of the United States had re- 
placed them by something much worse. 

During the struggles of Madero it was 
pre'ty generally thought in Germany 
that, soon or late, in some way or an- 
other, the United States meant to get 
hold of Mexico and were only waiting 
for a favorable moment, when Mexico 
would have been more or less complete- 
l«f 5tew«d id her own juice. 

Mr. Wilson assurned the attitude tba' 
Huerta had att?iin»d power illcally n-'' 
was also the assassin of Madero, for 
which reasons he neither coul I nor 



should be recognized by the United 
States. 

The other Powers, without exception, 
recognized Huerta; not because they 
were less moral, or at all events believed 
themselves less moral than Mr. Wilson, 
but because trusting to unanimous opin- 
ion of their diplomatic agents in Mexico, 
they were and are convinced that Huerta 
is the only man capable of coping wita 
the Mexican situation, and, with time, 
restoring peace and order. 

Today many Americans will, surely, not 
deny that the situation in Mexico as to 
that country and its people would be 
much bett»r than it is if the United 
States had, at the outset, either recog- 
nized Huerta or at least not worked 
against him. 

As a matter of fact, however, Mr. Wil- 
son did all that could be done "peace- 
fully" to get rid of Huerta. 

For many months past he has tried to 
"starve him out" and, on ihe other hand, 
to strengthen and support the rebels un- 
der Carranza and his "generals." 

In Germany we have long been ask- 
ing ourselves whether this policy and 
course, and more especially its results, 
are quite in accord with Mr. Wilson's 
lofty morality. 

The continued persecutions of natives 
and foreigners in Mexico by the rebels, 
the laying was'e of Mexican and foreign 
property, are surely not practical con- 
firmations of moral principles. W«, in 
Germany, have also wondered at the 
calm with which the United States have 
looked on while, during the last two 
years, hundreds of Americans were be- 
ing murdered in Mexico. 

But quite apart from this, we ask our- 
selves in Germany what are the aims of 
Mr. Wilson's policy. .\\\ we know is — 
and thus far he has vouchsafed no other 
information — that he does not wish 
Huerta to be President. 

Insurgents Go On Killing. 

Meanwhile the insurgents, whom Mr. 
Wilson supports in the name of morality, 
go on murdering and burning and, 
through the assassination of Benton, 
have already caused unpleasantness with 
Great Britain. .\t any day similar un- 
nleasantnesses may arise with Great 
Britain or other Powers; and each new 
case will intensify the difficulties. 

Some people say that President Wl 
son might after all prove right if only 
Huerta were "starved out" and swept 
away. That this is possible can ce-- 
tainly not be denied, though President 
Wilson's confident prophecies last August 
that Huerta would soon retisc have not 
yet been verified. 

But even if Huerta were to retire to- 
morrow, what would be the conH't o- 
of aflfairs in Mexico? Who would and 
could then rule in Mexico — who co- 
re-itore peace and order? 

European statesmen have not been 
able to discover such a man in Mexico. 
Their envoys have discovered none. Nor 
has President Wilson been more for- 
tunate. Should Huerta withdraw or be 
murdered tomorrow, anarchy in Mexico 
would become limitless and chron'*- 

T take it for gran'ed that President 
V.'-lso-i Hoes not contemplate seating 



But as things stand, we ask ourselves 
in oermaiiy; What does tne United 
S^a.es mteim to do in Mexico?' And 
we can ge^ no answer. 

For all these reasons the sympathy 
of Europe with Huerta, as President ot 
Mexico, has grown and deepened. io 
these long, and for him, nard time* 
Huerta has revealed qualities which be- 
yond question fit him for the Mexican 
Presidency. They are energy, con- 
.stancy, readiness, ruthlessness, endur* 
ance and influence over men. 

We, in Europe, cannot understand 
why the United Sta.es wants to destroy 
a man so useful to Me.xico and seeming- 
ly so unreplaceable, and why a country 
should be given np to anarchy on pre- 
tense of a moral principle. Nor can we 
comprehend the morality of this prin- 
ciple. 

Yet we might swallow this if, behind 
the hostility of Mr. Wilson's policy with 
regard to Huerta. we saw the intention 
to take possession of Mexico. In Eu- 
rope we have long believed in this in- 
tention, although, for my part, I have 
been less sure, because the military and 
political cost of conquering Mexico 
would probably be great. 

Uu the other hand, it would be in- 
telligible if, with the Panama Canal in 
mind, the United States had the wish 
and the idea to see the Stars and Stripes 
wave 'over every land north of the Canai. 

Military, political and commercial 
reasons for the regulation of this wish 
could easily be lound in the United 
States. But neither the repeated decla- 
rations nor the general attitude of Mr. 
Wilson lead one to suppose that he has 
yet conceived a great act of this kind. 

Americans haye often said to me: 
"Even if such a course seemed necessary, 
the United States would not seize Mex- 
ico, but merely Cubanize it." 

Well, the difference in eflfect would 
not be very great. In one or the other 
case, the United States would have to 
pacify the country, keep troops of oc- 
cupation in it permanently, reorganize 
the administration and everything else, 
and spend money for which they would 
seek security and indemnity on Mexican 
soil. 

Whether or not an apparently inde- 
pendent Mexican, appointed by the 
United States, sat in the Presidential 
chair of Mexico, would matter little. In 
Europe it is rather widely thought that 
moral principles would not prevent the 
United .States from occupying Mexico 
so much as the fear that this under- 
taking would, as I said just now, entail 
serious fyiancial. military and political 
expense. 

.\gainst this, it mi.ght be argued that 
the political losses of the United States 
have already been swollen by the past 
and present policy of Mr. Wilson, and 
mav soon be much more swollen. 

The plan of Mr. Wilson for the re- 
peal of a clause in the Panama Canal 
■rrangement shows plainly how uncom- 
fortable is the position of the Wash- 
ington Government. As is known, Ger-- 
many's interest in the shaping of the 
Panama Canal tolls is not very great. 

So we in Germany i.re watching the 
progress of events cold-bloodedly, 
though with great political interest. It 
lips not been usual in the United States 
for the President to question the stand- 
pnin' and measures of his immediate 
D-edecessor. on the ground as he says,. 
thit both are contrary to the self-respect 
of 'lie United States. 

Tt is said in Germany tha' T>">sident 
WiI<:on must think the pol'ticl 3"H dip- 
loma'ic condition of th'e Un-'e-" States 
(Contintied on next pa^e) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



AS OTHERS SEE US-Continued 



very difficult and disturbing if he pro- 
poses such a step, in terms so calculated 
to attract attention. It may be added 
that this step can only have been in- 
tended to make the feeling of Greai 
Britain more favorable to the United 
States. 

For a long number of decades the rec- 
ord of Anglo-American reilations ,'has 
shown an unbroken series of diplomatic 
and political American victories over 
England, and in all instances a retreat in 
English policy. 

Mr. Wilson's attitude in regard to the 
Canal tolls question may have been the 
beginning of another epoch, an epoch 
of American retreats and British vic- 
tories. 

If we inquire what can nave led Mr. 
Wilson to this policy of concessions to 
Great Britain, the only answer lies in 
Mr. Wilson's Mexican policy. 

Far be it, of course, from me, a for- 
eigner, to venture on personal criticism 
of Mr. Wilson. Nor would I in any 
way ignore the heavy legacies be- 
quethed to him by his predecessor in 
the Mexican question, the Canal tolls 
question in its relationship to Great 
Britain and the American-Japanese ques- 
tion. 

Yet it cannot be denied that the un- 
readiness and indecision of Washington 
policy in regard to Mexico during the 
past year have made those issues more 
serious and more perilous, while the po- 
sition of the United States has become 
less favorable. 

A Fault in Wilson's Policy. 

As things now stanj, much t.me has 
been lost, and neither Huerta nor Japan 
can any longer doubt that President Wil- 
son regards armed intervention in Mex- 
ico a very risky and difficult enterprise, 
which, if anyhow possible, should be 
avoided. It was certainly not profitable 
to reveal these facts so clearly by words 
and deeds. 

One of the consequences of these facts 
may probably be the new and conciliat- 
ing attitude of the Washington Govern- 
ment with regard to the Japanese im- 
migration question; a question which 
cannot, of course, thereby be settled. 

The apprehensions which Mr. Wilson 
has expressed as to the international po- 
sition of he United States made a quite 
unusual and amazing impression in Er.- 
rope. 

Till then, we had been accustomed to 
hearing utterances in Washington which 
voiced a very firm self-confidence — in- 
deed, a self-confidence which I have 
sometimes thought excessive. And so 
the change was astonishing, especially 
as Mr. Wilson confirmed his anxious ad- 
dress by the attitude of Washington 
diplomacy toward Great Britain. 

In -he United States you have long 
"been in the habit of looking distrustfully 
at the German Empire. At one time it 
•has been assumed that Germany had de- 
signs on islands in the neighborhood of 
the American Continent. 

At other times she was supposed to 
hanker after Brazil or some other part 
of South America, or the moon, which 
shed its light on the United States, .^^nd 
in the past year. German comments on 
Mexico have, here and there in the 
United States, been viewed suspiciously. 

I should like to take this opportunity, 
as we are discnssing the Mexican ques- 
tion, of stating that neither the Gov- 
ernment of the German Empire nor any 
popular German movement thinks of 
such plans. 



As I said at the outset, in Germany 
all that we want of Mexico is peace and 
order. We are convinced that only a 
strong hand can restore peace and order. 
And we believe that this strong hand is 
Huerta. 

So we regard the Mexican policy of 
the United States thus far as harmful to 
the German trade interest and to Ger- 
man industrials settled in Mexico. But 
we have always been ready to approve 
any such other course of the United 
States as could restore peace and order. 

We do not regard the waiting inaction 
of the Washington Government as right. 
"Much Time Spent in Vain." 

Were President Wilson now to recog- 
nize Huerta, we should be glad. But we 
would say: "Much time has been spent 
in vain." 

Were the United States now to try in- 
tervention, we would say: "Well and 
good. But from every point of view it 
would have been more sensible to in- 
tervene a year ago. Much valuable time 
has been wasted, greatly to the detri- 
ment of Mexico and of German inter- 
ests." 

Nor would the case seem different, if 
Huerta fell from power. For then, again, 
American intervention would become 
necessary. 

In Germany the opinion is widespread 
that not only do we not know the in- 
tentions of the men in charge at Wash- 
ington, but also that the men at Wash- 
ington are not clear in their own minds 
as to their purpose. 

Bismarck said of'en that it was not 
nearly so important to adopt the un- 
doubtedly right course in politics off- 
hand as to move steadily and firmly to 
^'le erd in some direction. 



FINANCING VILLA 



BY POLLY PRY IN DENVER 
"TIMES." 

(Copyright by John C. Shaffer — All 
Rights Reserved.) 

It was early morning when I arrived 
at the Paso del Norte hotel. El Paso, 
and before nightfall I knew that I stood 
in the an e-chamber to the revolution- 
ists' headquarters. 

The interests, all the big interests, the 
oil companies, the smelters, the vast 
lumber companies, the multimillionaire 
land owners, the big mine owners and 
the Mexican capitalists who have fled 
before the s'orm — which their greed and 
avarice have helped to raise — are there. 
They fill the lobby and have suites of 
rooms above, where the merry little 
game of bribery and barter goes blithely 
forward. 

The chief of the Constitutionalists' 
trusted agents is Felix Summerfield, a 
German Jew, with the oily sycophancy 
of an old clo'hes dealer and the far- 
seeing vision of his race, where money 
is concerned. He came as a typical 
Chevalier d'lndustrie into Chihuahua 
four years ago and by his chance em- 
ployment by an Associated Press man 
came in contact with Madero, in whose 
cause he saw not only a rich meal ticket, 
but a stepping stone to the fortune he 
sought. 

In his swift climb from the obscurity 
of a budding revolutionist in northern 
Chihuahua to the dizzy heights at Cha- 
pultepec. Madero lost many things, but 



he never lost Herr Summerfield; that 
is, until danger loomed large. Then, in- 
deed, the stout little gentleman with the 
bland face and the ingratiating manner 
faded with magical suddenness and was 
lost to fame until Governor Venustiano 
Carranza, down in Coahuila, found it 
inconvenient to explain what had become 
of the $1,200,000 that had just been sent 
him by Madero for Government pur- 
poses, and to hide his embarrassment 
started a little revolution of his own. 

The first man to bow to the new chief, 
who promptly blossomed forth as 
"General" Carranza, was practical little 
Mr. Summerfield, who is today the go- 
between, who fetches and carries, and 
gathers the crumbs that fall 'twixt the 
graft-hunting Carranza and the protec- 
tion-seeking interests. And be it said 
with all admiration he has become a 
real power, a personage to reckon with; 
also, quite incidentally, he has become 
rich. 

$50,000,000 for Rebel Chiefs on Day They 
Take Saltillo and Monterey. 

There is one thing, however — any per- 
son in search of truth does well to steer 
clear of this peculiarly well-informed 
individual. Also it is an excellent plan 
to treasure up all the tales you hear in 
the Paso del Norte, if only for the pleas- 
ure of finding out their entire falsity 
when you get across the border. 

However, I heard one story from an 
absolutely disinterested but well-in- 
formed man that not only bore all the 
ear-marks of truth on its face, but had 
so many corroborative symptoms in its 
favor that without positive proof I still 
believe it to be true — not the least strong 
factor in that belief being the frantic 
earnestness and stern disfavor with 
which it was denied by he various in- 
terested factions. 

It is claimed that the Waters-Pierce 
and the Standard Oil companies have 
combined with the smelter interests and 
have pledged themselves to raise a sum 
of $60,0001,000 gold, which has already 
been contracted for, and v^hich is f" 
Fo to General Carranza and General 
Villa the day that sees ViUa in pos- 
session of all the country he holds to- 
day, together with Saltillo and Mon- 
terey. 

The capture of the last two places gives 
the Constitutionalists more than one-third 
of the republic, a third which, under 
Villa's policy of deportation, extermina- 
tion and confiscation, is being secured 
to him in a manner that makes him al- 
most invincible — so far as Mexico is 
concerned. 

A man of the lowest order himself, 
he knows his following down to their 
last elemental fiber, and nlays upon his 
knowledge. In his victorious march 
across the country, with his constantly 
growing horde of tatterdemalion men 
and half-grown boys at his heels, he 
rides and sits and lives like a medieval 
bandit of romance among his men, his 
great, coarse voice bellowing orders, 
roaring with laughter and shouting vile 
pleasantries to everybody of the loot and 
worhen who are waitin,g in the towns 
beyond — waiting, not alone for Villa and 
the officers, but for the last barefooted, 
half-naked pelado in the command, who 
moistens his dry lips, hitches his double 
cartridge belt about to ease his shoul- 
ders, looks with flaming eyes at his 
comrades and screams "Viva Villa!" or 
"Viva el Lobo!" until his voice cracks, 
and redoubles his devotion to his "Lo- 
bo," or Wolf, who knows what a man 
who carries a gun wants, and gives it. 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



PRESIDENT WILSON'S WAR 
BEGINS. 

(Philadelphia "Inquirer," April 22, 1914.) 

Blood has been spilled in Mexico. 
American marines fought with Mexican 
troops yesterday over the possession of 
the custom house at Vera Cruz. This is 
the first step in the policy that the Presi- 
dent was so sure was to be a peace meas- 
ure because it was aimed only at an 
individual — Huerta. It does not bring 
peace. It brings war. According to the 
theory of the President we are not going 
to war with Mexico. According to the 
dictates of plain common sense that is 
precisely what we are doing. 

While the first gun was fired by Mex- 
ico, thus technically placing Mexico in 
the position of declaring war, the moral 
declaration rests with us. A formal dec- 
laration is not necessary to establish an 
actual state of war. When our marines 
were landed with the hostile intent of 
seizing the custom house for the purpose 
of confiscating an expected cargo of am- 
munition, that was to all practical pur- 
poses a warlike invasion. The President 
may consider it a war on Huerta alone. 
But ic is more than that. It is war on the 
only established government that exists 
in Mexico; a government that has been 
duly recognized by all nations save that 
of the United States. 

Let us be entirely honest with our- 
selves. ,The President thinks the time 
has come when we should teach Huerta 
a lesson, and so the United States will 
be back of him. as the United States is 
always back of its President when he 
calls for troops. If it shall become neces- 
sary, the regular army will be landed on 
Mexican soil and the national guardsmen 
will be summoned to active service. We 
shall levy special taxes and expend mil- 
lions upon millions — but what for? Come, 
let us not quibble over this matter. We 
are going to war — we are actually at war 
— in support of a policy of the adminis- 
tration — a policy which began with the 
practical ordering of Huerta to quit the 
Presidency of Mexico a year ago. IN 
BRIEF, THIS IS PRESIDENT WIL- 
SON'S PERSONAL WAR ON 
HUERTA. 

For many a long month Huerta has 
refused to acquiesce in the views of 
President Wilson concerning the man- 
ner in which Mexico should be run. With 
his army he has sustained himself 
throughout a time when property has 
been destroyed, lives have been taken, 
murders have been committed, Ameri- 
cans and other foreigners have been 
driven out of the country. 

But we are not going to war because 
of these murders and confiscations. Not 
at all. The murders and the atrocities 



have been committed mostly by the 
forces of the so-called Constitutionalists, 
who are led by a bandit, one Villa, with 
a weak figurehead loafing somewhere in 
the background who styles himself Car- 
ranza — a poor, shivering specimen of a 
man who dares not call his soul his own 
and who is controlled absolutely by 
Villa. But we are not calling Villa to 
account. Far from it. We need him in 
our business. For President Wilson or- 
dered Huerta out of office long ago, and 
Villa is a very helpful person in carry- 
ing out the administration's policy. 

SO WE ARE GOING TO WAR 
WITH THE OBJECT OF DRIVING 
HUERTA FROM POWER AND 
PLACING THE UNSPEAKABLE 
VILLA OR HIS SHADOW CAR- 
RANZA IN POWER. WE HAVE 
SEIZED UPON THE INCIDENT OF 
THE ARREST OF THE BLUEJACK- 
ETS AT TAMPICO FOR THE PUR- 
POSE OF PUTTING THE SCREWS 
ON HUERTA. In his message the Pres- 
ident constantly mentioned Huerta. 
Huerta must apologize. Huerta has in- 
sulted the flag and must salute it or pay 
the penalty. "If armed conflict should 
unhappily come as a result of his 
(Huerta's) attitude of personal resent- 
ment toward this government, we should 
be fighting only General Huerta and 
those who adhere to him and give him 
their support." Those are the President's 
own words. 

But unhappily, "those who adhere" to 
Huerta constitute a large body of the 
best citizens of Mexico. He has back of 
him still a considerable army — somethin 
like 40,000 men, according to this govern- 
ment's own estimates. And in fighting 
Huerta, we fight his army and his "ad- 
herents." We fight his cabinet, his con- 
gress. We fight the only established 
government in Mexico. 

So let us have done with theories. 
They are unworthy of the President of 
the United States. Since the President 
considers that it is necessary to punish 
Huerta, and since he has sept his fleet of 
battleships with thous.ands of marines 
and bluejackets to do the punishing, the 
country must sustain him, although it 
be led into a long and costly war involv- 
ing tens of thousands of troops and mil- 
lions upon millions of dollars. 

The time for argument has gone by. 
Shots in anger have been fired. Ameri- 
can blood stains the streets of Vera Cruz. 
The war — the war that was to be peace- 
ful and that was aimed at Huerta alone — 
has begun. None but thoroughly im- 
practicable persons could see any other 
end. However, discussion must now 
merge into action. The appeal is now 
to patriotism, and from border to border 



there wiU be a response to any call that 
may issue for sufficient troops to see the 
war to a finish, no matter where it may 
lead. Only let us go into this war with 
our eyes wide open to what it means. 
WE ARE FIGHTING TO SUSTAIN 
A MISTAKEN ADMINISTRATION 
POLICY ADOPTED A YEAR AGO— 
AND FOR VERY LITTLE ELSE. 



FREE TO CRITICIZE 

In time of acknowledged warfare there 
is only one course open to a good citi- 
zen. He must stand behind his govern- 
ment and support it in its fight. This 
obligation does not as yet obtain in 
the present Mexican tangle, at least not 
so far as President Wilson is concerned, 
because the President himself has given 
solemn assurance that the country is 
not at war with Mexico and it is not 
going to war with that country. It is 
merely going to hunt down one man. 
Mr. Wilson expresses regret and chagrin 
and surprise that any one should talk 
about war. 

Consequently the belligerent attitude 
of the President toward Huerta and the 
movements of the fleet on Tampico and 
Vera Cruz and the seizure of the latter 
port and the request that Congress give 
the executive authority 'o use the land 
and naval forces of the country in order 
to crush the Mexica.. President are 
mere incidents of a foreign policy, and 
as such are open to criticism and dis- 
cussion. Theoretically at least there is 
no vital crisis in the nation's affairs. 

So we consider it quite proper to call 
attention to the fact that the command 
sent Admiral Fletcher to take possession 
of the custom house at Vera Cruz in 
order to prevent the delivery of fifteen 
million rounds of ammunition to Huerta 
is a direct violation of neutrality, as de- 
fined in the President's own recent order 
raising the embargo on arms. This em- 
bargo was raised at the frontier because, 
as Mr. Wilson argued, discrimination 
against the rebels existed, Huerta bemg 
able to secure supplies from Europe, 
whereas Villa et al. were entirely de- 
pendent upon the United States which 
had closed its frontier to them. Mr. 
Wilson held that all Mexican belligerents 
should have equal opportunity so far 
as the American Government is con- 
cerned. But now the President deliber- 
ately removes that equal opportunity and 
places himself on the side of the north- 
ern rebels. 

"But," says the supporter of the Ad- 
ministration, "Huerta has insulted us." 
We believe Minority Leader Mann went 
very well into the heart of that matter 
when he declared on the floor of the 
House: 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



Public Opinion -"HELPERS OF OUTLAW MURDERERS, HIGHWAYMEN AND RAPISTS' 



"If the incidents mentioned by the 
President in his message to-day had oc- 
curred in England or Germany or 
France or any great nation of the world 
no resolution like this would now be 
pending. Because Mexico is weak we 
think we have the right to declare war 
against her in the hope that success will 
be easily accomplished. We ought not 
to take a step under the plea that we are 
supporting the flag that we would not 
take with a country like Great Britian 
or Germany." 

Mr. Mann also spoke very truly when 
in opposing the resolution in the House 
he said: "It is more than a declaration 
of war. It is a declaration that the 
United States has become an ally to the 
murderous crew in northern Mexico en- 
gaged in murdering men and outraging 
women." Unquestionably this is the im- 
mediate effect of the resolution. 

That this is not only the effect but 
also the secret aim has been rnade only 
too plain by the fevered opposition 
which has developed in the Senate 
against Senator Lodge's amendment 
committing the United States to a gen- 
eral clean up of Mexico north and south 
without regard to who may be the 
military chieftain affected. Senator 
Lodge's speech in defense of his amend- 
ment may have been fiery but it was 
logical. It suggested the only plan for 
intervention in Mexico which is morally 
Jefensible. 

How can the United States with any 
show of fairness proceed to punish 
Huerta for the act of a subordinate who 
has already been disciplined and for 
whose misdeeds at least a partial apolo- 
gy has been offered, and at the same 
time condone or ignore the wholesale 
outrages and murders and robberies and 
impudent defiances and insults of Villa 
and Carranza and their men? How can 
we destroy the one and cherish the 
others? If Huerta has insulted us, Villa 
and Carranza have committed unspeak- 
able and unmentionable crimes against 
us. It is monstrous that we should pro- 
ceed against Huerta and grant them im- 
munity. It is hideous that we should 
attempt to sacrifice the one on the altar 
of personal prejudice and reward and 
protect those others who have made the 
American flag and American citizenship 
objects of contempt and ridicule and 
treated American citizens as though they 
were lower than the dogs. 

If we feel we must go into Mexico 
let us at least avoid the stigma of inter- 
vening as the friends and helpers of out- 
law murderers, highwaymen and rapists, 
— Detroit "Free Press." 



"HUERTA MUST GO" 

"Our feeling for the' people of Mexico 
is one of deep and sincere friend-ship," 
and "we would not wish even to exer- 
eise the good offices of friendship with- 
out their welcome and consent." No- 



body in Mexico has asked the interposi- 
tion of the United States in the affairs 
of that country. "The people of Mexico 
are entitled to settle their own domestic 
affairs in their own way." Therefore, 
the United States has told them how 
they shall manage their affairs, whom 
they shall select for their chief offices, 
that neither Huerta nor any of his sup- 
porters would be acceptable to the 
United States, and that the elections 
must be conducted practically under the 
supervision of commissioners named by 
the Government at Washington, to pass 
not only upon the availability of the can- 
didates, but upon the manner in which 
the elections shall be conducted. And, 
therefore, again, the United States Con- 
gress has been asked by the President 
for its approval and co-operation in 
measures "short of war" "to obtain from 
General Huerta and his adherents the 
fullest recognition of the rights and dig- 
nity of the United States, even amidst 
the distressing conditions now unhap- 
pily obtaining in Mexico." 

"Right or wrong," of course the Con- 
gress and the American people, and 
without regard to political or sectional 
differences, wiH stand by the President. 
He can make whatever use of the armed 
forces of the United States he may 
deem necessary to fight, not Mexico or 
the people of Mexico, but Huerta and 
such of the people of Mexico as adhere 
to Huerta. It is to be a strictly "per- 
sonal" war — the entire fleet of Ameri- 
can battleships, cruisers, torpedo boats,- 
torpedo boat destroyers, hydroaero- 
planes. General Leonard Wood, field ar- 
tillery, coast artillery, marines, regular 
and volunteer soldiers, numbering some- 
thing like half a million fighting men of 
all branches of the land and naval forces, 
are to make Huerta acknowledge and re- 
spect the rights and dignity of the Uni- 
ted States. It is a great undertaking. 
Huerta must prove his respect for the 
United States by firing a salute to the 
American flag, because a whaleboat load 
of United States sailors was arrested by 
one of his subordinate officers and im- 
mediately released by command of his 
superior with apology for their detention 
and with the regrets of Huerta for their 
apprehension* 

Several months ago a British subject 
by the name of Benton was brutally 
murdered by Villa, the commander-in- 
chief of the Constitutionalists in the 
field, and no satisfactory reparation has 
been made for this crime. Benton was 
supposed to be under the protection of 
the United States, and the United States 
has not demanded that there should be 
a salute to the British flag as assurance 
that the rights and dignity of the United 
States in the protection of British sub- 
jects supposed to be under tha Ameri- 
can eagle should be regarded by the 
Constitutionalists. Hundreds of millions 
of United States and other property 



owned by foreigners in that part of 
Mexico controlled by the Constitution- 
alists have been destroyed or stolen, 
hundreds of men and women have been 
killed and hundreds of women have been 
outraged without reparation or apology 
of any sort. The only semblance of 
orderly government has been in that part 
of Mexico controlled by Huerta, all of 
whose communications with the United 
States have been of the most respectful 
character, and Huerta must go. It is 
one of the most remarkable incidents in 
the history of the United States. It can- 
not be explained by any of the ordinary 
methods of diplomatic usage. But, 
"right or wrong," the American people 
will stand by the American President. — 
J. C. Hemphill, Washington Correspond- 
ent, Philadelphia ''Public Ledger." 



HOLD ON! 

To armsl Your country calls — but 
hold on a moment. Mr. Wilson says 
that he does not want the country to 
call; that his war is not going to be that 
kind of a war. All that he purposes is 
to blockade all Mexican ports, land a 
few thousands of Marines to keep com- 
munications open, and supply Villa, Car- 
ranza and their bandits with arms, am- 
munition and supplies sufficient for the 
capture of the Mexican capital. Tkis, he 
explains elaborately, would not be war, 
but only friendly mediation. Mr. Wil- 
son knows best — he knows everything — 
but, if his definition be accepted, the 
laws will have to be changed. Tying a 
man hand and foot, emptying his 
pockets, hiring gangsters to blackjack 
him, and ordering everybody else to 
stand back, so that the crime may be 
committed with impunity, will no longer 
be classed as assault and battery, but as 
neighborly argument! Congressmen 
listen credulously, like a herd of yokels, 
to this balderdash, and vote, "Go as far 
as you like; we leave it all to you." Mr. 
Wilson has waged a private, personal 
war against Mexico ever since his in- 
auguration. He has insulted, injured, 
goaded and provoked the Mexicans in 
every possible manner, robbing them of 
their money and arms and assisting and 
supplying the murderers and blackmail- 
ers who are attacking them. His only 
reason for this extraordinary conduct is 
his dislike of President Huerta. He 
could have ended the trouble at any mo- 
ment by recognizing the Provisional 
Government of Mexico, as all other na- 
tions have done. Now he pretends to 
be shocked by the discovery that Mexi- 
can patience is exhausted, and that 
Huerta will not order, guns fired at the 
precise moment and in the exact order 
that Mr. Wilson dictates. Not a word 
about the hundreds of American resi- 
dents killed or driven from their homes. 
Not a word about the millions of Amer- 
ican investments in Mexico. There have 
(Continued on next page.) 



Saturday, 


April 25, 1914. 


MEXICO 11 




Public Opinion — ' 


'STATESMANSHIP SHOULD HAVE A MORE ACCURATE FOUNDATION" | 



been small causes for great wars — a 
woman's kiss, the flirt of a flybrush, a 
mislaid letter, the shape of a man's nose 
— but none so silly as that of Mr. Wil- 
son's war. Nevertheless, I shall be glad 
to have it fought in the open. .It would 
be more honest, more manly, more 
American to declare war against Mexi- 
co at once than to continue the cowardly 
system of poisoned pin pricks. 

Did you notice this? Mr. Wilson said 
in his Monday talk, "No doubt I could 
do what is necessary in the circum- 
stances to enforce respect for our Gov- 
ernment without recourse to the Con- 
gress." No doubt? There is not a 
word in the Constitution that empowers, 
or can be twisted to authorize a Presi- 
dent to make war without the advice 
and consent of Congress. 

Representative Mann, in his arraign- 
ment of the President for practically in- 
augurating war with Mexico, used strong 
and incisive words: 

Who would think that the incidents 
that have been narrated would be cause 
for war between two great Powers? 
The President is not asking the advice 
of Congress; he is giving his orders to 
Congress to sustain him in what he is 
about to undertake. The resolution is 
a declaration of war, aye, more than 
that, it is a derlaration that we are the 
allies of the murderous crew in North- 
ern Me.xico. I fear that the personal 
resentment of Huerta is largely the per- 
sonal resentment of the President of the 
United States. I am not willing to de- 
clare war because the Presideni of the 
United States does not like Victoriano 
Huerta. 

Distinctly this endorses the position 
I have steadily maintained. Repeatedly 
I have urged the President to forego, 
to forget, the animus he has conceived 
against Huerta, and to acknowledge the 
de facto government seated at the capi- 
tal of the country. Precedents for rec- 
ognizing an existing condition in gov- 
ernment, without inquiry as to how those 
conditions were brought about, is found 
in innumerable instances. The other 
great nations, in dealing with Provisional 
President Huerta, followed these prece- 
dents. Alone President Wilson refused 
a recognition that would have so 
strengthened Huerta's power that, long 
ere this, he would have utterly dispersed 
the brigand bands in the north of his 
country and hung the desperados lead- 
ing them. Recognition of Huerta's 
government a year ago would have giv- 
en peace to Mexico and prosperity to 
the vast American and foreign interests 
in that land. Largely those interests are 
now in a state of ruin and the people 
well-nigh impoverished to starvation 
point. In the course of his speech Mr. 
Mann said: 

I do not believe it is possible for us 
to have war with Mexico and ever leave 
Mexico. When we shall have finished 
we shall own Mexico. I am not willing 
to acquire the responsibility of that un- 
dertaking. When American soldiers 
shall have been killed in Mexico there 



will be a demand that our flag never 
come down on that soil. 

These are words of fearfully true 
import. In God's name, did we not 
take enough responsibility when we ac- 
quired the Philippines? Do we want 
Mexico at any price? Do we want it 
at the cost of hundreds of millions of 
dollars of treasure and thousands upon 
thousands oi the lives of our young citi- 
zenry? Oh, that the great over-ruling 
Providence may prompt President Huer- 
ta to yield to the United States the apol- 
ogy demanded and fairly due under in- 
ternational comity, and then prompt our 
President in return to recognize Huerta's 
government and save our people from 
a war compared with which in dread- 
fulness our previous foreign wars sink 
to insignifiance! But American blood 
has been shed — the die is cast! — The 
Saunterer in "Town Topics. 



MORE MAKE BELIEVE. 

President Wilson does not call it war 
with Mexico, but, as he said to the Wash- 
ington correspondents yesterday "only 
an issue between this (our) government 
and a person calling himself the Provi- 
sional President of Mexico (Huerta), 
whose right to call himself such we have 
never recognized in any way." In his 
address to the joint session of Congress 
yesterday President Wilson made the 
same point, but more politely, as fol- 
lows: 

This government can, I earnestly hope, in no 
circumstances be forced into war with the people 
of Mexico. Mexico is torn by civil strife. If 
we are to accept the tests of its own constitu- 
tion, it has no government. General Huerta has 
set his power up in the city of Mexico, such ai 
it is, without right, and by methods for which 
there can be no justification. Only part of the 
country is under his control. If armed conflict 
should unhappily come as a result of his attitude 
of personal resentment toward this government, 
we should be fighting only General Huerta and 
those who adhere to him and give him their 
support, and our object would be only to restore 
to the people of the distracted republic the oppor- 
tunity to set up again their own laws, and their 
own government. 

The Republic of Mexico consists of 
27 States, one Federal District and three 
Territories, with a total area of 765,535 
square miles, and a population (1910) of 
15.063,207. Two of these Mexican States, 
Sonora and Chihuahua, are under the 
control of the rebel forces, led by Villa, 
the man who forged an entire set of 
court-martial proceedings in order to 
carry off his lie to our government in 
regard to the murder of William S. 
Benton, a British subject. The same 
rebel forces also hold a good part of the 
State of Sinaloa, a part of the State of 
Coahuila, and have detached bands oper- 
ating in the States of Nuevo Leon and 
Tamaulipas. Their practical power to- 
day in Mexico may therefore be fairly 
measured by ascribing to them full con- 
trol in the four States of Sonora, Chi- 
huahua, Sinaloa and Coahuila. These 
four States have an area of 257,874 square 
miles, leaving 507,661 square miles under 
the authority of General Huerta, and a 
population of 1,358,961, leaving a popu- 
lation of 13,704,246 who acknowledge the 
rule of the present provisional govern- 
ment of Mexico. Let us assume that 
the Zapatistas, a mere robber band down 
in the little State of Morelos, and all the 



other robber bands who steal for their 
living in various parts of Southern Mex- 
ico, are equal in number to the odd 704,- 
000, and we then find that the Mexican 
opponents of General Huerta number 
only 2.063,207 as against a full 13,000,000 
of industrious and law-abiding people 
who recognize his constitutional author- 
ity. 

This is the substantial state of facts 
which President Wilson glossed over in 
his address to Congress yesterday with 
the indefinite remark that "only part of 
the country under his (Huerta's) con- 
trol." We submit that responsible states- 
manship, at which all the world is look- 
ing with eager eyes, should have a more 
accurate — not to say intelligent — founda- 
tion than that. 

In the light of these figures, which we 
have roughly assembled, and which we 
invite anybody who distrusts them to 
verify for himself in the light of all the 
current reports from Mexico — President 
Wilson's considered view, that if an 
"armed conflict" breaks out "we should 
be fighting only General Huerta and 
those who adhere to him and give him 
their support," takes on a wholly diflfer- 
ent color from that which he gave to it. 
Mr. Gladstone, who also was a master 
hand at subtle definitions, once drew the 
line between "military operations" and 
what the man in the street calls war; 
and in the same way President Wilson 
undertakes to make it appear to be pos- 
sible for the United States to carry on 
some sort of disciplinary proceedings 
by armed force against General Huerta 
without in any manner molesting Mexico 
or disturbing the Mexican people. The 
conclusive answer to this is that Huerta 
is a nobody when taken by himself, and 
that the only reason for caring for what 
he says or what he does is that in fact 
he does represent the larger part of the 
territory of Mexico and an immense 
majority of the Mexican people. Huerta's 
entire value and importance lie in his 
representative position. If President 
Wilson had received any request from 
the Mexican people who are obedient to 
Huerta's administration of the Mexican 
government that the United States should 
intervene in their behalf against him, 
there would be at least a peg on which 
to hang the theory that our warships can 
take possession of Mexican ports and in- 
terrupt Mexican trade to the sole injury 
of Huerta and without any injury to the 
Mexican people. It would not be true 
in that case, but the public injury would 
be welcomed. But aside from the rebels 
in the north no Mexican complaint is 
made about Huerta and no matter how 
smoothly the definition may run, as be- 
tween him and an overwhelming ma- 
jority of the people of Mexico, it is not 
possible for all the warships of the 
United States to give him a moment's 
anxiety except by breaking into and 
breaking down the fabric of Mexican in- 
dustry and Mexican trade of which he 
is the representative head. It is nothing 
but make believe to say otherwise. — 
Hartford "Courant." 



WILSON'S RESPONSIBILITY. 

President Wilson has brought the 
country into war. To Congress is re- 
served by the Constitution the right to 
declare war, but the real war-making 
powe-r in the United States is the Presi- 
dent. He can at any moment force Con- 
gress into a war. The nation is at his 
mercy. He has the exclusive con- 
duct of foreign relations, and can so or- 
(Continued on next page) 



13 


MEXICO Saturday, ApHl 25, 1914. 




Public Opinion-"A BLUNDER OF THE FIRST MAGNITUDE" 



der them at any time as to make war 
inevitable. He cannot declare war, but 
he can do things which are either war 
in themselves or which make war un- 
escapable. Congress cannot possibly re- 
sist him. Hence it is a mere form to 
say that Congress declares war. It is 
the President who really does it 

President Wilson would not deny this. 
He shows no desire to shirk the fearful 
responsibility which he has incurred. It 
is as a direct consequence of his own 
orders that Americans were killed in 
Vera Cruz yesterday. To say that the 
seizure of that port was not an act of 
war is to say that a blow in the face is 
a love-token. .The Mexicans in Vera 
Cruz, both soldiers and civilians, in- 
stantly and justly considered the land- 
ing of our marines as a deliberate ag- 
gression, to be resisted with arms. For 
anybody in Washington or anywhere 
else to have expected any other result 
would have been insensate folly. The 
provocation was ours, and the moral 
consequences of being the aggressor are 
also ours. 

It is clear that the President has al- 
ready gone far beyond his original basis 
for action. He mobilized the fleet, he 
sent an ultimatum to Huerta, he ap- 
pealed to Congress, solely for the pur- 
pose, he asserted, of demanding repara- 
tion for an insult to our flag. That 
reparation, it must not be forgotten, 
was duly offered, and in a way which 
the President could have hailed, if he 
had chosen, as completely satisfactory 
and a great triumph for himself. But 
while stickling over minor details in 
the form of apology proposed by Huer- 
ta, he pressed steadily on to what is 
now his obvious and even acknowledged 
purpose. This is nothing less than arm- 
ed intervention to force Huerta to sur- 
render the Mexican Presidency. The 
first ostensible reasons for hostile mea- 
sures are to-day swept aside. If Huerta 
were at present to offer the most abject 
apologies and the fullest reparation, 
President Wilson would not stay his 
hand. The war is now definitely in or- 
der to eliminate Huerta. That grim old 
Indian, if he were as familiar with the 
Bible as Mr. Wilson is might well be 
saying to his Cabinet to-day: "Consid- 
er, I pray you, and see how he seeketh 
a quarrel against me." 

The march of events has made the ac- 
tion of Congress appear of small impor- 
tance. Little does it matter in what 
precise form the resolutions of war are 
drawn, after the war has begun. The 
drumming of the guns is now the only 
oratory that counts. The Senate reso- 
lution disclaims all hostility to the 
Mexican people or "any purpose to make 
war upon them ;" but if the Mexican 
people, or any considerable portion of 
them, believe that we are, in fact, wan- 
tonly making war upon them, and pro- 
ceed to fight us to the death, then the 
Senate resolution, with all the debating 
of it, might as well be thrown into one 
of those receptacles near the Capitol 
marked "For Trash." — New York 
"Evening Post." 



THE EMBARGO 

In his treatment of this Mexican situa- 
tion Mr. Wilson has made one mistake 
after anothet,- and one great mistake 
was committed when he let down the 
bars and made it possible for the brig- 
ands and bandits who masquerade as 
""Constitutionalists" to replenish their 
depleted stores from American sources. 



That was a blunder of the first magni- 
tude. It was one of those blunders 
which have been described as worse than 
crimes. It gave, and it apparently was 
intended to give, aid and comfort to a 
gang of cut-throats, outlaws and des- 
peradoes whose activities are exclusive- 
ly destructive and whose impulses are 
cruel, degraded and debased. 

Bad as Huerta may be, that he is less 
black than he has been painted, com- 
pared with Villa, to whom this assistance 
was extended, he is a patriot and a 
statesman, and it was deplorable and 
humiliating that the United States Gov- 
ernment by the action that was taken 
in the matter of the embargo should 
have incurred the suspicion of being in 
sympathy with Villa's designs and of 
desiring Villa's success. Yet the course 
which Mr. Wilson pursued hardly ad- 
mitted of any other construction. It 
has been urged in his defense that the 
attitude assumed by him was one of 
strict neutrality, that the raising of the 
embarge applied no less and no more 
to one side than to the other. It was 
a specious plea. Holding the sea ports 
as he did, Huerta was able to obtain 
supplies of war material from abroad. 
Villa could only get them from across 
the border. He had complained of this 
handicap and had declared that if he 
were enabled to secure arms and ammuni- 
tion he would quickly overrun the coun- 
try and capture the capital. The lifting 
of the embargo looked very much like a 
response to this representation and it is 
probably not a mere coincidence that 
Villa's greatest successes followed. If 
sanction for the transmission into Mexi- 
co of guns and stores were given for 
the purpose of helping Villa along and 
increasing the difificulty of Huerta's task, 
its object seems to have been accom- 
plished. 

Under the changed conditions which 
now exist it is, however, essential that 
this sanction should at the earliest mo- 
ment be withdrawn. One of the strong- 
est reasons given against raising the 
embargo was the fact that the Mexicans 
were thereby being supplied with wea- 
pons which would upon occasion be used 
against the United States. The contin- 
gency thus anticipated has now arisen. 
No one can foresee the end of the con- 
flict which has just begun. It is far 
from improbable that before it has lasted 
very long the Mexicans who have been 
fighting each other will be found making 
common cause against this country, and 
for us to continue providing them with 
the fighting means would be the height 
of folly. There is indeed a current story 
that a plan proposed by Mr John Lind 
and accepted by the President contem- 
plates a quasi-alliance with the "Con- 
stitutionalists;" that the Tampico inci- 
dent was eagerly seized upon as a pre- 
text for the intervention that is pro- 
ceeding; that the shceme is to co-oper- 
ate with the Villa-Carranza oufit and to 
install one or other of these adven- 
turers in the seat from which Huerta 
is by our superior strength to be forcibly 
■ ejected. 

The "Inquirer" refuses to believe that 
any such fantastic program is seriously 
entertained. That the United States 
should constitute itself the champion of 
Villa and undertake to place the con- 
trol of the Mexican Government in the 
hands of that blood-stained bravo is 
quite inconceivable. Public sentiment, 
aroused and indignant, would not permit 
it. Americans prefer to pick their com- 
pany. They are not intending to con- 



sort with miscreants of the Villa kind, 
and the importation of war munitions 
across the Rio Grande, great quanities 
of which are reported in transit, should 
be incontinently stopped. — Philadelphia 
"Inquirer." 



WE ARE AT WAR— THE COUNTRY 

AND THE WORLD REALIZE 

IT, IF WILSON AND BRYAN 

DO NOT. 

The crime against humanity in which 
two nations are now engaged — for war 
in these days is nothing else than such a 
crime— had its origin in the pallid pur- 
pose of these two men to sway and shape 
by "moral" force the destiny of Mexico. 

They brought the theories and dreams 
of the student's closet and the vaporings 
of the demagogue into the arena of stern 
realities, and, alone among the statesmen 
of the world, insisted that the mere in- 
dication of their personal displeasure 
would place one murderous Mexican 
above another in control of that distract- 
ed land. 

The long list of murders of American 
citizens, the destruction of millions of 
American property, tell a tragic story 
Oi this futile endeavor. Still more tragfic 
war is now its inevitable end. Yet the 
President's policy of piffle is persisted 
in at the White House, and only yes- 
terday afternoon, while our sailors were 
falling dead and wounded in Vera Cruz, 
our Secretary of State was assuring the 
assembled representatives of foreign 
countries that this country did not con- 
template war! — New York "Evening 

Mail." 

INFLEXIBLE RESOLUTION MUST 
SUPERSEDE PEDANTRY. 

The Mexican situation has passed from the 
arena of diplomacy into the field of action. It 
can do little good now to rehearse the long series 
of blunders, stubbornly persisted in, which led 
up to, if they did not induce, the lamentable con- 
dition which now exists. In vain publicists urged 
the administration to forsake its fatuous policy, 
to abandon its untenable position, looking to- 
ward the avoidance of intervention and the re- 
habilitation of Mexico by Mexicans without ob- 
struction by this nation. Futilely this newspaper, 
in common with others, for months deplored the 
program of drifting toward the inevitable, the 
academic phrase-making of those responsible for 
our conduct, the sophomoric endeavor to apply 
ideal international ehtics to a very real and prac- 
tical problem. Without result the Administration 
was besought on all sides to withdraw from its 
inexplicable support of the brigands operating in 
the North, into whose vengeful hands have been 
put American weapons. In vain the Secretary of 
State was called on to come down out of the 
clouds and stand on solid ground, that this nation 
might be saved from the fearful obligation which 
threatened. The peacemakers were too intent on 
explanation of their purpose to put it into execu- 
tion. While they talked the situation ran away 
from them. — Philadelphia "Public Ledger." 



A PERSONAL MATTER. 

To the Editor of the New York "Sun" — Sir: 
As this Mexican imbroglio seems to be a personal 
matter, why not let Huerta and Wilson fight it out 
in the back yard? 

I will back Huerta for a thousand. 

New York, April 22. O. H. K. 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



Public Opinion -."HUERTA DEMOCRATIC-WILSON NOT" 



President Wilson's message did not 
clear up a confused situation. Rather, 
it introduced new elements of doubt and 
uncertainty. If Congress listened to the 
President expecting to be fired by glow- 
ing appeals, it was disappointed. If 
anybody thought that the country would 
be set aflame by the message, he must 
have been surprised by the actual re- 
sult. People are more puzzled than 
ever. They hear talk of war, and see 
preparations for war going on, but can't 
tell for the life of them what it is all 
about. The President was to set their 
patriotic emotions ablaze, but somehow 
he did little more than give them new 
problems on which to exercise their 
minds. He was to make their hearts 
burn, but in reality only made their 
heads ache. 

This follows inevitably on the inabil- 
ity, or unwillingness, of the Adminis- 
tration to give the nation a clear-cut 
issue — something to shout for, to fight 
for, to die for, if need be. Our whole 
quarrel seems to be based on distinc- 
tions too nice for the ordinary man to 
draw; and to be with shadows rather 
than with corporeal enemies. * * ♦ 

The United States has never before 
been called upon to go to war with a 
person. It is not strange that Congress 
was perplexed over the terms of the 
joint resolution authorizing the Presi- 
dent to use the armed forces of the 
United States to exact reparation from 
Huerta. War is not made on an in- 
dividual. The whole thing is queer and 
irregular. There might be, indeed, justi- 
fication of Mr. Wilson's solicitous de- 
sire to isolate Huerta in this formal 
way, and that would be action by the 
Mexicans themselves showing that they, 
ton, believe Huerta to be their great 
danger, and trying to get rid of him. 
But at present there is no sign of 
this. * * • 

The Mexicans have their proverb cor- 
responding to our "fine words butter no 
parsnips." .And behind the multitude of 
"buenas razones" which President Wil- 
son has used, they may be excused if 
they see but a single purpose in fact. 
This is to intervene with arms in order 
to hasten the fall and elimination of 
Gen. Huerta. Nothing else so reason- 
ably explains the course which the Presi- 
dent has pursued for the past week. His 
demand for reparation was virtually 
granted. Though he did not in his mes- 
sage refer to Huerta's final oflfer. This 
was, in eflfect, a compliance with the ul- 
timatum sent to him. He agreed to 
salute the flag, in order to wipe out the 
"insult" to it. But the Administration 
has apparently determined to make use 
of the incident to oust Huerta by force. 
If this is so, there is no use in beating 
about the bush. The country has been 
fed with words; it is entitled to the 
realities; and it is time that the Presi- 
dent frankly stated them. — New York 
"Evening Post." 



One cannot avoid seeing that there is 
a difference in kind between President 
Wilson and President Huerta. Huerta 
is an Indian, while Wilson is a white 
Virginian. Huerta was trained as a sol- 
dier, and has gone through the rough 
and tumble and dirt of battle, while Wil- 
son was trained for a lawyer, and has 
become learned in books, and his hands 
have never been soiled with anything 
more dangerous than ink. Huerta is 
democratic in his habits, too, while Wil- 
son is not. Wilson has the select and 
fastidious feelings of the educated man 
who has always been an acknowledged 
authority in the little orderly circle in 
which he has moved. Fundamentally 
these fastidious feelings are aristocratic, 
although in the large sense, and in all 
that wide range where there can be no 
personal contact. Wilson tries hard to 
be democratic. Theoretically he makes 
out to be a fairly good democrat, that 
is to saj-, so long as it does not come 
to an actual rubbing of shoulders, or 
any abrupt interference with his per- 
sonal dignity and control. Huerta is a 
democrat because he is built that way. 
He goes about among the common peo- 
ple of Mexico City as if he were one 
of them, as he socially is; he dines by 
preference at a public restaurant, where 
he can see the faces of his neighbors 
and hear the hum of their voices; and 
he goes out and seeks human compan- 
ionship at the hour when Wilson goes 
to bed. Huerta is the real democrat, 
in the European social sense; Wilson is 
the theoretical democrat, in the village 
social sense of educated superiority and 
authority. Wilson's democracy has a 
touch of the Puritan back of the habitual 
sense of superiority of the great Vir- 
ginian land holder; he thinks democracy 
for other people rather than is a demo- 
crat himself. Huerta needs to see the 
faces of other people and hear their 
voices every day — he would fall into a 
melancholy if he were forced to abide 
by himself for long; while Wilson needs 
only a few favorite books and himself, 
and all strange faces shut out, in order 
to have his happiest hours. 

These different personal qualities are 
not the sole basis of the social feud 
between our President and the Mexican 
President, but no doubt they intensify 
this feud. They help to explain why 
Huerta is personally offensive to Wil- 
son and why Wilson appears as not 
much more than a metaphysical abstrac- 
tion to Huerta. The unaccountable thing 
is in regard to Villa. Huerta is a highlv 
educated man as compared with the i"-- 
norance of Villa, and Villa manifests in 
his dailv life the bloodthirstv determina- 
tion which Wilson without proof as- 
cribes to Huerta; yet Villa has won Wil- 
son's favor. — Hartford "Courart." 



their conception of "Governors'* would be 
changed. Carranza has been twice on each side 
of the fence on eoery matter of politics that has 
ever come up. He had the secession movement 
pretty well under way while yet under Madero. 
Under the guise of equipping State troops to help 
the Federal Government he obtained money from 
Madero, and was about ready to take the field 
when the deposing of Madero occurred. He 
seized the opportunity to hide his real motive, 
and so declared his movement as revolutionary 
and against Huerta, where he would have had 
to soon declare it secessionist and against Ma- 
dero if there had been no uprising in Mexico 
City. 

The Sonora people also had used the same tac- 
tics, but were more outspoken than was Car- 
ranza in regard to secession. We, ourselves, used 
to hear plenty of secession talk in the years 1906, 
1907, 190S, when we lived in Sonora; and we can 
say frankly that we thought that the Sonora 
people had many good reasons for feeling as 
they did. 

The State of Sonora is geographically isolated 
from the rest of Mexico. There are no railwaya 
connecting across, except through American ter- 
ritory. Ramon Corral and his intimates exploited 
the State in every possible way for their own 
benefit ; and it being so far distant and so hard 
to get into, the great part of Mexicans know 
nothing about the State. 

Of the local population almost all that could 
afford pleasure trips went to the United States 
for them. Those that could afford to educate 
their children always sent them to the United 
States. So many of the ordinary day laborers 
had worked along the border on the American 
farms, railways and in the mines, that they, too, 
had tlieir mite of education from close contact 
with civilized people. The final result was that 
there existed a larger proportion of the native 
population that had education, had traveled some 
and were all-around broader and deeper thinkers 
than could apply to any other part of Mexico. 
And it was to be expected that there the people 
at large should have resented more the methods 
of Porfirio Diaz, have tired quicker of the Ma- 
dero experiment and should seize the first oppor- 
tunity that presented itself to declare for them- 
selves. 

The revolution in Sonora is the only one of 
the many to-day declared that is entitled to 
respect of outsiders. But, unhappily, we have 
the usual state of affairs in Mexico — they are 
not stable enough and patriotic to sink their 
personal differences and unite firmly for the 
common good. 

The Unspeakable ViUa 
And that fellow Villa is unspeakable. It is 
the wonder of the civilized world that President 
Wilson should so far have lowered himself to 
have ever countenanced him as an clement of 
American opposition to Huerta. The American 
Government should at least have restricted itself 



FROM AN AMERICAN BUSINESS 
MAN 

(Herewith is presented a bona fide communi- 
cation to the "Public Ledger" from an Ameri- 
can business man resident in Mexico. His name 
and address are withheld to prevent possibility of 
reprisal for his frank declarations. — Editor Phila- 
delphia "Public Ledger." 



Americans seem to think that Carranza is a 
man of high character and worthy of respect. 
They really have not much information, on which 
to base their opinions ; but as he is known to 
have been Governor of a State, it is assumed 
he is a good man. Well, if Americans could but 
see and know all the kinds and sizes of Gover- 
nors of States that Madero had put in power, 



to dignified methods in keeping 
honor. To us that have lived 
know these people, it has bei 
humiliating to endure the taunt 
eigners here, and the respectful c 
better class Mexicans, occasioned by 
tions between American Government i 



Villa, than to 
times over of 



endu 



the 
supporting 



■itici; 



'ith American 
the country, 
much more 
of other for- 
nments of the 
the rela- 
and Bandit 
a thousand 
Huerta. 



lik 



A POLICY WRECKED BY ITS 

"FRIENDS." 

General Carranza has rendered his 
verdict and the verdict of those asso- 
ciated with him upon the action of the 
United States in landing troops upon 
Mexican soil. Whatever the motives in- 
spiring it, however clearly the purpose 
of the administration may have been set 
forth in the pronunciamentos and resolu- 
tions of Congress, this act is pronounced 
bv the recognized head of the "consti- 
(Continued on next page) 



14 


MEXICO Saturday, April 25, 1914. 






Public Opinion-" WHAT A PITIFUL CULMINATION!" | 



tutionalist" movement to be war upon 
the people of Mexico. 

Whatever this may mean for Mexico 
it means the utter wreck of President 
Wilson's policy of which co-operation 
with the "constitutionalists" has been the 
cornerstone. 

President Wilson and his advisers 
have seemed to think the military forces 
of the United States could enter Mexico 
for the avowed purpose of driving one 
man from office and that the Mexican 
people would be able to draw a distinc- 
tion between such "invasion" and a war 
upon Mexico. It is a distinction they 
could not be expec.ed to draw, a dis- 
tinction, that no other people have ever 
been able to draw in similar circum- 
stances. 

Who is responsible for the policy that 
has been wrecked? If, as has been 
strongly intimated, this responsibility 
lies with the present Secretary of State, 
the best thing that can happen to the 
administration and to the country is 
that he be thrown overboard. If the re- 
sponsibility lies with President Wilson, 
he alone must bear the humiliation and 
the defeat. — New York "Herald." 



AND WHAT NEXT? 

What is to come next? Does it mean 
a war between the United States and a 
united Mexico? 

If not war to the end, what then? 
Are we to withdraw our troops from 
Mexican soil? Are we to surrender 
control of Vera Cruz, which we have 
taken at a sacrifice of American blood, 
stopping short of the purpose that took 
us there? 

If the administration is lo stay its 
hand; if, having plunged the country 
into war, it can by any possibility con- 
template abandonment of a march to 
Mexico City, why not blockade all Mexi- 
can ports and the northern border, seize 
al other cuslom houses as well as that 
at Vera Cruz, cut ofl all sources of 
supplies and let the Mexicans fight it out 
among themselves to the bitter end, no 
matter how bitter that may be? 

One thing is certain. Now that our 
"constitutionalist" allies have shown 
their unreliability and their ingratitude, 
there should be prompt re-establishment 
of the embargo against the shipment of 
arms to them. The lifting of that em- 
bargo, the equipment of a large army 
under Villa with American guns which 
may yet be turned against American 
soldiers, is a stain upon the administra- 
tion. Let us hope that events will not 
prove it to have been little short of a 
crime against the nation. — New York 
"Herald." 



OF THE PRESIDENT'S MAKING 

The situation now has been wholly 
different. It is of the President's mak- 
ing. The people have had no eagerness 
for hostilities. Nor has he. Of his 
peace-loving proclivities we have no 
doubt. But he has from the start un- 
dertaken a policy — that of refusing to 
recognize the de facto Government of 
the republic, described by him as "watch- 
ful waiting" — which has inevitably point- 
ed to such a crisis as that which we have 
at last approached. And we must, as 
loyal and patriotic- Americans, take the 
consequences. These may be very seri- 
ous, not so much in a military way as 
in the civil problems liable to arise. For 
getting out of Mexico is likely to be 
much harder than getting in. — Boston 
"Herald." 



What a pitiful, what a petty culmina- 
tion of all our government's conversa- 
tion concerning the high moral duty of 
the United States toward Mexico. In- 
stead of going into Mexico on principle 
to free a downtrodden people, we will 
enter to- avenge a petty instjlt, already 
apologized for. And will it not be said, 
too, that we will be going in as a matter 
of revenge, and because all other meth- 
ods for getting rid of Huerta, the per- 
sonal enemy of our President, have 
failed? — Detroit "Free Press." 



AS ANGELL SEES MEXICO. 

Norman Angell, author of "The Great 
Illusion," and one of the foremost cham- 
pions of world peace, asserted recently 
that once intervention began in Mexico 
we could only expect that political mo- 
mentum would sweep us along until we 
reached the Panama Canal. That des- 
tiny would mean, said Mr. Angell, the 
absorption of from twenty to twenty- 
five million alien people not of our lan- 
guage, laws, or civilization. 

"Meaning," said he, "that for a gen- 
eration we will be occupying ourselves 
with these questions at the expense of 
the welfare of the people of the United 
States." 

"What does military intervention in 
Mexico mean?" Mr. Angell was asked. 

"It does not mean what military 
intervention in a case like Cuba 
did," he replied. "In the case of 
Cuba a whole population had risen 
against an alien government ; we 
helped the population to turn the alien 
government out and then withdrew. That 
is not the case in Mexico. It might have 
been somewhat analogous to that if a 
year ago we had intervened for the pur- 
pose of supporting the Constitutionalists 
as against the Federalists, had taken 
sides in Mexican politics, that is, in favor 
of one party as against another, as- 
sured the triumph of that party, and had 
then withdrew. That is not possible to- 
day. We certainly shall not send our 
army to Mexico for the purpose of plac- 
ing Gen. Carranza or Gen. Villa in 
power." 

What May Happen in Future. 
"We cannot take sides in Mexican 
politics and assume that one party, like 
the Constitutionalists, are the good peo- 
ple and the other party are the bad peo- 
ple. Even if it were possible to balance 
rights and wrongs, all the evidence goes 
to show that one party is very little 
better fitted than another party perma- 
nently to maintain good government and 
order in the Anglo-Saxon sense. If we 
intervened in Mexico, that intervention 
must have some meaning and some per- 
manent result. Merely to push our way 
to Mexico City, make a proclamation, es- 
tablish a Mexican party in power, and 
withdraw, would be to expose ourselves 
to the risk of having the imbroglio just 
as bad a year or five years hence. 



"If we go into Mexico we shall stay 
there, and the political momentum of the 
thing — the fact that when one gets start- 
ed full swing along a certain political 
road it is impossible to stop even if we 
wish— will carry us through to the Pan- 
ama Canal. Because our entrance into 
Mexico will not endear the United States 
to Spanish-Americans, and we shall find 
the American flag insulted, American 
citizens assaulted, and American prop- 
erty destroyed in Nicaragua, San Sal- 
vador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, San 
Domingo and Hayti, and sooner or 
later, since politics do not stand still, 
either go back or forward, and we shall 
not go back, we shall go forward. 

There is another factor of a purely 
military kind which has to be taken into 
consideration. The thing which has 
transformed modern warfare is not the 
great gun which can fire a ton twenty 
miles in the shells of apparently horrify- 
ing destructiveness. These things are 
spectacular, but as a matter of fact do 
little damage. What has really trans- 
formed warfare is the improved maga- 
zine rifle, having a much straighter tra- 
jectory than it had even thirty or forty 
years ago. Make the comparison with 
the earlier forms of warfare. Until the 
arrival of this instrument a body of men, . 
speaking roughly and generally, pushed 
its way through a territory by force of 
muscle — were stopped by force o.f mus- 
cle. The attack met the defence on equal 
terms. To stop a man you had to come 
into the open and hit him with a battle- 
axe, or get very near to him with a bow 
and arrow, or give him a chance to get 
near to you while you were reloading 
your breech-loader, or because you had 
missed him with an old-type rifle that 
shot in a circle instead of shooting 
straight. But when you have an instru- 
ment that is very cheap, easily obtain- 
able, quickly loaded, easily aimed, and 
that will kill a man a quarter of a mile 
away, the attack is no longer on equal 
terms with the defence. A hundred men 
advancing across a field are at the mercy 
of two men whom they cannot see shoot- 
ing at them from a ditch. It is this 
which has revolutionized warfare. 



With the recent past one long scries of mis- 
calculations, who will be so bold as to predict 
what a day may bring forth? Last December, 
President Wilson declared that Huerta was totter- 
ing to his fall. This was an estimate far out, as 
everybody can see to-day, though at the time 
most thought it accurate. And the Administra- 
tion's hopes and judgments to-day may be equally 
wide of the fact. All that we know is that if any 
people is proud and sensitive, the Mexicans are 
more so ; if any are ready to die for a fantastic 
sense of patriotic honor, they are in a higher 
degree. The beginning of the war is as the let- 
ting out of the waters, the end of which no man 
can foresee. What we do see is the tragedy of 
what has occurred, and the prospect of unnum- 
bered woes that looms behind the President's 
measures "short of war"— New York "Evening 
Post." 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



MEXICO 



Public Opinion---" SOMETHING ROTTEN IN DENMARK" 



THE WIDOW IN "TOWN TOPICS." 

This "treachery" or fear of being un- 
.\merican goes farther. One can under- 
stand and be patient with the ignorance 
of men in high official position who 
must learn the intricacies in diplomatic 
relations. The thing that makes the inner 
conviction in me war against the outer 
is what looks like a willingness among 
some of these newspaper correspondents 
—or perhaps it is the publisher back of 
them for which these representatives 
must suffer — to help out in this "saving 
the face" of those who have made mis- 
takes. And it is not all in the "saving 
the face." That could have some merit 
— some loyalty— some God's Country 
virtue. This unwilling conviction that 
bears one down with evidence — perhaps 
circumstantial — assumes the criminal 
proportion that somewhere — here — at 
home — there is an invisible hand of the 
"dollar diplomacy" — money, money, 
money — when in the issue there stands 
the sacrifice of thousands of human 
lives. 

Is the .American business interest so 
great in Mexico — in oil and in mining— 
that we who pose for humanity can 
make the lives of thousands of our sol- 
diers and the sacrifice and capture of a 
foreign country of minor importance? 

There's certainly something "rotten 
in the State of Denmark." 

General Huerta is certainly doing 
mighty well without the help of Presi- 
dent Wilson. Both Church and State 
stand ready with the money necessary 
to protect his Government. He is cau- 
tious, clever, conservative in speech. 
None of these stories about his dissipa- 
tions is true. And not one of his most 
intimate associates has heard him ex- 
press an unkind or vindictive word 
against President Wilson. The most he 
says is that it would be quite impossible 
for him to produce the assassin of Ma- 
dero as for President Wilson to change 
from his position of non-recognition. 
He will not resign, and he will work out 
the peace and order for Mexico if only 
ihe United States will not throw any 
more stumbling blocks in his way. The 



was critical for the rebels, and that it 
was advisable for the press to sustain 
the fall of that place and prevent thus 
the opportune arrival there of the Fed- 
eral reinforcement." 

This statement cannot be denied, as 
that telegrapm is here in the archives of 
the Government officers. 

Mexicans! There are half a million 
so-called Mexicans and fourteen million 
peaceful home-loving Indians. As I 
have said before, this is an Indian coun- 
try. These Indians are everywhere— the 
laborers of the country — the "people." 
They are not at all like our North Amer- 
ican Indians — our savages who recog- 
nize the privileges of the white man 
and weigh them against the wrongs ot 
the red man. They are like children, 
with the undeveloped characteristics o\ 
children — kind, impulsive, appreciative, 
cruel in anger or selfishness, but all with 
one desire: land, a home of their own. 



started across the Texas border. They 
may feel that the pretext for an im- 
broglio with Huerta is pitifully small. 
But with war once begun they must sup- 
port the Government of the United 
States. 

This does not mean that they must 
indorse the war or approve the course 
of the Government. They must make 
the best of a bad situation which they 
cannot prevent and which they cannot 
combat without making matters worse. 
They mus; stand behind Mr. Wilson be- 
cause for the time being, through their 
suffrage, he represents their Govern- 
ment, which is greater than any Presi- 
dent; and that Government finds itself 
in the midst of a great emergency. — De- 
troit "Free Press." 



WAR WITH A PEACEFUL INTEN- 
TION. 

Will there be no end of hypocrisy and humbug 
in dealing with Mexico? We are making war on 
Mexico and we arc not making war on Mexico — 
because no one in this administration has ever 
had the courage or the sincerity to look the facts 
in the face. History will have no mercy for all 
this humbuggery. If unsettled questions have no 
mercy for the peace of nations, neither have 
befogged questions. We shall work out in blood 
this muddle of war with a peaceful intention 1 — 
New York "Evening Mail." 



It the controversy was with a great 
power, there would be some sense in ap- 
plying the old motto,' "Our country, 
right or wrong," which seems to be 
sound international ethics, but to get up 
any national excitement over a small 
rumpus with poor Mexico is utterly 
ridiculous. It is worse than that, for 
we have been wrong from the beginning, 
and. in the case of Mexico, it is not only 
more honest but more dignified to con- 
fess it and act accordingly. And the 
one man to blame is the President of 
'he United States. — San 
"Chronicle." 



But if the authorities at Washington 
could abandon the idea that some duty 
to the cause of popular government re- 
quires them to support Villa's bandits 
ard could adopt 'he sane view that the 
only interest of the United States 



THE GHOULS 

The Evening Post is in receipt of a 
letter from a gentleman passing through 
the city who exults over the outbreak 
of war, jeers at Wilson, and adds: 
Cheer up! We won't find time during 
the next ten years to confiscate either 
the telegraph lines or the railroads. So 
It might be worse." Talk about the 
ghouls who haunt battle-fields! They 
are respectable compared with men who 
glory m fighting because a foreign war 
takes all the time and energy and mon- 
ey of a nation and prevents it from at- 
tending to the work of humanity and 
justice at home. But this is one of the 
terrible risks which President Wilson 
ran by suddenly making the country's 
thoughts bloody. He has had a Trust 
bill on his programme, but who cares 
anything about that now? He has said 
that the passage of a bill for rural cred- 
its was urgent, but what attention can 
he get now for anything except war 
credits.' As for the rest of his plans 
tor domestic legislation, they will all 
go ghmmenng if we fall into a prolong- 
ed war with Mexico. And, meanwhile 
the promoters of social injustice, the 
men who were afraid that he was about 

... to hnd methods to expose and end their 

Francisco unlawful and oppressive practices, will 
gleefully rub their hands as the" think 
that they have escaped by means of the 
Mexican war.- New York "Evening 



Post. 



THE PECULIARITY. 

One peculiarity of the resolutions embodying 



lifting of the embargo and furnishing Mexico is to stop the war and protect Houle"' ^"'°"'' '"'""''• '' "''*' "'""' *' 



the rebels with arms and ammunition 
retarded the progress that might have 
been giving glimpses of full Government 
control to-day. 

In the retirement of Consular Agent 
George C. Carothers, the representative 
of the United States at Torreon. it is 
open talk that his interest in the im- 
pression going out that Villa and the 
rebels were victorious lies in the fact 
that Intervention means millions of dol- 
lars to him. Rebel victory and Interven- 
tion are synonymous. In explanation of 
the retirement is given this: 

"From El Paso, Texas, it is reported 
that Consul Carothers telegraphed to a 
high official of the American Govern- 
ment stating that the battle of Torreon 



foreigners, it would be of no concern 
to us who becomes President of Mexico. 
—Buffalo "Express." 

PITIFULLY SMALL 

There is only one thing that can be 
done The people may deplore the con- 
flict. They may be acutely conscious 
that a mistake has been made and that 
a great wrong is being committed in 
moving against the Huerta regime while 
continuing in friendly relations with the 
infinitely worse Villa regime. They may 
feel that the supposed offenses of Huer- 
ta fade into insignificance besiile the in- 
sults offered by Villa to the .American 
Government and his outrages on .Ameri- 
can citizens, and that if a military move- 
ment was to be made it should have 



they are directed against a man 
and not against a foreign stale, or its head. It 
IS doubtful if any searching of the records will 
disclose any similar case. Jefferson had a great 
deal to say about George III., but no attempt 
was thereby made to differentiate him from the 
nation of which he was King.— Boston "Herald." 



DRIFTING INTO WAR. 

It would appear that th. 
to make a show of war tha 
of war. We 



purpose is rather 
to commit an act 
going to impress Huerta with 
our might and the folly of resisting it. But 
there is no- telling what will happen when advo- 
cates of peace lose their tempers. The serious 
thing about this affair is that we are drifting 
into war with Mexico — the very thing which the 
Administration has professed to be most anxious 
to avoid — and this is happeing rather because of 
our attempt to take sides in Mexican politics 
rather than because of any consistent attempt to 
defend our own or other foreign interests — Buf- 
falo "Express." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, April 25, 1914. 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran. 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the Year, $2.00 

TO ADVERTISERS: 

We offer a distinctive medium going 
to the best class of buyers in the United 
States and Latin-American countries. 
Send for rates to 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING 

SERVICE 

15 Broad Street, New York 

IS THERE A WAY OUT? 

Is is novir too painfully obvious that 
the business of the Administration in 
dealing with Mexico during the last year 
has not been the business of protecting 
American lives and property, but rather 
the promotion of the fortunes of Villa 
and Carranza. 

In the limited field in which we have 
moved as a consequence of our limited 
resources, we have endeavored to give 
to the Administration and the people 
the benefit of a knowledge born of long 
experience in Mexican affairs. We have 
done this because we firmly beheved that 
the only immediate solution of the Mex- 
ican problem was the recognition of the 
Huerta Government. We firmly believed, 
furthermore, that if the Government of 
the United States did not deem it proper 
to recognize that of Mexico, it should 
not have taken sides in the armed strife 
which was devastating our neighbor. 
That the consequence of non-recognition 
and of aid to anarchy could be only one: 
War. 

War is now in the balance. It is no con- 
solation to hold a post-mortem thought 
that events have shaped themselves and 
succeeded each other as we have foreseen 
and predicted from week to week for 
the last nine months. As judges of Mex- 
ican affairs we might feel a vain satis- 
faction in saying "We told you so," yet 
we must frankly confess that our at- 
tempt to enlighten Washington, at least, 
has been a miserable failure. 

Had we had the means of reaching a 
majority of the American public we 
might have been successful in opening 
their eyes, but even then we doubt if 
this could have prevented a war which 
is of a few men's making and in which 
the coimtry has no heart. Our confi- 
dence in the effectiveness of our exposi- 
tion of facts is derived from the unanim- 
ous encouragement we have received 
from our readers. 

In case of war -the support which 
we have received from Mexicans 
and Americans alike must necessari- 



ly cease and even though such 
support should continue we confess we 
would not have the heart, while the 
country is at war, to pursue a campedgn 
of criticism against an Administration 
that has plunged us into irretrievable 
evil. 

We have put heart in this work and 
that heart is saddened. Would that the 
President had shown, in dealing with 
Mexico, more of human heart and less 
of personal pride and vindictiveness. He 
knows now and we pity his conscience. 



CARNEGIE PITIES MEXICAN 
PEOPLE. 

Sadly, as a man who has seen a life- 
long dream wither at the touch of facts, 
Andrew Carnegie spoke to the New 
York Tribune of Mexico. He gazed 
mournfully out of his study window, 
whispering softly to himself: "It is too 
sad, too sad, too sad to think of. 1 
can't talk of it at all, at least not till 
something happens — some decisive event 
which will change the situation and 
bring about peace. And oh! I pity 
Mexico." 

"Do you think the President justified 
in his course of action?" asked the re- 
porter. 

"Don't ask me that," he pleaded, turn- 
ing his chair a little more toward his 
questioner. "I do not want to say. I 
can scarcely believe that the chief Amer- 
ican republic, which has a larger popu- 
lation than all other American republics 
together, is to become involved in war 
with little Mexico, of only fourteen mil- 
lions of people. Mexico is to be pitied, 
deeply sympathized with, ever since Ma- 
dero lost his control." 

He closed his eyes and shook his head 
slowly from side to side. 

I can't help pitying .Mexico and wish- 
ing that our monster republic had kept 
its hands off. The foreign governments 
of Europe felt it their duty to recognize 
Huerta; we alone refused, which meant 
that we embarrassed ourselves in Mexi- 
can affairs and put ourselves in opposi- 
tion to all other countries. 

"No, no, we had no right to interfere 
with the internal conditions of Mexico, 
and all our troubles spring from doing 
so.. When we found that all other na- 
tions recognized Huerta as the proper 
President of Mexico, there was every 
reason why we should have quietly con- 
curred and kept oiu: hands off. We 
should have followed other governments 
in getting on with him as peaceably as 
we could and giving him a fair trial. 
When we left other nations and took up 
a different position, a grave mistake was 
committed, as is now clearly shown. 

He was silent a minute, then said, 
very slowly: "If we had it to do over 
again you may rest assured we would 
have co-operated wi'h other nations, but 
you may be sure that the President 
acted with the best intentions, and is 
still doing so. Do you get all I say — 
every word? You see, I want to be 
careful, for sometimes I go too fast and 
people don't follow me. 

"Even the Senate had to conclude that 
our intervention must be olaced upon a 
different footing, but I still cling to the 
hope that the President's policy of en- 
deavoring to find Huerta more reason- 
able may triumph, though the time for 
such a change is short. I hope that 
the European governments which recog- 



nozed him may be able to persuade him 
to remove those obstacles which bar us 
from peace. 

"Meanwhile I can't drive from my 
breast the r^ainful feeling at the sight of 
a monster republic of 100,000,000 attack- 
ing an adjoining republic of not one- 
seventh its population or one-twentieth 
its strength, and without army or navy, 
and totally incapable of electing a Presi- 
dent by peaceable appeal to the people." 

Mr. Carnegie then leaned back in his 
chair, shaking his head a little, as if in 
sadness at what he said. "A friend 
who knows Mexico thoroughly assures 
me that there hasn't been and can't be 
such an election by the Mexican people 
as would rank with us as tolerable. 
Mexico is to be pitied, not driven, by 
our advanced and irresistible republic. 
It is well to have a giant's power, but 
it is tyranny to use it as a giant. I pity 
Mexico from the bottom of my heart." 



WE ARE NOT FIGHTING FOR 
THE FREEDOM OF A PEOPLE. 

A PEOPLE IS FIGHTING FOR 
FREEDOM AGAINST US. 
« « • 

IS THAT THOROUGHLY UNDER- 
STOOD? ' 

* * * 

Among the little causes of great wars, 
let us not forget: 

* * * 

WILLIAM BAYARD HALE, an ex- 
reverend and Wilson's fulsome bio- 
grapher. 

* * * 

JOHN LIND— enough said. 

* * ♦ 

GEORGE D. CAROTHERS, State 
Department agent and Villa's partner. 

* * * 

HENRY ALLEN TUPPER, D.D., 
Peace Forum misrepresentative, em- 
ployed by Carranza. 



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. 

Editor of MEXICO. 

Deal Sir: It is to be regretted that your paper 
has not a wider circulation, for to each person to 
whom I have shown it, it has excited keen in- 
terest. They feel that something is wrong, and 
in many of the articles in your paper it explained 
to them in an intelligent manner what they were 
in doubt about. This prettnse of a reason for 
dreadnaughts to go to Mexico has created great 
indignation everywhere in the West, and few 
believe there is necessity for such action, and 
most feel there is some hidden motive back of it 
all; it is too pitiful to think about, and personally 
my resentment and indignation at such an un- 
called-for move is simply beyond expression. 
One thing I DO KNOW: that in all Mexico there 
is not ONE representative business man but is 
consumed with indignation against the last act 
of the WILSON-BRYAN FACTION (not the 
United States), and President Huerta has more 
friends in Americans in Mexico to-day over this 
act than he had before. The injustice of it all 
appeals to all that is best in us. You couldn't 
drive my relatives out of Mexico City and they 
with all the beterr Americans endorse Huerta, 
and have from the first. There is little satis- 
faction in having a kindly feeling towards Mexico 
and its President, and be in no position to help, 
and there are many that WOULD. 

Yours very truly, 

Kansas City, Mo. N. D. G. 



MEXICO 

A Weekly to Promote Intelligent Discussion of Mexican Affairs 



VOL. II— No. 37. 



Error Runs Swiftly Down the Hill While Truth Climbs Slowly.— Oriental Proverb 



NEW YORK, SATURDAY, MAY 2, 1914. 



FIVE CENTS 



THE SEA OF BLOOD. 
Bryan may or may not succeed in foist- 
ing on the Mexican nation Carranza, 
Villa, et al. If he does it will be because 
he has not hesitated to employ all the 
means in his power, including the Ameri- 
can Army and Navy. 

But whether Carranza, Villa, et al., 
seize the Government of Mexico or fail, 
they will go down in Mexican history 
as traitors to their country. 

If they seize the power they will not be 
able to hold it. Mexicans high and low 
will execrate them. For they shall know 
that these traitors in order to win accept- 
ed American money, American gunners, 
American advice and guidance as to their 
military and diplomatic movements. 
They shall know that when American 
forces seized Vera Cruz at the cost of 
hundreds of Mexican lives. Villa de- 
clared Americans had done a fine thing 
and Carranza acquiesced. As if Vera 
Cruz belonged to Huerta and not to the 
Mexican nation! Any man or group of 
men who, blinded by personal ambition, 
hatred or lust for revenge have accepted 
and welcomed the invasion of national 
territory by American forces, will for- 
ever live in the memory of their country- 
men as traitors. Nothing they can do or 
say now can save them. They may "get 
Huerta," they may rule the country for 
a while, drowning it in a sea of blood, 
but they Will eventually faU and meet the 
end reserved to traitors. 

Meanwhile the Mexican problem will 
not be settled, Mexico will not have 
peace, Mexicans will continue to suffer 
and the United States will still face the 
same situation. 

Even at this late date we do not hesi- 
tate in saying that there are only two 
ways out of the mire: Recognition of 
Huerta, or complete intervention. 



A STAB IN 
THE BACK 



.><!-\'-.i^ 7/-. 



It has always been our proud boast 
that Americans fight in the open, face to 
face with their enemy. Fight ruthlessly 
sometimes, if you will, for. the barbaric 
survives in humanity at its best. But 
Americans had always fought like men, 
like red-blooded strong men. Americans 
have been proud of their fights, of their 
conquests, for they had never stabbed an 
enemy in the back. 

It remained for the Wilson Adminis- 
tration to bring eternal shame on the 
people. It remained for this Administra- 
tion to fight an enemy with white-livered, 
underhanded methods. 

That the Administration does not rep- 
resent a majority of the American people 
that the oily, smooth, sleek trio — Lind, 
Bryan and Hale — do not — thank God! — 
embody the true American spirit, all this 
does not for the present diminish our 
shame. 

It remained for this Administration to 
say: "We love the Mexican people,'' and 
then encourage, incite, guide and arm 
thousands of Mexicans so that they could 
devastate the country, kill their brothers, 
rape the v/omen, bring ruination every- 
where they go. 

It remained for this Administration to 
say: "We want the Mexicans to settle 
their own affairs, we disclaim any inten- 
tion of intervening in Mexico," and then 
dictate who should hot be President of 
Mexico, shut off all financial supply to the 
Huerta Government, invade the national 
territory of Mexico, blockading its ports 
in order to deprive the Huerta Govern- 
ment of arms and ammunition. 

It remained for this Administration to 
fight one man, Huerta, not openly in the 
American way, but by secretly coaching 
his enemies and to that end making use 
of the powerful machine of State, of the 



American Consuls in Mexico, of its per- 
sonal envoys. 

It remained for this Administration to 
throw its tremendous weight on the side 
of Huerta's enemies with every conceiv- 
able means and then cynically say: "Oh, 
Huerta cannot re-establish peace!" 

It was left to Lind, Bryan and Hale, 
in particular, to become the advisors, or- 
ganizers and the press agents of rebels 
and bandits who have assassinated Amer- 
ican men and raped American women. ,-■■ 

True Americans have never stabbed an 
enemy in the back. 

True Americans have always fought in 
the open, face to face with their enemy. 



It is quite befitting that members of 
the Administration should come to New 
York to honor the bluejackets and mar- 
ines killed at Vera Cruz. Strictly speak- 
ing, these corpses belong to them. Some 
day the Nation will exact a strict ac- 
counting for these dead. Meanwhile let 
us all honor the memory of the men who 
died bravely doing their duty as Ameri- 
can sailors and soldiers always do. But 
let us understand clearly that they did 
not die to defend their country and to 
save the republic, as Daniels said. 

They died because the Administration 
wanted to prevent the Huerta Govern- 
ment from receiving a large shipment of 
arms and ammunition, thus making it 
possible for Villa to destroy more lives 
and more honor. 

They died because the Administration 
wanted to GET HUERTA. 



The State Department is compiling a 
biography of Pancho Villa, its pet. We 
print in other columns copious data that 
may help Mr. Bryan. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



Bryan== Promoter 



By John Hazen Hazard. 



The sliamelessness of Bryan in exploit- 
ittg Pancho Villa is without parallel in 
American history. Together they form 
an unholy alliance that cannot be justi- 
fied in terms of American honor. In pro- 
moting the fortunes of this bandit the 
Secretary of State has resorted to meth- 
ods which are so brazen and unscrupu- 
Jous that intelligent observers are aghast 
at his startling self-revelation. Methods 
that are wholly devoid of the American 
spirit of fair play and more like the 
shifty, conscienceless tactics we are wont 
to ascribe to other peoples. Bryan's fel- 
low countrymen have looked on the use 
of his exalted ofBce to advertise "The 
Commoner" as a stroke of business not 
exactly illegitimate. They have watched 
more with pity than censure his Chau- 
tauqua performances for money. They 
have come to realize that this "man of the 
people" has an infinite capacity for accu- 
mulating wealth, which is certainly no 
crime, but rather an interesting commen- 
tary on his professions of self-sacrificing 
prmciples. But it is no exaggeration to 
say that the people are dumb with amaze- 
ment to find this man of advertised noble 
ideals prostituting his high office in the 
service of a notorious gunman and cut- 
throat. 

To what end? Has he really hypno- 
tized himself into the belief that in some 
inscrutable way of Providence his dis- 
graceful actions will be of service to 
humanity? There have been men who 
have burned "witches" at the stake with 
good intentions. There are and always 
have been those who believe that the 
end justifies the means. Our notable 
penal institutions are full of them. 

There is no doubt that Bryan does jiot 
w^ant to have the United States at war 
with any other country while he is in a 
position to use his influence against war. 
It has been pointed out that the Secre- 
tary has keen visions of the $40,000 Nobel 
peace prize. Even so, the fact remains 
that Bryan wants peace at any price. But 
what must one think of the warped na- 
ture of a man whose conscience will not 
let him fight his neighbor with whom 
he has a quarrel, but who sees nothing 
wrong in hiring a thug "to beat him 
up"? 

What must the nation think of a man 
who carries that warped soul into high 
office and injects it into an international 
misunderstanding involving the welfare 
of a hundred million people? Is he a 
sincere lover of peace or is he siniply a 
monumental hypocrite? When the full 
history of the Bryan-Villa alliance is 
written, it will scarcely be believed that 
such a thing could'be in this enlightened 
age. 

Perhaps out of this Mexican welter and 
muddle may develop something of lasting 



good to Mexico. It may conceivably be 
that a United States' protectorate over 
the neighboring republic or United 
States' occupation and exploitation of 
that rich country, even withotit "the con- 
sent of the governed," will bring peace 
and prosperity to the Mexican people. 
The scroll of the future is yet to be read. 
Whatever the future may be, for good or 
ill, in Mexico, history will record that 
the methods of the Administration in 
bringing Huerta "to terms" were un- 
worthy of American traditions and par- 
ticularly that the activities and intrigues 
of the Secretary of State were unworthy 
of 3ny honorable man and a disgrace to 
our country. 

History will record that the Secretary 
of State used his office to promote and 
press-agent a self-confessed murderer 
and bandit in a friendly neighboring 
country as a weapon with which to over- 
throw the ruler of that country. Was 
that American? 

That in this work of promotion truth 
was suppressed or distorted and untruths 
were deliberately concocted. 

That widespread brigandage, robbery, 
loot and rape were fostered and the facts 
of murder and pillage metamorphosed 
into the pleasing fiction of "constitution- 
alism." 

That the United States consuls in 
Mexico, simply commercial agents, were 
used by the Secretary of State as agents 
of information and propaganda for the 
Mexican rebels. Was that American fair 
play? 

That American lives and property were 
destioyed as a result of the encourage- 
ment of Mexican disorder and that be- 
cause responsibility rested on his bandit 
allies the Secretary of State belittled the 
loss or viewed it "with complacency." 
Was that American? 

That the Secretary of State knew that 
Pancho Villa deliberately murdered the 
Englishman, Benton; that he lied in de- 
tail about the killing; that he disposed 
of millions of dollars' worth of stolen 
cattle and cotton in this country, and, 
knowing all this and infinitely more of 
the man's crimes, he had a clerk in the 
Sta'e Department prepare a laudatory 
biography of the bandit. 

That he sent a telegram to a Chicago 
friend emphasizing the point that some 
of the American refugees to protect 
whom Huerta was doing everything hu- 
manly possible "might be executed," 
when he had information that they were 
safe. Was that playing straight? 

That he used the well-intentioned medi- 
ators of Argentine, Brazil and Chile as 
a catspaw to help Villa on his way to 
sack Mexico City. 

That through a State Department 
agent, Carothers, he advised, directed 



and instigated Villa in his bloody career. 

That he maintained intimate relations 
with the rebel junta in Washington and 
that when a Mexican lawyer, Bonales 
Sandoval, approached Villa in the in- 
terests of Felix Diaz, the junta wired to 
Villa that "Washington would view with 
satisfaction the execution of Sandoval." 

That he consistently suppressed facts 
unfavorable to the pretensions of the 
rebels. Was that fair play? 

That as Secretary of State he was vir- 
tually an agent of a Mexican revolution, 
planned, fostered and financed in the 
United States, which has brought Mex- 
ico to the verge of ruin and cost thou- 
sands of lives. 

If such a man should get a peace prize 
under any circumstances it would be put- 
ting a premium on underhanded war and 
hypocritical pretension. 

And he cannot be impeached! 

"BIG BUSINESS." 

An interview with Charles R. Flint, 
published in the New York "Evening 
Post," throws an interesting sidelight on 
the Mexican situation. 

Mr. Flint has come out from under 
cover and has commended the Wilson 
Mexican policy, saying that it is the 
wisest possible one. Mr. Flint also 
lauds some of the rebel chiefs, condemn- 
ing at the same time his old associates, 
the "Cientiiicos." 

The "Post" says that the rebel chiefs 
know that they can count on Mr. Flint's 
ADVICE AND CO-OPERATION in 
any plan TO ENLIST UNITED 
STATES AID IN RESTORING 
PEACE AND ORDER IN THE MEX- 
ICAN REPUBLIC. 

Mr. Flint thinks, the "Post" says fur- 
thermore, that Carranza did well to ac- 
quiesce in the occupation of Vera Cruz. 

Now, Mr. Charles R. Flint is one of 
the representative men of "Big Business" 
and, as the "Post" says, it is well known 
that he has taken an active part in va- 
rious parts of the world where hostili- 
ties were in progress. 

It is therefore most interesting to 
know what "Big Business" thinks of Mr. 
Wilson's Mexican policy and of the rebel 
cause which Chas. R. Flint so warmly 
espouses. 

It may seem rather strange to the 
casual observer, this alliance of "Big 
Business" with the men who profess to 
be fighting PRIVILEGE in Mexico for 
the uplifting of the oppressed masses. 
But it is not at all surprising to those 
who know something about the game 
which Lind, Bryan and Hale have played 
while "Big Business" has whispered into 
their ears. Anyhow, it is the old story. 

All that is necessary now to throw a 
little more light on this old story is to 
have a few more interviews published, 
for instance with, among others, Henry 
Clay Pierce, Daniel Guggenheim, Judge 
Lovett, of the S. P., Cleveland Dodge, of 
Phelps Dodge & Co. Then we may see 
more clearly how the cards have been 
dealt and how they have been played. 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



MEXICO 



Villa's Villainies 



Francisco Villa was born at Las Nieves 
in the State of Durango about the year 
1868. He is wholly uneducated, being 
unable to read and barely able to sign 
his name. About the year 1882, when 
only fourteen years of age, he was sen- 
tenced to a term of imprisonment for 
cattle stealing. On his discharge he set- 
tled in the mining camp of Guanacevi, 
where a few months later he underwent 
another sentence of imprisonment for 
homicide. When he came out of prison 
for ihe second time he organized a band 
of robbers, which had their headquarters 
in the mountainous region of "Perico" 
in the State of Durango. and were the 
terror of all that district. 

In the year 1907 he was in partner- 
ship with one Francisco Reza, stealing 
caf.le in Chihuahua and selling them in 
the United States, land then stealing 
mules and horses in the United States 
and selling them in Chihuahua. In con- 
sequence of some disagreement he shot 
and killed Reza in broad daylight, while 
sitting in the plaza in ; he City of Chi- 
huahua. During the early part of No- 
vember, 1910, he attacked the factory 
of a Mr. Soto, in .\llende. State of Chi- 
huahua, and killed the owner. By threat- 
ening the latter's daughter he forced her 
to show where she had hidden a sum of 
$11,000, which he stole and used for 
arming a considerable force. He then 
joined Madero's revolution, uniting his 
band with Urbina's column. I njanu- 
ary, 191 1, he was at Casas Grandes, Chi- 
huahua, where he killed Carlos Alatorre 
and Luis Ortiz for refusing to pay him 
the money he demanded for their ran- 
som. At Batopilas, S'ate of Chihuahua, 
in February of the same year, he tor- 
tured a lady named Senora Maria de la 
Luz Gomez until he made her pay him 
$30,000. She died from the effects of 
the barbarous treatment she received. 

Outrages at Juarez. 

When Ciudad Juarez was taken from 
the Federals in May, 1913, he killed 
Senor Ignacio Gomez Oyola, a man of 
over sixty years of age, under the fol- 
lowing circumstances: Having sent for 
him. Villa asked whether he had any 
arms in his house, and on saying he 
had not, Villa, "who was seated on a 
table." drew his revolver and shot him 
dead. After rifling the corpse of money 
and valuables, it was thrown into the 
street. 

After the triumph of the revolution, 
Villa, in November. 191 1, obtained a mo- 
nopoly from the then governor of Chi- 
huahua for the sale of meat in the city 
of Chihuahua, which he procured by steal- 
ing cattle from the neighboring farms. 
Suspecting one of his subordinates, 
Cristobal Juarez, of stealing on his own 
account, he killed him one night in the 
latter part of November in the Calle de 
la Libertad. 

In the early part of May, 1913, Villa, 
with seventy-five men. assaulted a train 
at Baeza, State of Chihuahua, that was 
carrying bars of gold and silver valued 
at 100,000 pesos, killing the crew and 
several passengers, including Messrs. 
Caravantes and a Senor Isaac Herrero 
of Ciudad Guerrero. 

Later in the same month he entered 
the town of San Andres, Chihuahua, and 
assaulted the house of Senor Sabas 
Murga, an Hacendado, who, with his two 
sons, tried to defend themselves. Two 



of his nephews were killed, but the Mur- 
gas got away. Villa then got hold of 
two sons-in-law of Murga who had not 
taken any part in the fight, and after 
torturing them to say where their 
father-in-law had hidden his money, he 
had them killed. 

Towards the end of the month Villa's 
band took the town of Sta. Rosalia, 
Chihuahua, shooting all prisoners and 
treating the principal officers with ter- 
rible cruelty. Colonel Pueblecita was 
shot and his body dragged along the 
streets of the town. The commercial 
houses of Messrs. Visconti, Sarli, Cia 
Harinera, Sordo y Blanco (Spaniards) and 
many others were totally sacked. Many 
private persons were murdered, one of 
the worst cases being that of a Spaniard 
Senor Montilla, cashier of the house of 
Sordo y Blanco, who was shot over the 
head of his wife, who tried to defend 
him. Villa personally kicked her in the 
face as she lay on the dead body of her 
husband. He also himself killed a Senor 
Ramos, secretary of the Court of First 
Instance. 

He arrested more than twenty of the 
principal people of Sta. Rosalia, tortur- 
ing them and taking them out to be shot, 
until he obtained from them 70,000 pesos, 
which were collected by several people 
in order to save their lives. One of these 
was a lad}', Senora Maria B. Coviero, 
who was herself also tortured until the 
sum Villa wanted was forthcoming. 

Girls Violated at Casas Grandes. 

In July, 1913, Villa took Casas 
Grandes. Chihuahua, and shot more than 
eighty non-combatants, violating several 
young girls, amongst them two young 
ladies named Castillo. 

He attacked and took the town of San 
.\ndres, which was held by the Federals, 
in September, 1913, shooting many peace- 
able residents and more than 150 pris- 
oners, many of these being women and 
children. In shooting these people, in 
order to economize cartridges, he placed 
one behind the other up to five at one 
time, very few of them being killed out- 
right. The bodies of the dead and 
wounded were then soaked with petro- 
leum and thrown into bonfires prepared 
for the purpose. The prisoners were 
forced themselves to make the bonfire 
and cover with petroleum the rest of the 
victims. 

After this he went to the small town 
of Carretas, where he took prisoner an 
old man of more than seventy years of 
age, named Jose Doloies Moreno, de- 
manding from him a ransom of $200. As 
he could not pay. Villa killed him with 
his own hand. 

On Sept. 29. 1913, Villa, having over- 
powered a force of over 500 Federals 
commanded by General .Mvirez at .\viles, 
15 kilometres from Torreon, had every 
prisoner shot. 

Towards the end of November he took 
the city of Juarez by surprise. Nearly 
all the Federal officers who were taken 
there were shot, as well as some sixty 
non-combatants, most of them inferior 
emploj'ees and servants. The higher em- 
ployees had managed to escape across 
the river to the American city of El 
Paso, Texas, 

On Dec. 8, 1913, Villa took possession 
of the town of Chihuahua, which had 
been abandoned by the Federals since 
Nov. 28, seizing all the commercial 



houses of Spaniards and Mexicans down 
to the smallest bars and drug stores, 
besides some owned by other foreigners. 

Moreover, Villa expelled all the Span- 
iards, obliging more than 500 Spanish 
families to leave within three days. Only 
two Spaniards disobeyed this order — 
namely, two brothers, Martinez, owners 
of a small eating-house. Villa thereupoi* 
ordered them to be beaten to death. 
Children Held to Ransom. 

Senor Pedro Olivares, an old and very 
infirm man, whose shop, under the name 
of Jose Ma Sanchez, Successor, had 
been already plundered, is being held 
until he pa}'S $50,000 ransom. He has 
already paid $10,000 for two of his chil- 
dren, these also having been held for 
ransom. Villa also took prisoners two 
children of fourteen years of age called 
Lorenzo Arellano and .-Mfonso Moliner, 
sons of two gentlemen who were able 
to leave Chihuahua before Villa arrived. 

Many private houses have been occu- 
pied by Villa's men, who use their car- 
riages and automobiles. These last are 
placed at the disposal of public women 
for their daily orgies. 

The house of Senora T. S. Vda. de 
Prieto is also occupied by the rebels. 
This lady paid 25,000 pesos to Villa to 
allow her to leave the town. 

Villa has shot in Chihuahua 150 non- 
combatants, the greater number being 
poor people who could not leave for 
want of means, or because they thought 
they ran no risks, as they took no part 
in politics. For all the people in any 
way connected with the Government had 
left before Villa entered the city. Spe- 
cial mention may be made of the case 
of Senor Ignacio Irigoyen and Senor 
Jose A. Yanez, who, though in no way 
connected with politics, were taken by 
Villa and tortured for several days with 
threats to shoot them until they paid 
ransoms of $20,000 each. Having ob- 
tained from Villa himself safe conducts 
to leave by train for the border, the 
train in which they were was caught up 
at the sation of Montezuma by a loco- 
motive in which were several officers in 
Villa's confidence, headed by an ex- 
Maderista deputy called Miguel Baca 
Ronquillo, who took them from the train 
and shot them in the presence of the 
passengers. 



TRAITOR OR TRICKSTER. 

Panc:.o Villa's loud and eloquent pro- 
testations of friendship for the United 
Staes and for everyth !ng .American 
brands him either a trickster and a liar, 
or a traitor to his country and a man 
devoid of the smallest shred of patrio- 
tism. If he means what he is saying, he 
is willing to sell his country's inde- 
pendence in exchange for foreign aid 
in settling his private quarrels and in 
making his private for une. If he does 
not mean what he says then lie is en- 
caged in deceiving the Government in 
Washington until such time as he may 
feel able to show himself in his true 
colors and def}' that Govern ment. 

In any event. Villa is a bad man to 
deal with. In the past he has insul'ed 
this country as has seemed .good to his 
heart. He has abused and murdered and 
robbed its people and insulted its flag. 
Even if he should show himself an ally 
during the immediate future, there is no 
possibility that he will remain tractable 
or dependable after sating his desire for 
revenge on Huerta. ■\t the most, he will 
use the United Stales for his own pur- 
poses, and if later the .\merican Gov- 
ernment attempts to keep hi'm in order, 
it will be sure to find him a rebel and 
a most turbulcn* and troublesome one. — 
Detroit "Free Press." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



VILLA AND HIS OFFICERS, "MARRY" 
THEN SLAY, AMERICAN WOMEN. 
Washington, May 6.— Dr. Wittgenstein, who 
offered to lay before the State Department full 
information about the atrocities of the Mexican 
rebels and was told that Secretary Bryan did not 
care to receive such reorts, says : 

"Villa is more barbarous toward foreigners 
than the most degraded negro. He hates and 
despises Americans, but he is crafty enough to 
cover his crimes as far as he can. He encour- 
ages his officers to marry the women whom they 
propose to mistreat — to marry then and when 
they are tired of them to murder them. 

"And all these murders are termed 'accidental.' 
No one will ever know, though the State Depart- 
ment must have some knowledge of the subject, 
the number of murdered American women who 
have 'married' Villa and his officers. This is one 
of the most ghastly chapters of the whole revolu- 
tion or of the history of the war. 

"One case which came under my personal ob- 
servation was that of a pretty young stenographer, 
an American, who was employed by -the American 
Smelting Company, of Monterey. Villa met her 
and suggested that she marry him, and when she 
refused he indicated he would use force. 

"The girl did marry him, but it was a mock 
ceremony, recognized by neither church or State. 
Three months later Villa reported that she had 
died after a sudden and unexpected illness. 

"It was not until months afterward that her 
relatives learned she had been murdered. 

"One of Villa's men was accused of having 
killed her, but nothing more came of it. 

"These Mexicans seem to be particularly anx- 
ious to commit indignities on American women. 
In Chihuahua one of Villa's officers went to 
the mother of a girl who was still in her teens 
and demanded she permit the child to marry him. 
The mother refused, whereupon the officer threat- 
ened both her and her child. 

"The girl then was taken to the marriage altar 
in front of a line of rifles held by the officer's 
men. The marriage was duly performed by a 
Mexican priest. 

"Every American in Mexico realizes what 
hideous mockeries these marriages are — realize 
they are nothing but legalized crimes which the 
so-called Constitutionalist Government condones. 
And yet when the reports come back to this 
country the . word 'marriage' seems to give the 
whole outrage a tone of respectability and people 
ask 'Why did the girl marry him?' 

"Every one of these marriages is a shot gun 
marriage, with the soldiers offering the women no 
alternative. 

"One typical example serves to show what this 
Mexican 'marriage' means. The wife of my mine 
superintendent in Neuva Leon was outraged after 
he had been mortally wounded and was lying 
at the point of death. When she visited him a 
Mexican, not knowing that she was Caldwell's 
wife, oflered to 'marry' her. When she turned 
to resist him he knocked her down and attacked 



The Blunder of the Age 

By J. T. W., in Boston "Transcript." 



According to the theory under which 
we have been brought into war against 
Mexico — a theory by which the Wash- 
ington department of state is apparently 
still controlled — the people of Southern 
Mexico would to-day be shedding tears 
of joy at the prospect of their being de- 
livered from the lyrranical rule of Huerta. 
On the contrary, however, they are shout- 
ing and parading in Huerta's honor, and 
showing every sign of being angry whol- 
ly on their own account at the Ameri- 
can capture of Vera Cruz. We do not 
need to say that a piece of foreign policy 
so contrary to the facts of the mat- 
ter as our policy toward the Mexican 
government has been is highly danger- 
ous because everybody can now see the 
danger of 'it. The,-old rule, which re- 
quires foreigners to be content with the 
government which is satisfactory to the 
people of the country concerned, is the 
only safe rule. — Hartford "Courant." 



While the three leading Latin Ameri- 
can Powers are exercising their good 
offices in a concerted eifort to rescue the 
United States and Mexico from the war 
into which the seizure of Vera Cruz has 
plunged the two countries, a breathing 
spell is offered for the American people 
to reflect upon steps already taken. As 
I begin this narrative of how the Wash- 
ington GovernmenI, between midnight 
and morning, blundered into war, I am 
reminded of a comment made during the 
last presidential campaign by a Prince- 
ton classmate upon the Democratic nom- 
inee who eyen then seemed sure to be 
the next President of the United States. 
The comment was not from an unfriendly 
source. The informing classmate was 
one of those who sided with Woodrow 
Wilson in his Princeton fight. Here was 
what this classmate said: "I hope Wood- 
row Wilson will be elected. He does 
not lack firm opinion, but Heaven help 
the nation if he ever gets on the wrong 
side of a question; neither facts nor 
friends, nor arguments, nor events, not 
even new evidence can change him once 
he takes a position. It is not his best 
trait, it is his misfortune." How many 
times during the whole Mexican muddle 
have I heard much the same thing said of 
the present occupant of the White House 
by men of his own party, who desire to 
stand by him, who are determined to sup- 
port him through thick and thin, but who 
feel that throughout his handling of the 
Mexican problem he has been on the 
wrong side. His failure has come through 
one effort after another to back up what 
is fundamentally a false and indefensible 
attitude. The recent week in Washing- 
ton has witnessed the spectacle of the 
President facing the inevitable result of 
his early morning order to seize Vera 
Cruz, an order which threw this country' 
into war, cost the lives of seventeen 
American bluejackets and marines, of 
several hundred Mexicans, and but for 
the combined assistance of Europe and 
Latin America would have cost the lives 
of many helpless Americans scattered 
throughout the interior of Mexico. The 
loss of life at Vera Cruz has so shocked 
the President that he flint;hes from the 
task he began. Instead of executing his 
original prosramme of seizing Tampico, 
where the insult to the flag occurred, 
and where the moral effect of any re- 
prisal was needed, the disastrous result 
at Vera Cruz caused a change of plan. 
Tampico remains under the Mexican 
flag, and our men-of-war lie at anchor 
on 'he edge of the harbor, while British 
and German bluejackets have risked 
their lives ashore to rescue American 
refugees. 

The Return of Lind. 
How did it all happen, and what will 
the outcome be? Ever since the return 
to Washington of John Lind the Ad- 
ministration has been considering the 
taking of drastic measures to depose 
General Huerta from the presidency of 
Mexico. The Lind mission was a com- 
plete failure. This inexperienced, but 
thoroughly respectable hard-headed Swe- 
dish-American has returned to Washing- 
ton full of resentment, and bitter over his 
failure. His visit to Mexico was his first 
venture in the field of diplomacy. His 



previous experience had been limited to 
A'linnesota politics and business. He 
was unacquainted with the Latin, and 
his arrival in Mexico soon showed him 
that he was dealing with a people whose 
life and customs he could not understand. 
Armed with a dictatorial set of instruc- 
tions he proceeded to serve upon Gen- 
eral Huerta an uUimatum, which in effect 
informed him that he, Huerta, must get 
out of the presidency within so many 
days, and thereby confess the truth of 
the Washington Government charge that 
he was guilty of the murder of Madero. 
It is said that the language used by Mr. 
Lind was so grotesque that Huerta and 
his advisors found it difficult to take him 
seriously. Probably no record of the 
•conversations has been kept, but diplo- 
mats in Washington are laughing over 
a s'.ory that has drifted back from Mex- 
ico City, which quotes Mr. Lind as say- 
ing to Huerta: "Of course, as you are a 
Latin American and a Catholic you prob- 
ably won't understand the American way 
of doing business." 

Huerta's Defiance. 

When General Huerta returned an 
emphatic negative to all of the demands 
of this unaccredited and unequipped 
American envoy there was nothing for 
Mr. Lind to do except to withdraw from^ 
the capital. He therefore retired to Vera 
Cruz, and sat in his hotel apartment 
awaiting the backing up by Washington 
of his ultimatum. As week after week 
passed by and lengthened into months, 
Mr. Lind's impatience increased to in- 
dignation. He felt that he had been 
humiliated by Washington, and he was 
resentful at the sight of the American 
charge. Mr. O'Shaughnessy, continuing 
diplomatic relations with Huerta. Dur- 
ing his stay in Vera Cruz, Mr. Lind 
gained what he believed to be an accur- 
ate idea of conditions in that city. From 
the time he reached Washington he 
urged that we move, either by means of 
a blockade, or otherwise, to bottle up 
Huerta and hasten his downfall. He 
assured the President and Secretary 
Bryan that sentiment in Vera Cruz was 
not unfriendly to the Americans. He 
told of the coming to him of officials in 
the custom house, who asked about their 
getting jobs whenever a new administra- 
tion should succeed Huerta. * * * 

Six o'clock on Sunday passed and no 
salute was fired or promised. In the 
meantime we see the humiliating specta- 
cle of the Secretary of State appealing 
to European governments to urge Huerta 
to "give in." There was nothing for 
the President to do but make good his 
threat and go to Congress. This he 
did and read a message that recited his 
recent grievances against General 
Huerta. He asked Congress in joint ses- 
sion to "justify" him in punishing, not a 
de facto government, which we have re- 
peatedly recognized as such, but one 
man, Victoriano Huerta. 

In these latter days Congress has been 
overshadowed. Much if not all of its 
initiative has been swallowed up by an 
all-supreme Chief Executive. But in this 
instance the Senate made one last stand. 
The President's request was more than 
the self-respect of Congress, or at least 
one branch of it, would stand. The 
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations 
(Continued on next page) 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



MEXICO 



THE BLUNDER— Continued 



struck out all reference to Huerta in 
the resolution passed by the House. Led 
by Lodge and Root, a determined effort 
was made to have a preamble adopted 
which would furnish some real ground 
for fighting, but the White House sound- 
ed the call to close ranks, and by a party 
vote the preamble was lost. The name 
of Huerta, however, has been eliminated 
and the nation thus saved from the hu- 
miliation of practically declaring war 
against one man. 

A White House Failing. 

It is worth while pausing here to note 
that the President wrote his message and 
had the justifying resolution drafted 
without any conference with the Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations. That 
committee has in the past been non- 
partisan in considering such grave ques- 
tions of foreign policy. They were ready 
to help the President in this emergency. 
The President has never really consulted 
them since the Mexico matter was under 
consideration. Even the few times he 
has sent for them it has been to say in 
schoolmaster fashion what he has decid- 
ed on and that he expects them to line up 
with him. If there were anyone Sn 
Washington or elsewhere to whom the 
President would listen except Mr. Bryan 
and John Lind it would be uncommon 
good fortune both for the President and 
the nation. The President is by nature 
most suspicious and this has resulted in 
the shunting away by his entourage of 
anyone who has the courage to say what 
he really thinks to the President. No 
occupant of the White House in many 
years has been so guarded from criticism 
of differing views as President Wilson. 
Those who see him generally tell him 
what he likes to hear. From those who 
admire him but differ from him at times, 
the President is protected. Indeed he is 
almost isolated. Washington, even the 
friendliest section, admits this to be a 
White House failing of the present day. 
The Vera Cruz Blunder. 

But the President, say his friends, 
never tolerated any frank criticism at 
Princeton and he likes it even less to- 
day. While his resolution was being put 
into reasonable and dignified form in the 
Senate, indeed while the debate was in 
progress, we had blundered into war at 
Vera Cruz. Between midnight and morn- 
ing of Tuesday last week the Navy De- 
partment received a cablegram from 
Admiral Fletcher at Vera Cruz of the ap- 
proach of the Hamburg-American ship 
"Yspiranga" with 200 machine guns, 
10,000 rifles and 15,000,000 rounds of am- 
munition. The admiral asked for in- 
structions. The President was aroused 
from sleep and the cablegram was read 
to him over the telephone. "Seize the 
custom house," was the order he gave 
then and there. The President consulted 
only with Mr. Bryan and Mr. Daniels. 
Had not John Lind been assuring him 
for a week that Vera Cruz could be taken 
without the loss of a life and probably 
without the firing of a gun? Had not 
John Lind said if this shipload of sup- 
plies reached Vera Cruz Huerta's rule 
at Mexico City would be prolonged? 

The Real Reason. 

Officially, of course, we seized Vera 
Cruz to avenge the insult to the flag. 
But no one in Washington denies that 
the real purpose of the war move was 
to prevent tlie shipload of munitions of 
war from falling into the hands of 
Huerta. If the President had consulted 
with John Bassett Moore or any one of 
the several international lawyers in 



Washington at the time he would have 
found another way to head off the Ger- 
man ship without seizing the custom 
house immediately. A request from the 
admiral would have stopped her pend- 
ing instructions from the home office. In- 
deed, the Hamburg-American line has 
since been thanked by the Washington 
Government for its prompt co-operation 
in ordering the ship home. Delay in 
seizing Vera Cruz would have given time 
to get the Americans out of Mexico and 
to get a brigade of troops with the fleet 
ready to take possession. Delay would 
have given opportunity to give Vera 
Cruz fair warning. It is the opinon of 
military experts that such delay would 
have resulted in taking the port with a 
much smaller loss of life than occurred. 
The navy lost more men at Vera Cruz 
than they did in the Spanish War. Thou- 
sands of helpless Americans throughout 
Mexico have narrowly escaped massacre 
as a result of the President's Vera Cruz 
blunder. 

The Aftermath. 

It was a bitter awakening for the 
President when he heard of the loss of 
life. That ended his intention to take 
Tampico. We are letting Europeans do 
the job there. English and German 
naval officers and bluejackets compose 
the rescue parties that go inland for 
Americans. But our Government has 
not hitherto allowed them to take any 
such measures for the protection of their 
own nationals. Whether we take Tam- 
pico later depends upon the outcome of 
the mediation mission. Meantime Ameri- 
cans in and near Tampico are dependent 
upon European Powers for protection. 
.\nd yet we hear it said that this Admin- 
istration is upholding the Monroe doc- 
trine. 

Ever since the seizu^re of Vera Cruz 
we have been dickering with Carranza 
and Villa. This is Bryan's contribution 
to the Mexican muddle. The President's 
hatred of Huerta is the dominating factor 
in his whole Mexican policy. Huerta is 
all he can see. His every move is direct- 
ed against Huerta. We are reminded of 
what the President once said of him- 
self: "I have a one-track mind." With 
Bryan it is a fantastic admiration for 
Carranza and Villa. He is now protest- 
ing against any step which will offend 
these cutthroats. They are to him what 
Aguinaldo was in the Philippine insiir- 
rection. They are to Bryan not bandits 
but patriots. He would to-day, if he 
could, have the embargo on arms lifted. 
He actually told an American arms man- 
ufacturer, whose patriotism caused him 
to consult Washington before filling 
Villa's order: "Send them their arms, 
they need them." At first the President 
yielded to Bryan as he generally does. 
But half the Cabinet protested vigorously 
and Congress and the country joined in 
that protest. The President finally re- 
versed himself to the point of letting the 
War Department restore the embargo 
and Mr. Bryan could say to his "allies" 
that the State Department was not re- 
sponsible for the order. 

How will it all end? "Quien sabe?" 
President Wilson blundered into war at 
Vera Cruz through his personal hatred 
for Huerta. The President's first false 
step wa.s in his dictatorial attempt to 
depose Huerta. Recognition was ours to 
give or withhold, but when the Presi- 
dent of the United States undertook to 
drive Huerta from power he was guilty 
of intervention in Mexico. Of that Latin 
America and the world will never ap- 
prove. Mr. Bryan is endeavoring to im- 



INVESTIGATE! 

Doubtless a desire to please the Presi- 
dent, who distributes offices and has 
much influence over the mails, is par- 
tially responsible for the conspiracy of 
the daily papers to color the alleged news 
from Mexico so that Villa is represented 
as a heroic reformer and Huerta as a 
debauched and desperate pirate. But 
there is something more behind this con- 
spiracy. American interests in Mexico 
amount to over a billion of dollars, and 
big financiers are not sitting idly while 
this property is imperilled. To say that 
they bribe with money or bonds is ab- 
surd, but they have connections and as- 
sociations with newspaper proprietors 
which enable them to pull the strings. 
President Taft was personally honest, 
but nevertheless he played into the hands 
of the big interests by forcing Diaz to 
leave Mexico and by transferring our en- 
tire American Army to the Mexican 
border suddenly and without the authori- 
zation of Congress. Mr. Wilson is per- 
sonally honest, but he is put in the posi- 
tion of an accomplice of Villa, the worst 
scoundrel that Mexico ever produced. 
Notice the daily papers for yourselves. 
Read the flowery and philosophical ut- 
terances of Villa, though Villa cannot 
read or write in any language. Observe 
how Hurta is described as living exclu- 
sively on raw brandy, stealing millions 
to hide in France, and planning a secret 
flight. See how this goes on day after 
day; Villa and his bandits transformed 
into angels with white wings and golden 
crowns, while Huerta and his supporters 
are miserable devils with tails and horns. 
My own correspondent in Mexico City, 
personally familiar with the whole situa- 
tion, writes, "The crime of the United 
States is awful!" Think for yourselves of 
the disgrace of an alliance with the mean- 
est murderer, violator of women and pro- 
fessional bandit in the world, and you 
must acknowledge that our criminality in 
warring upon Mexico to gratify the pre- 
judice of one man against Huerta de- 
serves to be described as awful in the 
sight of God and man. If Congress will 
appoint a committee to investigate the 
conspiracy behind the President, it will 
do more to help Mexico than by appro- 
priations for a cruelly unjust and need- 
less war. — "Town Topics." 



pose upon the twelve million people of 
Southern Mexico a bandit who controls 
a section of country in which some three 
million people live. Neither Villa nor 
Carranza could last a month in the presi- 
dency of Mexico without the military 
support of the United States. 

If President Wilson can be persuaded 
to moderate his stubbornness and let the 
Latin-American Powers try their hand 
at composing the differences between 
Mexicans unhampered by conditions im- 
posed by Washington, the mission of 
mediation may yet succeed. But Latin 
America and not the United States will 
get the credit. Ours has been a shifty 
course of dodge and drift, and blundering 
into war at Vera Cruz was the inevitable 
result. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



HALE! 



HOW ABOUT THE U. S. CONSTI- 
TUTION? 



BOLD ASSUMPTION OF RESPON- 
SIBILITY FOR THE DOINGS 
OF DEATH. 

Ambassador Page's magazine, the 
"World's Work," presents this month an 
article by Mr. William Bayard Hale on 
President Wilson's policy in Mexico. 
The article is entitled "Our Moral Em- 
pire in America," and it manifestly was 
written and probably was printed be- 
fore the events which led to the occupa- 
tion of Vera Cruz. "It would be an un- 
happy day for us," remarks the author 
of "Our Moral Empire in America," "to 
put soldiers on Mexican soil." 

Our reason for referring to this not 
■very attractive piece of writing, in which 
commonplace thought finds expression 
in the pretentious form which usually de- 
notes excessive personal vanity, is sole- 
ly on account of the preliminary edi- 
torial statement of Mr. Hale's relation to 
the policy he discusses in Ambassador 
Page's magazine. The circumstance 
that Mr. Hale is an employee of that 
-magazine, with a residence at the place 
of its publication, makes it seem very 
unlikely that the subjoined explanation 
was prefixed to his article without his 
Icnowledge and consent: 

"Perhaps no one except the President him- 
«elf is entitled to speak with greater authority 
■upon the problems of Latin-America and the 
■relation of our Government toward the Latin 
American republics. 

"Shortly after the February, 1913, coup d'etat 
■an Mexico city and the assassination of Presi- 
dent Madero and Vice-President Suarez, Dr. 
Sale went to the Mexican capital to investigate 
■those events and the character of the Huerta 
regime. He remained three months, returning to 
Washington with a report which, according to 
common belief, decided President Wilson to re- 
fuse recognition of the Huerta Government. 

"Later Dr. Hale visited the revolutionary chiefs 
in northern Mexico and held a series of con- 
ferences with General Carranza and his staff; 
-these conferences were followed shortly after- 
ward by the abolition of the embargo on arms 
and munitions of war, which had placed the 
revolutionists at a disadvantage." 

Is this all true, or is it a misconcep- 
tion on the part of "common belief" and 
mere boasting on the part of Mr. Wil- 
liam Bayard Hale to represent him as 
the originator of the policy of non-rec- 
■ognition of Huerta and of the open door 
•for material of war for Carranza and 
Pancho Villa? 

Is Mr. William Bayard Hale, in short, 
the person primarily responsible for the 
death of the Americans at Vera Cruz 
and of the hundreds or thousands of 
Mexicans killed in the battles in the 
northern States? 

We observe that the author of "Our 
Moral Empire in America" delic|ately 
refers to General Huerta, now along 
with President Wilson the subject of 
mediation through "the good offices of 
Brazil, Chile and the Argentine, as "an 
apelike Indian, aged, one eyed, subsist- 
ing on brandy." — New York "Sun." 



Does It Authorize the Government to 
War for a Faction? 



Senator Sheppard, of Texas, Wednes- 
day gave the first public intimation that 
the United States was co-operating in 
Mexico with the constitutionalists. In 
conjunction with Dr. Henry Allen Tup- 
per, the international peace advocate, Mr. 
Sheppard sent to Gen. Carranza the fol- 
lowing telegram: 

"Permit us to congratulate you on the 
co-operation of the United States in your 
brave struggle against the usurper of 
constitutional liberty. The enemies of 
freedom are hoping that the unselfish 
purposes of the United States will be 
misconstrued. The masses of the Ameri- 
can people are solidly behind President 
Wilson and are looking to you and your 
brother officers and loyal followers to 
push your glorious cause to immediate 
success." 



FROM "GOING SOUTH WITH 

CARRANZA." 

By Gregory Mason in the "Outlook." 

The pathetic aspect of the situation is 
that the bulk of the rebellious peons do 
not know what they are fighting for. 
Their leaders talk of constitutions, tax 
reforms, and a reform of the system by 
which a few hundred thousand Mexicans 
hold the land of fifteen millions. The 
unjust distribution of land is indeed, 
more than anything else, responsible for 
the ills of Mexico. But the pelados can- 
not understand the propaganda of an 
intellectual leader like Carranza, so we 
have the spectacle of a few intelligent 
leaders co-operating with a large num- 
ber of bandit chiefs at the head of a 
rabble whose motives are, first, loot; 
second, revenge; third, hero worship of 
jefcs like Villa; and, last, patriotism of 
un unseeing, chauvinistic variety. The 
revolution habit has become fixed with 
the lower classes. Give a peon a rifle, 
and he will fight for half as much as 
he could earn as a laborer or small farm- 
er; for enlisting in the army means op- 
portunity to travel, to avenge real or 
fancied wrongs on the property and per- 
sons of the rich men, and to enjoy the 
glamour of war that inevitably appeals 
to the half-Indian race that constitutes 
the bulk of Mexico's population. 

The Constitutionalist programme, even 
as expounded by Carranza, is much less 
definite than that of the Socialist party 
in the United States, and is almost as 
inchoate as that of the American Indus- 
trial Workers of the World. Before he 
left Juarez General Carranza assured 
me that he would solve the land prob- 
lem without confiscation, but by some 
sort of system yet to be worked out 
under which the peons on a hacienda 
would share the land with the ranch- 
man. Yet_ one of the departments of 
the Provisional Government is the De- 
partment of Confiscation! 

"The social and economic reforms we 
will work out later," said the Primer 
Jcfe; "they are secondary to the restora- 
tion of the Constitution." 

I asked him if he felt that he would 
have the support of the whole country 
if he reached Mexico City. 

"We will have enough troops to keep 
order everywhere," he replied, and I 
thought I saw the Iron Hand. 



PATRIOTS! 

The soldiers all look up to some one 
general under whom they were recruited 
as to their feudal lord. They call them- 
selves his "gente" — his people ; and an 
officer of anybody else's "gente" hasn't 
much authority over them. 

* * ♦ 

At night a fire of corn-cobs was built 
in the middle of the floor and we squatted 
around it; while Apolinario and fourteen- 
year-old Gil Tomas, who was once a 
"Colorado," told stories of the Bloody 
Three Years. 

"At the taking of Durango," said Apol- 
inario, "I was of the "gente" of Capi- 
tan Borunda — he that they- call The 
Matador, because he always shoots his 
prisoners. But when Urbina took Du- 
rango, there weren't many prisoners. So 
Borunda, thirsty for blood, made the 
rounds of all the saloons. And in every 
one he would pick out some unarmed 
man, and ask him if he was a Federal. 
'No, senor,' the man would say. 'You 
deserve death because you have not told 
the truth,' yelled Borunda, pulling his 
gun. Bang!" 

* * * 

There wasn't one of these men who 
had any religion at all, although once 
they had all been strict Catholics. 

"No, it is not the troopers, the starved, 
unfed common soldiers who profit by the 
revolution. Officers, yes — some — for they 
get fat on the blood of the 'patria.' But 
we — no." 

"What on earth are you fighting for?" 
I cried. 

"I have two little sons," he answered. 
"And they will get their land. And they 
will have other little sons. They, too, 
will never want for food." The little 
man grinned. "We have a proverb in 
Guadalajara: Do not wear a shirt of 
eleven yards, for he who wants to be a 
Redeemer will be crucified." 

"I've got no little son," said fourteen- 
year-old Gil Tomas, amid shouts of 
laughter. "I'm fighting so I can get a 
thirty-thirty rifle from some dead Fed- 
eral, and a good horse that belonged to 
a millionaire." 

Just for fun I asked a trooper with a 
photo-button of Madero pinned to his 
coat, who that was. 

"Pues, quien sabe, senor?" he replied, 
"My capitan told me he was a great 
saint. I fight because it is not so hard 
as to work." 

"How often are you fellows paid?" 

"We were paid three pesos just nine 
months ago to-night," said the school- 
master, and they all nodded. "We are 
the real volunteers. The 'gente' of Villa 
are professionals." 

Then Luis Martinez got a guitar and 
sang a beautiful little love-song, which 
he said a prostitute had fnade up one 
night in a "bordel." — John Reed in May 
"Metropolitan." 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



MEXICO 



The Final Word==OIL 



Washington, D. C. — Senator William 
Alden Smith made a dramatic indict- 
ment of the men whom he charged with 
being personally responsible for present 
conditions in Mexico and responsible, in 
his estimation, for the enormous loss of 
human life and treasure. 

He declared at the outset that the 
headquarters of the revolutionists were 
located in the Hibbs Building in this 
city. At great length he recited the ac- 
tivities of Sherbourne Hopkins, of this 
city, who, before the special Mexican 
investigating committee of which Sena- 
tor Smith was chairman, stated under 
oath his relation with the revolutionists 
and the pr.rt he played as adviser and 
counsel for the men who were in arms 
against the Mexican government. 

Referring to Mr. Hopkins, Senator 
Smith said: "His hand can be seen in 
every vexatious movement involving the 
instability of governments at the south 
of us, and in my opinion he and his 
associates are a menace to organized 
society. He is an acknowledged and 
professional revolutionary authority, 
has been close to the Department of 
State, and wields an influence over the 
aflfairs of Central America. 

"I assert, without any hesitation what- 
ever, that the very same element in 
Mexico which banded together to over- 
throw the government of President 
Diaz, which instigated and furnished the 
means and much of the munitions for 
President Madero's successful revolu- 
tion, are the men who have engineered 
the Carranza and Villa movement. Their 
headquarters are in the city of Washing- 
ton; their offices are in the Hibbs 
Building. 

"The following were here in person 
during the summer: 

"Felix Sommerfeld, the head of the 
secret-service corps, operating with 
Consul Llorente along the Mexican bor- 
der, who claimed that there was no 
limit to the expenditures he had a right 
to make; and it was found, without any 
difficulty whatever, that Mr. Llorente, 
consul, had over $2,000,000 to his credit 
in the city of El Paso alone with which 
he was to buy arms and ammunition and 
create propoganda in favor of his fac- 
tion of the Mexican people; Mrs. Fran- 
cisco Madero; the Madero brothers 
coming and going; Manuel Perez Ro- 
mero, brother of Mrs. Madero, Wash- 
ington representative of the rebels, their 
minister of finance; while Mrs. Madero's 
brother was busy through the entire 
summer fulminating against the govern- 
ment of Mexico, safely and usually in 
the District of Columbia. 

"When the Mexican revolution, head- 
ed by Francisco I. Madero, against 



President Diaz, broke out, the Eagle Oil 
Company, which includes the Aguila Oil 
Company, dealing in the refined products 
of oil, and the Pearson Oil concessions 
belonging to Lord Cowdray, of England, 
producing crude oil, were doing their 
business in sharp rivalry with the 
Waters-Pierce Oil Company, a Missouri 
corporation operating in Mexico, Mr. 
Hopkins says they were active competi- 
tors and the stock of the Waters-Pierce 
Oil Company was owned by the Stand- 
ard Oil Company. According to the 
witness, Mr. Henry Clay Pierce, presi- 
dent of the Waters-Pierce Company, 
'conceived it to be "eminently" proper 
that the public should understand how 
Lord Cowdray got these concessions and 
how he exercised the control which he 
had over the Mexican government,' and 
witness says that he was employed by 
Mr. Pierce for that purpose. 

"When asked by Senator McCumber 
(page 757 of the testimony taken by the 
special committee) why he should have 
been employed to ferret out public of- 
fenses in Mexico, he replied that Mr. 
Pierce did not believe the government 
would do it, and that it would require 
a person outside of the goverjiment, and 
witness advised as to the best methods 
to accomplish that end with most effect. 
Mr. Hopkins says that his employment 
took place in the City of Mexico. He 
further says that he was consulted with 
a view to exposing the graft by means 
of which Lord Cowdray had attained the 
degree of influence which he wielded 
with the Diaz administration. He says 
also that he was at that time the ad- 
viser of the Madero revolutionary party 
in Washington, and gave it his advice as 
to the best manner of deposing the Diaz 
government, that he was employed di- 
rectly by Gustavo Madero and others, 
and that he 'made it as hot as he could 
for Lord Cowdray and the Eagle Oil 
Company.' 

"He says he was especially called upon 
to advise Mr. Madero regarding railroad 
matters, and, in fact, says, 'I was the 
legal adviser of the revolutionary party 
in Washington from the beginning un- 
til the end,' employing men for work 
in the secret service of the United 
States and doing everything to assist in 
creating public opinion in the revolution 
against President Diaz ; and that he was 
called to Mexico immediately after the 
fall of Juarez by President Madero and 
his brother, Gustavo Madero, for the 
purpose of adjusting certain large out- 
standing accounts for secret service in 
the United States whom witness had 
employed. 

"During this visit to Mexico, Gustavo 
Madero was paid 600,000 pesos Mexican 



out of the treasury of that government 
for revolutionary expenses, and this 
money was carried by Madero to the 
hotel where Hopkins was stopping, and 
deposited in the International Banking 
Corporation, having a branch in Wash- 
ington and in various foreign countries, 
with which Hopkins did business, and 
which he sometimes represented. Of 
this fund, Mr. Hopkins was paid $50,- 
ooo""in gold for his service in promoting 
the revolutionary cause in Mexico. Dur- 
ing this employment the Standard Oil 
Company sold its holdings in the 
Waters-Pierce Company to Henry Clay 
Pierce, and acquired an interest in the 
Cowdray and Doheney oil concessions 
(p. 795)- The Standard Oil Company 
'was quite willing to sacrifice its stock 
interest to destroy the Waters-Pierce 
Company, because they saw what was 
coming' — by the sucess of the Hopkins- 
Madero revolution (p. 794)- 

■'Mr. Hopkins further says: 'Henry 
Clay Pierce found out that I was after 
some men who had been engaged in 
crooked practices, and he conceived that 
they should be exposed; they were so- 
called cientificos, who had been juggling 
with the national railways' (p. 755). 
Senator Hitchcock asked if this service, 
being for the Waters-Pierce Oil Com- 
pany, was for any idealistic purpose, and 
suggested that it must have been for 
some business reason ; Hopkins says it 
was to 'even up conditions — I mean in 
respect to government protection, as- 
sistance, aid, and so forth,' and that for 
this work he was paid $1,000. 

"He further says, in answer to Sena- 
tor McCumber, that much of his service 
consisted in advising the revolutionists 
how 'to get all the arms and ammunition 
and munitions of war that they could, 
and, with due regard to the neutrality 
laws, to get them across the border and 
organize their movement on the most 
approved milita.ry lines. I pointed out 
to them as best I could the lines of 
least resistance, both in a military and 
political sense. Most of the war ma- 
terial came from the United States — 
New York and St. Louis (p. 760). In 
speaking of Bannerman, Mr. Hopkins 
said: 'They are the largest dealers in 
war materials on this hemisphere; that 
they deal on a large scale with foreign 
governments; that they have furnished 
war materials for other Central and 
South American states' (p. 760). 

"Gustavo Madero promised Hopkins 
that if the revolution was successful he 
intended to pay him a fee of $50,000. lie 
was chief counsel in the United States, 
and his advice was sought upon the 
whole field of revolutionary action (p. 
769). Hopkins also says that he was 
kept in close touch by wire with the 
proposed amendment to the neutrality 
law which passed March 12, 1912, both 
at Vera Cruz, before his departure for 
the United States, and at Key West and 
(Continued on next page) 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 3, 1914. 



OIL — Continued. 

Palm Beach (p. 770), and says that he 
considered such legislation very advan- 
tageous to the Madero government. 

"Hopkins admitted that he viras pub- 
licity agent for Heny Clay Pierce in ex- 
posing graft in oil concessions in Mexi- 
co. 

"Hopkins says that he had 'had a good 
deal to do vi^ith revolutions, also in main- 
taining constituted government.' He 
says he knew that President Zelaya was 
going to be put out of the presidency of 
Nicaragua some time before it happened 
(p. 788). That he imparted his infor- 
mation to certain people in Europe, 
notably the French banker, whom he 
had approached for a loan in behalf of 
the Mexican revolution. He said he 
knew exactly what was soing to hap- 
pen. When asked if that information 
came directly from our government, he 
said: 'I should not say directly from 
our government; I knew what was go- 
ing to happen before our government 
did, and stopped Zelaya's loan from go- 
ing through.' 

"You cannot dismiss with a wave of 
the hand this man who can stop a loan 
from a European banking house to a 
government in Central America. You 
cannot dismiss with a wave of the hand 
a man whose labors were sufficient to 
call for a personal appropriation out of 
the treasury of Mexico amounting to 
$50,000 in gold. This man is an ac- 
knowledged and professional revolu- 
tionary authority; has been close to the 
Department of State, and wields a pow- 
erful influence over the affairs of Cen- 
tral America. His hand can be seen in 
every vexatious movement involving the 
instability of governments at the south 
of us, and in my opinion he and his as- 
sociates are a menace to organized so- 
ciety." 

Senator Thomas, of Colorado, inter- 
rupting the Senator from Michigan, 
asked this question: 

"I merely wanted to ask the Senator 
if he might not, with perfect propriety, 
add to the indictment he has just elo- 
quently drawn of those three men the 
further fact that every dollar of treasure 
to be expended and every life to be lost 
in the coming conflict, if there is one, 
should be charged directly to the ac- 
count of the same men and the same 
forces behind them?" 

To which Senator Smith replied: 

"Mr. President, I think that with his 
usual sagacity and experience as a 
lawyer, my friend from Colorado sees 
with unusual accuracy the conse- 
quences of this plot. 

"Mr. President, senators may say, 
'Why was not this matter presented to 
the Senate before?' That is a fair ques- 
tion. When we returned to Washing- 
ton after our labors we found our as- 
sociates scattered from a long and la- 
borious session of the Senate. We were 
unable to get our committee together. 



The Schoolmaster 



(From an Experienced Staff Corre- 
spondent of The Boston "Herald" Sent 
to Washington Last Week to Feel Its 
Pulse and Report the Inside Facts of 
the Situation.) 

In all the years since I have known 
Washington — and I was here at the out- 
break of the Spanish war and before — 
I have never seen a time when men of 
all parties, and every shade of belief, 
whether in public life or not, were so 
entirely united in opinion as now, upon 
an over-shadowing question of the hour. 
In the past week I have talked with sen- 
ators and representatives, with army and 
navy officers, with newspaper correspon- 
dents, with residents of the city and with 
visitors from all parts of the United 
States, and I have yet to find a man out- 
side the cabinet and immediate admin- 
istrative circle who has a word of com- 
mendation for the course which the Pres- 
ident has pursued and is pursuing with 
regard to Mexico. 

There are some who excuse him' and 
offer explanations, some who' apologize 
— but I have not seen or heard of one 
who approves. Of course this is by no 
means conclusive as to the merit of the 
matter. It is still conceivable, in spite 
ol the fighting at Vtra Cruz and "the 
killing of American marines, that Mr. 
Wilson has been wiser and more far- 
seeing than the rest of the world; that ■ 
events will show that he and Mr. Bryan 
and Mr. Lind and Mr. William Bayard 
Hale are right and that everyone else is 
wrong. I am simply noting the opinion 
of the hour — and it so happens that de- 
velopments to date seem completely to 
justify the judgment of those who have 
predicted from the start that however 
peaceful the President's intentions may 
have been, his policy of "watchful wait- 
ing" would lead inevitably to war. 

No President was ever given a freer 
hand in dealing with a difficult prob- 
lem. Republicans and Democrats alike 
in Congress, while distrusting his judg- 
ment and sources of information, have 
scrupulously refrained for more than a 
year from open criticism of Mr. Wil- 
son's Mexican policy. They have stood 
loyally by while American citizens were 
being killed in northern Mexico and 
American property was being despoiled 
by the revolutionists and, though chafing 
under restraint, have enacted some 
measures and refrained from enacting 
others or even from setting themselves 
right with their own people because he 
pleaded with them to uphold his hands 
during a critical period. They have 

Unfortunately, several of the actors in 
this horrible drama were killed. Your 
committee was squarely upon the trail 
of Gustavo Madero and the vice-presi- 
dent of the republic, Mr. Suarez, when 
their lives were snuffed out. The change 
of administration occurred, and the 
complexion of the committee on for- 
eign relations changed; a new situation 
arose. We had no power to go on. We 
could not complete our work. All we 
could do was to report the progress we 
had made; and we laid upon the desk 
of every senator the testimony we had 
taken." 



gone to the length of imperilling their 
own political fortunes by supporting his 
demand for the repeal of the Panama 
tolls exemption clause because he inti- 
mated in iiis address to Congress that 
the repeal was necessary to enable him 
to handle questions of great delicacy. 
He has had unlimited credit in Congress 
and has drawn upon it with little con- 
sideration for the patience and generosi- 
ty of those who have given it to him. 
He has even involved the United States 
in embarrassing complications with 
other powers through his insistence 
upon his own individual policy of 
"watchful waiting" and through his re- 
fusal to recognize Huerta as President 
of Mexico after every other govern- 
ment, with negligible exceptions, had af- 
forded Huerta recognition. 

It is characteristic of Mr. Wilson's 
policy throughout that he should have 
expected anything but an unfavorable re- 
sponse to his demand. He has treated 
Huerta and the de facto government of 
Mexico from the beginning with a con- 
tempt and a vindictiveness which is hard 
to explain and he has seemed to regard 
it as a personal grievance that Huerta 
has not retired long before this in or- 
der to make way for the so-called "con- 
stitutionalists" of the north whom the 
Wilson administration has encouraged 
in their revolutionary designs. 

Attitude of Schoolmaster. 

Mr. Wilson has treated Huerta much 
as a schoolmaster would treat a pupil 
whom he regarded as insubordinate, and 
in his dealings with Huerta he has 
shown an ungovernable rage such as 
schoolmasters in the days of corporal 
punishment sometimes exhibited toward 
a boy who failed to show himself amena- 
ble to discipline. He has given unlimited 
credence to the pretensions of Carranza 
and Villa because they call themselves 
"constitutionalists" — whatever that may 
mean in Mexico — and he has taken with- 
out question the opinions of his personal 
envoy, William Bayard Hale, whose rec- 
ord as a clergyman in Middleboro is still 
familiar to the inhabitants of the Cape 
and the value of whose judgment on any 
question they are in a position to esti- 
mate through their experience with him. 

It is perhaps too much to say that we 
are drifting into war through the advice 
of Dr. Hale, but through the entire 
trouble the President of the United 
States has shown greater regard for this 
divorced clergyman's opinion than for 
the seasoned judgment of diplomats and 
statesmen who were thoroughly familiar 
with the Mexican character through long 
experiences, and has given greater cred- 
ence to Hale's opinion than to the judg- 
ment of all the civilized nations of 
Europe. In the Mexican affair Mr. Wil- 
son has shown the same traits which 
made him a failure as an executive while 
president at Princeton and which led him 
to inflict upon the people of New Jer- 
sey the unspeakable Martine because by 
so doing he could carry out a theory 
of his own about the method of select- 
ing United States senators. 

(Continued on Page 12.) 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



MEXICO 



PUBLIC OPINION 

From North, South, East, West and All Angles. 



If v.'sr comej — when war comes, for 
war has been an inevitable consequence 
of President Wilson's Mexican policies 
throughout and must come sooner or 
later — the American people will sus- 
tain their government. They will fight 
the fights. They will furnish the fine 
young men who must die to win the 
war. They will pour out their blood 
and their money to uphold their coun- 
try's honor. But while there is a chance 
of preventing war, while it is still pos- 
sible that the voice of reason may ward 
off the calamity of war, it is not the 
duty of the patriotic citizen to obey 
blindly the word of his fellow-citiien 
temporarily in office. It is his duty 
and his privilege as an American to lift 
his voice in warning. — • Detroit "Free 
Press." 



worthy, both by nature and Ijy tiie cir- 
cumstances in which they are placed. 
What sane man. even though he were 
not charged with the high resporjsibility 
of the President or Mr. Bryan, would 
take seriously any pledge or promise 
made by either of the chiefs of 'he Con- 
stitutionalist party? * * * — New York 
"American." 



BRYAN AND VILLA: A MENACING 
INTRIGUE. 

.Apparently there is danger that the 
Administration is confusing niediation 
of the causes of Mexican anarchy with 
interference for the purpose of making 
Villa dictator in Mexico. 

The offer of the .A B C Powers to 
under' ake the former task was com- 
mendable in its purpose, though we 
must dcubt its practicability. But the 
mediators must themselves be an.azed at 
the tendency of the United States au- 
thorities to distort their purpose. 

They offered to serve the cause of 
peace; they are being used to serve the 
cause of Villa. 

L'pon Huerla is imposed an armistice 
during the period of arbitration. Car- 
ranza and Villa refused to agree to such 
a condition, and no effort is being made 
to impose it upon them. Indeed, there 
is li tie effort made by the .Administra- 
tion to conceal the fact that it is en- 
couraging Villa to move upon Tanipico 
in the belief that his possession of that 
town will further weaken the Huerta 
faction. 

Of course it will, bu: is that a fair 
use to make of the cessation of hos- 
tilities forced upon Huerta by the medi- 
ators? Must he sheatlie his sword while 
his enemy threatens his outposts? * * * 

The latter result is certain to follow 
the continued encouragement of Villa. 
That he is being encouraged, advised, 
consulted, applauded, is quite apparent — 
hardly even denied by the State Depart- 
ment. The Carranzista junta is in high 
favor about ihe offices of the Secretary 
of State. Personal representatives of 
that official are continually carrying 
messages to either Carranza or Villa, 
and returning with assurances of ac- 
quiescence. The United States is busily 
engaged in a revolutionary propaganda, 
and the hand of fellowship reaches from 
the State Department to the bandits' 
camp. 

The danger of such an intrigue — for 
that word precisely describes its dis- 
creditable character — ought to be imme- 
diately apparent. The President and his 
Secretary of State are dealing with 
forces that are irresponsible and untrust- 



IS THIS THE WILSON POLICY? 

In the opinion of the "World" there 
can be no permanent peace in Mexico 
"until the peon is on land that belongs 
to the peon, and is protected in his 
ownership," and: 

"When President Wilson refused to recognize 
Huerla he stood with the common people against 
their oppressors. 

"In helping to bring about a mediation that 
will restore peace and establish a really repre- 
sentative Government that will do iustice to the 
peon, the President is still standing with the 
common people." 

Convinced that the President is de- 
voting his power and authority to the 
settlement of the land question in 
Mexico, the "World" assumes that the 
United States as a nation is commiited 
to the rearrangement of the internal 
affairs of that nation. This assump- 
tion pleases the "World". It says: 

"Xot since the United States Government un- 
der the leadership of Abraham Lincoln destroyed 
human slavery has it undertaken a nobler mis- 
sion than the emancipation of the Mexican masses 
from a tyranny that is little better than slavery." 

When did the United States Govern- 
ment undertake this mission? On whose 
commission did it embark on this en- 
terprise? Who invited it to redress the 
domestic wrongs of a power independent 
of it and capable of caring for itself? 
By what authority will it divide the prop- 
erty of certain land owners among per- 
sons now landless? Who will pay the 
costs of this philanthropic excursion? 
When did the people of tlie United States 
authorize or approve so unusual an en- 
terprise? 

If this plan of land distribution is a 
mere vision of the "World's," it is a 
matter of small consequence- If it is 
a programme President Wilson has 
adopted it takes on a different aspect. 
.A.nd if it is President Wilson's plan and 
undertaking, is not this nation, and every 
nation on the globe, entitled to a formal 
announcement of that fact? — New York 
"Sun." 



By Clarence Hay in Boston "Evening 
Transcript." 

Many names appear, but always tow- 
ering above all the rest in importance 
is that of a brown old individual of ' 
the humblest stock, whose fame, not- 
withstanding his faul:s, will go down 
through the years as a man "Muy 
hombre," who puts up a splendid exhibi- 



tion of gameness and fight with all the 
odds against him. Through various ex- 
changes of notes our Department of 
State realized early last autumn that 
Victoriano Huerta was a very cunning 
old Indian. Since then he has proved 
himself something more than a cunning 
Indian. He has shown that he possesses 
patience and forbearance, when it is to 
his advantage to forbear, as' well as 
courage and persistency. Not once, in 
spite of all the epithets which Mr. Wil- 
son has seen fit to bestow upon him, 
has he lost his temper outwardly, and 
the fact that he has made no appalling 
diplomatic blunders since his ascendancy 
has been a source of disappointment to 
Washington. 

It is the impression among the Ameri- 
can colony here that the ability of Huer- 
ta to overcome "insurmountable" ob- 
stacles in an unreasonably simple man- 
ner, contributed largely towards Mr. 
Lind's departure from Vera Cruz. It 
gets raiher irksome to watch and wait, 
if that for which one has been waiting 
so many months fails to keep the ap- 
pointment. It is hard to predict coming 
events, but if Mr. Lind had waited two 
months longer he might have seen at 
least some of his hopes realized. 

The broad-minded American here 
knows that he cannot expect the United 
States to sacrifice thousands of millions- 
of dollars and the lives of many .Ameri- 
can soldiers simply to protect his in- 
terests in Mexico. He was playing a 
long shot when he put his money in 
this Indian country. He had the chance 
of winning big stakes and if the con- 
servative investor in his own country 
proves the more forunate in the end 
the loser should take h's losses like "a 
true sport." But "the true sport" does 
object if he considers that the game at 
which he has lost was not played fairly. 
In iustice to the -American business man 
in Mexico it must be said thai he has 
not been demanding intervention, except 
as a disagreeable alternative. What he 
has been objecting to is Mr. W'ilson's 
policy of tearing down the whole finan- 
cial fabric in order to break tlie Gov- 
ernment now in power. That Mr. Wil- 
son is accomplishing this successfully 
there is no longer any doubt, but at the 
same time he is bringing on the ruin of 
nearly all the .Americans living here, a 
misfortune which might have been 
avoided if he had recognized Huerta in 
the beginning. 

If it is not the intention of the United 
States to intervene the task which our 
paternal Government has taken upon it- 
self is a hard one to solve. Mr. Wil- 
son's attitude toward Mexico is possibly 
that of a man who takes sections of at 
least four distinct picture-puzzles and 
sits down to piece them into an har- 
monious whole, thinking that by elimin- 
ating a single large fragment the other 
pieces will fall into place. 

If this is vvhat he is trying to do, it 
is a question if either the geometric for- 
inulae of the scholar, or the heaven-sent 
virtue of patience, will avail him in the 
end. 

A seething Indian "republic," com- 
posed of irreconcilable elements, can't 
be tiirned into a garden of Eden by 
pointing a dogmatic finger at the in- 
habitants, and telling them to observe 
the second commandment. 

Mexico Cit}', .April ir>. 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



KERR KNEW TOO MUCH. 

There seems to be something revolu- 
tionary in the very air of Mexico. Even 
the supposedly calm and deliberate 
American temperament is affected by it. 
Here we are carrying the blessings of 
peace lo the Mexicans and offering to 
that distressed people our aid in estab- 
lishing a stable Government; and, not- 
withstanding it all, our first official ap- 
pointment to high station lasted just 
twen.y-four hours. 

Last Wednesday Robert J. Kerr was 
appointed Civil Governor of Vera Cruz 
by Admiral Fletcher and General Fun- 
ston, Thursday he opened offices and 
issued a proclamation. Nobody does 
anything in Mexico without a proclama- 
tion. Friday the Governor was "fired" 
upon cabled instructions from Washing- 
ton. 

But cheek by jowl with Mr. Kerr's 
declaration of good purpose, published 
in Thursday's "American," is the report 
of a speech delivered by him in Chicago 
March 7, Speechmaking is always peril- 
ous. Sometimes candidates for Presi- 
dent warmly indorse platform planks 
which they later repudiate. Ambassa- 
dors occasionally make presents of val- 
uable public property, like interoceanic 
canals, to the nation whose amicable 
wine they sip. Presidents can't be pun- 
ished. Ambassadors can be. bu' seldom 
are. But in the case of a mere civil 
Governor see how swiftly the penalty 
followed the discovery of the crime. 
In his Chicago speech Mr. Kerr said: 

"We find the United States Gov- 
ernment favoring the Government, 
or the set of individuals, or the 
political party, or ihe mob of ban- 
dits pledged, if they get into power, 
to do things which will be favorable 
to the Standard Oil Company's in- 
terests. 

"I am not making the char.ge that 
President Wilson or any member of 
his Administ'-ation is takina: any po- 
sition because of the influence of 
Standard Oil. but I do say that it is 
a most remarkable fact that the in- 
terests of Standard Oil and the 
moral ideas of the Democratic Ad- 
ministration happen to coincide." 
These utterances were printed in "The 
American" Thursday. Friday the offi- 
cial head of Governor Kerr dropped in^ 
to the basket. 

General Funston is quoted as saying 
that Mr. Kerr was appointed because 
he seemed to know more about the Mex- 
ican situation than any man on the spot. 
Undoubtedly his knowledge is wide, ac- 
curate and precise. But it is evidently 
possible for a man to know too much 
to be serviceable in Mexico just now. — 
New York "American." 



PUBLIC OPINION— Continued 

facts as they stand here. The difference 
between the Mexican situation and the 
Chinese trouble — when the Allies went 
to the rescue — is that the special corres- 
pondents in China were allowed the 
privilege of deduction and personal 
view-point. Here the newspaper rep- 
resentative mus; make good on some- 
thing that not only fills in the time of 
watchful waiting — the pace of the pres- 
ent Administration — but he must get his 
newspaper spaces filled with sensa.ions 
that will hustle the dignified, scholastic, 
theoretical, calm E.xecutive into some 
kind of a trot of activity. For various 
reasons — which are quite as diplomatic 
as an actual blocking because of cut 
wires — it has been impossible to get 
news efficiency — but news (?) has been 
sent just the same. 

J- his news, if America's reading public 
only will think as it reads, has been 
always from the rebel side — statements, 
press-agent work of Villa's movements — 
wide open, boastful and of moving-pic- 
ture effect. There has been at no time 
even a hint or sugges ion that the Fed- 
eral army, under direction of good gen- 
eralship, with true militarism, might be 
working and engineering a campaign 
that would tend to ultimate victory — 
with God and humanity williiig — any- 
way, with the hope of success because 
the commander, General Huerta. was not 
holding open gates of information for 
the enemy to block or to use. The 
Torreon situation was adroitly worked 
up and her:^lded as a decisive turning 
point. Why? Because the representa- 
tives of the American press arc, or ap- 
pear to be, agents of interven ion! In- 
tervention means but one thing in this 
country: The necessity of coming im- 
mediately to the rescue of the Govern- 
ment, of Huerta as President, as com- 
manding General of his army, and of 
all foreigners if the rebels win. There 
is not a press represen.ative, not a mem- 
ber of the diplomatic circle, which rep- 
resents all countries, not a layman nor 
business man — merchant, mining man. 
or one interested in oil, or other am- 
bitious for wealch — 'who does not believe 
— and express his opinions — if he can 
and not overstep wisdom — that with 
Carranza-Villa marauders plowing their 
way '0 victory and the slaughter of the 
Federal forces, intervention would be 
compelled. There are other Richmonds 
in the field who want to rule in Mexico. 
With the downfall of Huerta and his 
marvelous rule, Carranza and Villa 
would be lost in the shuffle. The United 
States army would be rushed here to 
cut through various hordes whose lead- 
ers would be trying to be firs' at the 
National Palace. — The Widow in "Town 
Topics." 



IN VERA CRUZ. 



I had not been on shore two hours 
at Vera Cruz before it was evident to 
me that the facts of the daily press of 
the United States and the real situation 
in Mexico — at least in Southern Mexico 
— were at variance. An explanation of 
it comes in the mass, the pot pourri, 
of rumor that fills the air — the precon- 
ceived idea, foregone conclusions, per- 
sonal interests that are seasoned over- 
much with personal characteristics — that 
are let to fly in this atmosphere — and 
gathered up as news items. This con- 
glomeration, without much sifting, or 
deduction, or searching out for the 
nucleus that starts tiTe rumor, is cabled 
to the States and published with more 
respect paid to the political policy of 
the American newspaper than to the 



PRESIDENT WILSON'S MISTAKE. 

"My view has been from the first 
that President Wilson made a mis- 
take in not recognizing Huerta. Other 
Governments were recognizing him, but 
we declined to do so because we assumed 
the right to decide whether or not he 
had the proper credentials to the Presi- 
dency of Mexico. 

"It had never occurred to me that the 
Monroe Doctrine has anything to do 
with the question of whether this or that 
man shall be recognizd as the head of the 
Government of a South American State. 
Up to the present time it had always 
been our position that the South and 
Central Americans were entitled to the 



same treatment as other nations and to 
have the benefit of the same rules of in- 
ternational intercourse. 

"In dealing with other nations I never 
supposed it to be our. business to inquire 
how a man came to be the head of the 
Government, and I supposed the same 
rule held good in our relations with 
South American countries. 

"The simple inquiry was made, not 
how he came to be the head of the Gov- 
ernment, but whether he was the head 
of the Government. If he was, it was 
our duty to recognize him as such. That 
was all there was of it; that was the 
rule. 

"It was not for us to consider, weigh 
evidence, and determine whether he had 
been illegally elected to the office or 
whether there were irregularities in his 
election which raised a question about 
its validity. That was supposed to be a 
question for the country itself to settle, 
not for us." — By General Benjamin F. 
Tracy, Ex-Secretary of the Navy, in New 
York "Times." 



A SCOUNDREL ALLY. 

Villa is a scoundrel and everybody 
knows it. He will probably have to be 
crushed out by whatever agency as- 
sumes control of the Mexican situation. 
The mediators will be as "wise" on that 
situation as is the intelligent opinion of 
America to-day. The Cabinet is al- 
ready divided on the question, Secre- 
tary Garrison resisting the Bryan policy 
of friendliness to Villa. The latter's cot- 
ton transactions, in which he has tried 
to dispose of millions of dollars worth 
of that product stolen from the Torreon 
region, have helped to bring his true 
character to light. 

There is a saying that an incipient war 
once stopped does not start up- again. 
This is hopeful. The mediation project 
has at least arrested the drift toward 
war. This has been done so effectively 
that all the howling degenerates who 
have been trying to rush this country in- 
to war for war's own sake — to see blood 
flow and to sell papers — are now yell- 
ing with the rage of a stage villain foiled 
in his plot. — Boston "Herald." 



NO. 26 BROADWAY. 

Fred Warren, editor of the "Appeal to 
Reason," attacking the landing of ma- 
rines at Vera Cruz, aroused the greatest 
enthusiasm of the evening, particularly 
when he indulged in a half hour's defini- 
tion of what the American flag really 
stands for. At one period of his ad- 
dress, when he declared that the "sub- 
sidized editors" should be sent to war, 
along with the President and Congress, 
to fight for the flag, which represented 
to him a series of really alarming dis- 
honors, everybody got up and yelled and 
red bandannas were waved. 

"The cause, the beginning and the end 
of the war in Mexico can be found at 
No. 26 Broadway," Mr. Warren shouted. 
"The cause but not the beginning of the 
war in Colorado begins in the same 
place." — New York "Evening Telegram."' 



Saturday, May 2, 1914. 



MEXICO 



ON THE BRINK OF WAR. 

From the moment he entered the White 
House, President Wilson's treatment of the Mex- 
ican situation has been based upon the highest 
personal ethics, governed by the best intentions 
—and predestined to failure. The error which 
causes us the present alarms and excursions. 
«nd may cost blood and treasure too, has been 
one of misunderstanding the Mexican tempera- 
ment and the actual conditions. Hating inter- 
vention above all things, Mr. Wilson adopted a 
policy whose logical end was intervention. De- 
testing war and foreign aggression, he has been 
compelled to call upon the army and navy. 
Two courses were open to the President ; he 
might have recognized the Hucrta regime (no 
worse m its origins and morals than most oi 
those which preceded it), or he and his Sec- 
retary of State might, in withholding that recog- 
nition, have impressed Mexico with continuity 
and firmness of policy. There has been the 

same diflficulty in dealing with this situation that 
is found in handling a high-strung, ill-bred child, 
with the added difficulty that this child is armed 
and insolent and that there are several millions 
of him. Mr. Wilson's striking achievements in 
domestic politics cannot be gainsaid, but they are, 
momentarily at least, obscured. — "Collier's Week- 
ly" 



A BEGGAR AMONG THE NATIONS. 

Sooner than anyone expected the chickens of 
"grape juice" diplomacy are coming home to 
roost. For more than a year President Wilson, 
through his Secretary of State, has been beg- 
ging help of the world in his war upon Vic- 
toriano Huerta. When the T*resident finally made 
up his mind not to recognize the Huerta govern- 
ment, he appealed to European Powers who were 
still considering the matter to withhold recogni- 
tion. To the London and other Governments 
which had, upon the recommendation of their 
diplomatic representatives in Mexico City, ex- 
tended formal recognition, the President appealed 
to withdraw it. When John Lind was despatched 
to Mexico, on a mission foredoomed to failure, 
we again find Secretary Bryan in the name of 
the President begging help for this unaccredited 
and unequipped envoy from the London, Paris and 
Berlin Governments. Wheii Huerta easily sur- 
vived the Lind visitation the Administration at 
Washington again became a suppliant of the 
world powers and begged their help in preventing 
Huerta irom borrowing any more money. 

Latterly, when our blundering into war at 
Vera Cruz forced Americans to flee for their 
lives, we are treated to the humiliating spectacle 
of our Government appealing to the British and 
German commanders in Mexican waters to rescue 
our nationals from the wrath of the Mexicans, 
kindled by our war upon the only government 
they have. To most of these appeals, especially 
to the latest, the world powers have responded 
with markedly prompt maj-nanimity. This, too, 
in spite of our refusal to let them lift a hand 
either to protect their own nationals or to 
colnpose Mexico, and in the face of our failure 
to do this work ourselves, a task imposed on us 
by the Monroe Doctrine and by our position as 
nearest neighbor 

But now we see Europe appealed to by Latin 
America to bring pressure to bear upon the 
President of the United States to curb his wrath 
against Huerta and leave the ABC Powers 
a free hand in adjusting the differences between 
the several factions in Mexico. The President 
may be indifferent to the significance of this 
appeal, but the American people will, we be- 
lieve, not be slow to feel the sting of its hu- 
miliation. Our proud position of primacy in this 
western world is for the time being wiped out. 
Latin America appeals unitedly to the Old World 
for help against a next-door neighbor. How 
can President Wilson object if the chancelleries 
of Europe respond to this appeal? Have me' 
not for a year been going in debt to them for 
help in a task that rightly belongs to us, the 
task of helping stricken Mexico to her feet? Be- 
tween them the President and his Secretary of 



PUBLIC OPINION-Continued 

State have by a year of blunders brought the 
United States to the low estate of a beggar 
among the nations. And now in this appeal of 
Latin America to Europe to take a hand in Pan- 
American affairs we see tlie chickens of the 
Wilson-Bryan diplomacy coming home to roost. — 
Boston "Evening Transcript." 



Villa's maudlin attempt to appear a jolly good 
friend of the Gringoes somehow lacks convinc- 
ing qualities. — Boston "Herald." 



In the meantime, it may be necessary for 
Venezuela or Colombia to step in and restore 
order in Colorado.— Boston "Herald." 



DESTROYING HIS PARTY. 

CHICAGO, April 24.— President Woodrow Wil- 
son as president is making precisely the same 
mistake he made as president of Princeton uni- 
versity. He thinks he is the whole thing. 
Princeton would have made him resign if he had 
stayed another year. He stopped the organi- 
zation of the post-graduate college. As soon as 
he was gone the post-graduate college was or- 
ganized, the magnificent buildings were erected, 
and his name was not mentioned in the proceed- 
ings of the inauguratior^ of the college and dedi- 
cation of the buildings. 

He is repeating himself. 

President Wilson has been successful for a few 
months, because he has appealed to the people 
over the heads of congress to sustain his per- 
sonal views and plans. But the people are get- 
ting their eyes open to his schemes. They are 
deserting him. They will reorganize and unite 
the Republican party, which for fifty years has 
directed the policies of the country. — ^J. M. Linn, 
in Chicago "Tribune." 



been pictured recently in the embraces of Villa. 
Carothers was sent there by the secretary of 
state. 

Bitter Attack on Villa. 

"Who is Villa? He was first heard of when 
the American ambassador demanded his arrest 
for the looting of American ranches. If he 
can read now, he learned in the penit'entiary. This 
gentlemanly bandit wanted to attack an unde- 
fended town. For that Huerta ordered him shot. 
Villa lives because he begged his life of Huerta 
on his knees and Huerta yielded. 

"Now I have no objections to Carothers fond- 
ling and caressing Villa if he likes that kind of 
a man. But I do object to his representing this 
nation while so doing. When the American navy 
is upholding the honor of the nation the secre- 
tary of state is negotiating peace with this bandit, 
who began hfe looting American property. The 
secretary of state asked him if he would please 
modify his order driving the Spaniards out of 
Torreon. Villa replied in effect that he would 
do as he darned pleased. 

"This is the kind of procedure on the part 
of officials of this government which is em- 
barrassing endeavors to settle the Mexican ques- 
tion peacefully." 



IN THE HOUSE. 

Representative Mondell began his attack on 
the administration by calling attention to official 
dispatches to the state department by United 
States Consul Canada, stationed at Vera Cruz. 

"Amid all the rumors of war and warlike prep- 
arations," he said, "American citizens have been 
protected in their liberties, rights, and property 
to a remarkable degree throughout the territory 
under the control of the Federal government of 
Mexico. But there has been a studied effort to 
create a false impression that such protection has 
not been afforded. Little has been said of the 
repeated outrages upon Americans perpetrated in 
the territory under the control of the so-called 
Constitutionalists. 

"Now it is not to be wondered at that yel- 
low journals should seize upon and distort every 
dispatch reporting the arrest, the insulting, and 
putting to death of American citizens in Fed- 
eral territory. But it is a different and more 
serious matter when we find on the part of 
United States officials the same disposition to 
magnify the troubles in Mexico and to empha- 
size the difficulties American citizens have had." 
Assails Reports of Canada. 

"In this connection I wish to call attention to 
the official dispatches of Consul Canada and in- 
terviews attributed to him. The yellow press dis- 
patches from all Mexico fail to equal the lurid 
dispatches of this gentleman." 

"What about the consul at Monterey who was 
arrested by Federals?" interjected Representative 
Thompson of Oklahoma, Democrat. 

In that case you find suppression of the out- 
rages committed by tlie Constitutionalists," Mr. 
Mondell said. "When the Constitutionalists took 
Monterey they tore down American flags which 
had becri placed over doors to protect American 
citizens. They trampled American flags and in- 
sulted American citizens throughout the city. 

"But some cannot see outrages committed by 
the Constitutionalists. Mr. Carothers, another 
consular representative of our government, baa 



Villa and Carranza have succeeded in fooling 
a few Americans in high places, but they do not 
fool the American people. — Washington "Post." 



LOOK OUT FOR VILLA. 

Ground for suspicion appears in the division of 
counsels of Carranza and Villa. The former has 
openly espoused the cause of his country, while 
Villa professes friendliness to the United States, 
implying that its forces and his own should in a 
measure work together. If we will take and 
hold the gulf ports he promises to go forward 
and dislodge Huerta from Mexico City. May 
not these professions of friendship have an ul- 
terior purpose? May he not want us to let him 
have arms across the border? May he not be 
trying "to work us," to use a current phrase? 

No one in authority in Washington should 
longer take stock in Villa. He is tlie worst 
scoundrel, according to the indisputable evidence, 
In the whole Mexican affair. By comparison 
Huerta is a saint. He has generally protected 
the lives of Americans and other foreigners in the 
territory over which he has held control. His 
record in this respect stands out in marked con- 
trast with conditions prevailing under the ban- 
dits of the north, of whom Villa is the worst. 
The pathetic phase of this whole Mexican affair 
is that our policy should have so steadily played 
into the hands of such « miserable wretch.— 
Boston "Herald." 



While Villa is in such a loquacious 
mood he might be induced to tell the 
facts about Benton*s murder. — Hartford 
"Courant." 



Gen. Carranza's state papers are not 
very definite. He has the bad habit of 
losing himself in his own writing fluid. 
— Hartford "Courant." 



It is no time to rely on the friendly 
assurances of cut-throats and hired as- 
sassins, such as Villa and his whole out- 
fit have shown themselves to be. Sooner 
would we see the Government enter into 
an alliance with a successful Jesse 
James, for at least that outlaw spared 
women, whom Villa has made the vic- 
tims of the most brutal and hideous 
crimes that the annals of warfare can 
show in this or any other age. — Boston 
"Evening Transcript." 



MEXICO 



Saturday, May 2, 1914, 



y 



"MEXICO" 

Published every Saturday by 

UNIVERSAL PUBLISHING SERVICE 

Managing Editor, Thomas O'Halloran. 

15 BROAD ST., NEW YORK 
Single Copies, 5c. By the Year, $2.00 



TO ADVERTISERS: 

We offer a distinctive medium gomg 
to the best class of buyers in the United 
States and Latin-American countries. 
Send for rates to 

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SERVICE 

15 Broad Street, New York 

LEST WE FORGET. 
In the sudden exodus of Americans 
from Mexico not one of many thousands 
v^ras killed or injured, although the pop- 
ulace v^as maddened by the seizure of 
Vera Cruz. 

* » » 

The Mexican Government took extra- 
ordinary precautions to protect Ameri- 
cans. 

* » * 

But the casual reader of the daily 
papers would get the impression that 
"Huerta's men" were killing, harrassing 
and torturing Americans. 

To protect them from mob violence it 
was in some cases necessary to hold 
the refugees in a place of safety. 

The reports from Vera Cruz and the 
efforts of the State Department were di- 
rected to create the impression that these 
Americans were "arrested" and in some 
cases that they v/ould be executed. 

* * * 

Allowing for the hysteria of the time, 
is it not obvious to any fair-mind-ed per- 
son that the unfairness of the Mexican 
news is only outdone by the palpable 
unfairness of the Washington Adminis- 
tration? 

* • * 

Blacken Huerta and whitewash Villa— 
that's the game of Wilson, Bryan, Lind, 
Daniels, et al, and their sycophantic 
echoes. 

* * * . <■ ' 1. 
They know it is safe to do it, for the 

average citizen doesn't give a hang for 

any Mexican faction. 

In other words, they do not telieve in 
fairness, truth and justice when it is 
possible to "get away with" unfairness, 
lies and injustice. 

Which is the very essence of hypoc- 
risy. 

Better to trust a Villa than trust that 
kind of person. 

But they are 'all honorable men. 



THE DREAM. 

It is a sort of fashion to preface criti- 
cism of the Administration's Mexican 
policy by protesting faith in the Presi- 
dent's high ideals and good intentions. 
Without referring unnecessarily to the 
torrid region paved with such intentions, 
we are forced to conclude that the fol- 
lowing fairly well sums up what our 
esteemed President has in mind regard- 
ing Mexico: 

The spirit of peace and good-will 
animating every Mexican, from the 
highest to the lowest. 

A diapason of sweet reasonableness 
rising in ever-swelling bursts of na- 
tional concord. 

Every Mexican able to read "The New 
Freedom." 

Pancho Villa, chief of a rural police, 
with nothing to do. 

Mrs. Lind personally conducting dox- 
ology-singing bands of American mis- 
sionaries, hailed as spirits of light by a 
heaven-aspiring populace. 

A white-whiskered sonorous-voiced 
Presidente in the National Palace ut- 
tering platitudes, received daily from 
Washington by long-distance telephone. 

John Lind sitting at the President's 
counsel table and planning new Chau- 
taqua routes for Bryan. 

The oil gushers of Tampico and Tux- 
pam gurglingly offering from the heart 
of nature a gift of great wealth to all 
men of good words. 

A lean, austere man in the White 
House, serene after many storms,^ a pent- 
up volcano of emotion, from his ivory 
tower of thought looking on all with a 
Cheshire smile and murmuring: " 'Tis 
well, my children." 



THE REALITY. 

Murder. 

Rape. 

Pillage. 

Desolation. 

War. 

Hell. 



THE REMEDY. 

Have a real man guide the destinies 
of your nation and buy your poetry. 



THE SCHOOLMASTER. 

(Continued from Page S.) 

Takes None Into Confidence. 
It is a fact that during the entire period 
of waiting President Wilson has not 
once taken into his confidence any lead- 
er in the House or the Senate. He has 
asked members of the foreign relations 
committee to come to the White House 
and has told them certain things he 
would like to have done, and, without 
regard to party feeling or their own po- 
litical prospects, they have consented to 
take the necessary steps to carry out his 
policies. Men like Root and Loijge, fa- 
miliar by years of training with diplo- 
matic procedure, have been called to the 
White House only to be treated, after 
responding to the call, with little more 
consideration than would be given a 
White House employe entrusted with the 



delivery of a written message to the 
Senate. None of the men to whom the 
President had appealed for support in 
Congress has received from him an inti- 
mation of his real reasons for inaction 
and delay. For all that they have learned 
from him they would have no more con- 
ception of what was going on than a 
messenger or clerk. It now appears that 
through his own emissaries and those of 
the secretary of state he has been in al- 
most continuous communication with the 
revolutionary party in the north of 
Mexico, encouraging them to believe 
that they would have the moral support 
of the United States in their endeavor to 
unseat Huerta and get possession of the 
capitol, while at the same time he has 
persisted in withholding from Huerta 
the recognition which was essential to 
financing his government and confirming 
it in control. All his energies have been 
bent toward perpetuating revolution and 
anarchy where a simple word of recogni- 
tion might have resulted in the restora- 
tion of peace and order. The catastrophe 
which has followed seems to have been 
foreseen by everyone conversant with 
the situation excepting- only the vision- 
aries and parasites whom he relied upon 
for information and adv'ce. 

I have talked in the past day or two 
with many newspaper correspondents 
who have been in Mexico during the past 
year, some of the keenest and most im- 
partial observers in the United States 
to-day. They all unite in saying that not 
since the departure of Diaz have condi- 
tions in the City of Mexico and the sur- 
rounding country, been so good as since 
Huerta gained control. Under Madero, 
the visionary whom many believe to 
have been insane, anarchy prevailed 
throughout the country and life and 
property were utisafe within five milei 
of the capital, but under Huerta, who, 
whatever may be his moral character, is 
at least the head of an organized gov- 
ernment, law and ordfr have held re- 
spect. In the territory where Huerta 
has had unchallenged control — and this 
includes by far the greater part of the 
territory of Mexico — American lives and 
property have been as free from inter- 
ference as they would be in Worcester 
or Lynn. Up to a few hours before our 
marines landed in Vera Cruz, Ameri- 
cans were working in American-owned 
mines, within a radius of 6o miles of the 
capital, as peacefully and regularly as 
anvAvhere in the world. But in the 
country to the north, where Villa and 
Carranza .had driven out the federal 
troops with ammunition shipped across 
the border with the approval of Mr. 
Wilson and Mr. Bryan, Americans had 
been subject to spoliation and put to 
death, and there was no regard for lives 
or property. Yet it is into the peace- 
ful territory controlled by Huerta that 
the administration has gone "to restore 
order." 

No one here questions the sincerity of 
Mr. Wilson's motives. Every one ad- 
mits that he is doubtless actuated by a 
real desire to do what he believes is 
right. But he has gone into this busi- 
ness with the mistaken notion that to 
him has been entrusted the, duty of regu- 
lating the form of government which 
shall prevail in Mexico. He has ignored 
the principle which has prevailed hith- 
erto in the United States, as in every 
other civilized nation, that our only con- 
cern with the internal affairs of another 
country is in seeing that American lives 
and property have adequate protection, 
that American interests are not discrim- 
inated against and that the American flag 
is treated with respect. Beyond that he 
had no right to go. 



LLAc 



